The basics to help you understand homes as a system. Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro. 👉 https://bit.ly/flow-lab-ebook

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In this episode of The Flow Lab Podcast, hosts Ben Walker and Sam Myers are joined by Barry Cope, Managing Director of ATTMA (Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association), affectionately known as "Mr. Blower Door" in the UK. Barry discusses how ATTMA grew from a small group of enthusiasts into a global leader in blower door testing, certification, and industry training.

He shares groundbreaking insights into data-driven building performance, the UK’s fully integrated Lodgement system, and ATTMA’s cutting-edge training house built inside a warehouse. With humor and unmatched expertise, Barry highlights the challenges of international code compliance, quality assurance, and the vision for bringing proven UK methodologies to North America.

• Discover how a four-person trade association grew to dominate 85% of the UK’s blower door testing market with over 180,000 tests annually.
• Get inspired by ATTMA’s full-scale training house inside a 10,000 sq ft warehouse, designed for high-pressure, real-world simulations.
• Explore the chaos of U.S. state-by-state code amendments versus the streamlined approach in the UK and how that affects adoption and testing quality.
• Learn how ATTMA’s Lodgement system helps governments track high-rise buildings, manage compliance, and even respond to national emergencies like Grenfell.
• Hear Barry’s journey from field tester to managing director, and how his multidisciplinary background shaped the future of UK air tightness testing.

In Today’s Episode

[00:00] - How ATTMA Helped Identify High-Rise Risks After Grenfell

[01:13] - Introduction and Barry’s Role in the UK Blower Door Market

[02:07] - What is ATTMA and How It Evolved

[04:36] - Barry’s Entry into the Industry and ATTMA’s Transformation

[06:25] - Building a Full-Scale Training House Inside a Warehouse

[09:22] - Real-World Pressure Testing and Training Innovation

[11:17] - Bringing the Lodgment System to the U.S.

[16:00] - The Challenges of Code Fragmentation in the U.S.

[21:37] - ABA’s Expansion and ISO Certification Progress

[28:05] - Who Has Access to UK Building Test Data

[34:18] - Air Tightness Metrics: Volume vs. Surface Area

[38:10] - Unique Global Practices in Building Science

[47:42] - Barry’s Origin Story in Blower Door Testing

[53:44] - The Value of Global Collaboration in Building Performance

[57:46] - Final Reflections and Community Appreciation

Connect with Barry Cope:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-cope-77340935/

Connect with Company:

Website: https://www.bcta.group/attma/

Instagram:

The basics to help you understand homes as a system. Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro. 👉 https://bit.ly/flow-lab-ebook

In this episode of The Flow Lab Podcast, hosts Ben Walker, Co-CEO of RetroTec and Sam Myers, building science specialist and RetroTec trainer, sit down with Kevin Hart, Founder and CEO of HavenIAQ, a company focused on transforming the way we monitor and control indoor air quality (IAQ).

From his roots as an electrician in the trades to pioneering the first wearable IAQ monitor, Kevin shares his journey of innovation, challenges faced in the industry, and his insights into solving air quality issues in homes and workplaces.

Expect to Learn:

• How invisible air quality issues impact health and comfort in indoor environments, with a focus on tradespeople and homeowners alike.
• From spotting problems on job sites to creating solutions for air quality measurement and control.
• Challenges with early sensors, the breakthrough that led to portable devices, and the shift to whole-home IAQ solutions.
• How modern HVAC systems are evolving to intelligently manage ventilation and air quality based on real-time data and environmental factors.
• Navigating the complexities of IAQ products like UV lights and ozone generators and why they might not be the right fix.
• How Haven is shaping the next generation of smart IAQ products, from room monitors to advanced filtration and ventilation solutions.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:00] - Introduction to the Episode and Guest

[03:30] - Kevin’s Transition from Electrician to Air Quality Innovator

[07:00] - The Challenges of Early IAQ Sensors and the Need for Affordable Solutions

[10:45] - The Move to Whole-Home Air Quality Monitoring

[15:30] - The Importance of Smart Ventilation in Modern HVAC Systems

[20:00] - The Risks of Overhyped IAQ Products: Ozone Generators and UV Lights

[25:15] - The Role of Professionals in Solving IAQ Issues

[30:00] - Exploring the New Room Monitor and Its Impact on Homes

[35:20] - How the IAQ Industry is Evolving and the Need for Better Education and Training

[40:00] - Final Thoughts and Future Innovations in IAQ

Connect with Kevin Hart:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinrhart/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinhartthecanadian/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevinrhart

Connect with Company:

Website: https://haveniaq.com/

Instagram:

The basics to help you understand homes as a system.

Download our FREE ebook and start solving problems like a pro.

👉https://bit.ly/flow-lab-ebook

In this episode of The Flow Lab Podcast, hosts Ben Walker, Co-CEO of RetroTec, and Sam Myers, building science specialist and RetroTec trainer, sit down with Niek-Jan Bink, Director/co-owner at ACIN instrumenten and mastermind behind innovative tools like the Flow Finder Mk2+ and the ADT.

Niek shares his fascinating journey from climate research to engineering HVAC solutions, while uncovering the evolving needs of ventilation systems around the globe. This is a must-listen for HVAC pros, energy auditors, and building scientists curious about the tools shaping better indoor air quality and airtight construction.

• From a handmade aluminum box to a smart, Wi-Fi powered airflow measurement device.
• A new tool that simplifies testing on large-scale housing projects without replacing the blower door.
• Discover how ultrasonic tools are transforming on-site diagnostics, no construction delays required.
• Why do the U.S. and Europe approach airflow, ventilation, and ductwork so differently.
• What Niek learned from experts like Bill Spohn and Colin Genge, and why curiosity is key in HVAC.

[00:00] - How it works with or without the blower door

[01:13] - Meet Niek-Jan Bink and his work with ACIN Instrumenten in the Netherlands

[03:54] - From climate researcher to co-owner of a cutting-edge HVAC company

[06:30] - ACIN’s diverse innovations: from naval valves to plant research

[08:52] - The origin story of the Flow Finder and 1980s ventilation failures

[12:40] - Flow Finder Mk2+ development & challenges

[18:00] - Ultrasonic leak detection tools: what's coming next

[21:37] - Using Flow Finder and ultra graphics in prefab & commercial projects

[28:32] - Breaking down the ADT’s functionality, limitations, and value

[35:56] - Practical ADT case study in a Dutch apartment complex

[44:11] - Achieving ISO 17025 accreditation & improving calibration uncertainty

[47:22] - Flow Finder Mk2+ updates: new motor controller, better efficiency

[52:56] - Extending the flow capacity up to 700 CFM

[55:00] - Future software for hood-specific calibration

[58:44] - U.S. use cases: whole-house ventilation, duct testing, and balancing

[01:03:00] - Advice for young HVAC professionals: stay curious, listen, collaborate

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niek-jan-bink-18b6203/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niekjanbink?igsh=MXIyNGFudGVzNWwwNw==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BDDSRAX8W/

Website: https://acin.nl/en/

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