Whole building airtightness testing has been a code compliance option in the International Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE 90.1 for some time.

That compliance option is rarely used and only becomes mandatory as part of a building owners’ requirements, or a specific state or jurisdictional requirement.

As we move towards net-zero, building codes will “tighten” up and is expected to become a test that is mandatory on a more country-wide basis.

It is important to understand the latest in test methods, current and projected code requirements, training and certification requirements and resources to allow you to specify this requirement.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify current building code requirements on both a national and jurisdictional level, and requirements of various green building programs.
2. Articulate what the test provides and how the results can be used to improve the building enclosure.
3. Define the differences between all the test methods available as code or specification options.
4. Determine the industry resources that exist in developing contract documents for whole building airtightness testing.

Ryan Dalgleish has been involved in the building enclosure and building performance areas of construction in both the commercial and residential sectors for over 20 years. He acts in the position of Chief Operating Officer for the Air Barrier Association of America. Ryan is actively involved in research, training development and delivery, certification management and helping industries increase their professionalism. He obtained credentials in Adult Education, Leadership and Organizational Excellence from the University of Manitoba and has been mentored and trained by some of the best building scientist’s in the world. Ryan is a certified Net Zero building instructor, teaches master builder courses to builders across the country and is a frequent speaker at various technical presentations dealing with the building enclosure to various building official associations, city departments, building enclosure councils and chapters of the American Institute of Architects, Construction Specifications Institute and a number of local home builder associations.