www.passivhaus.org.

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Passivhaus primer: Airtightness Guide

Airtightness and air pressure testing in
accordance with the Passivhaus standard
- A guide for the design team and contractors

The Swimming House, floating Passivhaus, Lake Weissensee, Austria (Source: R. McLeod)

BRE is registered with the Passivhaus Institut

as an official Certifier for Passivhaus Buildings
2 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide

Background

This primer is an aid to understanding the key principles

involved in achieving the airtightness performance required
to meet the Passivhaus standard.
The primer also describes how to ensure that the building is correctly air pressure tested for
compliance with Passivhaus certification (n50) pressure test requirements.
Unwanted air leakage significantly increases the space heating demand of a building, as well
as causing occupant discomfort from cold draughts. Air leakage can also lead to long term
problems in the building fabric where it is repeatedly damaged by the transmittance of water
vapour which results in interstitial condensation. In areas affected by atmospheric pollution
unwanted air leakage can contribute to reduced levels of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Achieving
the advanced Passivhaus standard of airtightness (in conjunction with the use of appropriately
designed ventilation systems) will help to eliminate these problems.

The Larch Passivhaus, under construction at Ebbw Vale, Wales. Source: R. McLeod
 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide 3

Air leakage causes and affects

Air leakage through gaps in a buildings

envelope can be caused by either the
buoyancy effect of air or by the pressure
differential created by wind blowing on a
building. Typically both of these factors will
influence the total rate of air leakage at a given
point in time.
+ve pressure
Buoyancy: As air warms up within the
building it expands and becomes less dense,
causing it to rise upwards and leak out through As the air in a
gaps in the fabric at a higher level. The air building warms up
that is lost from the building is then replaced +ve pressure
-ve pressure it expands and
by colder external air, which is drawn into becomes less dense
the dwelling through gaps in the fabric at a causing it to rise
lower level. This uncontrolled air leakage is
experienced by the building occupants as cold
draughts.
Wind: As wind blows against the building
colder outside air will be forced under pressure
through any gaps in the envelope. On the
leeward side of the building the external air
pressure is lower and will draw warmer air
Figure 1 Buoyancy effect
from inside the building out through any gaps
in the envelope. The stronger the wind the
greater this pressure differential is and the
higher the resultant background air leakage
rate will be (Figure 2).

Windward
(+ve pressure)
Leeward
(-ve pressure)

Figure 2 Wind driven air leakage (source: LTM GmbH)

4 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide

Moisture ingress and interstitial condensation

When warm moist air flows out through a

gap in the building fabric the air cools down Beware of gaps and where humid air
and as the air cools its capacity to hold water can flow through the building fabric
vapour is reduced. When the warm air comes
in to contact with a sufficiently cold surface Outside: 0C;
360g of water /m.day
the water vapour condenses to a liquid state 80% relative humidity
(Figure 3). When condensation occurs within
the build-up of the building fabric it is known
as interstitial condensation. Over time, if the
interstitial condensate remains trapped in the
building fabric, it will lead to a deterioration
in the fabric U-values and possibly structural
damage and mould growth.

Inside: 20C;
50% relative humidity

For comparison: 1mm wide crack

Vapour diffusion only 1g water/m2/day

Figure 3 Implications of moisture vapour ingress through a 1mm crack (Source PHI/ Sariri)
 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide 5

Airtightness Requirement for Passivhaus

Certification

Very low air leakage rates are required It is important to note that achieving a heating It is worth noting that in practice an
by the Passivhaus standard and must be demand of 15kWh/m2yr or a peak load airtightness level of n50 = 0.6 h-1 @ 50 Pa is
demonstrated for each certified building by of 10 W/m2 often requires the elemental roughly equivalent to having a hole in the
means of a blower door air tightness test. specifications to be far better than the envelope area of the building less than the size
The air change rate must be less than or recommended Passivhaus limiting values. of a 5 pence piece for every 5 m2 of building
equal to 0.6 air changes per hour, under test This is particularly the case for buildings that envelope (see Figure 4). In comparison a
conditions. do not have an optimum form. Therefore building that achieves the limiting figure
the limiting value of n50 being 0.6 h-1 @ for airtightness to comply with the Building
Passivhaus airtightness (n50) 0.6 h-1 @ 50 Pa
50 Pa should be seen as the maximum air Regulations Part L (2013) (Section 6 of the
Note: The limiting value of 0.6 h-1 @ 50 Pa leakage permissible. Attaining the Passivhaus Building Standards, Scotland and Building
should be used as the default design air standard of airtightness is challenging, but Regulations Part F, Northern Ireland) will have
tightness value in all preliminary Passive House achievable when a clear and well thought out an equivalent hole the size of a 20 pence piece
Planning Package (PHPP) calculations until a strategy is arrived at during the design stage. for every 1m2 of envelope.
verified pressure test reading is available. This strategy must be maintained and fully
implemented during the construction phases.
It is therefore imperative that the contractors
clearly understand the airtightness strategy
and are able to easily implement the sequence
of work on site.

