AIVAA standards for accuracy and calibration of equipment

This page contains information about AIVAA standards for accuracy and calibration of equipment.

Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS ISO 9972:2015 states the following:

“4.1 General

The following description of apparatus is general in nature. Any arrangement of equipment using the same principles and capable of performing the test procedure within the allowable tolerances is permitted.”

Therefore, it is the burden of the tester to demonstrate that they are using equipment that meets these standards of accuracy. The main manufacturers of blower door and duct tightness testing equipment available in Australia are Retrotec, The Energy Conservatory, and Infiltec, all American companies. All three companies offer standard equipment that meets these accuracy requirements, and specifications should be readily available upon request.

Accuracy

Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS ISO 9972:2015 states the following:

“4.2 Equipment

4.2.1 Air-moving equipment

Device that is capable of inducing a specific range of positive and negative pressure differences across the building envelope or part thereof. The system shall provide a constant air flow at each pressure difference for the period required to obtain readings of air flow rate.

4.2.2 Pressure-measuring device

Instrument capable of measuring pressure differences with an accuracy of ±1 Pa in the range of 0 Pa to 100 Pa.

4.2.3 Air flow rate measuring system

Device capable of measuring air flow rate within ±7 % of the reading…”

The main manufacturers of blower door and duct tightness testing equipment available in Australia are Retrotec, The Energy Conservatory, and Infiltec, all American companies. All three companies offer standard equipment that meets these accuracy requirements and specifications should be readily available upon request.

Calibration

Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS ISO 9972:2015 states the following:

“Periodic calibration of the measurement system, used in this test method, according to manufacturer specifications or to standardized quality insurance systems is required.”

In line with AS/NZ ISO 9972, AIVAA standards require that Members’ gauges and fans are calibrated according to manufacturer specifications. In practice, this means that

• Pressure gauges shall be calibrated every 2 years or according to manufacturers’ specifications.
• Fans shall be field-checked for physical integrity at every 2 years or after suffering any rough handling. Fans shall meet manufacturers’ specifications for tolerances and clearances of components, and integrity of pressure hoses. Accessories and attachments shall not be missing and shall be in good working condition. Cords and electrical circuitry shall be in safe, working condition.
• Records of calibrations and field checks of fans and pressure gauges shall be kept on file.
• It is not required that fans or pressure gauges be calibrated in Australia or another particular country, as long as the laboratory conducting the test meets manufacturers’ requirements for accuracy and precision.

As best practice, AIVAA recommends that field checks of equipment be conducted at intervals more often than every 2 years, as periodic calibration alone does not guarantee accuracy. Field checks are usually quick and simple and can prevent major errors in measurement. Manufacturers of blower door and duct tightness testing equipment provide procedures for field checks of accuracy. The main manufacturers of blower door and duct tightness testing equipment available in Australia are Retrotec, The Energy Conservatory, and Infiltec, all American companies. Information on equipment calibration Retrotec and The Energy Conservatory is included here for convenience, but the latest information on compliance with calibration standards should always be sought directly from the manufacturer.

Fans

“Model 3 and Model 4 Blower Door fans maintain their calibration unless physical damage occurs. Conditions and blades relative to the fan housing, and leaks in the sensor or tubing running from the flow sensor to the fan pressure tap. These conditions are easily detected and should be tested for on a regular basis.”

http://support.energyconservatory.com/hc/en-us/articles/202775380-Minneapolis-Blower-Door-Manual

Digital Pressure Gauges

“The DG-700 is calibrated at our factory prior to being shipped. A sticker on the back of the gauge case will indicate the date of calibration, as well as the next recommended recalibration date. Under normal operation, we recommend that the gauge be recalibrated once every two years.”
http://dev.energyconservatory.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DG-700.pdf