There are few professionals who are trained to perform compartmentalization tests in residential projects outside of North America. Is there another approach that projects can take to demonstrate compliance with Option 2. Compartmentalization of smoking areas?
Yes, projects outside of the U.S. and Canada may perform a visual inspection of the air sealing measures in lieu of performing compartmentalization testing.
The visual inspection must be performed by a Qualified Energy Rater and demonstrate that each unit meets the requirements of the Multifamily Midrise Thermal Enclosure Checklist, Section 5- Air Sealing (http://www.usgbc.org/resources/multifamily-midrise-thermal-enclosure-ins...). Each item in Section 5 of the checklist must be documented with photo evidence. All common walls, ceilings, and floors (adjoining another dwelling unit) must be considered 'unconditioned spaces' when completing Section 5 of the checklist.