UK Building Regulations Compliant

1m

Passivhaus
Compliant

5m

Figure 4 Building Regulations vs Passivhaus indicative maximum air permeability areas

6 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide

UK Building Regulations
and the Passivhaus Standard

difference of 50Pa (which is analogous to the

v50 referred to in Passivhaus terminology). The
Difference between 2010 Building Regulations state that the airline
AP50 , q50 and n50 and the thermal line of a building should be
contiguous. It is worth noting that a building
regulations test can be either a pressurisation
or depressurisation test, but for Passivhaus both
To comply with UK non-domestic Building
tests with the final result being the average
Regulations (Part L2) it is necessary to carry
of the two. The actual testing procedure is
out an air permeability pressure testing on all
largely identical however and both the Building
buildings with a usable floor area > 500m2.
Regulations and Passivhaus compliance tests
Whilst for the domestic regulations (PartL1) a
may be carried out at the same time.
representative sample of dwellings on each
new build site must be tested. The result of For Passivhaus certification the airtightness
this test is expressed as the AP50 value. This is target is expressed differently as n50, which
the measure of a volume of air (m3) that flows is defined as the number of air changes per
through the building fabric (m2) every hour at hour in the building at a reference pressure
a reference pressure of 50 Pascals (Pa) hence differential of 50 Pascals. Since the result is
the AP50 units are m3/(h.m2). calculated using the buildings internal air
volume (m3), rather than using its envelope
In order to calculate the air permeability
area (m2) the n50 units are expressed as
the ATTMA (Air Tightness Testing and
m3/m3.h which may be simplified to h-1 or
Measurement Association) TS1 standard
ac/h.
defines the envelope air barrier line as being
along the line of the component to be relied Note: a standardised conversion between
upon for air sealing. In practice this could Air Permeability (AP50) and Air Change Rate
be anywhere within the building envelope (n50) values is not possible as they do not
but typically measurements are taken up to have a direct relationship with one another.
the internal wall surface. The ATTMA AP50 Furthermore each test uses different
test result is commonly referred to as the air measurement and testing protocols.
permeability however technically it is defined
as the rate of air flow (m3/h) at a pressure

Taping of intelligent airtightness membranes, Larch Passivhaus (Source R. McLeod)

 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide 7

Achieving the Passivhaus

airtightness standard in practice

1 Design stage identifying the air barrier

strategy

The key principle for achieving airtightness is to create a single,

continuous and robust airtight layer (or air barrier). This layer surrounds
the heated volume of the building and in general it should be located on
the warm side of the insulation, therefore also fulfilling the requirements
of the vapour control layer (VCL). It is important to define a single
continuous air tight barrier either its a complete barrier or its not!
Having a secondary layer is often confusing and is unnecessary.
It is helpful to identify the location of the air barrier in the buildings
fabric by using the red line method. To do this, simply mark the line of
the air barrier using a red pencil onto a section through the building. It
should be possible to trace the air barrier around the whole building
envelope without any breaks in the line. If you need to lift your pencil
from the paper then you must mark this area as a break in the air barrier,
and provide a clear detail showing how the gap is to be connected and
sealed. For example a gap in the barrier caused by a penetrating services
pipe or window unit will need a robust detail to ensure an effective seal
is achieved. For this reason it is recommended that multiple sections
through the building fabric as well as each floor plan are assessed
(including all service penetrations) during the initial design stages.
At the detailed design stage all complex junctions and air tightness
details should be documented by large scale drawings (1:10) highlighting
airtight barriers in a bright colour. At this level of detail it is common to
show both the line of the internal air-tight barrier or VCL (red line) and also
the line of the external wind barrier layer (WBL) (blue line), these barriers
Figure 5 Red line technique used to define the air barrier
serve separate functions and should be clearly labelled to avoid confusion
(Figure 7). It is important to note that the air-tight barrier may not always
be a specialist membrane; at times it will be a rubber seal or a pane of
glass or possibly a laminated timber board. When drawing connecting
details it is important to understand precisely where the air-tight line is
and how the various connecting elements will be joined together.

1 2

Internal External

Figure 6 Detailed design cross section through window head detail

showing continuity of internal air tight barrier (No.1) and external wind
barrier (No. 2) (image courtesy bere: architects)
8 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide

Stage 1 Stage 3
2 Detailed Design/Production Lay airtightness Lay a continuous
stage installation barrier over roof sheet of
truss and RHS. membrane across
sequence Fix in place using whole face of
double sided OSB. Tape over
tape. Leave membrane
Final production drawings should also contain hanging down encasing roof
sequenced illustrations of the key stages trussess
involved in installing the airtight barrier at
complex junctions. Any careful sequencing
needed to install a membrane or create an Stage 2 Stage 4
air-tight seal should be annotated on these Fix 18mm OSB to Fix 12mm
drawings (right). SW purlin. Fold plasterboard soffit
back membrane
and tape to inside
face of OSB. Fill
voids with
insulation from
above

Figure 7 Staged sequence drawings, showing steps to achieving final airtight detail
(courtesy bere: architects)
 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide 9

Types of air barrier is specified and or thicker boards (22mm)

