There are two major systems to classify ductwork airtightness, one based on European standards, the other one based on ASHRAE standard 90.1-2010. Both are based on the leakage airflow rate at a given ductwork pressure divided by the product of the ductwork surface area and the same ductwork pressure raised to the power 0.65.
In Europe, airtightness classes of ductwork components/fittings are defined in European Standard EN 12237 for circular ductworks, EN 1507 for rectangular ductworks and EN 17192 for non-metallic ductworks. Airtightness of components ranges from class A to D, with class A being the leakiest one. EN 1751 and EN 15727 specify the leakage requirements for technical ductwork components and are based on the same leakage classification. Airtightness classes for air handling units (L1 to L3) are defined in EN 1886.
Airtightness classes for ductwork systems are defined in EN 16798-3:2017 (EPBD standard). In 2017, EN 16798-3 introduced new names for ductwork airtightness classes; ductwork systems now range from classes ATC 7 to ATC 1. The Table that follows provides the correspondence (equivalence) between airtightness classes A to D and the new names ATC 7 to ATC 1. The leakage test method for system commissioning is described in EN 12599.
In the US, leakage classes 48, 24, 12, 6, 3 as defined by ASHRAE are commonly used; ASHRAE also gives recommended acceptance criteria based air leakage as a percentage of fan design airflow at maximum operating conditions.
The new classes are called ATC (Air tightness classes)
| ATC new | ATC old |
Limit value air leakage fmax (m³/s) |
| ATC 7 | ||
| ATC 6 | 2.5xA |
0,0675 • pt0,65• 10-3 |
| ATC 5 | A | 0,027 • pt0,65• 10-3 |
| ATC 4 | B | 0,009 • pt0,65• 10-3 |
| ATC 3 | C | 0,003 • pt0,65• 10-3 |
| ATC 2 | D | 0,001 • pt0,65• 10-3 |
| ATC 1 | 0,00033 • pt0,65• 10-3 |
The new and old classes are valid but the old A-D will eventually be withdrawn.
All the metallic duct standards EN1505, EN1506, EN1507, EN 12237 and EN 14239 for certification and purchasing phase of the building will soon be merged to one standard and also include these new ATC classes.
See also
Posted in: Ductwork airtightness