Cold Storage Facility Blower Door Test, Barcelona

ideadmin on 2 September 2026

Blower Door airtightness testing and air leakage detection for a −20°C cold storage facility at an industrial plant near Barcelona.

Cold Storage Facility Blower Door Test, Barcelona

Blower Door

Description

Praxis Resilient Buildings carried out a Blower Door airtightness test on a cold storage facility at an industrial plant in Lliçà d’Amunt, Barcelona. The tested area was a freezer room designed to operate at −20°C, with an internal volume of 119.79 m³ and an envelope area of 148.28 m².

Significant ice build-up had been occurring on the internal walls and ceiling due to the infiltration of warm, moisture-laden air from adjacent areas. The objective of the test was to measure the freezer room’s overall air permeability, locate the principal air leakage paths and recommend targeted remedial measures.

The test was performed under depressurisation in accordance with ISO 9972, using calibrated fan pressurisation equipment. At a reference pressure of 50 Pa, the measured air leakage rate was 163 m³/h, equivalent to an air permeability of qE50 = 1.10 m³/(h·m²) and an air change rate of n50 = 1.36 h⁻¹. The test data met all ISO 9972 validity requirements, including those relating to the pressure range, number of measurement points, airflow exponent and coefficient of determination.

The measured air permeability was slightly above the project target of qE50 ≤ 1.00 m³/(h·m²), established with reference to BSRIA Specification 10/98. A detailed air leakage investigation was therefore undertaken using a hot-wire anemometer and thermal imaging camera. Air leakage was identified around the pressure-relief fan, sliding entrance door, corner finishing profiles and shelving brackets. Targeted sealing recommendations established clear priorities for remedial airtightness work, with the aim of reducing moisture ingress and ice formation while improving temperature control, thermal performance and operational efficiency.

Year: 2025
Location: Lliça d’Amunt, Barcelona
Services: Blower Door

Barcelona office Blower Door tests

ideadmin on 2 September 2026

Blower Door tests in a Barcelona office building, identifying air leakage in staircase and lobby pressurisation systems to support fire safety.

Barcelona office Blower Door tests

Blower Door

Description

Blower Door testing of staircase and lobby pressurisation systems in a Barcelona office building

Praxis carried out six Blower Door airtightness tests in an office building located on Passeig de Gràcia in central Barcelona. The tests assessed the main staircase and five basement lobbies connected to two mechanical pressurisation systems.

Staircase pressurisation systems are an important part of a building’s fire-safety strategy. By maintaining positive pressure within protected escape routes, they help prevent smoke from entering during a fire. However, excessive air leakage through doors, construction joints or ventilation ducts can prevent the system from achieving the required pressure difference.

The tests were conducted in pressurisation mode in accordance with ISO 9972. Smoke testing and an anemometer were used at approximately 50 Pa to locate leakage paths, followed by multi-point measurements to quantify airflow.

In the staircase, the main air leakage occurred through the rooftop smoke vents and their perimeter frames, accounting for approximately 38% of the measured airflow at 50 Pa. In the basement lobbies, leakage was identified around timber panelling, construction junctions, ventilation grilles, drop seals and sliding fire-resistant doors. The investigation identified priority airtightness improvements to enhance the reliability of the pressurisation systems and support fire safety.

Year: 2022

Location: Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona

Services Blower Door

Terrassa Hospital Blower Door tests

ideadmin on 20 May 2026

Blower Door airtightness testing in 17 isolation ward rooms at Hospital de Terrassa, Barcelona, to EN 13829 / ISO 9972 for infection-control risk assessment.

Terrassa Hospital Blower Door tests

Blower Door

Description

Blower Door Airtightness Testing in Hospital Isolation Rooms — Hospital de Terrassa, Barcelona

Praxis carried out Blower Door airtightness tests in 17 hospital bedrooms in the isolation ward of the Hospital de Terrassa, Barcelona, as part of the verification of spaces designed to accommodate patients with infectious diseases.