are used however there will be a cost
It is crucial to specify the appropriate materials
implication associated with the decision
that will be used to form the air barrier. An
to specify a higher grade material. Other
air barrier must be impermeable or virtually
alternatives include options to use modified
impermeable (i.e. not allow air to pass through
OSB sheet products, available from some
them at 50 Pascals). Typical air barrier materials
manufacturers, incorporating a laminated
include:
airtight cellulose based layer. Given that the
Vapour control layer membranes (used in suppliers of these boards often have no
timber frame construction) access to information relating to the quality
of airtightness of the OSBs they distribute,
Concrete (but not unparged concrete
it is imperative that mandatory information
blocks)
is provided by manufacturers regarding
Orientated Strand Board (used for SIPS airtightness. This information should feature
panels and sheathing in timber frame) on product agrment certificates and be
imprinted on the boards.
Cross laminated timber plate (used as
structural panels) Caution is similarly advised where cross Figure 8 Specialist air tight adhesive tape is
laminated timber plate (CLT) (or other used to seal gaps between OSB boards
Parging coat (applied directly to masonry)
timber panel systems) are used as the
airtight layer. Although such systems
Do not use materials that are permeable
have been successfully used without
such as fibrous insulation material. It does
additional membranes on a number
not matter how hard a permeable material is
of Passivhaus projects, the level of
packed into a gap, air will still be able to pass
airtightness achieved will depend on
through it.
the specific cross lamination method
Oriented Strand Board (OSB) class 3 (i.e. whether the system is mechanically
(external grade) has been successfully jointed and has a continuous glue layer
used as an air barrier on a large number between each layer of timber boards
of Passivhaus projects however research or not). Where data is not forthcoming
shows that there is substantial variance sample tests should be carried out.
(<0.001 m3/m2.h.Pa - 0.01m3/m2.h.Pa) in
It is particularly important to specify how
the air permeability of OSB boards being
junctions between components will
supplied to the Western European market. As
be sealed. For example, tear resistant
a result of detailed investigation it has been
proprietary air tight tape should be used
shown that OSB used as an airtight layer in
to seal gaps between OSB boards, and
Passivhaus construction should be quality
likewise to seal overlapping sheets of
controlled to a maximum air permeability
membrane material. Where a membrane
0.0018m3/m2.h.Pa (Langmans et al.,
or OSB boards are connected to a concrete
2010). In response to these findings the
slab or window reveal special attention
Passive House Institute have advised that
should be given to cleaning and priming the
an elemental limit of q50 0.1m3/(m2h)
concrete surface. This implies that a vacuum
should be used when specifying OSB as the
cleaner and proprietary priming materials
airtightness layer* (Peper et al, 2014).
will need to be on hand when sealing the
Designers should be aware that at the air tight barrier layer to adjacent concrete or
time of writing this level of quality control rendered elements. Additionally concrete
is not mandated in Europe. It is therefore and rendered surfaces must be completely
advisable to specify a minimum grade of smooth and dry before attempting to make
18mm OSB-3 and to either ask for evidence an airtight seal.
that substantiates the q50 or to test a sample
Care must be taken to ensure that membranes
batch of any boards prior to procurement
and tapes are installed in such a way as to
to ensure that the air permeability complies
accommodate any movement between
with the above recommendation. Improved
elements. Membranes that bond over their
airtightness levels are likely if OSB class 4
entire area are easier to seal than those that
require edge sealing with tape.
* It should be noted that in Canada the requirement
for areic airtightness (analogous to the AP50 value) of
construction materials is much more severe where
q50 0.048 m3/(m2h). It should be noted that the
European q50 value is analogous to the ATTMA
AP50 value.
10 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide

Details and drawings must be clearly is to the correct element of the wall. This may
presented to ensure they can be understood involve installing pipes or spigots to seal into
and are able to be achieved on site. It is the air line and then allowing the actual pipe
recommended that critical airtight details are or cable connections to be sealed to when
prepared in large scale (1:10) and colour coded subsequently installed
for clear reference. Consideration needs to
Select and specify materials that are robust
be given to the sequencing and buildability
and durable to form the air barrier. The
of air tight junction details particularly around
objective is to achieve an airtight structure for
windows and doors and this should be clearly
the life of the building, not one which will be
indicated on production drawings.
adequate for the air pressure test, but then
Try, where possible, to keep penetrations degrade in a short space of time. Never try to
through the airtight envelope to a minimum. make savings by specifying cheaper alternative
Take care when grouping services together materials (for example cheap building
(electrical cables, pipes and ventilation ducts) tapes), as these will not offer the robustness
to ensure adequate space is left to seal around required to achieve a Passivhaus standard
individual penetrations using proprietary of airtightness. A review of the comparative
seals (top hats and gaskets). Avoid services performance of common European
penetrations, MVHR units, boilers etc. being airtightness tapes can be found in the German
located too close to a corner or a wall as it Test magazine (Stiftung Warentest, 2012).
may be impractical to access the gap for
sealing. Ideally all penetrations are made as the
building element is installed to ensure the seal

Figure 9 A proprietary seal for a services

penetration through a membrane

Taping of window junction to airtightness

membrane, Larch Passivhaus
(Source R. McLeod)
 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide 11

Airtightness Champion responsibility checklist

3 Delivering airtightness
on- site 1 The role of air tightness champion must be separate from the foremans role within
the construction team. He/ she is likely to be a member of the builders team with a
particular trade role throughout the construction but their main project responsibility
must be that of air tightness champion, reporting regularly to the design team, site
It is essential that the construction team is
foreman and main contractor.
fully briefed on the airtightness requirements
of Passivhaus and receives clear, well laid out 2 Understand & communicate the airtight/vapour control layer (VCL) and wind barrier
details in good time. It is advised that a clear layer (WBL) strategy. Ensure its adoption by all trades on-site (including scaffolders
communications plan and project delivery and sub-contractors).
programme should be developed according
3 Know where the VCL and WBL planes are and which materials form them. Supervise
to the RIBA Plan of Work 2013. The RIBA Plan
and inspect all relevant works affecting these internal and external planes.
of Work stages include sustainability checks/
audits that ensure that quality assurance and 4 Ensure that Site Inductions emphasise Air Leakage and the necessity to avoid damage
due diligence are carried out at each stage. to both barrier planes.
Effective project management is essential to 5 Manage relevant variations, which can often compromise the Air Barrier.
ensure a high standard of construction. It is
6 Operate an inspection checklist for key elements, interfaces and penetrations. Keep a
essential for site management to have some
camera on hand to take photographic evidence of any damage to the VCL and WBL.
training on airtightness and for the site trades
personnel to receive toolbox talk training 7 Take regular temperature and humidity readings: some tapes seals and membranes
sessions prior to installing the airtight barrier. will not cure or seal effectively if the atmospheric relative humidity is above 80%.
Specialist briefing with the airtight membrane suppliers is advised, so that the
airtightness champion knows the correct application conditions for each product.
Airtightness Champion 8 Ensure all materials that form part of the VCL and WBL are correctly prepared and
used and that proprietary products (including cleaning and priming materials) are
Appointing an airtightness champion is a
available on site well before they are required.
good way of ensuring that site operatives
remain aware of the importance of the airtight 9 Liaise with pressure testing specialists to organise visits for audits and tests, ensuring
barrier throughout the build. The airtightness all necessary preparatory works are complete in time.
champion is responsible for maintaining the
10 Verify that weather conditions are satisfactory for testing in advance of issuing a final
integrity of the air tight barrier throughout
test confirmation (using advanced Met Office and MetCheck advanced forecasts
the build and reporting any issues back to
supported by any site anemometer readings on the day).
the design team and project manager. This
airtightness champion should be someone 11 Determine how many dwellings need to be tested and prepared for testing prior to
who will be on site throughout the build, but each audit or test.
not the Project Manager or Clerk of Works as
12 Ensure that envelope area and volume for each dwelling unit is traceably calculated
their time is often taken up with administrative
and confirmed with the ATTMA tester. Vn50 reference volume to be determined in
tasks. The airtightness champion roles must
accordance with guidance issued in this document.
be a good communicator and someone who
takes pride in their work and has the authority 13 Ensure that recommendations from post-testing air leakage audits are acted upon.
to halt and change work if required. The
14 Airtightness compliance logs for trades and domestic contractors: ensure records are
airtightness champion must be thoroughly
up to date and any variations recorded/remediated (see Figure 10).
briefed by the design team and must be able
to pass on that information to all of the sub- 15 Use a leakage check kit to check the effectiveness of any remedial sealing works.
contractors and trades visiting the site.
12 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide

