English

According to the legal regulations and the rules of technology (as generally accepted) new buildings are to be constructed permanently airtight.

Purpose of the work

To guarantee the reliability of airtightness measurements.

Content of the contribution

In response to the questions of the three regional governments that had found quality deficiencies with regard to airtightness tests, the Belgian professional association has developed a control software and has organized the certification of airtightness testers.

Purpose of the work

This paper aims at reviewing and analysing changes and developments in various countries on building and ductwork airtightness in the past 5 years.

Method of approach

Environmental control (heat, air and moisture flows and their effects) started 90 years ago on Prairies of Canada and USA. It has always been based on occupant’s interest in a better indoor environment and driven by builders. More recently, when energy efficiency and durability considerations became part of socio-economic requirements of the society this part of building physics was shifted to the interests of governments.

Purpose of the work

To expand the use of BlowerDoor and thermal equipment combined with Radon

Method of approach

When building is set on very low negative pressure, use the Radon sniff-equipment called RAD7 to count radon at places where thermal imaging camera tell there is draft that can be assumed tob e leaks from the ground. If the found leakages are from the ground it often show higher level of Thoron, Radon and Polonium values, than the measurements elsewhere in the room.

Conclusions

The book of proceedings of the 9th International BUILDAIR Symposium "Airtight Buildings, Thermography and Ventilations Systems in Practice", held on 8-9 May 2015 in Kassel, Germany. Contains 18 abstracts.

Purpose of the work

After long, controversial discussions, the main Swiss standard on thermal insulation and airtightness, SIA 180, was finally amended in summer 2014. In addition to changing the permitted limits to the envelope-area value of q50, it also gives some indications as to the airtightness design and its implementation in planning and construction. This presentation provides an overview of the approaches that are also of interest to other countries.

Method of approach

Problem analysis

Purpose of the work

Wooden flat roofs are being increasingly constructed without the tried and tested sub- ventilation layer of the sealing sheet. However, some regulations refer to the high risk of damage to such structures if the sealing on top of the insulation is largely vapor proof. This research was to analyze whether more recent recommendations, as for example installing a variable vapor retarder, lead to a significant reduction in the risk of damage.

Method of approach

Purpose of the work

The German Industrial Standard DIN 4108-7 has been the standard to stipulate the requirements as well as recommendations for planning and implementing airtight construction for a long time (since 2001). However, the principles of airtight building have not yet been well established in general building practice.