Air Barrier Testing Of Grocery Story (New Building)

In December 2012 we performed air barrier testing and a building envelope scan at a new grocery store in Texas. The goal of the project was to help the client identify areas where they could improve the energy efficiency of their buildings so they could implement better strategies in upcoming projects. 

Grocery stories and other similar buildings can be challenging due to unique penetrations, delivery doors,  mechanical equipment on the roof and other challenges.

Smoke was used to identify air leaks.

When trying to identify air leaks, it may be possible to use just 3 fans or 6 fans to create the necessary  pressure difference.   However, if testing to the Army Corps Of Engineer specs it would take 9-12 fans to properly pressurize or depressurize the building.

All of our inspections are performed by a Level 2 or Level 3 certified infrared thermographer and our air barrier testing technicians have years of experience testing commercial buildings.

If you need more information on air barrier testing or if you'd like to have a test performed, please visit our web site at http://thermo-scan.com/air_leak_testing.html



The week of May 7^th we were at an Air Force Base in Texas.  We performed an Air Barrier Test and Thermal Envelope Scan on a 42,200 square foot NATO jet pilot training facility.

This building had a lot of air volume in it.  The building not only had a three story tall entry, it also had a full sized auditorium.  The building required six Minneapolis fans in order to get the needed 30,000+ CFM.  The building was very well built and used triple layer windows, additional insulation, and thick weather stripping on the doors all to aid in sound deadening.  This building was located only a few hundred feet from the runway on base.

This was one of the first buildings we have seen pass ASTM E779 on the first try that didn’t use spray on insulation on the bottom of the roof deck.

The building was well built and easily passed the infrared scan the second morning.

For more information on air barrier testing, please visit our web site, www.thermo-scan.com.  You may contact Thermo-Scan Inspections directly for Air Barrier Testing and Infrared Scan Inspections at 800-481- 5748 or tdunn@thermo-scan.com

Air Barrier Testing For LEED

Air Barrier Testing can be used to gain points under the Innovation in Design Category.   We recently performed a building envelope thermal scan and air leakage test at a LEED Certified bank.

LEED Certified Bank

To meet the LEED required air exchange rate, 3 fans would have been required if the building was built to the maximum allowable air leakage rate.  This building was so tight, though,  it took just 1 fan to reach the required pressure differential.

If you have a LEED project that requires air barrier testing or infrared scanning, please contact Thermo-Scan Inspections at tdunn@thermo-scan.com or 1-800-481-5748.  Visit our web site, http://www.thermo-scan.com/ for more information.