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planning:airtight_construction:airtightness_measurements_in_passive_houses

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planning:airtight_construction:airtightness_measurements_in_passive_houses [2021/07/30 09:40] – speperplanning:airtight_construction:airtightness_measurements_in_passive_houses [2021/08/24 11:11] – nsukhija
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 ====== Airtightness measurements in Passive Houses ====== ====== Airtightness measurements in Passive Houses ======
 ===== Instructions for carrying out measurements ===== ===== Instructions for carrying out measurements =====
  
  
-Airtightness measurements in Passive House buildings are to be carried out uniformly worldwide according to ISO 9972, procedure 1. The deviations (these are not of a fundamental nature), clarifications and additions to the standard in relation to Passive Houses are described here. \\ +Airtightness measurements in Passive House buildings are to be carried out uniformly worldwide according to ISO 9972, method 1. The deviations (these are not of a fundamental nature), clarifications and additions to the standard in relation to Passive Houses are described here. \\ 
-The calculation of the reference volume for passive houses is to be carried out according to the procedure listed below which is not part of the ISO 9972. The resulting volume is to be used for the determination of the n50 value. \\ +The calculation of the reference volume for passive houses is to be carried out according to the procedure listed below which is not part of the ISO 9972. The resulting volume is to be used for the determination of the n<sub>50</sub>-value. \\ 
-For the calculation and documentation, it can be helpful to use the "room data sheets", which is included as an additional tool in PHPP Version 10.  \\+For the calculation and documentation, it can be helpful to use the "room data", which is included as an additional tool in PHPP Version 10.  \\
  
 ==== 1. Comparison of designations ==== ==== 1. Comparison of designations ====
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 The superseded standards EN 13829 and the current ISO 9972 use different designations in some places. For a better overview, the most important ones are compared here: The superseded standards EN 13829 and the current ISO 9972 use different designations in some places. For a better overview, the most important ones are compared here:
  
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-For measurements in Passive House buildings, the designation in accordance with EN 13829 should continue to be used.+
  
 ==== 2. Calculation of volumes ==== ==== 2. Calculation of volumes ====
  
-|The air volume V<sub>n50</sub> used for calculating the V<sub>n50</sub> value inside the heated building envelope should be determined and comprehensibly documented separately for **each room**. In doing so, the base area of the room should be multiplied by the average clear height of the room. Overall assumptions for determining the internal volume of the enclosed space (gross volume) by means of a reduction factor are not permissible.|**Room by room**| +|The air volume V<sub>n50</sub> used for calculating the V<sub>n50</sub> value inside the heated building envelope should be determined and comprehensibly documented separately for **each room**. In doing so, **the base area of the room should be multiplied by the average clear height of the room**. Overall assumptions for determining the internal volume of the enclosed space (gross volume) by means of a reduction factor are not permissible.|**Room by room**| 
-|**Note:**\\ The base area to be used for this calculation differs from the treated floor area which is normally used. The air volume Vn50 is not the same as the "enclosed volume", nor is it the same as the volume of air in a heated zone as used in the PHPP sheet "Annual Heating Demand" (overall room height 2.5 m). For this reason, the calculated volume Vn50 from the test report must also be transferred into the PHPP. |**not TFA,\\  not VV\\  instead, V<sub>n50</sub>**|+|**Note:**\\ The base area to be used for this calculation differs from the treated floor area which is normally used. The air volume Vn50 is not the same as the "enclosed volume", nor is it the same as the volume of air in a heated zone as used in the PHPP sheet "Annual Heating Demand" (overall room height 2.5 m). For this reason, the calculated volume Vn50 from the test report must also be transferred into the PHPP. |**not TFA,\\  not V<sub>V</sub> \\  instead, V<sub>n50</sub>**|
 |Irrespective of the degree of completion of the building, **the dimensions used should always be those of the finished building** (e.g. where there is no screed). Air volumes above suspended ceilings do NOT count towards the total air volume. This is regardless of whether the ceiling already exists, is tightly connected with the wall, or has different types of holes ("acoustic ceiling"). The reduction of the volume by layers of plaster does not have to be taken into account.|**Final dimensions only**| |Irrespective of the degree of completion of the building, **the dimensions used should always be those of the finished building** (e.g. where there is no screed). Air volumes above suspended ceilings do NOT count towards the total air volume. This is regardless of whether the ceiling already exists, is tightly connected with the wall, or has different types of holes ("acoustic ceiling"). The reduction of the volume by layers of plaster does not have to be taken into account.|**Final dimensions only**|
 |**A full and comprehensible room-by-room calculation of the volume must be provided for each airtightness measurement.** Auxiliary calculations may also be necessary; these must also be provided. For example, in the case of inclined roofs, the air volume is determined by means of triangular or prism calculations. A proportional factor such as those used in the table below (Figure 1) can be taken into account.|**Documentation**| |**A full and comprehensible room-by-room calculation of the volume must be provided for each airtightness measurement.** Auxiliary calculations may also be necessary; these must also be provided. For example, in the case of inclined roofs, the air volume is determined by means of triangular or prism calculations. A proportional factor such as those used in the table below (Figure 1) can be taken into account.|**Documentation**|
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 ==== 4. Carrying out the measurement ==== ==== 4. Carrying out the measurement ====
  
