Code Readiness Multifamily Air-Sealing Research: Final Data Brief on Preliminary Results from Blower Door Diagnostic Testing

Several past studies tested air-leakage rates in multifamily buildings and dwelling unit compartmentalization rates, but most of these studies were performed in colder climate states and are not directly transferable to California. Therefore, there is a general lack of California specific multifamily blower door testing research into actual air-leakage rates of multifamily buildings. To address this knowledge gap, the Code Readiness research team recruited six multifamily buildings throughout California and conducted blower door testing to measure dwelling unit total leakage compartmentalization rates (CFM₅₀/ft²-total), dwelling unit exterior surface leakage rates (CFM₅₀/ft²-exterior), and whole building leakage rates (ACH₅₀, CFM₅₀/ft²). This second data brief includes this sixth building. This second data brief also presents additional interim analysis findings including median leakage rates, summaries by building type, and an estimation of leakage attributed to dwelling units and common areas for two buildings that were tested for whole building leakage. A final peer reviewed report will be published in the third quarter of 2023.

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Multifamily, air-leakage rates, compartmentalization, guarded blower door tests, unguarded blower door tests, whole building, dwelling unit compartmentalization, total leakage, exterior leakage, ACH₅₀, CFM₅₀/ft²-exterior, CFM₅₀/ft²-total, indoor air quality (IAQ).