Duct Leakage and Pressure Testing

A duct leakage test measures how much conditioned air is escaping the ductwork before it ever reaches the space it's supposed to serve. We seal off the duct system, pressurize it with a calibrated fan, and measure the airflow needed to hold a target test pressure. That gives us an exact leakage rate — CFM per 100 square feet of duct surface area, or CFM at a specified pressure — not an estimate.

Why it's done

Codes and specs increasingly require documented duct leakage rates, often referencing SMACNA leakage classes or ASHRAE 90.1, before a system passes inspection. We test to whatever standard your project calls for and deliver the documentation needed to close it out. Leaky ductwork means paying to heat and cool air that never makes it to the occupied space — it wastes energy, throws off room-by-room balancing, and can pull unconditioned or contaminated air into the system through negative-pressure sections. Catching it before ceilings close up means the fix is mastic and tape, not a re-opened ceiling.

We test supply, return, and exhaust ductwork on new construction and renovation projects across healthcare, commercial, and institutional facilities.

A blower door test measures how much air leaks through a building's envelope — walls, windows, doors, roof, and foundation. We mount a calibrated fan and pressure gauge in an exterior doorway, pressurize or depressurize the space, and measure the airflow needed to hold a target pressure differential. That gives us an exact leakage rate — air changes per hour (ACH) or CFM at 50 Pascals — not just a guess.

Why it's done

Codes increasingly require documented air leakage rates, often referencing ASHRAE 90.1 or IECC limits, before occupancy is granted. We test to those standards and deliver the documentation your project needs to close out. Beyond compliance, excessive leakage drives up heating and cooling costs, overworks HVAC equipment, and can create moisture problems inside wall assemblies. 

We test new construction, additions, and renovations across healthcare, commercial, and institutional projects.