Achieving airtightness in practice comes Air pressure tests should always be

down to attention to detail and common accompanied by a thorough air leakage audit;
sense, for example making sure that surfaces
Sequencing of air so that any air leakage paths can be identified
are dry and dust free (and primed where pressure tests and remedied whilst the tester is on-site. This
necessary) prior to using adhesive tapes. procedure may take some time and requires
Having extra rolls of tape, a vacuum cleaner good diagnostic skills of the tester as well
and primer on hand is essential to ensuring as trained operatives on hand - where for
It is recommended that at least three air
the job is carried out thoroughly; as is a small example poorly adjusted window gearing is a
pressure tests are carried out during the
heavy roller to ensure even pressure and culprit. This time audit and remediation time
construction phase. All tests should be
adhesion over the entire length of tape. must be factored into the programme from the
comparable in terms of results i.e. the (Vn50)
outset as it is an essential requisite of achieving
Sites that have achieved very high standards volume used should be the same for all tests
the Passivhaus standard.
of airtightness and satisfied Passivhaus and is effectively the final volume of the
Certification have found specific airtightness finished building. It is worth noting that the additional expense
checklists and regular inspections of details to the project from a few extra air pressure
1 The first test should ideally be done as soon
helpful. The airtightness champion should tests is negligible in comparison to the
as the air barrier is complete, but before any
keep a detailed logbook of the airtightness potential extra costs that may be incurred by
services and/or appliances have been fitted.
progression of each unit being tested. This not achieving the air tightness standard on
This allows the robustness of the air barrier
log (or logs) should be stored on a clip board completion - resulting in extensive remedial
to be assessed. Any defects (air leakage
and kept in an easily accessible location sealing work. Because of the importance of
paths) can be easily identified and remedied
within the site office or unit concerned. repeated pressure testing many Passivhaus
at this point. This test can be carried out
Ideally each trade would keep a separate contractors own a small (Wincon type blower
before all of the windows are installed by
log sheet (Figure 10) which should list the unit) and thermal anemometer that can be
temporarily shuttering (and taping) any
date, time and nature of any works carried used for interim diagnostic testing.
openings.
out affecting the airtight layer as well as the
contractor responsible for that element of 2 The second air pressure test should be
the work. Interim pressure test results should carried out after services have been
also be recorded in the airtightness log. installed, but before fixtures and fittings
(baths, shower trays, kitchen units etc.) have
Careful planning and sequential working are
been installed. It is crucial to achieve an
essential to achieving airtightness. A structured
airtight seal around all services penetrations
plan of work will ensure that the air barrier is
before they are hidden from view by follow
sealed as the work progresses. Areas should
on trades, and a test at this stage will ensure
be inspected before follow-on trades cover
this has been achieved.
and hide crucial details to ensure the air barrier
is continuous. For example, it will be necessary 3 The third air pressure test must be carried
to check that any gaps left around a service out at practical completion for certification
pipe have been sealed prior to installing a purposes. By checking the performance
bath, as once the bath has been put in place it of the building through prior testing and
may be very difficult to gain access to seal any remediation the result of this test should be
remaining holes left in the air barrier. confirmation of a well-sealed project. The
final test result is the test result recorded for
Passivhaus certification purposes.

Figure 10 Airtightness quality control

- logbooks for each trade
(Image courtesy: Passive House Builders)
 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide 13