-|**Method A or B?**\\ In the PHPP the state of building use during normal operation is relevant for the energy balance of a building, therefore the airtightness measurements in Passive House buildings must be carried out according to Method A. Normally there is no difference between Method A (in use) and Method B (building envelope test) in the case of Passive Houses. As a rule, the only intended openings are the outdoor air and exhaust air openings of the ventilation system which must be sealed for the measurement. In a Passive House building, openings which are sealed according to Method B should generally be implemented so that these can be closed (e.g. smoke extraction in elevator shafts). What matters is the exact and comprehensible documentation of each temporarily sealing measure that is carried out for the measurement.|**Building as used**|+|**Method 1**\\ In the PHPP the state of building use during normal operation is relevant for the energy balance of a building, therefore the airtightness measurements in Passive House buildings must be carried out according to Method 1. Normally there is no difference between Method 1 (in use) and Method 2 (building envelope test) in the case of Passive Houses. As a rule, the only intended openings are the outdoor air and exhaust air openings of the ventilation system which must be sealed for the measurement. In a Passive House building, openings which are sealed according to Method 2 should generally be implemented so that these can be closed (e.g. smoke extraction in elevator shafts). What matters is the exact and comprehensible documentation of each temporarily sealing measure that is carried out for the measurement.|**Building as used**|
 |**Sealing the ventilation system**\\ Controlled ventilation in __residential buildings__ should be operated continuously during the heating period for reasons of hygiene. Because a balanced ventilation system does not constitute a source of leaks, it is temporarily closed off for the measurement (e.g. by taping over or using a sealing balloon). In doing so, the outdoor air and exhaust air sides should be sealed if possible, in order to avoid measuring the leakages of the duct network and the ventilation unit as well.|**Residential buildings: sealing the ventilation system**| |**Sealing the ventilation system**\\ Controlled ventilation in __residential buildings__ should be operated continuously during the heating period for reasons of hygiene. Because a balanced ventilation system does not constitute a source of leaks, it is temporarily closed off for the measurement (e.g. by taping over or using a sealing balloon). In doing so, the outdoor air and exhaust air sides should be sealed if possible, in order to avoid measuring the leakages of the duct network and the ventilation unit as well.|**Residential buildings: sealing the ventilation system**|
 |In __non-residential Passive House buildings__ (schools, kindergartens etc.), ventilation systems are often not operated during the night or at the weekend (intermittent operation). In such cases, ventilation systems must have tightly shutting flaps at the outdoor air and exhaust air ends to prevent the building from losing additional heat due to thermal lift and strong winds while the ventilation system is not running. For certified units, leaks within the ventilation unit itself are already taken into account in the device test, i.e. the heat recovery efficiency.\\ \\ **In buildings with intermittent operation, the existing sealing flaps must be closed during the airtightness measurement, but they must __not__ be taped over in addition.**\\ \\ **Fans for mechanical summer ventilation that are present in a building may not be taped over either.**|**Non-residential buildings: closed flaps only**| |In __non-residential Passive House buildings__ (schools, kindergartens etc.), ventilation systems are often not operated during the night or at the weekend (intermittent operation). In such cases, ventilation systems must have tightly shutting flaps at the outdoor air and exhaust air ends to prevent the building from losing additional heat due to thermal lift and strong winds while the ventilation system is not running. For certified units, leaks within the ventilation unit itself are already taken into account in the device test, i.e. the heat recovery efficiency.\\ \\ **In buildings with intermittent operation, the existing sealing flaps must be closed during the airtightness measurement, but they must __not__ be taped over in addition.**\\ \\ **Fans for mechanical summer ventilation that are present in a building may not be taped over either.**|**Non-residential buildings: closed flaps only**|
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 |The only exceptions may be temporarily taping over openings for missing building components, as described above, which affect the airtightness (e.g. missing door sill, missing odour trap in the waste water pipe). Again, an exact record should be kept about such sealing.|**Exception: Missing building components**| |The only exceptions may be temporarily taping over openings for missing building components, as described above, which affect the airtightness (e.g. missing door sill, missing odour trap in the waste water pipe). Again, an exact record should be kept about such sealing.|**Exception: Missing building components**|
 |**The aim is to obtain realistic results reflecting the building’s airtightness in use, rather than to create an "artificially" improved situation.**|**Building as used**| |**The aim is to obtain realistic results reflecting the building’s airtightness in use, rather than to create an "artificially" improved situation.**|**Building as used**|
-|**Negative AND excess pressure measurement**\\ Unlike in the EN 13829 and ISO 9972 standards, both negative pressure AND excess pressure are generally required when measuring the airtightness in Passive Houses. In this way, the reliability of the measurement results is significantly improved, with a minimum of extra effort. Finally, the airtightness parameter of the building is determined as an average value from the negative and excess pressure results.|**Measurement with negative __and__ excess pressure**|+|**Negative AND excess pressure measurement**\\ Unlike in the ISO 9972 standards, both negative pressure AND excess pressure are generally required when measuring the airtightness in Passive Houses. In this way, the reliability of the measurement results is significantly improved, with a minimum of extra effort. Finally, the airtightness parameter of the building is determined as an average value from the negative and excess pressure results.|**Measurement with negative __and__ excess pressure**|
  
