Duct Leakage Testing • Toronto & Ontario

Duct Leakage Testing & System Integrity Verification

We measure leakage in supply, return and exhaust ductwork, identify where losses occur, and document the effects on system airflow and pressure.

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Independent AABC/CAABC-Certified Firm

New and Existing System Leakage Testing

Serving Toronto, GTA & Ontario

What We Work On

Identifying Leakage Where it Matters Most

Leakage testing helps establish how much air is escaping at a specified pressure. Results support investigations into distribution, capacity and room pressure concerns in new and existing ductwork.

Supply Air Systems

We evaluate leakage across trunks, risers, branches, and terminal connections to determine how much airflow is being lost before it ever reaches the space. Supply leakage reduces capacity, weakens diffuser performance, and disrupts pressure control. Our testing identifies where the losses occur and quantifies their impact so you know exactly how your system is performing against the design intent.

Return Air Systems

Return leakage is one of the most overlooked contributors to poor system performance. Losses in shafts, main returns, and ceiling plenums dilute recirculated air, create fluctuating return pressures, and make it harder for supply and exhaust systems to stay balanced. We determine where the return pathway is losing efficiency and how those losses affect room-level pressure relationships and overall HVAC stability.

Exhaust & Containment Systems

From isolation rooms to hazardous exhaust and lab systems, containment relies on stable directional airflow. Leakage in exhaust ductwork weakens capture, lowers air-change rates, and undermines room pressurization. We assess the integrity of these systems to verify whether the ductwork is supporting proper containment or contributing to instability.

Why Duct Leakage Matters

Duct leakage and system performance

Duct leakage has a direct, measurable effect on how an HVAC system performs. Every cubic foot of air that escapes before reaching its destination reduces the system’s ability to maintain airflow, pressure relationships, and environmental conditions. Fans work harder, terminal devices become unstable, and energy consumption climbs. Over time, even moderate leakage compounds into lost capacity, inconsistent room conditions, and higher operating costs. This is why verifying duct integrity is a fundamental part of ensuring the system can deliver what the design expects.

Loss of System Capacity

Air escapes before reaching the space, lowering delivered airflow
Fans work harder to compensate, increasing wear and runtime
Distribution suffers as TAB efficacy is reduced
Rooms further from the air handler become the first to suffer shortfall

Compromised Pressure Control & Airflow Stability

Leakage disrupts room pressurization, especially in isolation, pharmacy, and lab spaces
Pressure cascades between adjacent rooms become inconsistent, forcing facilities to chase conditions that should otherwise remain stable
Small losses upstream accumulate across branches and risers, reducing the differential needed to maintain proper direction of airflow
Systems relying on tight pressure margins become more sensitive to normal load changes because available airflow is reduced

Increased Energy Use & Operational Issues

Fans draw more power to compensate for lost airflow and more energy is used to condition the air
Leakage across risers and long duct runs increases system resistance and waste
Turbulence or whistling occurs at leaking joints, fittings, or flex connections

What Our Process Includes

What our testing measures

We measure leakage on sections, branches, and full duct networks to assess how much air is escaping and at what static pressures. Results are presented as CFM loss, percentage of system flow, and impact on downstream performance.

Verification in Critical Areas

Identify and pinpoint areas of greatest duct leakage on a system (Pressure mapping)
Determine impact on current system performance and build remedial plan

Leakage Quantification (Supply, Return, Exhaust)

We measure leakage on sections, branches, and full duct networks
Assess how much air is escaping and at what static pressures (presented as CFM loss or % of system flow)

Before/After Leakage Comparisons

Field measurements are taken to confirm improvement
Document changes in measured leakage after remedial work. Equipment energy savings are reported on

Clear records of test conditions and measured leakage

Reports identify the sections tested, the conditions during testing, the measured leakage and the findings that need attention.

Test conditions

Record the duct sections and boundaries, test pressure, system configuration and applicable project criteria.

Measured leakage

Document leakage airflow at the test pressure and compare results with the specified acceptance criteria.

Findings and follow-up

Identify observed leakage paths and limitations, with before-and-after measurements when remedial work is retested.

Related services

Next step

Understand where your ductwork is losing air.

Share your duct system, test requirements and project constraints. We provide independent leakage measurements and clear documentation across Toronto and Ontario.

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