calculation will naturally exclude these). Beams be overestimated at any time, it will result
and visible rafters are not typically deducted in an under estimate of the airtightness
Calculating the pressure test from the volume of the building however. result, so it is imperative that it is agreed
reference volume (Vn50) The loft space is generally excluded (in cold
upon as early as possible in the build and
design process. Having to downward revise
roof constructions) as it is not conditioned and
the calculated volume at a late stage of
in such cases the loft door has been designed
the design could jeopardise compliance
Airtightness performance of a Passivhaus to be airtight. The opening for stairs should
with Passivhaus certification criteria. It is
is measured in air changes per hour at a be calculated and included, while the solid
therefore imperative that the Vn50 volume
50 Pascal pressure difference between the element of the actual stairs should be ignored
used to calculate the airtightness result is
inside and outside of the building. This is such that the entire stair volume is included in
checked by a competent third party and this
referred to as the n50 value, and is determined the Vn50. Internal wall voids, floor voids and
calculation must be documented within the
by calculating the volumetric flow of air (m3/h) ceiling voids are excluded from the Vn50. In
Passivhaus certification folder. Where there
required to maintain a pressure difference of practice this may require detailed plans of the
is any uncertainty/ discrepancy over the
50 Pascals (v50) divided by the internal (heated) final construction to be issued to the person
interpretation of the Vn50 dimensions the
air volume (m3) (Vn50). It should be noted that carrying out the calculations, since some
lower figure should be used (until further
the v50 (volumetric flow rate at 50Pa) value is of these volumes may not be enclosed or
clarification has been provided by the
the same as the ATTMA q50 value. formed at the time of the initial pressure test.
Passivhaus certifying body).
v Measurements should therefore be taken
n50 = 50 off drawings to allow direct comparisons Figure 10 and Figures 11a-b provide an
Vn50 between different peoples calculations in a illustration of the volumes which are to be
way that is not affected by different individuals included (blue) and excluded (yellow) from
The Vn50 volume is the conditioned volume measuring different lengths etc. Dimensions the Vn50 calculation. In general the Vn50
of the building in normal operation with used should be checked on site to ensure that should be calculated on a room by room basis
measurements taken from the visible wall, the calculation of volume is reliable, and that by measuring the room volume from the
floor and ceiling finishes. the built form complies with the plans. Window finished floor/wall/ceiling surface. In general
reveals are not normally included but external all conditioned air spaces within the thermal
This is not the same as the air permeability
door revels (which are 13cm deep or deeper envelope are included in the Vn50 however
envelope area (A E permeability) approach
are included). Hidden risers, wall and floor voids enclosed air spaces behind partitions or
generally used in the UK, which ignores
are not included in the volume but any large above suspended ceilings are excluded, as are
internal walls and floors and is measured to
store cupboards inside the finished surface (e.g. window reveals and door reveals (if less than
the air barrier element. This means that voids
containing MVHR etc.) are included. 13cm deep). Full height reveals greater than
between the ceilings and floors, internal
13cm deep should be included in the Vn50. A
wall voids are not included in the Passivhaus The calculated Vn50 volume is critical to the
summary table of volumes to be included and
volume calculation (room by room volume final test result. Should the calculated volume
excluded from the is provided in Table 1.

Table 1 Air volumes and solid elements to be included and excluded from the calculationTest method

Object Volume included / excluded from

Stairs Include the volume of air displaced by the stairs (unless the stairs are of monolithic stone or concrete construction without any
air void or cupboard beneath them)
Stair void in floor plate Include the air volume of the stair void in the floor plate
Window reveals Exclude (unless full height window with reveal depth 13cm)
Door reveals Exclude (unless door reveal depth 13cm)
Columns Include the volume of air displaced by any columns (unless the cross sectional area of an individual column is greater than 0.1m2)
Beams Include the volume of air displaced by any beams (unless the cross sectional area of an individual beam is greater than 0.1m2)
Attic/ loft space Include if warm roof construction with openable loft hatch. Exclude if cold roof construction or not accessible via loft hatch/
internal opening.
Ductwork and flues Include the volume of air displaced by ductwork and flues (unless the duct or flue is room sealed and the cross sectional area is
greater than 0.1m2)
Cupboards Include the air volume displaced by all wall mounted cupboards and shelving units. For walk in wardrobes sand large services
cupboards measure internal volumes as per a room.
Storage cylinders and appliances Include the air volume displaced by all hotwater storage cylinders, header tanks and building services (unless the total air
volume displaced by an individual appliance is greater than 1% of the net internal air volume)
Skirting boards, architrave etc. Include the air volume displaced by skirting board, architrave etc
14 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide

Figure 10 3D view of Passivhaus air pressure test volume (Vn50)

a) Front cross section b) Side cross section

Figure 11
 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide 15

The airtightness performance of a building risk of error rises significantly, particularly for
is measured by an air pressure test (often exposed buildings (Table 2). This error can be
referred to as an airtightness test or
Preparation for the test reduced by using four reference tapping points
blower door test). To achieve a result that around each side of the building, to more
is compliant for Passivhaus Certification accurately gauge the mean internal/ external
the test must conform to BS EN 13829 Maximum acceptable wind speed pressure differential (Table 2).
(2009) Thermal Performance of Buildings
In preparation for the air pressure test the The effect of wind is effectively measured by
Determination of air permeability of
local weather conditions must be observed; the fan off pressures taken at the start of the
buildings Fan pressurisation method. Both
in particular the mean wind speed and any test they must be within +/- 5Pa. Higher
pressurisation and depressurisation tests must
gusting. Testing should not be undertaken building differential pressures (above 50 Pa)
be undertaken for Passivhaus certification
when wind speeds are above 6m/s (i.e. should also be achieved up to 80-90 Pa (with
purposes, with the combined result of both
above Beaufort Force 3). Even wind speeds 10 measurement points taken as a minimum).
demonstrating that an air change rate of
above a light breeze (Beaufort Force 2) will Care must be taken to ensure these higher
less than or equal to 0.6h-1 @50Pa being
begin to introduce an element of error into pressures do not affect the seals and/or fan in
achieved. For final testing the building should
the test results (Table 2). When wind speeds the doorway.
be prepared in accordance with BS EN 13829
exceed 3 m/s caution is needed since the
Test Method A (test of a building in use), with
all external doors and windows closed (except
the one being tested from) and water in
traps. The only temporary seals to be applied
should be to designed ventilation which in
most cases will just mean sealing the inlet
and exhaust of the MVHR for the test. Other
temporary seals to non-designed ventilation
(i.e. around door frames, any holes in the
fabric) will lead to the test result being invalid.
Note that this only applies to the final test,
for pre-tests sealing incomplete or missing
elements is acceptable to gain a benchmark
for that which has been completed. Table 3
(below) provides a Passivhaus n50 pressure
test openings protocol checklist.
To demonstrate competency for airtightness
testing in the UK the air pressure tester should Table 2. Influence of wind speed and number of pressure tapping points on max error margin
either be accredited by the British Institute (source Dr.-Ing. Achim Geiler)
of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) for air
pressure testing dwellings or be a member of
the Air Tightness Testing and Measurement
Association (ATTMA) for testing dwellings and
non-dwellings and be fully versant with the
Passivhaus n50 test procedure, as described in
this document.
16 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide

