Locate the specific points where a building envelope is leaking air (not just measure the overall rate)

Steps

1. Use ASTM E1186, Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems, which covers multiple qualitative detection techniques rather than a single method
2. Select from the standard's diagnostic techniques based on the situation: infrared thermography, smoke tracer/theatrical fog, chamber pressurization, sound detection, anemometer, bubble detection, or tracer gas
3. Note that local-leak-detection techniques (smoke, fog, sound, bubble, tracer gas) are well suited to pinpointing specific sites but are time-consuming across large surface areas — plan technique selection around the surface area being surveyed
4. Pressurize or depressurize the building (often paired with a whole-building test per E779/E3158) to accentuate leakage sites before applying the chosen detection technique
5. Document detected leak locations for the BECx issues log and route them for sealing/remediation before re-testing
6. Remember E1186 practices are qualitative (locating leaks) — pair with a quantitative whole-building test if an overall leakage rate is also required