Blower door testing in Multi Family Dwellings

[mtCDCcb]

Our municipality now requires a blower door test on residential buildings. This is new for 2016. With a single family dwelling its easy one house one test, but what do you do in a multi-family dwelling? If I have a 100 unit condo complex do I require 100 individual unit blower door tests? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

Yes, each unit needs to be tested individually.

Some AHJs also require the common areas to be tested too as the common areas have their own systems.

Better contractors will do three tests:
- pre-insulation/drywall (sealed attics) as that allows the tester to identify leakage areas in the structural envelope
- pre-insulation/drywall (after drywall lid for vented attics) for same reason

- after drywall (easier to find and fix things before painting and finishes are applied/installed

- after all work is complete (this would be the required test)

The first two tests typically save the contractor/builder money by avoiding any work at the final required test.