When you're scheduling a blower door test for code compliance, the test itself is only half the equation. What matters just as much is the documentation, the official report and certification that proves to your local inspector that the home meets IECC air tightness requirements.
The short answer is yes, Middle Tennessee Blower Door provides complete documentation immediately after every test. But if you've ever had a project delayed because of paperwork issues, you know that understanding exactly what you'll receive, and when, can save you significant headaches.
Building inspectors verifying IECC energy code compliance need specific information to approve your blower door test results. This isn't a situation where a handwritten note or verbal confirmation will suffice. Inspectors require formal documentation that includes the tested ACH50 or CFM50 result and the applicable code threshold, identification of the property by address, the date the test was performed, confirmation that the test was conducted according to proper protocol, and credentials of the person who performed the test.
In Tennessee, most jurisdictions enforcing IECC 2018 require homes to achieve 3 ACH50 or better in climate zones 4 and above (which includes all of Middle Tennessee). Your documentation needs to clearly show that the tested home meets this threshold.
Here's a scenario that plays out more often than it should: A builder schedules a blower door test, the home passes, but the documentation doesn't arrive for several days. Meanwhile, the inspection is scheduled, the closing is on the calendar, and everyone is waiting on a piece of paper.
Some testing companies treat documentation as an afterthought, something they'll get to when they're back in the office. For builders working on tight timelines, this approach creates unnecessary risk. An inspection that can't be verified is an inspection that doesn't happen, and every day of delay costs money.
This is why immediate documentation matters. When you schedule a blower door test, you should walk away from that appointment with everything you need to pass inspection in hand.
When we complete a blower door test, you receive your documentation on-site, the same day, before we leave. This includes a detailed test report showing the CFM50 reading (cubic feet per minute of air leakage at 50 Pascals pressure difference), the calculated ACH50 result (air changes per hour at 50 Pascals), the building volume used in calculations, the code requirement applicable to your jurisdiction, and a clear pass/fail determination.
You'll also receive official certification documentation suitable for submission to your building inspector. This documentation identifies Middle Tennessee Blower Door as a RESNET-certified testing provider and includes all the information inspectors need to verify compliance.
For builders who need electronic copies for email submission or record-keeping, we provide those as well. No waiting for someone to "send it over later."
Beyond the pass/fail determination, your blower door test report provides useful information for understanding the home's performance.
The CFM50 number tells you the raw volume of air leakage, how many cubic feet of air per minute are moving through the building envelope when the house is depressurized to 50 Pascals. Lower numbers indicate a tighter envelope.
The ACH50 calculation takes that CFM50 number and factors in the building's volume to give you a standardized metric. This is the number that gets compared against code requirements. For IECC 2018 compliance in Middle Tennessee, you need 3 ACH50 or lower.
If a home tests at 2.5 ACH50, for example, you know you've got comfortable margin. If it tests at 2.9 ACH50, you passed but you're close to the line. If it tests at 3.2 ACH50, you've failed and need to identify and seal additional leaks before retesting.
Not every home passes on the first attempt. When a test reveals that the home exceeds the allowable ACH50 threshold, documentation becomes even more important.
Your test report will identify not just the failing number, but also observations about where major air leakage is occurring. This gives your air sealing crew specific guidance on where to focus their efforts. Common culprits include unsealed top plates in the attic, gaps around HVAC register boots, incomplete sealing at band joists, penetrations for plumbing and electrical that weren't addressed, and recessed lights or exhaust fans without proper air sealing.
Once remediation is complete, we return for a retest. You'll receive new documentation reflecting the updated results. When the home passes, you'll have everything needed for final inspection approval.
Many jurisdictions also require duct leakage testing in addition to blower door testing. The same documentation principles apply, you need official results showing that the duct system meets code requirements for leakage to the outside.
IECC 2018 typically requires duct systems to leak no more than 4 CFM25 per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area (when ducts are located outside the building envelope) or 8 CFM25 per 100 square feet (for all duct systems regardless of location).
When you schedule both blower door and duct leakage testing with Middle Tennessee Blower Door, you receive complete documentation for both tests. One visit, one provider, all the paperwork you need.
Code enforcement varies across Middle Tennessee. Davidson County, Williamson County, Rutherford County, Sumner County, and Wilson County each have their own inspection processes and documentation preferences.
With over 20 years of construction experience in Middle Tennessee, Chris Lewis has worked with inspectors throughout the region. We understand what different jurisdictions expect and format our documentation accordingly. If your inspector has specific requirements or preferences, let us know when you schedule—we'll make sure you get exactly what you need.
The real value of immediate, complete documentation is schedule protection. When you can hand your inspector a professional test report the same day the test is performed, you eliminate a variable that's outside your control.
For builders managing multiple projects, this reliability compounds. You know that when you schedule a blower door test with Middle Tennessee Blower Door, you'll have results and documentation in hand before we leave the site. No follow-up calls asking where the paperwork is. No delays waiting on email attachments. No uncertainty about whether you'll be ready for inspection.
That predictability is worth something when you're trying to coordinate trades, schedule inspections, and hit closing dates.
Middle Tennessee Blower Door provides RESNET-certified blower door and duct leakage testing for builders throughout Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Spring Hill, and all of Middle Tennessee.
Same-day scheduling available. Complete documentation provided on-site. Tests starting at $300.
Call or text (615) 613-5447 to schedule, or visit middletennesseeblowerdoor.com for more information.