English

Purpose of the work

With the German Energy Savings Regulation EnEV 2014 the legislators have qualified the requirements for large apartment buildings (V_L > 1.500 m³). In addition to the air change rate (n₅₀ ≤ 3,0 h^-1 or n₅₀ ≤ 1,5 h^-1 depending on the ventilation technology used) the envelope-based air permeability (q₅₀ ≤ 2,5 m³h^-1m^-2) is now also required.

Purpose of the work

Presentation of the newly created standard VDI 2083/19 (VDI is the Association of German Engineers) for airtightness tests of clean rooms.

Content of the contribution

It has been ten years since the publication of a draft proposal, and now, many hundred measurements without a binding standard for such a sensitive area later, the day has finally come. We have a standard dealing exclusively with the airtightness of clean rooms.

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