Mostadam - Saudi Arabia's national green building rating and certification system

Airtightness Testing – Saudi Compliance

Airtightness testing — also referred to as اختبار تسرب الهواء, اختبار الضغط الهوائي, and اختبار ضيق الغلاف — is a mandatory requirement under Mostadam and the Saudi Building Code (SBC 1001). It falls under the E-03 Envelope Assessment and must be completed before building handover. These requirements apply to both Design + Construction (D+C) and Operation + Existing (O+E) pathways and are aligned with رؤية السعودية 2030 for sustainable construction and energy efficiency.

The air leakage test (اختبار تسرب الهواء) uses calibrated blower door equipment to check how much air escapes through the building envelope. It directly impacts insulation, HVAC load, and long-term energy performance.

Envelope Testing and Documentation Requirements

Before a project can be handed over in Saudi Arabia, Mostadam requires documented proof that the building envelope performs within defined limits for air tightness and thermal performance. This is part of the E-03 Envelope Commissioning process and a condition for regulatory approval. The verification steps include:

اختبار تسرب الهواء (air leakage test) using calibrated blower door equipment
المسح الحراري بالأشعة تحت الحمراء (infrared thermographic imaging)
Review of التكثف والجسور الحرارية (condensation and thermal bridging)
A final envelope audit performed by a مهني معتمد (competent professional)
Submission of all test results in the project’s final commissioning report

These steps must be completed for both new and existing buildings under D+C and O+E. Only certified providers, such as those recognized by ATTMA, may carry out the testing.

Mostadam E-03 Assessment Overview

The Mostadam E-03 Envelope Assessment ensures that the building's envelope limits uncontrolled air flow and performs as designed. Key requirements include:

Air leakage must not exceed 5 m³/hr/m² at 50 Pascal
A blower door test (اختبار الضغط الهوائي) must be conducted once the envelope is complete
A representative sample must be tested for multi-unit residential buildings
التصوير الحراري (thermal imaging) must verify continuity of sealing and insulation
Test results must be compiled into a تقرير التحقق من الأداء (performance verification report)

The testing is only valid if conducted after envelope installation and before the final project handover.

Why Airtightness Testing Is Important in KSA?

The climatic conditions in Saudi Arabia—high heat, fluctuating humidity, and heavy reliance on mechanical cooling—make air leakage a serious performance issue. Buildings that are not properly sealed experience high energy loss, occupant discomfort, and increased wear on HVAC systems.

For these reasons, airtightness testing — referred to as اختبار تسرب الهواء or اختبار ضيق الغلاف — is mandated under Mostadam and SBC 1001. It also contributes directly to the sustainability objectives of رؤية 2030, which emphasize reduced energy consumption and long-term building resilience.