Whole building air leakage testing (WBALT) is a core component of our commissioning services for both new construction and retrofits. These tests are becoming more common and may be mandated for many new buildings as jurisdictions move toward net‑zero carbon and high‑performance targets.
Our WBALT services include:
Testing for compliance with local codes, standards, project specifications, and net‑zero/green building requirements.
Providing performance data to support whole‑building energy models and mechanical system sizing.
Quantitative measurement of air leakage rates, typically expressed in ACH (air changes per hour) and, where required, normalized air leakage rate (NLR).
Testing under both pressurized and depressurized conditions to capture different behaviors of components such as air/water barriers, vents and flaps.
Referenced standards and guidance:
ASTM E779 and ASTM E3158 (primary WBALT standards), for both single-zone and multi-zone scenarios.
Other applicable standards where needed, including CAN/CGSB 149.10‑M86, EN 13829, ISO 9972, ASTM E1827, and the US Army Corps of Engineers protocol.
We perform:
Enclosure tests (requires sealing all penetrations through walls and roofs, with a focus on enclosure performance).
Operational tests (testing the building “as‑is” with intended openings in their operational state, often used for in‑service buildings).
Guarded floor/zone tests where a full WBALT is not feasible, to gather representative data related to typical enclosure details during construction. This approach gives the project team an opportunity to correct deficiencies while the building is in progress, which is a major advantage over full WBALT.
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