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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.

Expect to Learn

• 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: https://www.instagram.com/attmauk/ 

Follow Hosts:

Ben Walker (Co-CEO, Retrotec) LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walker-4a05901/

Sam Myers (Building Science Specialist & Trainer) LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-myers-ms-a9a4a546/

Website: https://retrotec.com/ 

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetrotecEnergy/

Listen on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3xMDAhIttUTHWK41DH7KhB 

Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes on HVAC innovations, sales strategies, and building performance. Share your thoughts in the comments below!

#AirTightness #HVAC #BlowerDoorTesting #BuildingScience #EnergyEfficiency #UKConstruction #HVACEducation #TrainingInnovation #BuildingPerformance