Introduction

Uncontrolled air leakage through a building envelope can result in excessive energy costs and condensation-related deterioration of building materials. Control of air leakage has been recognized as an important consideration in building design and r e p a i r. The objective of this research, undertaken jointly by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Institute for Research in Construction, was to establish protocols for measuring air leakage and air flow patterns in high-rise residential buildings. Atest protocol for evaluating the airtightness of buildings will allow the effectiveness of air leakage control measures to be determined. It will also allow commissioning of new buildings to ensure that desired levels of airtightness are met.

Research Program

A proposed test protocol, based on previously developed test methods for measuring air leakage characteristics and air flow patterns for apartment buildings, was tested on a five-storey apartment building built in 1981 in Ottawa. The test building had a central heating and ventilating system that supplied air to the corridor of each storey through two supply air registers. Ventilation air was drawn into the apartment units from the corridor by natural ventilation or by kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans. Return air was supplied to the ventilation system through a dampered opening in the outdoor air supply duct. There were no return air ducts.

• building: highrise
• ventilation: airtightness, air leakage, : protocol for air leakage and flow patterns in high-rise, done 1980

1. Testing of air barrier systems for wood frame walls