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:

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

In this episode of The Flow Lab Podcast, hosts Ben Walker, Co-CEO of RetroTec and Sam Myers, building science specialist and RetroTec trainer, sit down with Kevin Hart, Founder and CEO of HavenIAQ, a company focused on transforming the way we monitor and control indoor air quality (IAQ).

From his roots as an electrician in the trades to pioneering the first wearable IAQ monitor, Kevin shares his journey of innovation, challenges faced in the industry, and his insights into solving air quality issues in homes and workplaces.

Expect to Learn:

• How invisible air quality issues impact health and comfort in indoor environments, with a focus on tradespeople and homeowners alike.
• From spotting problems on job sites to creating solutions for air quality measurement and control.
• Challenges with early sensors, the breakthrough that led to portable devices, and the shift to whole-home IAQ solutions.
• How modern HVAC systems are evolving to intelligently manage ventilation and air quality based on real-time data and environmental factors.
• Navigating the complexities of IAQ products like UV lights and ozone generators and why they might not be the right fix.
• How Haven is shaping the next generation of smart IAQ products, from room monitors to advanced filtration and ventilation solutions.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:00] - Introduction to the Episode and Guest

[03:30] - Kevin’s Transition from Electrician to Air Quality Innovator

[07:00] - The Challenges of Early IAQ Sensors and the Need for Affordable Solutions

[10:45] - The Move to Whole-Home Air Quality Monitoring

[15:30] - The Importance of Smart Ventilation in Modern HVAC Systems

[20:00] - The Risks of Overhyped IAQ Products: Ozone Generators and UV Lights

[25:15] - The Role of Professionals in Solving IAQ Issues

[30:00] - Exploring the New Room Monitor and Its Impact on Homes

[35:20] - How the IAQ Industry is Evolving and the Need for Better Education and Training

[40:00] - Final Thoughts and Future Innovations in IAQ

Connect with Kevin Hart:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinrhart/

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

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

Connect with Company:

Website: https://haveniaq.com/

Instagram: