In a full-circle moment, Retrotec recently joined forces with Jon Walters from Northwest Design (NW Design) to conduct a critical blower door test on his newly constructed multi-use building. Since 1995, NW Design has been a loyal partner and supplier to Retrotec, delivering top-notch fabric products such as Cloth Door Panels, Carrying Cases for our aluminum door frames, and carrying cases for our blower door fans and digital gauges. It was high time we returned the favor.

A Building Journey Rife with Challenges

Initiated in 2020, Jon and his father embarked on a mission to erect a 21,000 sq ft. multi-use building adjacent to NW Design's existing facility. Their journey was fraught with obstacles, including delays in obtaining building permits during the COVID-19 pandemic and the tragic passing of their General Contractor. Despite these setbacks, they persevered.

 

Team Retrotec: The Backbone of the Project

Retrotec's Alex Peele spearheaded the test, from the initial walk-throughs conducted with Jon to the final data analysis. Rob Copeland, Tim Fischer, and Jay Edmonds assisted hands-on action, setting up the equipment and managing the multi-fan test using our proprietary software package, FanTestic.

Meeting and Exceeding Energy Code Standards

Washington State has stringent energy code requirements derived from the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with specific amendments to suit local conditions. These requirements are in place to ensure energy-efficient, sustainable building practices. For commercial buildings like the one constructed by NW Design, a typical airtightness requirement could be 0.4 cfm per square foot of building envelope at a pressure of 75 Pascals.

The building passed the airtightness test with flying colors, recording a stellar .27 cfm per sq ft—well under Washington State’s requirement of .4 cfm per sq ft. @ 75 Pascals. This accomplishment speaks to NW Design’s construction quality and Retrotec's testing equipment and expertise.

 

Showcasing Retrotec's Latest Innovations

For such an intricate and vital project, it was only fitting to deploy our latest equipment. A blower door was installed in each suite, controlled and measured by our state-of-the-art DM32X manometer. Our new Model 7000 high-power fans were put into action to handle the rigors of this extensive multi-fan test.

A Testament to Enduring Relationships

Retrotec was honored to donate our team's time and resources for this multi-fan test in a display of mutual respect and partnership. This effort not only underlines our commitment to quality but also highlights the importance of giving back to those who have been steadfast partners.

 

Conclusion

The successful airtightness test serves as more than just a technical milestone; it is a testament to what resilient partnerships can achieve even in trying times. Retrotec is delighted to have contributed to Jon Walters’ vision and eagerly anticipates a continued relationship of mutual support and innovation.