Radon barrier: Method of testing airtightness - 2. Edition

The test method NBI 167/02 Radon membrane: Test of airtightness can be used for determining the airtightness of a radon barrier as a system solution. The test determines the air infiltration through the radon barrier for a number of levels of air pressure differences. The airflow through versus the difference in air pressure over the barrier is measured. The air pressure difference is kept constant, at a number of manually controlled levels. At each pressure level, the difference is measured in a single point close to the point where the suction for lowering the air pressure is located. Improvements to the test method were suggested. A digital stirring and control system, and a method for determining the mean air pressure difference, as well as a method for testing barriers with a very low air infiltration, were provided. The digital stirring and control system ensured automatic control and measuring of coherent values of the airflow and the difference in air pressure. The method determining the mean air pressure difference was based on measurements from 5 units placed at specific locations. The method for testing barriers with a very low air infiltration introduced the need to provide air to the side of the barrier with the low air pressure, through a well-defined opening, as a modification of the test method in general. Results, obtained using the improved test method, are shown for a number of radon barriers tested. © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of the 11th Nordic Symposium on Building Physics.