The basics to help you understand homes as a system. Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro. 👉 https://bit.ly/flow-lab-ebook

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In this episode of The Flow Lab Podcast, hosts Ben Walker and Sam Myers sit down with Sean Maxwell, Scheme Manager at ATTMA Australia & New Zealand, to discuss airtightness in buildings and the challenges of improving energy efficiency. From working with builders on airtightness practices to improve building codes, Sean shares his insights into the evolution of building science and the potential for large-scale improvements in comfort and energy use.

Sean walks us through his journey in building science, including his time with the Energy Star Homes program and his efforts in advancing airtightness testing in Australia. He highlights the importance of both individual apartment and whole-building tests, discusses the role of ventilation systems in airtight buildings, and shares his thoughts on the future of energy efficiency standards.

What You’ll Learn:

• How testing individual apartments can improve indoor air quality and reduce stack effect.
• The importance of airtightness testing in reducing energy waste and improving comfort.
• Strategies for improving building performance in various climates.
• Why continuous ventilation is crucial for modern buildings, and how to implement it effectively.
• Challenges with building codes in different regions and how they impact testing and energy savings.

In This Episode:

[00:00] - Introduction to Sean Maxwell and the importance of blower door testing

[01:42] - Sean's background in building science and his journey from New York to Australia

[03:33] - Discussing the challenges of airtightness in buildings and why it’s often overlooked

[05:48] - Common issues causing air leaks: windows, doors, and poor construction practices

[10:20] - How airtightness impacts building comfort and energy efficiency

[13:07] - The importance of ventilation in airtight buildings and strategies for effective implementation

[18:43] - Ventilation strategies: Exhaust fans, ERVs, and occupant-controlled systems

[19:59] - Building code issues and differences in airtightness regulations across regions

[27:19] - The need for collaboration in building science: Sharing knowledge and best practices

[36:37] - The future of building science: Tightening building standards and embracing new technologies

[45:21] - Closing thoughts: How to drive change in building performance and codes for the future

Connect with Sean Maxwell:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-maxwell-b332769/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seanamaxwell

Connect with Company:

Website:

The basics to help you understand homes as a system. Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro. 👉 https://bit.ly/flow-lab-ebook

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In this episode of The Flow Lab Podcast, hosts Ben Walker and Sam Myers sit down with Denali Jones, Technical Director at the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA), to talk about how large buildings are tested for air tightness and where things often go wrong.Denali walks us through his journey from starting out at Retrotec to leading airtightness training across the country. He explains what makes these tests challenging, how contractors can avoid common mistakes, and why having the right training and tools really matters.

Whether you work in building science, test commercial properties, or just want to understand how building air leaks affect energy use and comfort, this episode breaks it all down from spotting hidden gaps to troubleshooting test-day problems like faulty fans or even elevator issues.

• Why some parts of new and old buildings are often forgotten and how that affects test results.
• How Denali helped create the first nationally recognized training for testing large buildings.
• What to check when test results don’t make sense like unplugged equipment or bad setup.
• How testing two floors at a time helps deal with tall buildings and air pressure issues.
• What makes this new standard better than the old ones and how it helps testers and builders do the job right.

[00:00] - Denali’s background and how he got started

[04:50] - First testing jobs and early lessons

[08:00] - Where buildings leak and why

[13:08] - Testing tall buildings and working with city codes

[19:28] - How the ABAA training program came together

[26:49] - The most common mistakes testers make

[33:52] - What’s next for airtightness testing

[37:37] - Why it’s better to bring in testers early

[44:44] - Tips for using fans and setting up safely

[50:12] - Real-world testing results and future research plans

Connect with Denali Jones:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denali-jones-4b6b8375/

Connect with Company:

Website: https://airbarrier.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/air-barrier-association/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abaa_airbarrierassociation/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/airbarrierassociation/?_rdc=1&_rdr#

X (twitter):

The basics to help you understand homes as a system. Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro. 👉 https://bit.ly/flow-lab-ebook

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In this episode of The Flow Lab Podcast, hosts Ben Walker and Sam Myers are joined by Barry Cope, Managing Director of ATTMA (Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association), affectionately known as "Mr. Blower Door" in the UK. Barry discusses how ATTMA grew from a small group of enthusiasts into a global leader in blower door testing, certification, and industry training.

He shares groundbreaking insights into data-driven building performance, the UK’s fully integrated Lodgement system, and ATTMA’s cutting-edge training house built inside a warehouse. With humor and unmatched expertise, Barry highlights the challenges of international code compliance, quality assurance, and the vision for bringing proven UK methodologies to North America.

• Discover how a four-person trade association grew to dominate 85% of the UK’s blower door testing market with over 180,000 tests annually.
• Get inspired by ATTMA’s full-scale training house inside a 10,000 sq ft warehouse, designed for high-pressure, real-world simulations.
• Explore the chaos of U.S. state-by-state code amendments versus the streamlined approach in the UK and how that affects adoption and testing quality.
• Learn how ATTMA’s Lodgement system helps governments track high-rise buildings, manage compliance, and even respond to national emergencies like Grenfell.
• Hear Barry’s journey from field tester to managing director, and how his multidisciplinary background shaped the future of UK air tightness testing.

In Today’s Episode

[00:00] - How ATTMA Helped Identify High-Rise Risks After Grenfell

[01:13] - Introduction and Barry’s Role in the UK Blower Door Market

[02:07] - What is ATTMA and How It Evolved

[04:36] - Barry’s Entry into the Industry and ATTMA’s Transformation

[06:25] - Building a Full-Scale Training House Inside a Warehouse

[09:22] - Real-World Pressure Testing and Training Innovation

[11:17] - Bringing the Lodgment System to the U.S.

[16:00] - The Challenges of Code Fragmentation in the U.S.

[21:37] - ABA’s Expansion and ISO Certification Progress

[28:05] - Who Has Access to UK Building Test Data

[34:18] - Air Tightness Metrics: Volume vs. Surface Area

[38:10] - Unique Global Practices in Building Science

[47:42] - Barry’s Origin Story in Blower Door Testing

[53:44] - The Value of Global Collaboration in Building Performance

[57:46] - Final Reflections and Community Appreciation

Connect with Barry Cope:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-cope-77340935/

Connect with Company:

Website: https://www.bcta.group/attma/

Instagram: