International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

Duct System Leakage Testing

Methods, requirements, handing over

Dr. Peter G. Schild

SINTEF Building & Infrastructure

International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

Topics

Testing equipment
Standards
Testing procedures on-site and in laboratory
Practical aspects of on-site testing

International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

Measurement apparatus
Airtight
flexible tube

Calibrated
orifice

Tested
ductwork

Fan

>2m
600 Pa

400 Pa

200 Pa

0 Pa

Manometer

20 /s

10 /s

0 /s

Manometer

(reversible)

Speed
control

(measures leakage flow rate)

(measures leakage pressure)

International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

Measurement instruments
American models

Large leakage flow rates

Large flexible hoses

Scandinavian models

Smaller leakage rates

Smaller hoses (50-100 mm)

International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

Bladders

International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

Leakage localization smoke tests

International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

Swedish VVS AMA 98

Contractual aspects of VVS AMA:

Specification guidelines. Voluntarily referenced in building contracts.
Leakage tests (ducts & AHU) must be done by the HVAC contractor as
part of the contract. AMA requires the contractor to include the cost of
testing in their contract price. Tests can be subcontracted to specialists
The owners consultant, is normally also present during the test.
The parts to be measured are chosen by the owners consultant.

International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

Swedish VVS AMA 98

Test method for leakage testing:
Similar to EN 12237 (round) & EN 1507 (rectangular).
Separate test of air handling unit
A one-pressure measurement, normally at 400 Pa.
Minimum duct surface area to be tested:
10 % of total area for round ducts, 20% for rectangular duct systems
>10 m duct surface. (Area is defined as external surface area)
Select multiple random test locations, each approx. 25 m

If the leakage exceeds requirement, repair and repeat on

another 10%/20%.
If this 2nd test also exceeds requirement, repair and test
whole system
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International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

European Standards
Leakage classification:
EN 1507:2006. Ventilation for buildings - Sheet metal air ducts with rectangular
section - Requirements for strength and leakage
EN 12237:2003. Ventilation for buildings - Ductwork - Strength and leakage of
circular sheet metal ducts
EN 1886:2007. Ventilation for buildings - Air handling units - Mechanical
performance
EN 1751:1998. Ventilation for buildings - Air terminal devices - Aerodynamic
testing of dampers and valves
Leakage requirements, Measurement method, Handing over:
EN 13779:2007. Ventilation for non-residential buildings - Performance
requirements for ventilation and room-conditioning systems
EN 14239:2004. Ventilation for buildings - Ductwork - Measurement of
ductwork surface area
EN 12599:2000. Ventilation for buildings - Test procedures and measuring
methods for handing over installed ventilation and air conditioning systems
(Corrigendum AC:2002 incorporated)
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International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

Illustration of VVS AMA Commissioning

Source: AIRWAYS Souce Book

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International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

European Standards
Leakage classification:
EN 1507:2006. Ventilation for buildings - Sheet metal air ducts with rectangular
section - Requirements for strength and leakage
EN 12237:2003. Ventilation for buildings - Ductwork - Strength and leakage of
circular sheet metal ducts
EN 1886:2007. Ventilation for buildings - Air handling units - Mechanical
performance
EN 1751:1998. Ventilation for buildings - Air terminal devices - Aerodynamic
testing of dampers and valves
Leakage requirements, Measurement method, Handing over:
EN 13779:2007. Ventilation for non-residential buildings - Performance
requirements for ventilation and room-conditioning systems
EN 14239:2004. Ventilation for buildings - Ductwork - Measurement of
ductwork surface area
EN 12599:2000. Ventilation for buildings - Test procedures and measuring
methods for handing over installed ventilation and air conditioning systems
(Corrigendum AC:2002 incorporated)
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International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

EN 14239: Area calculation

All length measurements
are along centre-lines
All components are thus
included in area, e.g.
dampers (A), reductions
(B), bends (C).
Area of reductions (B) are
based on largest diameter
Length of branch ducts is
measured from centre-line
of main duct (D)
Openings (e.g. branches)
shall not be deducted
Include area of end plates

Example of round duct system

Diameter [mm]

Length [m]

Area, DL [m]

800

6.5 + 5.2 = 11.7

0.811.7 = 29.4

600

0.633 = 29.4

400

4.2 + 3.3 = 7.5

0.47.5 = 29.4

SUM

44.8

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International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

What the CEN standards say

In-situ measurements on building site:
at least 10% of total duct system area, and >10 m. Variety of fittings
Ratio between joint length and duct area typically: 1 < L/A < 1.5 [m-1]
One test pressure: pdesign < ptest < ps,limit, steady for 5 mins, preferably
200, 400 or 1000 Pa.
If the leakage exceeds requirement, repair and repeat on another 10%.
If this 2nd test also exceeds requirement, repair and test whole system
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A
B
C
D

(for testing of round ducts)

Air leakage, (

0.1

0.01

0.001
10

100
Duct test pressure, Pa

1000

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International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

EN 12237 & EN 1507: Testing of duct (contd.)

Laboratory measurements of duct products:

>10 m, representative variety of duct dimensions and fittings.
Ratio between joint length (L) and duct area (A): L/A > 1 [m-1]
>5 positive & negative pressures: ptest < ps,limit , each for 5 minutes

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International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

Ratio between joint length (L) and duct area (A)

Example system below: L/A = 57 / 34.9 = 1.63 m

Butt joints

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International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

On-site measurements

Time & cost for large building: 1 day for 2 persons

Sensible to test as early as possible during construction,
before commissioning.
In large buildings, typically many parts of the duct system
are tested separately, e.g. a selection of floors

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Measurement protocols See VVS AMA

International WebEvent on Ductwork Airtightness, 2009-12-16

Disclaimer
The ASIEPI project (www.asiepi.eu) has received funding from the
Communitys Intelligent Energy Europe programme under the contract
EIE/07/169/SI2.466278.
The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the
authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European
Communities. Neither the European Commission nor the authors are
responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained
therein.
SINTEFs contribution to the ASIEPI project is funded in part by
ENOVA contract SID 06/644

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