What is the primary concern when testing air tightness in buildings with significant stack pressure?

In buildings with significant stack pressure, the primary concern during airtightness testing is testing accuracy. Stack pressure occurs due to differences in temperature and air density between the inside and outside of a building, which can create significant pressure differences. These differences can affect the flow of air through leaks and pathways, potentially leading to inaccurate results during testing.

When testing accuracy is compromised, it can lead to improper assessments of a building's airtightness, which in turn can impact the building's energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Properly measuring and accounting for stack pressures is essential to obtain reliable data that informs necessary improvements to the building's envelope. On the other hand, while occupant safety, equipment durability, and energy efficiency are important considerations in the broader context of building performance, they are secondary to the immediate need for accurate measurements in the presence of significant stack pressure.