The Building Sciology Poddie

#6 - Blower Door Testing & The Future of Aussie Homes with Sean Maxwell


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In this episode of the Building Sciology Poddie, I speak with Sean Maxwell, the ATTMA Scheme Manager for Australia and New Zealand, about the importance of airtightness testing in building science. We chat about the role of blower door testing, the regulatory landscape surrounding airtightness, and the significance of the NatHERS star rating system. Sean shares insights from recent studies, including the CSIRO report on airtightness in Australian homes, and emphasises the need for better building practices to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality. The conversation highlights the ongoing efforts to raise awareness and drive positive change in the construction industry.

Useful links from our chat

  • ATTMA UK

  • ATTMA Australia

  • NatHERS – National House Energy Rating Scheme

  • Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA)Green Building Council of Australia+1Green

  • Red Pen Test – AIVAAGreen Building Council of Australia

  • CSIRO 2015 – House Energy Efficiency Inspections Report

  • CSIRO 2024 – Air Infiltration of New Dwellings

  • International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

  • Chris Nunn’s Passivhaus – Asquith ProjectAustralian Passivhaus Association

  • Chris Nunn – LinkedIn ProfileLinkedIn+2LinkedIn+2LinkedIn+2

  • Barry Cope – ATTMA UK Presentation


  • Chapters00:00 Introduction to Airtightness and Building Science00:24 The Role of Blower Door Testing03:20 Understanding Airtightness and Its Importance06:35 Quality Control and Airtightness Testing09:34 Common Misconceptions About Airtightness12:34 Ventilation Strategies in Airtight Homes15:30 Regulatory Landscape for Airtightness Testing19:47 Building with Purpose: The Atma Philosophy22:09 The Importance of Objective Assessments in Building Quality23:27 NatHERS Ratings and the Need for Air Tightness28:07 Opportunities for Improvement in Energy Efficiency30:56 Achieving Air Tightness: Practical Strategies36:28 The Impact of Recent Studies on Building Practices41:31 Future Directions: Advocacy for Better Building Standards

    Follow Building Sciology on the gram or get in touch at [email protected]!Visit the website for show notes and a full transcript and sign up to the mailing list here!Sponsor Websites

    Climasure - www.climasure.com.au

    Enduro Builders - www.endurobuilders.com.au


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    The Building Sciology PoddieBy Jess Kismet