Overview

SBS has partnered with Compliance to offer Air Tightness Testing to customers.

Why is an Air Tightness Test needed?

• As the Government strives to reduce CO2 emissions from new buildings, the Building Regulations now place greater emphasis on the quality of the fabric of the building.

• Increased insulation and the continuity of insulation combined with reductions in air leakage significantly reduces the heat losses from a building and the CO2 emissions.

• Consequently the need for the test is now a Building Regulations requirement under Approved Document L1A and the result is used in the energy assessment (SAP) of the building which is the tool used to demonstrate compliance.

How is the Air Tightness Testing done?

• The test involves sealing of all trickle vents and sources of designed ventilation, before using a large door mounted fan to de-pressurise the building. The rate that the air escapes is then measured and a rating is determined taking into account the size and volume of the building against a benchmark.

In order to pass the following needs to be achieved:

• Building Regulation ADL1a: 10m3/(h/m²) at 50Pa

• Best Practice: 4m3/(h/m²) at 50Pa

• SAP Standard: 6m3/(h/m²) at 50Pa

When is the Air Test needed?

• To meet the minimum standards set out in ADL1a, on each development an air pressure test should be carried out on three units of each dwelling type or 50% of all instances of that dwelling type, whichever is less.

The specific dwellings making up the test sample should be selected by the Building Control Body in conjunction with the tester. About half of the tests should be carried out at the completion of the first 25% of that dwelling type.

• On small developments of no more than 2 properties a test is not mandatory but instead a default of 15m3/(h/m²) at 50Pa can be used for the energy assessment.

• A result above the SAP standard penalises the energy assessment. If only one air test sample is undertaken then all other dwellings not physically tested will receive a penalty for the SAP of an additional 2m3/(h/m²) at 50Pa above the actual test rate achieved on the same dwelling type.

Who can produce the Air Test?

• An air tightness test must be undertaken by a qualified tester accredited with the British institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT). At Compliance we have testing engineers located around the country to meet your needs.

Benefits

• Compliance provides an integrated approach to Building Control and environmental compliance at a fixed price.

• Compliance can provide guidance on the next steps to improve your energy efficiency through fabric improvements or renewable technology. Our SAP and testing solutions can be extended to a full consultancy service if required.

• Our services are backed up by qualified professional consultants who are only a phone call away.

• We will give you the initial test result on site and assist in identifying high leakage areas so as that remedial work can be undertaken.