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 it is expected this will become a test that is mandatory on a more country wide basis. As we move towards those requirements, 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:

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

Ryan Dalgleish, CSI

Ryan has been involved in the building enclosure and building performance areas of construction for over 23 years. He is an educator and developer of building enclosure education and credentialing programs for building sub-trades and is part of the Quality Assurance management team for field air barrier installation across North America.

Ryan is a certified Net Zero building instructor and is a frequent speaker at various technical events and conferences. Ryan obtained credentials in Adult Education, Leadership from the University of Manitoba and has been mentored and trained by some of the best building scientists in the world.