Whole Building Air Barrier Testing in Spokane, Washington

QED LAB recently performed whole building air barrier testing at the new Carla Olman Peperzak Middle School project in Spokane, Washington. As the new school year approaches, this impressive new educational facility is preparing to welcome students for its inaugural year. QED LAB was proud to support the project team by conducting whole building air leakage testing to help verify the performance of the building envelope and ensure the facility is ready to provide a comfortable, efficient, and durable environment for students and staff.

The new middle school carries special significance for the Spokane community, honoring Carla Olman Peperzak, a 99-year-old Holocaust survivor, WWII resistance member, educator, and longtime Spokane resident. Her story of resilience, courage, and service has inspired generations, making this new school a meaningful addition to Spokane Public Schools. The project represents not only a major investment in education but also a tribute to an extraordinary individual whose legacy will continue through future generations of students. Go Peperzak Pumas, and best wishes for a successful inaugural year!

As part of the project closeout and quality assurance process, QED LAB performed a whole building air barrier test designed to measure the airtightness and overall performance of the building envelope. This type of testing plays a critical role in modern school construction, particularly in regions like Spokane where buildings experience a wide range of seasonal weather conditions throughout the year. Proper air barrier performance helps improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, maintain indoor comfort, and protect the building from long-term moisture-related issues.

Whole building air leakage testing is commonly performed in accordance with ASTM E3158, ASTM E779, and ASTM E1827 standards. During testing, calibrated blower door fan systems are installed into the building to pressurize and depressurize the structure while measuring airflow leakage throughout the envelope. This process helps identify any unintended air leakage pathways around windows, doors, roof transitions, penetrations, and other building envelope components.

Educational facilities especially benefit from high-performance building envelopes. Schools require consistent indoor temperatures, healthy indoor air quality, and long-term durability to support both students and faculty. Excessive air leakage can negatively impact HVAC performance, increase energy consumption, and create uncomfortable conditions within classrooms and shared spaces. By conducting whole building air barrier testing before occupancy, the project team can identify and address any issues early while verifying the building meets project specifications and energy code requirements.

The new Carla Olman Peperzak Middle School showcases the continued focus on quality construction and energy-efficient educational facilities throughout Washington State. Projects like this require strong collaboration between architects, contractors, consultants, and testing agencies to ensure the final product performs as intended.

QED LAB is proud to support projects throughout Spokane and the Pacific Northwest with professional building envelope testing, air barrier testing, water penetration testing, and whole building performance verification services. We are honored to have played a role in helping prepare this beautiful new school for students, staff, and the Spokane community.

CONSTRUCTION TEAM:
Spokane Public Schools
Garco Construction
Integrus
McKinstry