Envelope Cx - Blower door test

I am not sure about the appropriate testing protocol. I don't think blower door tests are required for all projects. There are very large blower doors used for pressurizing large buildings.

There is no specific infiltration requirement in 90.1-2010.

Sorry for such a long delay in commenting, this kind of got lost in my queue. I am not an expert, and I am trying to get someone who is to monitor for envelope questions, but in working with envelope commissioning firms it is quite apparent that the value of the service is weighted differently than with MEP systems. Where the functional testing phase of MEP systems is a huge part of the value, the major part of envelope work is in the design reviews, shop drawing reviews, and testing DURING construction (either off site, like with curtain walls, or mock-up testing on site, or actual installation testing early in construction). A blower door test at the end of the project will confirm all the above actions did their job, but in my opinion, if the test fails, it is very difficult to correct at that point. In an existing building (no matter the size) doing a blower door test prior to design is an absolute...you need to know what you are trying to fix and as a diagnostic tool can show you where the envelope is failing.

I agree with Scott, with the addition that infrared thermography is key for locating the air leaks in existing buildings.

As far as target levels go, we use the Corps of Engineers (USACE)'s standard leakage rate of 0.4 cfm/sf @75 Pa.

hello Dears, 

We have appointed a facade / curtain wall company for our project and we intend to entrust it with the mission of carrying out the necessary tests concerning the commissioning of the envelope. At the same time, we have a Commissioning Authority for earning (4 points of LEED commissioning). 

Would it be acceptable from a LEED point of view for the tests to be carried out by the company of execution of facade but on condition that these tests are supervised and verified by our principal commissioning Authority. In other words, is this envelope commissioning testing must be conducted only by commissioning authority and cannot be accepted if conducted by execution company of facade but supervised, verified and approved by commissioning authority?

Hello Scott, Lyle, 

Is the mock-up testing in the factory sufficient to confirm performance or is it mandatory to do testing during construction and curtain wall installation on site?

Thanks in advance for your feedback,

Testing must be done onsite.

Sara, the mock-up testing is to inform and confirm the design and installation requirements to meet performance criteria that is defined for the assembly and are vital to ensuring a high-performance envelope. But if you do not then follow up with the on-site test appropriate, like a blower door or random in-situ water intrusion testing, then you are not finalizing the quality assurance process that is the overall goal of envelope commissioning.