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Draft PDS-02, BSR/RESNET/ICC 380-202x

Proposed Standard BSR/RESNET/ICC 380-202x will be the 3rd edition of Standard ANSI/RESNET/ICC 380, Standard for Testing Airtightness of Building, Dwelling Unit and Sleeping Unit Enclosures; Airtightness of Heating and Cooling Air Distribution Systems; and Airflow of Mechanical Ventilation. The new edition will include all interpretations of the 2019 edition and provide additional clarifications. The significant changes proposed in draft PDS-01 and the changes to draft PDS-01 incorporated in draft PDS-02 are shown below.

 

Summary of Draft PDS-01 Proposed Changes to ANSI/RESNET/ICC 380-2019:

 

  1. Definitions:
    1. Added and/or aligned the following definitions from 301 and 310:
      • Attached Dwelling Unit
      • Blower Fan
      • Detached Dwelling Unit
      • Dwelling Unit Mechanical Ventilation System
      • Exhaust Ventilation System
      • Forced-Air HVAC System
      • HVAC System
      • Occupiable Space
      • Residential Building
      • Shall
    2. Proposed a definition for Ventilation that varies slightly from 301.
    3. Modified the definitions for CFA, CSV, USV, and IV to simplify and align with the revised logic for IV.
  2. In response to IR 380-2019-005, added a section to address pet door configuration during infiltration test.
  3. In response to IR 380-2019-006, changed the set up for attached garages to always create an unrestricted air pathway larger than 20 square feet between the attached garage and outside. This is will result in more consistent results, regardless of whether the blower door is setup in the garage or at another location in the house. Also, the language to “create an unrestricted air pathway larger than 20 square feet” aligns with instructions elsewhere in the standard.
  4. In response to IR 380-2019-004, revised the setup of attics, crawlspaces, basements, and adjacent mechanical closets for the infiltration test. Essentially, they’re only included in the infiltration test and Infiltration Volume if they’re adjacent to and “dedicated” to (meaning they do not span multiple Dwelling Units undivided) the subject Dwelling Unit and:
    1. They’re Conditioned Space Volume, or,
    2. For attics, they are unvented and the thermal and air barrier has been moved to the roof deck and exterior walls;
    3. For crawlspaces and basements, they are unvented and the thermal and air barrier has been moved to the exterior walls;
    4. For mechanical closets adjacent to the Dwelling Unit, they are unvented, only contain equipment serving the subject Dwelling Unit, and the wall assembly between it and the subject Dwelling Unit is not air sealed.
  5. In response to IR 380-2019-003, the setup of dampers and openings for ventilation for infiltration test, duct leakage test, and ventilation airflow test have been revised for consistency and to make the setup easier for Raters by providing more flexibility on where to seal.
  6. Added an allowance to use the airflow resistance device method for ventilation systems with multiple branches, as long as all inlet terminals are tested at the same time. This is being done by some Raters today and should produce accurate results.
  7. In response to stakeholder feedback, added several test methods for measuring ventilation air:
    1. Vane anemometer with flow hood at the inlet terminal or outlet terminal
    2. Hot wire anemometer mid-stream in the vent duct
    3. Non-averaging velocity pressure probe mid-stream in the vent duct

Also, moved the procedure for an airflow test station to its own procedure and clarified the intent that it is a permanently-installed airflow measurement device that measures either velocity pressure or static pressure across an in-line aperture of known area (e.g., an iris damper with static pressure tap). Lastly, moved the integrated diagnostic tool to its own section for improved clarity.

  1. Removed Section 7, which was a one-line reference to ASHRAE 152 and ASTM E1554 for measuring air handler airflow, now that Std 310 is done.
  2. Updated Informative Annex A to align with revised standard and improve clarity.
  3. Minor formatting changes

 

 

Summary of Draft PDS-02 Changes to Draft PDS-01:

 

