Air Leakage Within MURBs: Testing and Implications for Building Performance

Air leakage testing was performed for six suites within four multi-unit residential buildings in Vancouver BC, to quantify air leakage between adjacent suites, floors, common spaces, and through the exterior building enclosure. In order to measure the leakage across each suite’s six surfaces separately, testing was performed using up to four door-fans and an automated fan-control system, precisely controlling the test pressure acting on each surface sequentially. The primary intent of this work is to provide baseline data and example procedures for users performing similar types of testing in the future. Using data from the six tested suites, air leakage comparisons have been made between different wall and floor assemblies. Lessons learned are reported, and recommendations are made relating to the testing procedure.

Conclusions regarding inter-suite leakage and implications on building performance are also discussed. While the data collected here is statistically insignificant to the greater building population, it does provide some baseline values and, with further testing of this type, could be compiled to make airtightness recommendations and guidelines for multi-unit residential buildings.

This paper was presented at the 2009 Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology.