Construction Supervisor License Practice Exam

What is typically used to measure air leakage in fenestration products?

1. NFRC standards

2. Airtightness tests

3. Moisture tests

4. Pressure tests

The correct answer is: NFRC standards

Airtightness tests are specifically designed to assess how much air escapes through the joints and components of fenestration products, such as windows and doors. These tests are critical because they help determine the energy efficiency of buildings by measuring the effectiveness of the sealing around these openings. Airtightness tests can involve techniques like blower door tests, where a fan is used to create a pressure differential across the building envelope, allowing for the measurement of air leakage rates. This information is crucial for architects, builders, and building owners, as excessive air leakage can lead to higher energy costs and discomfort in building environments. While NFRC standards do provide guidelines for evaluating the performance of fenestration products, they do not specifically focus on air leakage measurement. Moisture tests primarily assess the presence of moisture and leakage due to water rather than air. Pressure tests can also be involved in some aspects of building performance measurement but are not the primary method for assessing air leakage in fenestration products. Hence, airtightness tests are the most relevant and commonly used method.