Fully Accredited Whole Building Air Leakage Testing and Window Testing in Atlanta
Building Envelope Testing in Atlanta, GA
Atlanta’s continued commercial development creates demanding performance requirements for building envelopes. From high-rise construction in Midtown and Downtown to healthcare, education, multifamily, hospitality, and mixed-use projects throughout the metro area, enclosure systems must manage air, water, heat, and moisture while performing as intended after construction is complete.
QED LAB provides building envelope testing in Atlanta, Georgia, helping contractors, developers, architects, consultants, and building owners verify enclosure performance through field testing and diagnostic services.
Our testing capabilities include air barrier testing, commercial blower door testing, whole-building air leakage testing, window and curtain wall testing, water penetration testing, AAMA testing, ASTM testing, infrared thermography, and building enclosure commissioning support.
Whether testing is required by project specifications, commissioning requirements, quality-control procedures, or an investigation into an existing problem, QED LAB provides field data that helps project teams understand how the building enclosure is actually performing.
Commercial Building Envelope Testing in Atlanta
A building envelope separates conditioned interior space from exterior conditions. Walls, windows, doors, roofs, air barriers, waterproofing systems, transitions, and penetrations all have to function together.
Problems often occur where those systems connect.
A wall assembly may perform properly while leakage develops around a window perimeter. An air barrier may be continuous across most of the building but contain gaps at penetrations or transitions. A window system may be installed correctly in one area and leak in another because of differences in perimeter seals or flashing.
Field testing helps identify these conditions before they become larger building-performance problems.
QED LAB works with Atlanta project teams to test specific enclosure components as well as broader whole-building performance.
Air Barrier Testing in Atlanta, GA
Air barriers are intended to control uncontrolled air movement through the building enclosure.
Discontinuities in the air barrier can contribute to energy loss, drafts, moisture movement, pressure-related issues, and inconsistent indoor conditions.
QED LAB provides air barrier testing in Atlanta for commercial and larger building projects.
Testing can help determine whether the completed enclosure meets specified air-leakage requirements and can also help identify locations where unintended leakage is occurring.
Air barrier testing may be performed as part of new construction, commissioning, quality assurance, or an investigation into an existing building.
Commercial Blower Door Testing in Atlanta
Blower door testing isn’t limited to houses.
Large commercial buildings can be tested using multiple calibrated fan systems to create a controlled pressure difference across the building enclosure. Airflow required to maintain that pressure can then be measured and used to quantify building airtightness.
QED LAB provides commercial blower door testing in Atlanta, GA, including whole-building air leakage testing for projects where enclosure airtightness needs to be verified.
Depending on the project requirements, testing may reference standards such as ASTM E779 or ASTM E1827, along with project-specific criteria.
Large-building testing requires careful planning. Building size, enclosure configuration, HVAC systems, exterior openings, pressure zones, weather conditions, and test preparation can all affect the procedure.
QED LAB works with project teams before testing to help prepare the building and establish the appropriate testing approach.
Whole-Building Air Leakage Testing
Whole-building testing provides a broader measurement of enclosure performance than examining individual components alone.
The building is intentionally pressurized or depressurized while calibrated equipment measures the airflow necessary to maintain the required pressure differential.
The results can then be compared with applicable project requirements.
If excessive leakage is detected, additional diagnostic techniques may be used to help locate problem areas.
This combination of quantitative testing and targeted investigation can give Atlanta construction teams more useful information than simply receiving a pass/fail result.
Window and Curtain Wall Testing in Atlanta
Windows, storefronts, curtain walls, and other fenestration systems contain numerous interfaces where water or air leakage can develop.
QED LAB performs window and curtain wall testing in Atlanta to evaluate installed systems under controlled field conditions.
Testing can be particularly valuable during construction because identifying an installation problem early may allow the project team to correct it before the same detail is repeated throughout the building.
