What is the main purpose of testing zones in a building for airtightness?

The primary purpose of testing zones in a building for airtightness is to prevent odors and noise transfer between units, as this signifies the importance of airtightness in maintaining comfort and privacy within residential or commercial spaces. When a building is designed with separate zones, ensuring that these areas are airtight helps to control air movement. This means that smells from cooking or other activities are less likely to transfer between units, contributing to a more pleasant environment for occupants. Additionally, reducing air leakage can help minimize the transmission of sound, which further enhances privacy and comfort.

While improving window efficiency, ensuring HVAC systems are functioning, and monitoring energy consumption are important factors in building performance, they do not directly address the fundamental goal of maintaining separation between zones. Airtightness primarily serves to keep the indoor environment stable, enhancing comfort by limiting unwanted external influences such as noise and odors.