ASTM_E_1554_-_E_1554M_-_13.pdf

Designation:E1554/E1554M13Standard Test Methods forDetermining Air Leakage of Air Distribution Systems by FanPressurization1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1554/E1554M;the number immediately following the designation indicates the yearof original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 The test methods included in this standard are applicableto the air distribution systems in low-rise residential andcommercial buildings.1.2 These test methods cover four techniques for measuringthe air leakage of air distribution systems.The techniques useair flow and pressure measurements to determine the leakagecharacteristics.1.3 The test methods for two of the techniques also specifythe auxiliary measurements needed to characterize the magni-tude of the distribution system air leakage during normaloperation.1.4 Atest method for the total recirculating air flow inducedby the system blower is included so that the air distributionsystem leakage can be normalized as is often required forenergy calculations.1.5 The proper use of these test methods requires knowl-edge of the principles of air flow and pressure measurements.1.6 Three of these test methods are intended to produce ameasure of the air leakage from the air distribution system tooutside.The other test method measures total air leakageincluding air leaks to inside conditioned space.1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitsare to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated ineach system may not be exact equivalents;therefore,eachsystem shall be used independently of the other.Combiningvalues from the two systems may result in non-conformancewith the standard.1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.For specific hazardstatements,see Section 7.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E631 Terminology of Building ConstructionsE779 Test Method for DeterminingAir Leakage Rate by FanPressurizationE1258 Test Method for Airflow Calibration of Fan Pressur-ization Devices2.2 ASME Standard:3MFC-3M Measurement of Fluid Flow in Pipes Using OrificeNozzle and Venturi3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of general terms related tobuilding construction used in these test methods,refer toTerminology E631.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 building envelopethe boundary or barrier separatingthe interior volume of a building from the outside environment.Even when a garage is conditioned,for this standard it isconsidered to be outside the building envelope.3.2.2 blowerthe air moving device for a forced air spaceconditioning and/or ventilation system.4.Summary of Test Methods4.1 Four alternative measurement and analysis methods arespecified and labeled A through D,Test Methods A and B giveseparate values for supply and return leakage to outside.TestMethods C and D do not separate supply and return leakage.Test Methods A,B,and C determine leakage to outside,butTest Method D measures total leakage,including leakage toinside.Test Method A is based upon changes in flow throughdistribution system leaks to outside due to blower operationover a range of envelope pressure differences.The envelopepressure differences are generated by a separate air moving fanand both pressurization and depressurization measurements are1These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 onPerformance of Buildings and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41on Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance.Current edition approved April 15,2013.Published April 2013.Originallyapproved in 1993.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E1554 07.DOI:10.1520/E1554_E1554M-13.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers(ASME),ASMEInternational Headquarters,Three Park Ave.,New York,NY 10016-5990,http:/www.asme.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 performed.Test Methods B and C are based upon pressurizingthe distribution system at the same time as the building in orderto isolate the leaks that are outside the building envelope.ForTest Method B,measured system operating pressures are thenused to estimate leakage under operating conditions.TestMethod C determines the leakage to outside at a uniformreference pressure of 25 Pa 0.1 in.of water instead ofoperating pressure,and does not separate sup