Potential concerns include:
- Window perimeter seals
- Curtain wall joints
- Storefront assemblies
- Flashing transitions
- Gaskets
- Sealants
- Interface conditions
- Installation inconsistencies
Testing can be performed on representative assemblies or areas identified by the project team.
AAMA 501.2 Hose Nozzle Testing
AAMA 501.2 testing is commonly used as a field quality-control method for checking specific joints, gaskets, and sealant details in installed curtain wall and storefront systems.
A controlled water stream is directed at targeted exterior joints while the interior side is observed for evidence of leakage.
Because the procedure can isolate relatively small areas, AAMA 501.2 testing in Atlanta can be useful for investigating individual joints and identifying localized installation problems.
It may also be incorporated into construction quality-assurance programs.
AAMA 502 Field Testing
QED LAB can provide field testing of installed fenestration systems where AAMA 502 procedures are specified.
These evaluations can address air leakage and water penetration performance of installed windows and doors.
Field performance can differ from laboratory performance because installation conditions introduce additional variables. Perimeter seals, rough openings, flashing, interfaces, and workmanship can all affect the completed assembly.
Testing installed systems helps project teams evaluate how the actual construction performs in the building.
AAMA 503 Testing for Storefronts and Curtain Walls
For projects involving installed storefronts, curtain walls, and other fenestration assemblies, AAMA 503 field testing may be specified to evaluate performance.
QED LAB supports Atlanta commercial construction projects requiring field verification of these systems.
Testing can help identify air or water leakage associated with installation, seals, joints, or transitions before those conditions become concealed or lead to interior damage.
ASTM E1105 Water Penetration Testing
ASTM E1105 is a widely used field procedure for evaluating water penetration through installed exterior windows, curtain walls, and doors.
During ASTM E1105 testing in Atlanta, water is applied to the exterior surface while a controlled pressure difference is created across the test assembly.
The interior is monitored for water penetration.
This method can help evaluate whether an installed assembly performs under controlled conditions that simulate wind-driven rain pressure.
ASTM E1105 testing may be performed during new construction, as part of commissioning, or while investigating reported water intrusion.
ASTM E331 Water Penetration Testing
ASTM E331 is another method used to evaluate water penetration through exterior fenestration assemblies under a uniform static air pressure difference.
Depending on project requirements and testing conditions, QED LAB can support water penetration testing involving ASTM procedures appropriate to the assembly and project.
The specific standard should be determined from project specifications and the purpose of the evaluation.
Water Intrusion Investigation
Not every Atlanta project calls QED LAB before a problem occurs.
Existing buildings may develop leaks that only appear during certain storms, wind directions, or weather conditions.
Water can enter through one location and travel within the enclosure before becoming visible somewhere else, making the source difficult to identify through visual inspection alone.
QED LAB can use controlled water testing and other diagnostic methods to help isolate suspected leakage paths.
Potential sources may include window perimeters, curtain wall joints, sealant failures, flashing conditions, penetrations, and transitions between enclosure systems.
Infrared Thermography and Building Diagnostics
Infrared thermography can provide additional information about enclosure conditions by identifying temperature patterns across building surfaces.
When used under appropriate conditions, thermal imaging may help identify areas associated with air leakage, insulation irregularities, moisture-related conditions, or thermal bridging.
QED LAB can incorporate infrared building-envelope diagnostics in Atlanta alongside other testing methods when appropriate.
Thermal imaging is most useful when interpreted within the context of building construction, environmental conditions, and other field observations.
Building Enclosure Commissioning in Atlanta
Building enclosure commissioning helps establish and verify enclosure performance throughout the design and construction process.
Rather than waiting until the end of construction to discover a problem, commissioning can involve reviewing enclosure requirements, observing installation, coordinating testing, and documenting performance at key stages.
QED LAB supports building enclosure commissioning in Atlanta with field testing and verification services.
Testing may focus on air barriers, fenestration, water penetration, whole-building airtightness, or other enclosure systems identified in the project requirements.
Testing During Construction Can Catch Problems Earlier
The timing of building envelope testing can significantly affect its usefulness.
