Experimental Study of Envelope Airtightness in New Egyptian Residential Dwellings

In residential buildings, air infiltration impacts energy, indoor quality, and thermal comfort considerably. While in buildings has been the focus of many studies, most published field-testing results pertain to developed countries, with little or no data on developing nations. This paper presents one first field investigations into envelope hot-arid climatic area Egypt. To analyze permeability building envelope, fan pressurization method, often known as blower door test (BDT), is used, following ISO 9772. The study focuses 20 dwellings built heavy construction materials subjects them extensive characterization testing. average leakage rate for tested sample were 6.14 h−1 17.3 m3/(h∙m2), respectively. However, significant variations airtightness observed across dwelling, leading team several building-related parameters statistically their impact airtightness. Fenestration quality appeared be a critical factor determining infiltration, showing strong correlation change leakage. A further investigation underscored that specific aperture fenestration can predict rates large degree. Thus, we recommend these characteristics material building. Finally, strongly codes countries such Egypt include minimum performance requirements fenestration.