Preparing the building

In preparation for the pressure test the
buildings ventilation system must be closed
and sealed. In residential buildings this will
involve sealing the MVHR inlet and extract
ducts from the external air. The inlet and
exhaust ducts should be sealed at their
external ends to avoid testing the MVHR
unit or internal ductwork. Note that in
non-residential buildings using intermittent
ventilation strategies (e.g. schools) where the
ventilation system is turned off during evening
and weekend periods (to save energy), the
inlet and exhaust must have tightly shutting
flaps to ensure that additional heat is not
lost from the building (as air leakage) when
the ventilation system is turned off. When
testing Passivhaus buildings with intermittent
ventilation systems the sealing flaps must be
closed during the pressure test but must not
be sealed over.
All water traps must be filled, or if no water
is present in the building these traps must
be temporarily sealed. Other openings in the
external envelope like doors, windows and
loft hatches must be closed for the duration
of the test, and must not be temporarily
sealed. All sealed openings must be noted
and recorded in the test report. Internal doors
must be wedged open for the duration of the
airtightness test to ensure an even distribution
of air pressure throughout the building.
Figure 11 Air pressure testing fan installed in the entrance
doorway of a building
 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide 17

casement seals, where inadequate or poorly dwellings) and TSL2 (for non-dwellings). It is
tuned gearing mechanisms fail to hold the important to note that the existing procedure
Testing protocol window casement tightly in the frame. for measuring the volume of a building in
the ATTMA guidance documents does not
A series of pressures between 10 to 60
comply with the requirements of Passivhaus
Passivhaus guidance recommends that the Pascals are used for the test, this corresponds
certification, see Calculating the Vn50 volume
air pressure testing fan equipment should to the pressure generated by wind speeds
of a Passivhaus (above).
be fitted into a window opening rather than of 4-10 m/s on a building. The results of the
an external door opening; this is because an pressurisation and depressurisation tests are It should be noted that with respect to the
external door may have a letter box, key holes averaged and the resultant figure is valid for sealing of openings in preparation for the test
and potential air leakage issues, particularly demonstrating compliance with Passivhaus that neither BS EN 13829 Method A or Method
where there is a level access threshold. requirements. This is different to compliance B can be directly followed. A summary table
However, as most testing bodies in the UK use testing for UK Building Regulations, where below has therefore been provided (below)
fan testing equipment that is designed to fit either a pressurisation or depressurisation test for the purposes of carrying out a Passivhaus
into a door frame it is usually more practical is required (but not both) - so it is important compliant n50 test. The air pressure test
to adopt this more conventional method of that the person undertaking the test is aware report must document the condition of every
testing. If there are doubts about a doors air of this additional requirement. opening. Furthermore, in accordance with the
tightness separate tests should be conducted standard, the person carrying out the test must
BS EN 13829 Thermal Performance of
using front and rear doors, or a window test comprehensibly document the net interior
Buildings Determination of air permeability
may be commissioned. volume and the net floor area, either based
of buildings Fan pressurisation method
on the production drawings (final plans) or
For Passivhaus Certification it is compulsory provides the overarching testing protocol
on-site measurements. If the net volume and
to carry out both a pressurisation test and which needs to be followed to ensure a
net area are provided by another consultant,
a depressurisation test on the building. valid test result is achieved. This testing
the pressure tester must independently verify
The depressurisation test can be particularly methodology is also provided in the UK
these values.
revealing of leakage paths around window via ATTMA Technical Standards TSL1 (for

Vn50

Test fan
Negative Cellar with volumetric
pressure Door flow and
50 Pa differential
pressure
measurement

Airtight
cover

Figure 12 Air flow paths during under-pressurisation test - 50Pa negative pressure
18 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide

Table 3 Checklist for preparing the building openings for the n50 Passivhaus test