Testing representative assemblies early in construction can identify problems while the project team still has an opportunity to adjust installation procedures.
For example, discovering a recurring window perimeter issue after several units have been installed is considerably different from finding the same issue after hundreds of openings are complete and interior finishes are installed.
A planned testing sequence can help contractors and consultants evaluate workmanship before problematic details are repeated throughout the project.
Building Types We Can Support in Atlanta
Atlanta contains a diverse commercial building market, and enclosure testing requirements can vary considerably between projects.
QED LAB can support testing for:
- Office buildings
- Multifamily developments
- Hotels and hospitality properties
- Healthcare facilities
- Schools and universities
- Municipal buildings
- Mixed-use developments
- Retail projects
- Warehouses and industrial buildings
- High-rise construction
- Existing commercial properties
Testing scope is determined by the building, project specifications, enclosure systems, and performance requirements.
Building Envelope Testing Across Metro Atlanta
QED LAB supports projects throughout Atlanta and the surrounding metro area.
Whether the project involves new construction in Downtown or Midtown, commercial development around Buckhead, multifamily construction, institutional facilities, or projects elsewhere across the Atlanta metropolitan region, our team can coordinate the appropriate building-envelope testing scope.
We also support projects throughout Georgia as part of QED LAB’s broader building-performance testing services.
When Should You Schedule Building Envelope Testing?
The best time to discuss testing is often before the building is completely enclosed.
Early coordination allows the project team to review specifications, identify required standards, select representative test locations, prepare assemblies, and determine when testing should occur within the construction schedule.
However, QED LAB can also assist when construction is already underway or when an existing building has developed an air- or water-leakage concern.
When contacting us, useful information includes the building type, approximate size, construction phase, applicable specifications, required testing standards, and anticipated testing schedule.
Schedule Building Envelope Testing in Atlanta, GA
If your Atlanta project requires independent building-envelope performance testing, QED LAB can help determine the appropriate field-testing approach.
Our capabilities include commercial blower door testing, whole-building air leakage testing, air barrier testing, AAMA field testing, ASTM water penetration testing, window and curtain wall testing, infrared thermography, and building enclosure commissioning support.
Contact QED LAB to discuss building envelope testing in Atlanta, Georgia, and provide your project specifications or testing requirements so our team can review the scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does QED LAB provide commercial blower door testing in Atlanta?
Yes. QED LAB provides commercial blower door and whole-building air leakage testing for projects requiring verification of building-envelope airtightness.
What building envelope testing standards can QED LAB support?
Depending on the project, testing may involve standards and procedures such as ASTM E779, ASTM E1827, ASTM E1105, ASTM E331, AAMA 501.2, AAMA 502, AAMA 503, and other project-specific testing requirements.
Whole building air leakage testing measures unwanted airflow through the building envelope and can help locate areas where air is escaping. Finding these leakage points can help project teams address energy-efficiency, indoor-comfort, moisture, and building-performance concerns.
Can QED LAB test windows for water leaks?
Yes. QED LAB performs field water penetration testing and diagnostic investigations for installed windows, curtain walls, storefronts, doors, and related enclosure assemblies.
Can you test a large commercial building for air leakage?
Yes. Large buildings can be evaluated using multiple calibrated fan systems and whole-building testing procedures appropriate to the project requirements.
Should building envelope testing happen before construction is finished?
Testing during construction can be particularly useful because problems can potentially be identified before the same installation detail is repeated or concealed. The appropriate testing schedule depends on the project and specifications.
Does QED LAB serve projects outside Atlanta?
Yes. QED LAB supports building-envelope testing projects throughout Georgia, including the Atlanta metro area and other cities across the state.
Looking for more information about Building Envelope Testing?
At QED LAB, we offer a Lunch and Learn where we provide valuable insights into code requirements and building envelope testing. Our experts will explain how these tests are performed and meet compliance with building codes. Join us for lunch and learn more about building envelope testing today!