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If the room fails
Equipment calibration is often blamed for these failures but in over 12 years of 500 companies
testing, it has never been a factor. It is usually that he room leaks too much. Airsealing looks
simple but should be left to Weatherization contractors; NOT general contractors who may think
they can do it but seldom can.
Enclosures with excessive leaks
Seal leaks at all elevations and retest.
Enclosures with excessive upper leaks
These rooms may not pass the whole room test because of excess leakage where the walls
connect to the upper slab. Just like for any other room, seal all leaks below ceiling, even very
small ones. The floor slab to wall joint must be sealed throughout. Don't worry as much about
leaks through electrical outlets and switches.
1. For rooms with suspended ceilings, do a BCLA flex duct test. Depressurize the entire
space above the false ceiling.
2. For smaller rooms (up to 1000 square feet - about 250 lb. of agent) use polyethylene
taped under suspended ceiling.
adjust measured ELA based on static pressure. You may also cover and register or
duct coming out of the ceiling.
3. BCLA may also be estimated with AHJ and entered manually. Use the spreadsheet on the
Lower Leak tab.
4. Accept larger rooms with thorough smoke pencil inspection per 4-7.2.3 The AHJ should
not be able to uncover any remaining discernible leakage.
Increase agent quantity?
2000 Fire Door-Fan Manual
Grace FS 3000 Elastomeric coating is the best
solution to the biggest leak. It has a fire rating and
flexes so it does not crack and fall out when the
floor moves under load.
Test in positive direction only; the software will
updated 2002-05-28
Page 33 of 58
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