Building component/opening/ fitting Guidance notes

1 External door Close doors; may be locked
2 Internal door All doors open
3 Closet doors No action
4 Hatch/trap door to unheated attic Close door and latch; do not seal.
Leave open if attic is within airtight envelope
5 Basement door leading to unheated cellar/cellar corridor (within envelope) Close door
6 Open fire place - NOT ADVISED FOR PASSIVHAUS Decommission; remove ashes; close inlet air
7 Built in (tiled) or free standing solid fuel stove (or boiler) with independent external supply air* Decommission; remove ashes; close air inlet
8 Room air dependent (gas) fire within heated building space - NOT ADVISED FOR PASSIVHAUS Decommission; no action
9 Solid fuel stove etc. which is dependent on room air - NOT ADVISED FOR PASSIVHAUS Decommission; no action
10 Gas fired boilers (non- room air dependent) in heated building space (e.g. condensing boiler Turn off no action
with balanced flue)
11 Hatches/doors/ access to unheated building spaces ( garages, storage rooms) combine with 5 Close door; may be locked
12 Key hole No action; do not seal
13 Air release valve duct in unheated building space Seal
14 Kitchen hood * Decommission; no action
15 Ground source heat exchanger (inlet air duct/ plenum from EAHE) Seal
16 Fixed vents in window/ skylights (trickle vents) - NOT ADVISED FOR PASSIVHAUS Close; no action.
17 Additional vents or supply air openings No action.
18 Air inlet and exhaust valves (external air supply/exhaust ducts to MVHR). Seal**
19 Letter box door flap (Not advised for Passivhaus doors unless airtight!) Close; do not seal
20 Cat door flap Close; do not seal
21 Opening inlet air or vents in boiler room/oil storage room - NOT ADVISED FOR PASSIVHAUS No action
22 Laundry dryer in heated building area with exhaust air to the outside*- NOT ADVISED FOR Close; no action
PASSIVHAUS
23 Laundry chute to unheated building area - NOT ADVISED FOR PASSIVHAUS Close; no action
24 Central vacuum cleaner facility Close; no action
25 External roller shutter (shutter belt conduit) No action; do not seal
26 Top cover of (access) shafts with pumps/ installations in unheated building area Close; no action
27 Side access hatches to the attic eaves combine with loft hatch same thing Close; no action (leave open only if attic eaves are within
air tight envelope)
28 Missing window/door handle Seal; (add note in testing protocol log sheet)
29 Empty conduit (or ducting) to unheated building area (e.g. due to posterior installed solar panels) No action; do not seal (add note in testing protocol log
sheet)
30 Air grilles/air bricks (existing openings for background ventilation of an existing chimney void) No action
31 Suspended ceiling No action
32 Windows in unheated spaces Close
* If equipment is missing (not yet installed) then these items should be temporarily sealed and the sealing procedure should be noted in the air pressure testing
protocol log sheet
** in non-res buildings with intermittent ventilation systems - sealing flaps must be closed during the pressure test but must not be sealed over.

Note: The above guidance has been translated and compiled from Appendix 3 Checklist for approved measurement Method A as presented in
Fachverband Luftdichtheitim Bauwesene. V.(FLIB, April 2008)
 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide 19

Testing different building formats in accordance

with the Passivhaus standard

Detached buildings Terraced / semi-detached

houses
These are tested as a whole unit. Every part of
the internal volume that is surrounded by the
Partitioning walls between individual terraced
air barrier and within the thermal envelope will
and semi-detached houses need to be airtight,
be subject to the test, therefore it is essential to
and therefore terraced and semi-detached
make sure internal doors are wedged open to
houses must be tested separately. The
ensure the free flow of air around the building.
windows in the adjoining houses should be
Loft hatches should be closed (but not sealed)
open during the airtightness test to make sure
if the insulation and VCL are located at joist
the air pressure in these adjacent dwellings
level (cold roof), but left open if the insulation
equalises with the outside. If this is not possible
and VCL are located at the rafters (warm roof).
(e.g. if the adjoining dwellings are occupied)
Note, if there is no loft hatch the volume of the
then the tester should note this in the test
air in the loft is not included in the Vn50 even if
report. A terrace of five houses is illustrated
it is a warm roof construction.
in figure 13, each of these houses would be
For large buildings it will be necessary to make tested individually.
sure that fan equipment used to pressurise and
depressurise the internal volume is adequately
sized to achieve the pressure differentials
required for the test (i.e. > 50 Pa). Conversely
for small units (dwellings) it is important to
make sure that fans are not oversized as over
pressurisation (> 100 Pa) may cause damage
to the buildings fabric. Competent air pressure
testers will have experience in calculating the
fan capacity requirements for different sizes of
buildings.

Figure 13 Testing terraced houses

20 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide

Flats Multi residential units with

Flat 3 Flat 4
commercial units
If the communal and circulation areas (foyer,
corridors and staircases) in a block of flats
Corridor If the commercial unit is separated from the
are all within the thermal envelope (built
Flat 1 Flat 2 domestic units by a thermal break and an air
to Passivhaus standard) then the block will
barrier then it will be necessary to air pressure
be tested as a whole building (all doors to
test these areas separately. Where there is no
individual flats and all internal doors must be
thermal separation, such as in a single live-
wedged open); the fan testing equipment
work unit, then the block would be tested and
will be installed into the main entrance door Four flats inside a single thermal certified as one unit.
and must be appropriately sized to ensure envelope, all linked by a common
pressure differentials are maintained equally stair can be tested using a single
throughout the whole building. For UK airtightness test.
Building Regulations compliance it will then The test volume is shown in grey.
be necessary to carry out further air pressure
tests on a sample of individual flats (in this
case the flats to be individually tested will be
determined by the Building Control Body). Figure 14

When communal circulation areas (foyers,

staircases and corridors) are outside the
thermal envelope and therefore not heated, it
will be necessary to test each flat individually;
however it is important to note that Passivhaus
Certification requires the tester to balance the
pressures (i.e. co-pressurise) between the flat Flat 3
being tested and adjacent dwellings (i.e. flats
that adjoin the flat being tested - including flats
that are directly below, to each side and directly
above). This method of testing is often complex
and can be costly. An alternative to this
Flat 2
approach may be to test an entire group of flats
at the same time by ducting air flow into each
flat, but again this method of testing is complex
and should only be attempted by a competent
air pressure tester.
Flat 1

Co pressurisation general note:

If one overall thermal element is split into
separate units which are not linked via a
passivhaus standard common area then co 3 flats inside 1 thermal element but all
pressurisation tests should be carried out to accessed independently externally.
each unit with each unit separately achieving No loft access so volumes in grey
define the Vn50.
the required standard.
Note Vn50 much smaller
than the thermal shell volume.