The objective of the testing was to measure the air permeability of individual isolation rooms and support an assessment of the potential risk of aerosol contamination between rooms and adjacent hospital areas. The test strategy was informed by BSRIA BTS 3/2018 — Air Permeability Testing of Isolation Facilities, which provides guidance for assessing air leakage in isolation facilities.

Testing methodology

The airtightness tests were carried out using fan pressurisation equipment in accordance with EN 13829 (now superseded by ISO 9972). Each room was tested in both depressurisation and pressurisation, with measurements taken between approximately 20 Pa and 70 Pa.

Results

The results were considered satisfactory, with no room showing excessive air permeability according to the project assessment. The testing provided useful evidence for the commissioning and risk assessment of the isolation ward, supporting the control of unintended air leakage paths between patient rooms and surrounding hospital spaces.

This type of airtightness testing helps support infection-control strategies, ventilation commissioning, and risk assessment for airborne contamination in healthcare environments.

Year: 2021

Location: Terrassa, Barcelona

Services: Blower Door

La Termal: multi-residential Passivhaus Plus

ideadmin on 3 March 2026

The La Termal project is a newly built, positive‑energy multifamily residential building located in La Garriga, comprising 14 dwellings.

La Termal: multi-residential Passivhaus Plus

Passivhaus consultancy, thermal bridge calculations, Blower Door airtightness testing

Description

The La Termal project is a newly built, positive‑energy multifamily residential building located in La Garriga, comprising 14 dwellings. The building has been designed in accordance with the Passivhaus Plus standard, ensuring high levels of hygrothermal comfort and a drastic reduction in energy demand through optimized passive design strategies.

The project is part of the European REN+HOMES programme, which focuses on innovation and industrialization in the construction sector, with particular emphasis on energy efficiency, decarbonization, and the implementation of advanced construction solutions.

The structure and thermal envelope are executed using the industrialized EVOWALL system, which provides high levels of thermal insulation, airtightness, and thermal bridge control.
The façade combines an ETICS system (SATE) with a ventilated façade, incorporating high‑performance windows, triple glazing, and solar protection systems to minimize thermal loads and optimize the building’s passive behaviour.

Each dwelling is equipped with an independent VRF HVAC system, complemented by hydro kits for domestic hot water (DHW) production, maximizing overall annual energy performance.

Ventilation is provided by a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery (MVHR) using a Zehnder heat recovery unit, ensuring high indoor air quality and significant reductions in heating demand.

The building integrates a photovoltaic array sized to achieve a positive‑energy balance, generating more energy annually than it consumes. This performance is achieved through the combination of an ultra‑low‑energy envelope, high‑efficiency active systems, and distributed renewable generation.

Together, these solutions minimise energy consumption, reduce CO₂ emissions, improve indoor comfort, and ensure optimal air quality in all dwellings.

Links:

Web PEP

Web iPHa

Photos & renders: HEM Green & Balanced Architecture

Year: 2026

Location: La Garriga, Barcelona, España

Architecture: HEM Green&Balanced Architecture

Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus consultancy, thermal bridge calculations, Blower Door airtightness testing

Passivhaus Certification Class: Passivhaus Plus

Climate zone: Cálida

Floor area: 605 m2

Thermal envelope area: 948 m2

Blower Door result: 0,6 n50

Heating Demand: 6 kWh/m2·a

Cooling Demand: 14 kWh/m2·a

Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 43 kWh/m2·a

Final Energy consumption: 36 kWh/m2·a

Renewable energy generation: 38 kWh/m2·a

CO2eq emissions: 13 kg/m2·a

Ajuntament Llinars del Vallès, Catalonia, EnerPHit Plus retrofit

ideadmin on 10 November 2025

Ajuntament Llinars del Vallès, EnerPHit Plus

Nestled in the Vallès Oriental region, the newly retrofitted Llinars del Vallès Town Council office stands as a pioneering achievement—the first administrative building in Catalonia to earn Passivhaus-EnerPHit certification

Ajuntament Llinars del Vallès, Catalonia, EnerPHit Plus retrofit

Passivhaus Certification

Description

A Milestone in Municipal Sustainability: Llinars del Vallès Town Council Office

Nestled in the Vallès Oriental region, the newly retrofitted Llinars del Vallès Town Council office stands as a pioneering achievement—the first administrative building in Catalonia to earn Passivhaus-EnerPHit certification. This landmark project sets a new benchmark for deep energy retrofits in public infrastructure.

