Air Leakage Point Diagnosis and Airtight Construction Methods for Retrofitted Small Apartment Units

Su-Ji Choi; So-Yi Park; Kyung-Hwan Ji; Jae-Hun Jo

doi:10.22696/jkiaebs.20260031

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2026 Vol.20, Issue 5 Preview Page Next Page

Research Article

Air Leakage Point Diagnosis and Airtight Construction Methods for Retrofitted Small Apartment Units 소형 공동주택 리모델링 세대의 누기부위 진단 및 기밀시공 방안

30 October 2026. pp. 384-393

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Abstract

This study investigated the airtightness performance and air leakage points of small apartment units in the existing and retrofitted conditions, and proposed airtight construction methods for improving airtightness. The measured ACH50 of the units in the retrofitted condition was higher than that in the existing condition in both unit types, although the retrofit included insulation reinforcement and window replacement. Air leakage was identified at four locations: air ducts and pipe ducts, windows, walls, and other service penetrations. Most of the identified leakage points were located at joints between structural components and at service penetrations, which were not individually treated during the retrofit. Although the airtightness of the windows improved after replacement, the airtightness of the entire unit was not secured, indicating that airtightness is determined not by the performance of individual components but by the treatment of joints and service penetrations. Since these locations extend across several trades and are situated behind interior finishes, quality assurance in the design stage and quality control in the construction stage are required. Based on the diagnosis results, the airtightness line of the target units was established, and airtight construction methods and materials were proposed for components, joints, and penetrations at each location. The proposed methods can be used as specification requirements and quality-control checklist items to be confirmed before the interior finish is installed.

Keywords

Airtightness

Air leakage point

Airtight construction method

Airtightness quality management

Small apartment unit

키워드

기밀성능

누기부위

기밀시공 방안

기밀 품질관리

소형 공동주택

References

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Information

Publisher :Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems
Publisher(Ko) :한국건축친환경설비학회
Journal Title :Journal of Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems
Journal Title(Ko) :한국건축친환경설비학회논문집
Volume : 20
No :5
Pages :384-393
Received Date : 2026-09-02
Revised Date : 2026-09-23
Accepted Date : 2026-09-28
DOI :https://doi.org/10.22696/jkiaebs.20260031

Journal of Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems ISSN:1976-6483(Print) 2586-0666(Online) 한국건축친환경설비학회논문집

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