Specialty Testing

Specialty Testing

Our team utilizes physical testing, data logging, and computer models to support our assessment and design services. Our protocols allow our clients to have confidence that the design or construction projects they wish to complete meet all applicable requirements.

2000 meters

of cables and 6 blower doors for whole-building air tightness testing

10 tests

# of non-destructive to destructive tests that Pretium can complete in-house

The Pretium Way

Pretium doesn’t only help our clients meet required standards, we have deep knowledge and are trained and certified by the same accredited institutions that create the standards.

Our thorough experience in Specialty Testing, including investigating building enclosure assemblies and understanding building science principles, allows for practical interpretation of test results, allowing us to develop better solutions for our clients.

What We Do

Air Leakage Testing (Component, Guarded, Whole Building)

Water Penetration Testing

Enclosure Integrity Testing

Infrared Thermography

Additional Testing

Our team provides both qualitative and quantitative air leakage testing of building envelope components, compartments both guarded and unguarded, or whole buildings for diagnostic and compliance assessments.

This includes, but is not limited to, in-situ performance testing of windows and doors to applicable codes and standards such as ASTM E783, and the use of a smoke-generating device in conjunction with blower doors to identify and resolve air infiltration issues. Our air tightness testing is in accordance with ASTM E779 – 10 and Canadian equivalent CAN/CGSB149.10 – M86.

We provide compliance reports and recommendations for repair of defects based on our test findings.

Our team provides both qualitative and quantitative water leakage testing of building envelope components for diagnostic and compliance assessments. This includes, but is not limited to, in-situ performance testing of windows and doors to applicable codes and standards such as ASTM E1105 and the use of water spray or localized water hose tests in conjunction with blower doors or depressurization chambers to simulate the effects of wind-driven rain. We provide compliance reports and recommendations for repair of defects based on our findings.

Our team uses Enclosure Integrity Testing to evaluate the effectiveness of the seals in a building or room. This testing is often used to confirm the design and construction ability to prevent the movement of contaminants, for example tobacco smoke, between spaces. Our team has experience across a number of standards to complete this testing and confirm the standards for environmental control, energy efficiency, and safety are met. This testing can be applied to cleanrooms, data centers, storage facilities, and residential units alike.

Our Enclosure Integrity Testing adheres to many standards including:

NFPA2001 (2012 Edition) and its Appendix C: Enclosure Integrity Procedure
Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory smoke testing to address biosafety concerns to Health Canada’s Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines
LEED NC-v2.2 EQp2 air leakage testing to control migration of Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) in buildings
Energy Star homes and multifamily buildings for energy conservation

We also evaluate the effectiveness of clean agent fire suppression systems, complete troubleshoot and failure analyses, use design simulation with Retrotec FanTestic software and perform retrofit consulting.

Our team uses infrared thermography to detect thermal variations in building envelope assemblies using non-destructive infrared (IR) radiation detector sensing equipment. Detection of thermal variations can be used to identify air leakage through the building envelope assembly, conductive heat loss through building envelope assembly components, cooling of materials that have been heated by solar radiation from the sun, or the cooling of materials via evaporation of absorbed moisture.

We also offer the following Specialty Testing:

Concrete I&T
Green Roof Controlled Water Testing
Membrane Bond Testing
Balcony Guard Load Testing
Wind Uplift Testing

Confirming that balcony guards are able to support their required loads is one way that we work with our clients to safeguard the occupants of their buildings.

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Two of Pretium’s staff are conducting a compartment air tightness test at a building targeting Passive House performance levels. Air tightness testing for buildings is becoming increasingly common as it has been shown to better align a building’s modelled performance with actual results.

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As part of our whole building or compartment air tightness testing, we can use a safe, non-toxic tracer gas to help locate any leaks. This diagnostic testing allows us to provide the team with actionable changes that can improve the air tightness of the building, same day.

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Pull out or bond testing can be completed on both horizontal and vertical surfaces as shown in the photograph. This test can be used to confirm the structural capacity of various types of fasteners, or even to check the bond of adhesives. At Pretium, conducting these tests is part of our evidence based approach.

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Infrared Thermography is an excellent non-destructive test for both roofs and walls. Our team of Level I and Level II Certified Thermographers can combine it with their building science expertise to identify thermal anomalies that could be the result of air or water leakage.

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We have a team dedicated to conducting air and water leakage testing for punch windows, window wall, curtain wall, and doors, to various test standards.

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Pretium staff are trained with even more specialty testing equipment, including a roof wind uplift test apparatus, as shown here with two of our team members completing testing on a roof

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Our Service Area Leader and team of dedicated consultants are available to answer your Specialty Testing questions. Connect with them to discuss your project needs.