The renovation delivers an impressive 90% reduction in heating and cooling demand, made possible by a robust envelope upgrade:

12 cm mineral-based aerated concrete ETICS on the façades
10 cm XPS insulation on the roof
Smartwin timber-aluminium windows, Passivhaus-certified, featuring low-e, argon-filled triple glazing

Airtightness was rigorously addressed, achieving n50 = 0.88 ach, well within Passivhaus standards.

Ventilation is provided by a Zehnder CARMA 9035 unit, also Passivhaus-certified, boasting an 84% heat recovery rate. For heating, the building taps into a biomass district heating network, distributing warmth via wall-mounted fan-coils—which also deliver summer cooling through a 30 kW chiller.

To further reduce operational carbon emissions, a 19.3 kWP solar PV array supplies approximately 70% of the building’s annual energy needs. Real-time monitoring systems track both energy consumption and indoor air quality, ensuring performance transparency and occupant comfort.

Photos: GGV Arquitectura

Links:

PEP (Spanish Passivhaus Platform).

iPHa (International Passivhaus Projects Database)

Year: 2024

Location: Llinars del Vallès, Province Barcelona, Catalonia

Architecture: Guarner Garreta Viola Arquitectura SLP – Lourdes Garreta & Xavier Tragant

Services by Praxis: Passivhaus Certification

Passivhaus Certification Class: EnerPHit Plus

Climate zone: Warm-temperate

Floor area: 768

Thermal envelope area: 1.428 m2

Blower Door result: 0,9 n50

Heating Demand: 18 kWh/m2·a

Cooling Demand: 4 kWh/m2·a

Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 43 kWh/m2·a

Final Energy consumption: 48 kWh/m2·a

Renewable energy generation: 33 kWh/m2·a

CO2eq emissions: 12 kg/m2·a

Can Mati, Catalonia, EnerPHit Classic home

ideadmin on 17 July 2025

Description Can Mati, Viladecans Passivhaus EnerPHit Classic Retrofit of a Historic Farmhouse Located in Viladecans (Barcelona), Can Mati is a historic rural building that has been sensitively renovated to become the first Passivhaus-certified home in the city. The deep energy retrofit retained the existing structure and architectural character while creating generous, light-filled interior spaces. The …

Can Mati, Catalonia, EnerPHit Classic home

Passivhaus Consultancy & Blower Door testing

Description

Can Mati, Viladecans

Passivhaus EnerPHit Classic Retrofit of a Historic Farmhouse

Located in Viladecans (Barcelona), Can Mati is a historic rural building that has been sensitively renovated to become the first Passivhaus-certified home in the city. The deep energy retrofit retained the existing structure and architectural character while creating generous, light-filled interior spaces. The project has achieved Passivhaus EnerPHit Classic certification.

The energy retrofit focused on improving the thermal envelope and installing efficient MEP systems, as well as an on-site photovoltaic array for self-consumption. A remarkable airtightness value of n50 = 0.5 ach was achieved—meeting the Passivhaus criteria for new builds—by using simple solutions such as plaster finishes and existing roof membranes, with airtight membranes applied only in specific locations.

