Blower Door Tests – $220
WHY TEST?
The Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation (Version 5) adopted mandatory air infiltration testing (also known as blower door testing) for new construction homes and residential units permitted after July 1, 2017.
WE ARE FULLY QUALIFIED
Sections R402.4.1.2 and R104.5 of the Florida Building Code require that the mandatory blower door test must be performed by either individuals as defined in Section 553.993(5) or (7), F.S. or individuals licensed as set forth in Section 489.105(3)(f), (g), or (i) or an approved third party.
Our team members have these certifications.
Our Fast-Track Process
Place an order
You will be asked to provide a payment.
We call you
We run the test
Results will be delivered to you within two working days.
Place an order
You will be asked to provide a payment.
We call you
We run the test
Results will be delivered to you within two working days.
More Information on Blower Door Tests
What is a Blower Door?
A blower door is a machine used to measure the airtightness of buildings. It can also be used to measure airflow between building zones, to test ductwork airtightness and to help physically locate air leakage sites in the building envelope.
There are three primary components to a blower door: (1) a calibrated, variable-speed fan, capable of inducing a range of airflows sufficient to pressurize and depressurize a variety of building sizes, (2) a pressure measurement instrument, called a manometer, to simultaneously measure the pressure differential induced across the face of the fan and across the building envelope, as a result of fan airflow, and (3) a mounting system, used to mount the fan in a building opening, such as a door or a window.
What is the Requirement?
Each home must have 7 air changes per hour (7 ACH50) or less in order to pass the Blower Door test.
The Blower Door test simulates wind blowing against a building at 20 miles per hour, in which case the total volume of air within the house would be exchanged with outside air 7 times. The 20mph wind is equivalent to 50 Pascals (Pa) of pressure difference. A Blower Door Fan simulates these conditions during a test.
All homes are tested at 50 Pa pressure difference to allow for comparisons to be made between homes/structures, no matter the size or plan type. In Florida, buildings of 3 stories or less must abide by the building code with respect to these tests.
Some Important Requirements
- The Fifth Edition of the Florida Building Code (FBC) states that every home permitted after July 1st, 2017 will require a Blower Door Test.
- This includes single family homes, town homes, duplexes, individual condominiums and apartment units of three stories or less.
- The Blower Door Tester needs to be a third party trained and accredited to perform the test.
- The test cannot be performed by anyone who was involved with the design or construction of the home including HVAC installers and electricians.
- For the test to be successful, the building must prove to have than 7 air changes per hour (ACH) at the 50 pa pressure difference induce by the Blower Door. If the less than 3 ACH per hour is found, then the building will have to have some form of mechanical ventilation.
- If there is mechanical ventilation, plans have to be submitted and approved showing how the ventilation is achieved.
Testing for Air Leakage
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides an interesting article on:
- Testing for air leakages
- How leaks occur
- How leaks are measured in buildings
- When and why should you have the blower door test done to your home?
- Why the funny name – “blower door”?
- Who can do the test?
- How is the test conducted?
- What do the numbers from the test mean?
- How big are the air leakage sites (“holes”) in my house?
- Are there any limitations to the blower door test “finding” leaks?
- What about testing the duct system for leaks?
- What are some other tests that might be performed?
- Added Value of the Florida Energy Systems Consortium
- Additional References and Resources
