ᐅ Blower Door Test Not Conducted During Construction – What Now?
Created on: 11 Feb 2014 16:13
S
Sanguinius
Hello everyone,
I have a delicate problem—or maybe not, we’ll see.
The construction of my new condominium (3 units) is nearing completion. Everything went well so far, but once it came to the finer details of interior finishing, problems started...
For example, the vinyl flooring was installed first, and then work began on chiseling, drywall, tiling, and painting. You can imagine how the construction dust and debris affect the floor...
My biggest issue, however, is that we had the building constructed to KfW 70 standard. This is also stated in the construction description. The developer seriously claimed that a blower door test is not necessary to measure and verify airtightness for a condominium. The bank had a different opinion.
After overhearing some conversations among the tradespeople, with dialogues like: “Do we have to use this or that foam because of the blower door test?” I’m seriously concerned that these considerations might be coming in too late.
What happens if the KfW 70 airtightness is not met? Do you have any suggestions on how I should proceed in this case?
I have a delicate problem—or maybe not, we’ll see.
The construction of my new condominium (3 units) is nearing completion. Everything went well so far, but once it came to the finer details of interior finishing, problems started...
For example, the vinyl flooring was installed first, and then work began on chiseling, drywall, tiling, and painting. You can imagine how the construction dust and debris affect the floor...
My biggest issue, however, is that we had the building constructed to KfW 70 standard. This is also stated in the construction description. The developer seriously claimed that a blower door test is not necessary to measure and verify airtightness for a condominium. The bank had a different opinion.
After overhearing some conversations among the tradespeople, with dialogues like: “Do we have to use this or that foam because of the blower door test?” I’m seriously concerned that these considerations might be coming in too late.
What happens if the KfW 70 airtightness is not met? Do you have any suggestions on how I should proceed in this case?
S
Sanguinius12 Feb 2014 12:59In my opinion, such a concept does not exist here.
B
Bauexperte12 Feb 2014 13:18Hello Nordanney,
this is actually €uro’s area of expertise...
This statement is not entirely correct:
"If a ventilation system is planned and funding is to be applied for, a blower door test as proof of airtightness is mandatory. This is because, for a ventilation system to work properly and efficiently, higher requirements for airtightness apply"
Source: e.g., Energy Consulting RWE
Regards, Bauexperte
this is actually €uro’s area of expertise...
nordanney schrieb:
For the KfW, a blower door test is not necessarily required! However, as far as I know, the thermal insulation calculation is done differently
This statement is not entirely correct:
"If a ventilation system is planned and funding is to be applied for, a blower door test as proof of airtightness is mandatory. This is because, for a ventilation system to work properly and efficiently, higher requirements for airtightness apply"
Source: e.g., Energy Consulting RWE
Regards, Bauexperte
N
nordanney12 Feb 2014 14:41Bauexperte schrieb:
Hello nordanney,
this is actually €uro’s area of expertise ...
This statement is not entirely correct:
"If a ventilation system is planned and funding is to be applied for, a blower door test is mandatory as proof of airtightness. Since a ventilation system can only operate properly and efficiently if there are increased requirements for airtightness"
Source: e.g., Energy Consulting RWE
Regards, Bauexperte Then €uro could actually clarify things a bit.
According to our planner, we can do without the BDT, referring to § 6 of the Energy Saving Ordinance. The ventilation system was not required to achieve KfW 70.
B
Bauexperte13 Feb 2014 10:52Hello Nordanney,
If a ventilation system is installed, the BDT is, as far as I know, generally mandatory when KfW funding is utilized; regardless of whether it is required to achieve a particular KfW standard or not. Since otherwise the technical manager (a sworn expert witness in court) would reprimand me, I assume this obligation exists.
Regards, Bauexperte
nordanney schrieb:Maybe he will
Then €uro could actually shed some light on this
nordanney schrieb:I can only speak from our construction project, where a BDT is generally mandatory for the acceptance inspection; knowing full well that it is not always necessary. However, in my opinion, this is not entirely correct; I rather have the impression that the Energy Saving Ordinance is open to different interpretations in this regard. For us, it simply serves to encourage the involved trades to pay closer attention and work more diligently. If this is the case, the BDT will be eliminated accordingly, and everyone is satisfied. The costs for a BDT are negligible compared to the total construction budget and included in the fixed price.
According to our planner, we can do without the blower door test (BDT), referring to § 6 of the Energy Saving Ordinance. The ventilation system was not needed to achieve KfW 70.
If a ventilation system is installed, the BDT is, as far as I know, generally mandatory when KfW funding is utilized; regardless of whether it is required to achieve a particular KfW standard or not. Since otherwise the technical manager (a sworn expert witness in court) would reprimand me, I assume this obligation exists.
Regards, Bauexperte
Similar topics