ASTM E1827-11
Standard Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door

Standard No.

ASTM E1827-11

Release Date

2011

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM E1827-11(2017)

Latest

ASTM E1827-22

Scope

Airtightness8212;Building airtightness is one factor that affects building air change rates under normal conditions of weather and building operation. These air change rates account for a significant portion of the space-conditioning load and affect occupant comfort, indoor air quality, and building durability. These test methods produce results that characterize the airtightness of the building envelope. These results can be used to compare the relative airtightness of similar buildings, determine airtightness improvements from retrofit measures applied to an existing building, and predict air leakage. Use of this standard in conjunction Practice E1186 permits the identification of leakage sources and rates of leakage from different components of the same building envelope. These test methods evolved from Test Method E779 to apply to orifice blower doors.

Applicability to Natural Conditions8212;Pressures across building envelopes under normal conditions of weather and building operation vary substantially among various locations on the envelope and are generally much lower than the pressures during the test. Therefore, airtightness measurements using these test methods cannot be interpreted as direct measurements of natural infiltration or air change rates that would occur under natural conditions. However, airtightness measurements can be used to provide air leakage parameters for models of natural infiltration. Such models can estimate average annual ventilation rates and the associated energy costs. Test Methods E741 measure natural air exchange rates using tracer gas dilution techniques.

Relation to Test Method E7798212;These test methods are specific adaptations of Test Method E779 to orifice blower doors. For nonorifice blower doors or for buildings too large to use blower doors, use Test Method E779.

Single-Point Method8212;Use this method to provide air leakage estimates for assessing improvements in airtightness.

Two-Point Method8212;Use this method to provide air leakage parameters for use as inputs to natural ventilation models. The two-point method uses more complex data analysis techniques and requires more accurate measurements (Tables X1.1 and X1.2) than the single-point method. It can be used to estimate the building leakage characteristics at building pressure differences as low as 4 Pa (0.016 in. H₂O). A variety of reference pressures for building envelope leaks has been used or suggested for characterizing building airtightness. These pressures include 4 Pa (0.016 in. H₂O), 10 Pa (0.04 in. H₂O), 30 Pa (0.12 in. H₂O), and 50 Pa (0.2 in. H₂O). The ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals uses 4 Pa.

Depressurization versus Pressurization8212;Depending on the goals of the test method, the user may choose depressurization or pressurization or both. This standard permits both depressurization and pressurization measurements to compensate for asymmetric flow in the two directions. Depressurization is appropriate for testing the building en............

ASTM E1827-11 Referenced Document

• ASTM E1186 Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Retarder Systems
• ASTM E1258 Standard Test Method for Airflow Calibration of Fan Pressurization Devices
• ASTM E456 Standard Terminology for Relating to Quality and Statistics
• ASTM E631 Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• ASTM E741 Standard Test Method for Determining Air Change in a Single Zone by Means of a Tracer Gas Dilution
• ASTM E779 Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization
• ISO 9972 Thermal performance of buildings - Determination of air permeability of buildings - Fan pressurization method

ASTM E1827-11 history

• 2022 ASTM E1827-22 Standard Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door
• 2017 ASTM E1827-11(2017) Standard Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door
• 2011 ASTM E1827-11 Standard Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door
• 1996 ASTM E1827-96(2007) Standard Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door
• 1996 ASTM E1827-96(2002) Standard Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door
• 1996 ASTM E1827-96 Standard Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door