Status on the ground

Building air leakage rate is taken into account in energy calculations, but mainly with default tabulated values. With tabulated values, there is an option to use measured values instead of more conservative tabulated values. Regarding compliance, usually there is no requirement to measure and verify the building air leakage rate (except in France).

Airtightness performance of the building has a significant weight in the Belgian EPB-calculation and the number of pressurisation tests in new buildings is strongly increasing. To face the potential lack of tester’s skills and to ensure a reliable value, a quality framework has been achieved according to which testers have to pass an exam and could be controlled. This factsheet describes the relevant quality framework and its context.