Section 51-11R-40240 - Section R402.4-Air leakageR402.4Air leakage. The building thermal envelope shall be constructed to limit air leakage in accordance with the requirements of Sections R402.4.1 through R402.4.4.R402.4.1Building thermal envelope air leakage. The building thermal envelope shall comply with Sections R402.4.1.1 through R402.4.1.3. The sealing methods between dissimilar materials shall allow for differential expansion and contraction. R402.4.1.1Installation. The components of the building thermal envelope as listed in Table R402.4.1.1 shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and the criteria listed in Table R402.4.1.1, as applicable to the method of construction. Where required by the code official, an approved third party shall inspect all components and verify compliance.R402.4.1.2Testing. The building or dwelling unit shall be tested for air leakage. Testing shall be conducted in accordance with RESNET/ICC 380, ASTM E779 or ASTM E1827. Test pressure and leakage rate shall comply with Section R402.1.3. A written report of the test results, including verified location and time stamp of the date of the test, shall be signed by the testing agency and provided to the building owner and code official. Testing shall be performed at any time after creation of all penetrations of the building thermal envelope. Once visual inspection has confirmed air sealing has been conducted in accordance with Table R402.4.1.1, operable windows and doors manufactured by small business are permitted to be sealed off at the frame prior to the test. Testing of single-family dwellings and townhouses shall be conducted in accordance with RESNET/ICC 380. Test pressure and leakage rate shall comply with Section R402.1.3.1.
For Group R-2 occupancies, testing shall be conducted in accordance with ASTM E779, ASTM E1827, or ASTM E3158. Test pressure and leakage rate shall comply with Section R402.1.3.2. The individual performing the air leakage test shall be trained and certified by a certification body that is, at the time of permit application, an ISO 17024 accredited certification body including, but not limited to, the Air Barrier Association of America.
During testing:
1. Exterior windows and doors, fireplace and stove doors shall be closed, but not sealed, beyond the intended weatherstripping or other infiltration control measures;2. Dampers including exhaust, intake, makeup air, backdraft and flue dampers shall be closed, but not sealed beyond intended infiltration control measures;3. Interior doors, if installed at the time of the test, shall be open, access hatches to conditioned crawl spaces and conditioned attics shall be open;4. Exterior or interior terminations for continuous ventilation systems and heat recovery ventilators shall be sealed;5. Heating and cooling systems, if installed at the time of the test, shall be turned off; and6. Supply and return registers, if installed at the time of the test, shall be fully open. EXCEPTION: | Additions less than 500 square feet of conditioned floor area. |
R402.4.1.3Leakage rate. Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) shall comply with Section R402.4.1.3.1. Group R-2 multifamily buildings shall comply with Section R402.4.1.3.2. R402.4.1.3.1Dwelling unit leakage rate. The maximum air leakage rate for any dwelling unit under any compliance path shall not exceed 4.0 air changes per hour. Testing shall be conducted with a blower door test at a test pressure of 0.2 inches w.g. (50 Pa). EXCEPTION: | Additions tested with the existing home having a combined maximum air leakage rate of 7 air changes per hour. To qualify for this exception, the date of construction of the existing dwelling must be prior to the 2009 Washington State Energy Code. |
R402.4.1.3.2Group R-2 multifamily building leakage rate. For Group R-2 multifamily buildings, the maximum leakage rate for any dwelling unit shall not exceed 0.25 cfm per square foot of the dwelling unit enclosure area. Testing shall be conducted with a blower door at a test pressure of 0.2 inches w.g. (50 Pa). Doors and windows of adjacent dwelling units (including top and bottom units) shall be open to the outside during the test.R402.4.2Air leakage of fenestration. Windows, skylights and sliding glass doors shall have an air infiltration rate of no more than 0.3 cfm per square foot (1.5 L/s/m2), and swinging doors no more than 0.5 cfm per square foot (2.6 L/s/m2), when tested according to NFRC 400 or AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 by an accredited, independent laboratory and listed and labeled by the manufacturer.
EXCEPTION: | 1. Field-fabricated fenestration products (windows, skylights and doors). 2. Custom exterior fenestration products manufactured by a small business provided they meet the applicable provisions of Chapter 24 of the International Building Code. Once visual inspection has confirmed the presence of a gasket, operable windows and doors manufactured by small business shall be permitted to be sealed off at the frame prior to the test. |
R402.4.3Recessed lighting. Recessed luminaires installed in the building thermal envelope shall be Type IC-rated and certified under ASTM E283 as having an air leakage rate not more than 2.0 cfm (0.944 L/s) when tested at a 1.57 psf (75 Pa) pressure differential and shall have a label attached showing compliance with this test method. All recessed luminaires shall be sealed with a gasket or caulk between the housing and the interior wall or ceiling covering.R402.4.4Electrical and communication outlet boxes (air-sealed boxes). Electrical and communication outlet boxes installed in the building thermal envelope shall be sealed to limit air leakage between conditioned and unconditioned spaces. Electrical and communication outlet boxes shall be tested in accordance with NEMA OS 4, Requirements for Air-Sealed Boxes for Electrical and Communication Applications, and shall have an air leakage rate of not greater than 2.0 cubic feet per minute (0.944 L/s) at a pressure differential of 1.57 psf (75 Pa). Electrical and communication outlet boxes shall be marked "NEMA OS 4" or "OS 4" in accordance with NEMA OS 4. Electrical and communication outlet boxes shall be installed per the manufacturer's instructions and with any supplied components required to achieve compliance with NEMA OS 4.Wash. Admin. Code § 51-11R-40240
Amended by WSR 14-24-123, Filed 12/3/2014, effective 1/3/2015Amended by WSR 16-02-127, Filed 1/6/2016, effective 7/1/2016Amended by WSR 20-01-047, Filed 12/9/2019, effective 7/1/2020Amended by WSR 20-21-081, Filed 10/19/2020, effective 2/1/2021Amended by WSR 23-02-060, Filed 1/3/2023, effective 7/1/2023Amended by WSR 24-03-084, Filed 1/16/2024, effective 3/15/2024Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.020, 19.27A.045 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 13-04-055, § 51-11R-40240, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13.