Do you always remove a ceiling tile during a blower door test?

In the context of a blower door test, removing a ceiling tile is common practice to ensure proper airflow and to obtain accurate measurements of the building's air leakage. When a blower door is set up, it creates a controlled pressure difference between the inside and exterior of the building. This helps in identifying and quantifying air leaks.

If there are ceiling tiles present, they can obstruct airflow and prevent the blower door from accurately assessing the pressure differential. By removing a ceiling tile, you allow for unimpeded airflow, which enhances the effectiveness of the test and provides more reliable data regarding the building's air tightness. This practice is crucial for identifying areas of improvement in building efficiency and ensuring a thorough analysis of the envelope's performance.

Maintaining an unobstructed pathway for airflow during this test is critical for achieving accurate results, thereby emphasizing the importance of removing the ceiling tile in most scenarios.