Wherever feasible, insulation was applied externally. Due to conservation constraints, the upper part of the main façade was insulated internally using cork aggregate and lime-based Diathonite mortar (by Diasen), while the courtyard façade was externally insulated with a rock wool ETICS system and lime-based Com Cal render. Horizontal elements were insulated with wood fibre, and an additional XPS layer was added above the roof membrane to prevent interstitial condensation. The result is a respectful, high-performance retrofit that has reduced heating demand by 90% compared to the original condition—setting a benchmark for energy-efficient retrofitting of historic buildings.

Links:

International Passivhaus Projects Database
Spanish Passivhaus Projects Database

Year: 2021

Location: Viladecans, Catalonia, Spain

Architecture: Daniel Tigges – Tigges Architekt

Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus Consultancy & Blower Door testing

Passivhaus Certification Class: EnerPHit Classic

Climate zone: Warm Temperate

Floor area: 208 m2

Thermal envelope area: 783 m2

Blower Door Result: 0,52 n50

Heating Demand: 31 kWh/m2·a

Cooling Demand: 14 kWh/m2·a

Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 54 kWh/m2·a

Final Energy consumption: 38 kWh/m2·a

Renewable energy generation: 0 kWh/m2·a

CO2eq emissions: 20 kg/m2·a

Bellcaire: PHI Low Energy Building

ideadmin on 30 September 2024

Description Located in Bellcaire d’Empordá, Catalonia, this single-family home was certified by Oliver Style as a PHI Low Energy Building. Designed by Gemma Blanes and Marina Farró from HEM Green & Balanced Architecture, and built by Evowall, the home has a compact triangular shape that takes advantage of the greater height to create two floors …

Bellcaire: PHI Low Energy Building

Passivhaus Certification, Blower Door test, Thermal bridge calculations

Description

Located in Bellcaire d’Empordá, Catalonia, this single-family home was certified by Oliver Style as a PHI Low Energy Building. Designed by Gemma Blanes and Marina Farró from HEM Green & Balanced Architecture, and built by Evowall, the home has a compact triangular shape that takes advantage of the greater height to create two floors and a double-height space in the sitting and dining room area of the house, adding spaciousness. The outdoor area features a pergola for shading in the summer months, adding a dynamic element to the building structure.

The home was built using the Evowall prefabricated steel-frame system, with a patented low-conductivity mortar and EPS and PIR insulation.

The pine timber windows frames are made by Unilux, with argon filled low emissivity double glazing, and traditional “Alicantina” shutters.

A Zehnder ComfoAir 180 balanced mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery provides comfort ventilation.

Heating and cooling are provided by an LG air-to-air heat pump with indoor ducted units. For domestic hot water, a Thermor Aeromax Split heat pump was used. Passivhaus certification was carried out by Praxis Resilient Buildings.

Links:

PEP (Plataforma Edificación Passivhaus)

iPHa (Base de datos internacional de proyectos Passivhaus)

Year: 2023

Location: Bellcaire d’Empordá, Girona, España

Architecture: HEM – Gemma Blanes / Marina Farró

Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus Certification, Blower Door test, Thermal bridge calculations

Passivhaus Certification Class: PHI Low Energy Building

Climate zone: Warm

Floor area: 114 m2

Thermal envelope area: 481 m2

Blower Door Result: 0,8 n50

Heating Demand: 30 kWh/m2·a

Cooling Demand: 11 kWh/m2·a

Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 53 kWh/m2·a

Final Energy consumption: 42 kWh/m2·a

Renewable energy generation: 0 kWh/m2·a

CO2eq emissions: 22 kg/m2·a

Caldes de Malavella: Passivhaus Classic home

ideadmin on 30 September 2024

Caldes de Malavella: Vivienda Passivhaus Classic

Description Single-family home that has achieved Passivhaus Classic certification, designed by architects Enrique Villavieja Martínez and Eva García Sayago, certified by Oliver Style from Praxis Resilient Buildings, and built by Ismael Fernández Ruiz from BYKO Sustainable Project and Construction Management. The home has a Treated Floor area of 132 m2 and is built with a …

Caldes de Malavella: Passivhaus Classic home

Passivhaus Certification, building physics, Blower Door airtightness testing

Description

Single-family home that has achieved Passivhaus Classic certification, designed by architects Enrique Villavieja Martínez and Eva García Sayago, certified by Oliver Style from Praxis Resilient Buildings, and built by Ismael Fernández Ruiz from BYKO Sustainable Project and Construction Management.

