Elevating Air Tightness Standards: A Deep Dive with Barry Cope from ATTMA

In a recent Flow Lab Podcast episode, we had the privilege of hosting Barry Cope, Managing Director of ATTMA (Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association). Barry shared an incredible inside look into the growth of blower door testing in the United Kingdom, ATTMA's international expansion, and the innovations shaping the future of building performance.

From Small Beginnings to a Global Force

ATTMA's story is a classic tale of industry collaboration. Barry took us back to the organization's early days: just four guys in a room back in 2002, trying to standardize blower door testing practices across the UK. Fast forward two decades, and ATTMA now certifies over 600 testers, oversees around 180,000 tests a year, and influences airtightness regulations across multiple continents.

Barry himself entered the industry through hands-on experience. Starting as a field blower door tester around 2007, he quickly transitioned into acoustic consultancy before returning to lead ATTMA in 2014. Originally intending to stay for just a year, Barry ended up building ATTMA into a major player in global building compliance.

The Building Performance Hub: A Real-World Learning Experience

One of the most fascinating aspects Barry shared was the Building Performance Hub in the UK, a 10,000-square-foot warehouse with a full-scale house built inside. Designed to teach airtightness testing, ventilation commissioning, and insulation best practices, the Hub gives trainees hands-on experience in real-world conditions, not just theoretical exercises.

The building is a teaching tool itself: the house is constructed with "honesty panels" that expose insulation layers, airtightness membranes, and mechanical systems. Trainees can immediately see and understand construction details, good and bad, helping them connect theory to practical field skills.

Barry emphasized that realism was a key goal:

“We built it to inspire. You don’t learn standing in a cold, dark warehouse, you need to walk in and immediately want to learn.”

ATTMA’s Expansion into North America

Another highlight of the conversation was ATTMA’s expansion efforts into the United States through the North American Building Compliance Testers Association (NABCTA). Recognizing the opportunity to bring standardized airtightness training and lodgement (test documentation) to the U.S., Barry has been working closely with building inspectors, universities like Texas A&M, and other industry partners to bridge knowledge gaps.

One major cultural difference Barry pointed out:

• In northern U.S. states, blower door testing is better understood because energy efficiency is critical for cold climates.

• In southern states like Texas, the focus is shifting toward controlling humidity, reducing HVAC sizing, and improving indoor air quality.

Barry’s approach in North America has been about education first, helping builders and contractors understand that blower door testing isn’t something to fear. It’s an opportunity to build better, more resilient structures.

Data and Certification: Streamlining Trust

ATTMA's lodgement system is a huge part of why it has been successful in the UK. Every blower door test is logged into a national database, providing a single-page, trusted certificate that building inspectors can easily verify.

In Barry's words:

"If you're handing over an ATTMA lodgement certificate, it's trusted by the entire industry, it’s clean, it’s streamlined, it’s compliant."

Bringing this same level of transparency and accountability to the U.S. could massively benefit the building compliance sector, reducing fraud and improving building performance outcomes.

Challenges and Opportunities

While ATTMA’s model has seen success, Barry was candid about the challenges in expanding across a patchwork of American codes and regulations. Each U.S. state and sometimes even individual counties can have different rules for blower door testing.

However, Barry sees this as an opportunity rather than a setback. By focusing on standardized training, better certification practices, and clear data recording, the U.S. market could see the same airtightness improvements that have taken hold in the UK.

Final Thoughts

Barry Cope’s passion for improving building standards through airtightness testing is palpable. His leadership at ATTMA is a testament to how a small group of determined individuals can change an entire industry. If they focus on consistency, quality, and real-world education.

Be sure to listen to the full episode of The Flow Lab Podcast with Barry Cope for more insights on building science, international collaboration, and how the future of blower door testing is being written today.

The Flow Lab Podcast by Retrotec

Retrotec has launched The Flow Lab podcast to connect you with the leading minds within the building science industry.  We interview everyone from long-time experts to the newest innovators, exploring the latest technology advancements and industry news. Subscribe on the Retrotec YouTube channel and wherever you listen to podcasts. Like and subscribe to become part of the Flow Lab community!