-==== 5. Special features of large buildings (q50-value) ====+==== 5. Special features of large buildings (qE50-value) ====
  
-|In large buildings it is necessary to calculate the airtightness value with reference to the envelope area (q<sub>50</sub>-value) in addition. The n50-value alone is no longer significant on account of the more favourable A/V ratio (surface area to volume ratio).\\ In the case of large buildings it is therefore recommended that the exterior surface of the building should also be ascertained. This is also determined according to EN 13829 or the identical ISO 9972. |**Exterior surface**|+|In large buildings it is necessary to calculate the airtightness value with reference to the envelope area (q<sub>E50</sub>-value) in addition. The n<sub>50</sub>-value alone is no longer significant on account of the more favourable A/V ratio (surface area to volume ratio).\\ In the case of large buildings it is therefore recommended that the exterior surface of the building should also be ascertained. This is also determined according to ISO 9972. |**Exterior surface**|
 |Buildings with an air volume V<sub>n50</sub> **≥ 1500m³** are defined as large buildings.|**≥ 1500m³**| |Buildings with an air volume V<sub>n50</sub> **≥ 1500m³** are defined as large buildings.|**≥ 1500m³**|
-|For such large buildings, as a result __both__ values, i.e. the n50-value and the q50-value, will then need to be indicated in the measurement report.|**n<sub>50</sub> __and__ q<sub>50</sub> values required**| +|For such large buildings, as a result __both__ values, i.e. the n<sub>50</sub>-value and the q<sub>E50</sub>-value, will then need to be indicated in the measurement report.|**n<sub>50</sub> __and__ q<sub>E50</sub> values required**| 
-|**Instructions regarding the procedure for calculating the envelope area according to EN 13829 and ISO 9972:**\\ The envelope area is the total area of all floors, walls and ceilings enclosing the volume under consideration, including all walls and floors that are below ground level. Interior dimensions from the inner edge are used; the facing areas of intersecting interior walls are not deducted. See Figure 4.\\ In deviation from EN 13829 and ISO 9972, **the envelope area used in the PHPPP** can also be used for **simplification**. The exterior dimensions used in the PHPP only lead to negligible differences.| |+|**Instructions regarding the procedure for calculating the envelope area according to ISO 9972:**\\ The envelope area is the total area of all floors, walls and ceilings enclosing the volume under consideration, including all walls and floors that are below ground level. Interior dimensions from the inner edge are used; the facing areas of intersecting interior walls are not deducted. See Figure 4.\\ In deviation from ISO 9972, **the envelope area used in the PHPP** can also be used for **simplification**. The exterior dimensions used in the PHPP only lead to negligible differences.| |
  
