Errors In Measurements Of Building Leakage Due To Transient Temperature Effects

This report analyzes sources of errors in determining leakage rates of a containment structure, when a reference vessel method is used. It is shown that the most serious errors do not arise from lack of precision in measuring absolute temperatures and pressures; rather, the largest errors are shown to be due to a combination of a temperature lag between reference vessel and containment structure, and and from temperature fluctuations during the testing period.