Hvac Duct Leakage Test

A duct leakage test duct testing can be performed at rough in before drywalling or post construction.

Hvac duct leakage test.

Ri trequirements us smacna hvac air duct leakagg e test manual first edition 1985 ashrae 90 1 proposed. But if your hvac ducts are accessible detecting leaks is fairly easy using a testing device you can buy. Contains updates to the expected leakage rates for ductwork constructed to the smacna hvac duct construction standards metal flexible duct leakage test procedures recommendations on use of leakage testing types. The hvac air duct leakage test manual provides practical and detailed procedures for conducting leakage tests.

Getting to the ductwork in some homes is difficult or impossible for the average homeowner. A duct leakage tester is a diagnostic tool designed to measure the airtightness of forced air heating ventilating and air conditioning hvac ductwork. This american national standard ansi smacna 016 2012 covers revised leakage criteria and builds on the proven methods for testing ductwork for air leaks from the first edition. Representative sections totaling no less than 25.

The research also led to the development of the smacna hvac air duct leakage test manual 1st edition. Apparent differences of about ten percent between fan delivery and sum of airflow measurements at terminals do not necessarily mean poor sealing and excess leakage. 1972 2 nd edition 2012 122 pages. In both cases the requirements are the same.

A duct leakage tester consists of a calibrated fan for measuring an air flow rate and a pressure sensing device to measure the pressure created by the fan flow. Potential accuracy of flow measurements should be evaluated. This american national standard ansi smacna 016 2012 covers revised leakage criteria and builds on the proven methods for testing ductwork for air leaks from the first edition. For duct leakage testing the standard pressure used is 25 pascals which is close to the operating pressure of a typical duct system.

The system will need to achieve a leakage rate of less than 4 cfm cubic feet per minute per 100 square feet of the home. Contains updates to the expected leakage rates for ductwork constructed to the smacna hvac duct construction standards metal flexible duct leakage test procedures. Ductwork that is designed to operate at static pressures in excess of 3 inches water column 0 75 kpa and all ductwork located outdoors shall be leak tested according to the ansi smacna hvac air duct leakage test manual.