Implementing Air Tightness in the Australian Context: Lessons from the Past, Opportunities for the Future 

As air tightness gains greater recognition within the Australian construction industry, attention is shifting from simply achieving a final blower door test result to implementing a coordinated strategy that spans design, procurement, construction, commissioning and operation. Increasingly, requirements within NCC Section J and Green Star projects are driving demand for measurable airtightness outcomes, while industry bodies such as the Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association (ATTMA) are helping establish competency pathways and quality assurance for testing practitioners. 

This presentation explores how airtightness can be successfully implemented within the Australian context and why project success depends on far more than end-of-project testing. Drawing on Australian case studies, it examines common industry failures and discuss how early design integration, clear air barrier strategies, trade coordination and progressive verification can significantly improve performance outcomes.  

The presentation also explores how healthcare facilities are increasingly recognising the importance of airtight construction in supporting pressure control strategies, helping ensure that air movement occurs through intended pathways and contributing to broader infection prevention and control objectives.