AIR LEAKAGE THROUGH FARM BUILDING ENVELOPES IN EASTERN ONTARIO

A field study was conducted to measure air leakage in modern farm buil dings of typical construction in order to evaluate the performance of their air barriers. A large capacity mobile fan was used to determine air leakage rates for inside-to-outside pressure differences of 10, 20 , 40, 50, and 60 Pa. A total of 13 barns was tested including some bui lt by owners and some built by contractors. Air leakage rates of 3 to 12 air changes per hour were measured at 15 Pa. These rates were much higher than those suggested using ASHRAE methodology. There was no app arent difference in air barrier performance according to being owner o r contractor built.