The home has a Treated Floor area of 132 m2 and is built with a cellular concrete construction system in floors and walls, and a lightweight timber roof system with mineral wool insulation.

Windows consist of PVC frames with triple low-e and solar control glazing and external roller blinds. Heating and cooling is provided by an all-in-one Passivhaus certified Panasonic Aquarea J series 7kW air-to-water heat pump with ducted indoor fan coils. Domestic Hot Water is generated by the same heat pump. A Zehnder ComfoAir Q350 ERV unit provides balanced mechanical ventilation with heat and moisture recovery. The house has a PV system that produces 6,800 kWh per year.

Links:

PEP (Plataforma Edificación Passivhaus)

iPHa (Base de datos internacional de proyectos Passivhaus)

Year: 2023

Location: C. Consell, Caldes de Malavella, Girona, Spain

Architecture: Enrique Villavieja Martínez y Eva García Sayago

Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus Certification, building physics, Blower Door airtightness testing

Passivhaus Certification Class: Passivhaus Classic

Climate zone: Warm-temperate

Floor area: 132 m2

Thermal envelope area: 618 m2

Blower Door Result: 0,5 n50

Heating Demand: 15 kWh/m2·a

Cooling Demand: 14 kWh/m2·a

Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 55 kWh/m2·a

Final Energy consumption: 46 kWh/m2·a

Renewable energy generation: 43 kWh/m2·a

CO2eq emissions: 20 kg/m2·a

LILU´s House: bio-based Passivhaus Plus

praxisadmin on 18 June 2022

Passivhaus design and consultancy, for this single-family house in Abrera, Barcelona, designed by architecture firm OMB Arquitectura and built by House Habitat.

LILU´s house: bio-based Passivhaus

Passivhaus, Blower Door

Description

Passivhaus design and consultancy, for this single-family house in Abrera, Barcelona, designed by architecture firm OMB Arquitectura and built by House Habitat.

The home has 143 m2 distributed over 2 floors, it will be the headquarters of the company House Habitat and a research unit for companies and universities. It is in the process of Passivhaus Plus certification.

Praxis has delivered the PHPP modelling, design of the thermal envelope and airtight layer, advice on low-impact materials, analysis and optimization of thermal bridges and construction details, and dynamic hygrothermal analysis of risk from moisture damage with the WUFI tool.

Praxis has also undertaken the Blower Door testing and on-site Passivhaus supervision and quality control.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ3Fx_TfkE0

https://passivehouse-database.org/index.php#d_7032

https://www.plataforma-pep.org/ejemplos-ph/lilus-house/

Year: 2022

Location: Abrera, Barcelona

Services:
Blower Door, Passivhaus

Blower Door test in Llerona

praxisadmin on 9 December 2021

Description Blower Door airtightness test to the EN 13829 (A/B) standard for the verification of whole building airtightness, as part of the construction of a single-family home in Llerona, Barcelona. The house is an nZEB designed by Divers Arquitectura. Two tests were carried out: during construction and following completion. For the preliminary test, leaks were …

Blower Door test in Llerona

Blower Door

Description

Blower Door airtightness test to the EN 13829 (A/B) standard for the verification of whole building airtightness, as part of the construction of a single-family home in Llerona, Barcelona.

The house is an nZEB designed by Divers Arquitectura.

Two tests were carried out: during construction and following completion. For the preliminary test, leaks were detected with a handheld smoke generator and anemometer.

The final result of N50=0,83/h, is well below the minimum requirements of the Spanish building regulations CTE DB HE-1 2019.

Year: 2021

Location Llerona, Barcelona

Services: Blower Door