-[{{:picopen:figure_4_interior.png?500|Figure 4: Interior dimensions from inner edge for calculating the envelope area (according to EN 13829).}}]+[{{:picopen:figure_4_interior.png?500|Figure 4: Interior dimensions from inner edge for calculating the envelope area (according to ISO 9972).}}]
 \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\
 |In terraced houses, the partition walls of the building also count as the envelope area; in apartments in multi-storey buildings this also applies to all floors, walls and ceilings adjoining neighbouring apartments. These areas must only be taken into account if each accommodation unit is measured separately.|**Terraced houses and multi-storey buildings**| |In terraced houses, the partition walls of the building also count as the envelope area; in apartments in multi-storey buildings this also applies to all floors, walls and ceilings adjoining neighbouring apartments. These areas must only be taken into account if each accommodation unit is measured separately.|**Terraced houses and multi-storey buildings**|
-|**Recommended target value for the q<sub>50</sub> requirement**\\ An n<sub>50</sub>-value smaller than or equal to 0.6 h<sup>-1</sup> has been set as a limit value for the certification of Passive House buildings (see certification criteria on www.passivehouse.com).\\ \\ The requirements for the envelope area of smaller buildings can be used as a reference for the target value for larger buildings (≥ 1500 m³), resulting in a target value of:\\ \\ **q<sub>50</sub> ≤ 0.6 m³/(h m²)**\\ \\ Numerous measurements in large and very large buildings have shown that this target value (or even lower values) can be achieved with an appropriate airtightness concept. Higher requirements may apply for special types of buildings (e.g. swimming pool).|**Target value q<sub>50</sub>**| +|**Recommended target value for the q<sub>E50</sub> requirement**\\ An n<sub>50</sub>-value smaller than or equal to 0.6 h<sup>-1</sup> has been set as a limit value for the certification of Passive House buildings (see certification criteria on www.passivehouse.com).\\ \\ The requirements for the envelope area of smaller buildings can be used as a reference for the target value for larger buildings (≥ 1500 m³), resulting in a target value of:\\ \\ **q<sub>E50</sub> ≤ 0.6 m³/(h m²)**\\ \\ Numerous measurements in large and very large buildings have shown that this target value (or even lower values) can be achieved with an appropriate airtightness concept. Higher requirements may apply for special types of buildings (e.g. swimming pool).|**Target value q<sub>E50</sub>**| 
-|__Note:__ In smaller buildings, more meticulous airtightness measures may be necessary in order to meet the n50 < 0.6 h-1 requirement. Compliance with the q<sub>50</sub> criterion alone is thus not sufficient.|**The q<sub>50</sub>-value alone is not enough**|+|__Note:__ In smaller buildings, more meticulous airtightness measures may be necessary in order to meet the n<sub>50</sub> < 0.6 h-1 requirement. Compliance with the q<sub>E50</sub> criterion alone is thus not sufficient.|**The q<sub>E50</sub>-value alone is not enough**|
 ===== See also ===== ===== See also =====
  
planning/airtight_construction/airtightness_measurements_in_passive_houses.txt · Last modified: 2023/01/30 11:44 by zbastian