CSINext: Blowing Away

CSINext Chapter - September 2025 Program

Speaker: Denali Jones
Technical Director, Air Barrier Association of America

Continuing Education Credits: AIA LU, HSW

Whole building airtightness testing has been a code compliance option in the International Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE 90.1 for some time. That compliance option was rarely used and only became mandatory as part of a building owners’ requirements, or a specific state or jurisdictional requirement that was limited to one or two states. As we moved towards Net Zero, building codes “tightened” up and it is expected this will become a test that is mandatory on a more country wide basis. It seems that time has arrived, with many states now requiring mandatory whole building airtightness testing. As we move towards those requirements, it is important to understand the latest in test methods, current and projected code requirements, how to specify the test properly, coordination needed with the construction team and what type of pre-qualifications exists that you can rely upon. Learning Objectives: Identify current building code requirements on both a national and jurisdictional level and requirements of various green building programs. Articulate what the test provides and how the results can be used to improve the building enclosure. Define the differences between all the test methods available as code or specification options. Review guide specification sample language and typical pitfalls in current specifications. Identify credentialing programs that can provide pre-qualifications of testing personnel for large buildings.