A proposed new test method being developed by ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings will be used to determine air leakage in air barrier assemblies that are integrated with one another in a building enclosure system construction. Interested parties are invited to participate in the ongoing development of WK14823, Test Method for Determining Air Leakage of Installed Air Barrier Systems, which is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E06.41 on Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance.

WK14823 will be used to assess the effectiveness of multiple assembles by measuring air leakage rates associated with installations at prescribed variant values and to address specific locations of leakage by using tracer gas.
 
According to Lance Robson, president, Building Envelope Technologies, Inc., and E06.41 member, there are currently several standards that address air leakage of component materials or various air barrier assemblies such as fenestration components. However, the proposed new standard is intended to assess the air leakage rates for integrated air barrier assemblies combined together as a system in a building enclosure construction. WK14823 is primarily intended as a field employed test method on actual project construction assemblies, but Robson says that it may also be used in mock-up construction assemblies and in the laboratory.

For further technical information, contact Lance Robson, Jr., Building Envelope Technologies, Inc., West Bridgewater, Mass. (phone: 508/897-0556; lrobson@buildingenvelopetech.com). Committee E06 will meet Oct. 28-31 at October Committee Week in Tampa, Fla. For membership or meeting information, contact Stephen Mawn, Technical Committee Operations, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9726; smawn@astm.org).

Release #7752