The air permeability (airtightness) and vapour barrier permeability of building fabrics, though they both relate to permeability, are very different things and must comply to separate building legislative regulations and guidelines. Versaperm has designed a novel piece of equipment that can measure both of them for building barrier fabrics.
These two measurements are critically important for controlling the environment within the building, including its thermal conductivity, ventilation and vapour barrier characteristics. The new equipment is very accurate and offers considerably lower costs than conventional testing.
Additionally, the system can control the environment of the sample under test. Its temperature range exceeds regulatory or climatic considerations and it can control humidity and simulate both diurnal and seasonal changes.
Understanding these characteristics leads to lower heating and cooling costs, a reduced chance of mould and rot along with improved thermal comfort. Additionally it helps solve the problems of vapour barrier that were intended to stop structures from getting wet but actually prevented them from drying out. This has led to the collapse of several ancient buildings.
Results from the system are typically accurate in the parts per million range and it can optionally measure permeability not just for air and water vapour but also for CO2, hydrocarbons, oxygen and virtually any other gas or vapour.
Versaperm is a world-technology leader and offers not just equipment but also a fast turn-around building products lab testing service.