  1. Definitions:
    • Added definition for “Attic” to align with PDS-02 of 301-2022, per Rick Dixon’s request.
    • Clarified the definition for Conditioned Floor Area, particularly the exception that explains how to determine CFA for common walls, in response to Comment 4.
    • Clarified the definition for Conditioned Space Volume, particularly the exceptions that explain how to determine CSV for common walls and how to determine the height of the volume for multifamily dwelling units, in response to Comment 5.
    • Edited the definition for Infiltration Volume in response to changes made to address Comments 6-9, to reflect that CSV is not always included in the IV.
  2. Section 4.2.3: In response to Comment 10, reverted back to the procedure in 380-2019 for setting up garage doors for the air-tightness test. Also, quantified the size of the unrestricted air pathway that must be created between the garage and outside.
  3. Sections 4.2.4, 4.4.1.3, 4.4.2.3: In response to Comment 6, the approach for evaluating whether to include or exclude attics in the Infiltration Volume has been notably refined. In PDS-01 we proposed consistent prerequisites that had to be met for the adjacent space to be included. In PDS-02, those prerequisites have been retained, but we’ve added an additional evaluation step – if the adjacent space is to be included in the Infiltration Volume, then during the airtightness test the Rater must measure the pressure difference between the adjacent space and the subject dwelling unit and verify that it’s ≤10% of the induced enclosure pressure difference; if not, then the adjacent space must be excluded from the Infiltration Volume. In response to Comment 3, we clarify that a 2nd blower door is permitted to be set up in the adjacent space to help achieve the pressure difference limit.
  4. Sections 4.2.5, 4.4.1.3, 4.4.2.3: In response to Comment 7, the approach for evaluating whether to include or exclude crawlspaces in the Infiltration Volume has been notably refined, in an analogous way to attics (see #3, above).
  5. Sections 4.2.6, 4.4.1.3, 4.4.2.3: In response to Comment 8, the approach for evaluating whether to include or exclude basements in the Infiltration Volume has been notably refined, in an analogous way to attics (see #3, above). In addition, in response to Comment 11, some discretion has been provided to include or exclude basements from the Infiltration Volume if they have neither wall nor ceiling insulation.
  6. Sections 4.2.7, 4.4.1.3, 4.4.2.3: In response to Comment 9, the approach for evaluating whether to include or exclude adjacent mechanical closets in the Infiltration Volume has been notably refined, in an analogous way to attics (see #3, above).
  7. Section 4.3.2.3: In response to IR 380-2019-007, revisions have been made to eliminate an inconsistency in the standard by ensuring that the doors of adjacent units are opened regardless of whether the blower door is set up in an enclosed space or in an exterior door or window.
  8. Informative Annex A: In response to Comment 6-9, 11, and 15, revised the informative table to align with the updated logic in PDS-02.

 

The second draft, PDS-02, of BSR/RESNET/ICC 380-202x is submitted for public comment for 45 days. The changes shown in draft PDS-02 by strike-through and underline and red print are open for comment. To review and comment on the Draft follow the links below.

Draft PDS-02, BSR/RESNET/ICC 380-202x

Comment on Draft PDS-02, BSR/RESNET/ICC 380-202x

View comments on Draft PDS-02, BSR/RESNET/ICC 380-202x

The public comment period will be open for 45 days from August 27, 2021 to October 11, 2021. Comments will be accepted only on text in draft PDS-01 shown by strike-through and underline and in red print.

 

Tips and Reminders for Submitting Public Comments 

  • Comments must pertain to the changes to draft PDS-01 shown as either strike-through or underlined text in red print in draft PDS-02. Comments on portions of draft PDS-02 where no change is indicated will be rejected.
  • Comments must include a specific proposed change to the text of the draft open for comment. Proposed added text must be underlined and text proposed to be removed must be shown using strike-through. If not submitted in this format, the public comment may be rejected.
  • Do not submit comments on standards other than this one that is out for public comment.
  • If you submit public comment representing the collective interests of a group of stakeholders, you are encouraged to submit ONE public comment and identify all stakeholders in that comment. While not required, this expedites the ability of the committees to respond to commenters in a timely manner.
  • Public comments are reviewed by committees with volunteer members, that are Raters, Providers, Software Developers and other industry and public interest stakeholders. They are not reviewed by RESNET Staff.
  • Most amendments to RESNET standards are proposed by industry and public stakeholders not RESNET. To learn more about submitting proposed amendments visit this page: https://www.resnet.us/about/standards/submit-proposed-amendments/