Air Duct Testing Services
Verification of Air Duct Systems for Airtightness, Airflow and Performance
Airtes Air Duct Testing Services are professional measurement and verification services covering the inspection of HVAC air ducts for airtightness, air leakage flow rate, duct pressure, air velocity and volumetric airflow.
Newly manufactured or existing operational air ducts are tested in accordance with project criteria, technical specifications and applicable standards. Measurement results are recorded and the duct system is evaluated for compliance with the acceptance criteria.
Airtes manages site surveys, test planning, duct surface area calculations, field measurements, local leak detection, result evaluation and technical reporting as a single integrated service.
Airtightness Testing
The leakage rate of air ducts is determined under positive or negative test pressure.
Airflow Measurement
Air velocity and volumetric airflow are measured at ducts, grilles, diffusers and air terminal devices.
Local Leak Detection
Flange, corner, access door and joint leaks are identified through smoke testing and site inspections.
Technical Reporting
Test conditions, measurement values, acceptance criteria and results are presented in a technical report.
What Is an Air Duct Testing Service?
An air duct testing service is a field operation that verifies duct manufacturing and installation compliance with project requirements using measurable data. Uncontrolled leaks in a duct system can result in inefficient use of fan capacity, failure to deliver the required airflow to occupied spaces and increased energy consumption.
During airtightness testing, a defined duct section is isolated and brought to the target test pressure. The total leakage rate of the duct is determined by measuring the make-up air required to maintain that pressure at a constant level.
Measured air leakage is evaluated based on the tested duct surface area, test pressure and the airtightness class defined in the technical specification.
Scope of Airtes Air Duct Testing Services
The total leakage rate of rectangular and circular air ducts is measured under positive or negative pressure.
Positive or negative static pressure inside the duct is checked using suitable measuring instruments.
Air velocity values are measured at suitable points across the duct cross-section.
Airflow at ducts, grilles, diffusers and anemostats is measured and compared with project values.
Leaking flanges, corners, access doors and connection points can be visually identified using the smoke method.
Differential pressure before and after the filter is measured to assess filter contamination and system resistance.
Fan operating pressure, airflow and their effects on the system are checked under site conditions.
Measurement results, acceptance criteria, non-conformities and recommended corrective actions are reported.
Airtes Air Duct Testing Process
Site Survey and Planning
The duct route, test sections, access conditions and project criteria are reviewed.
Test Area Preparation
The duct section to be tested is separated, open ends are sealed and the necessary connections are prepared.
Pressurisation
The duct section is brought in a controlled manner to the target positive or negative test pressure.
Measurement and Recording
Duct pressure and leakage airflow are measured and recorded under stable operating conditions.
Reporting
Results are compared with acceptance limits and a technical test report is prepared.
Air Duct Airtightness Testing
An airtightness test enables the measurement of total leakage in an air duct and determines whether the duct system meets the target airtightness class.
After the duct section to be tested is brought to a specified pressure, the make-up air required to maintain that pressure is measured. The resulting leakage rate is evaluated together with the duct surface area and test pressure.
Applied to supply air ducts and duct sections operating under positive pressure.
Applied to extract, exhaust and vacuum-operated duct systems.
Large duct systems are divided into suitable test sections and inspected separately.
Equipment Used for Testing and Measurement
Applicable Standards and Test Methods
| Standard / Method | Application Area | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| EN 12237 | Circular metal air ducts | May be used to evaluate duct strength and air leakage performance. |
| EN 1507 | Rectangular metal air ducts | May be used for duct strength and airtightness test criteria. |
| EN 12599 | Testing and measurement of ventilation systems | May be referenced for handover, commissioning and system performance verification. |
| SMACNA | Duct leakage classes | Evaluation may be performed according to test pressure, surface area and leakage class. |
| DW/144 | Metal duct manufacturing and testing practices | The duct pressure class and accepted leakage quantity may be used as a basis. |
| Project Technical Specification | Project-specific test criteria | Pressure, class and acceptance limits defined in the contract are applied as a priority. |
The test method, airtightness class, test pressure and acceptance criteria to be used should be determined in accordance with the project technical specification and contract documents.
Air Duct Test Report Contents
Application Areas for Air Duct Testing Services
Benefits of Air Duct Testing
Why Airtes?
The duct system, technical specification and acceptance criteria are evaluated together before testing.
Field planning is performed for industrial HVAC, clean room and process ventilation systems.
Test conditions and measurement results are recorded in a traceable manner.
Potential sources of detected leaks and corrective methods are evaluated.
Site survey, testing, revision recommendations, re-measurement and commissioning support can be provided together.
The test scope is prepared according to duct size, pressure class and facility operating conditions.
Pre-Test Preparation and Technical Note
Open ends, grille connections, equipment outlets and other temporary openings in the duct section to be tested should be properly sealed. Leakage from the test covers themselves must not affect the measurement result.
The duct surface area, test pressure, airtightness class and maximum allowable leakage rate should be finalised before testing. Sections of the same duct system with different pressure classes may be evaluated separately.
Test results depend on duct manufacturing quality, flange connections, gasket and sealant application, airtightness of test covers, ambient conditions and the calibration status of the measuring instruments used.
Contact Airtes for Air Duct Testing Services
Test planning is prepared according to duct dimensions, total surface area, test pressure, airtightness class, duct accessibility and site working conditions.
You can receive technical support from Airtes for air duct airtightness testing, leakage airflow measurement, air velocity and airflow measurement, smoke testing, technical reporting and commissioning services.
