Mid-Construction Blower-Door Test Penticton
Mid-construction blower-door testing for Penticton Part 9 builders before insulation inspection: readiness checklist, leakage walk-through, and report closeout.
Penticton’s Green Build / Step Code workflow includes airtightness testing at mid construction and building completion. The City’s Part 9 bulletin says a Mid Construction Blower Door Test & Compliance Report must be submitted by a qualified energy advisor before the insulation/vapour barrier inspection. This page is for builders trying to book that visit at the right stage, not after the useful repair window has passed.
A mid-construction test is most valuable when the air barrier is installed but still visible. Apollo sets up the blower door, pressurizes or depressurizes the building, finds leakage paths, and turns the test into practical site feedback. Often the builder, site lead, or insulator seals leaks during the test while everyone watches measured air leakage drop in real time.
Use this visit as the bridge between the Penticton Step Code file and the final as-built energy report. Send the project address, permit number if available, current stage, target inspection date, site contact, and any City card or AHJ instructions already issued. If you only need a general service overview, start with blower-door testing or the service hub.
Before the mid-construction test, make the building pressure-testable.
- Exterior windows and doors installed, latched, and weatherstripped enough for testing
- Primary air barrier installed, continuous, and still visible for repairs
- Major envelope penetrations roughed in, sealed, or ready for temporary closure
- Temporary construction openings identified before Apollo arrives
- Safe access to attic hatches, mechanical penetrations, rim joists, service chases, and other likely leakage points
- Builder, site lead, or insulator available for the leakage walk-through
Book the visit before the inspection deadline compresses the repair window.
- Ideal window: after air-barrier work and before insulation, vapour barrier, drywall, or board cover key details
- Avoid booking before the shell can hold pressure
- Plan for roughly 1-2 hours on site for many houses, with complex homes or active sealing taking longer
- Keep air-sealing materials and the builder, site lead, or insulator available if possible
- Use the running result to seal leaks during the test before insulation and board
- Leave enough time after the visit for fixes, report handling, and inspection coordination
Turn the blower-door setup into repair information.
- Set up calibrated blower-door equipment in a suitable exterior opening
- Establish whether the home can hold a useful pressure difference for diagnostics
- Trace leakage paths with the site team using pressure, airflow, and visual indicators where appropriate
- Prioritize leaks that will become inaccessible after insulation, vapour barrier, drywall, or finishes
- Document the test context and the practical next steps for the builder
Keep the City paperwork and final test connected.
- Preliminary airtightness result and testing context
- Builder-facing leakage observations and repairs completed during the visit
- Mid-construction report for the applicant or builder to place in the permit file
- Energy advisor and applicant signature step where the City card is being used
- Notes that connect the mid-construction findings to the final airtightness test and as-built reporting
Avoid booking a test that cannot produce useful results.
- Exterior openings, roof hatches, or large service penetrations are still open
- The air barrier location changes from room to room and is not clear to the site team
- Trades are still cutting new penetrations after the test is booked
- No one with authority to seal leaks is available during the visit
- The report is requested only after the insulation or drywall stage has already covered the problem areas
What builders ask before booking.
When should a Penticton mid-construction blower-door test happen?
Book it after the primary air barrier is installed and before insulation, vapour barrier, drywall, or board covers the details that may need correction.
What does the builder need ready?
Exterior openings, windows, doors, major penetrations, attic hatches, and temporary construction openings should be closed enough for the building to hold pressure.
What does Apollo provide after the visit?
Apollo provides the preliminary airtightness result, leakage observations, and mid-construction documentation for the builder or applicant to place in the project file.
Does this replace the final airtightness test?
No. The mid-construction visit helps find and correct leakage early. The final airtightness test still supports the as-built closeout package.
Send the drawings and project basics.
Jesse Cummings reviews the file and returns a quote - base compliance package and applicable add-ons, priced by stage - within one business day after receiving the drawings and project basics.