Testing regime:
Flat 1 with flat 2 co pressurised
Flat 2 with 1 and 3 co pressurised
Flat 3 with flat 2 co pressurised

Figure 15
 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide 21

Air leakage audits leak detection

An air leakage audit is helpful when carrying Thermo-anemometers are able to detect
out an air pressure test to identify any air localised air movement by inserting an
leakage paths that may need to be sealed to electrically heated probe element into an
improve airtightness performance, and also to airstream. The air speed is then inferred from
provide helpful guidance on areas to tighten the increase in heating power necessary to
up in future projects. maintain the probe at a given temperature.
These devices can pinpoint fine air leakage
Smoke pencils, thermo-anemometers and
paths, and can be used over and over again,
infrared thermographic cameras and even the
which is an advantage over smoke pencils -
back of a hand can all be helpful to identify air
which can only be used once.
leakage paths in the buildings fabric.
Infrared thermographic cameras can also be
While the building is being pressurised smoke
used to identify internal cold patches in the
pencils can be used to release small controlled
fabric caused by air leakage paths and heat
quantities of dense white smoke that allows
being lost externally by warm air escaping
air to be visualised as it leaves the building
through an air leakage path. Care must be
through gaps in the envelope. Not all gaps will
taken when using infrared thermographic
necessarily result in an air leakage path; the air
cameras to ensure the inside of the building
barrier may be robust inside the fabric even
has been heated to a temperature that is at
if there is a large gap visible in the finish layer
least 100C above the external temperature.
inside the building. If smoke moves quickly
If taking external images it is necessary
through a gap it indicates that the opening is
to avoid sunshine on the fabric and rain/
connected with a lower pressure zone (i.e. it is
dampness which will show as hot and cool
connected to the outside).
patches respectively, and do not necessarily
For very leaky buildings, or a preliminary correspond to heat loss paths or air leakage.
air leakage audit prior to an EnerPHit Some high quality infra-red cameras are
refurbishment project it can sometimes be capable of photographing laminar air flow
helpful to use larger scale smoke machines through door and window seals. These
that can fill large voids with smoke. Standing cameras are expensive and must be used by
outside of the building it will be possible to a competent person, their use is not typically
see smoke emanating from the fabric through required if the building has been pressure
gaps, which can then pinpoint where remedial tested and thoroughly audited at the first fix
sealing is necessary. stage.

Figure 17 Thermo-anemometer used

to detect air leakage paths

Figure 18 Infra-red thermographic image

of air leakage between window casement
and frame
Figure 16 Smoke pencil used to identify air leakage path
22 Passivhaus Primer Airtightness guide

Recommendations and Further information

Further practical training is highly References

recommended for contractors and designers
1 ATTMA, 2007. The Air Tightness Testing
who need to achieve Passivhaus airtightness
and Measurement Association Technical
standards for the first time. Professional
Standard 1: Measuring air permeability of
training such as the Passivhaus Tradesmans
building envelopes. July 2007
course and Certified Passivhaus Designer
course are available through the BRE 2 BS EN 13829, 2001. Thermal Performance
Academy. Product specific day courses on of Buildings Determination of
air tightness membranes and tapes are air permeability of buildings Fan
often freely available from specialist product pressurisation method
manufacturers and provide essential practical
3 Checklist for approved measurement
advice on the correct specification and usage
Method A, 2008. Presented in Fachverb
of these products.
and Luftdichtheitim Bauwesene.V. April
For more information on Passivhaus 2008.
certification and airtightness diagnostic
4 FLIB, 2002. in Fachverb and Luftdichtheitim
services please contact BRE on
Bauwesene (FLIB) Trade Association for
[email protected]
airtightness in construction engineering:
or 0845 873 5552.
FLIB supplementary sheet for DIN EN
13829, FLiB e.V. c/o Technology and
Founder Centre Kassel, 2002
Authors 5 Langmans, J. et al., 2010: Air permeability
Dr. Rob McLeod requirements for air barrier materials
(BRE Associate) in passive houses. 5th International
Symposium on Building and Ductwork
Mike Jaggs
Airtightness. October 21-22, 2010,
(Associate Director, BRE Academy)
Copenhagen/Lyngby, Denmark
Ben Cheeseman
6 S, G., 2011. Passive House Blower Door
(Technical Chair ATTMA)
Testing Guidelines. Document version:
Adam Tilford 1.0. GreenBuild, Inch, Gorey, Co. Wexford,
(Head of Passivhaus UK) Ireland, 10 Aug 2011
Kym Mead 7 Peper, S., Feist, W., and Sariri, V., 2008.
(Director Passivhaus Trust) Airtight project planning of Passive Houses
guidance. Technical information PHI
1999/6, Passive House Institute, Darmstadt
1999/ 9. edition 2008 (in German only)
Acknowledgements
8 Peper, S., Bangert, A., and Bastian, Z., 2014.
Dr. C. Hopfe (Loughborough University) for
Integrating Wood Beams into a Passive
translation from German of lt Fachverband
House. Technical paper, PHI Darmstadt
Luftdichtheitim Bauwesene. V (2008)
January 2014. Available: www.passive.de
Dr.-Ing. Achim Geiler for Influence of wind
9 Stiftung Warentest, 2012.
speed and number of pressure tapping points
Dachdmmsysteme: Blo keine
on max error margin (Table 1)
Wrmebrcke. Haushalt und Garten section
Toby Rollason (Eco Design Partnership) for 3D p68, 4/2012.
illustrations
bere architects for 2D illustrations
BRE Trust
The BRE Trust uses profits made by BRE
Group to fund new research and education
programmes, that will help it meet its goal of
building a better world.
The BRE Trust is a registered charity in England & Wales:
No. 1092193, and Scotland: No. SC039320.

Other Primers in this series:

Passivhaus Primer: Introduction
Passivhaus Primer: Contractors Guide
Passivhaus Primer: Designers Guide

Passivhaus
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