New Build Air Tightness Testing

Air Tightness Testing Services

We conduct Air Tightness testing throughout the Midlands and can provide air testing throughout the UK on request, providing a fast and reliable service.

What is an Airtightness Test?

An airtightness test, also known as an air permeability test, measures the amount of air escaping from the gaps and cracks in buildings. A special fan is used to gauge how much uncontrolled air is being released from the inside to the outside. The fan depressurises and pressurises the buildings, so an accurate figure of how much air loss is happening can be taken. The building regulations for domestic and commercial new builds require that the building meets certain air permeability targets, so it is important to get this done as soon as possible so your building passes and you can use it.

Since 2006, Air Tightness testing has been required to comply with Parts L1A & L2A of the Building Regulations for Domestic and Commercial new builds. Air testing measures the amount of uncontrolled leakage from gaps and cracks in the building envelope using a specialised fan to depressurise (or pressurise) the dwelling.

Do I need an airtightness test?

You should get airtightness testing companies in if there is a lot of heat escaping from your home. Heat escaping through tiny cracks and gaps in the walls can cost you hundreds of pounds a year and thousands over a lifetime. An air tightness test is necessary if you want to pass building regulations. Airtightness tests can also stem the spread of fire; as if the air is directed correctly, the flames are less likely to take over the building, and there is a better chance of putting them out.

How do you pass an airtightness test?

You must meet a target air permeability score to pass an airtightness test. Every new building is given a score ranging from 1-10, which is considered possible for your building to meet. An SAP assessor gives you a score, and we do our best to help you meet this target. The building work is only signed off once it has been met. Get an experienced air tightness technician to complete this task for maximum reassurance. Click here for tips.

What is an air permeability test?

An air permeability test measures the amount of cubic air escaping per hour from a building. A good airtightness treating company can carry out an air permeability check. Carrying out this check will ensure your building is well insulated and has a better chance of surviving in a fire due to air being directed the proper way. If directed incorrectly, flames can fan more than in an airtight building and cause a fire to engulf the building quickly.

Get in touch with Airtight Testing Staffordshire for friendly, expert advice. We have lots of experience carrying out air permeability tests, so stop air escaping and save money on your bills by booking an appointment today. We’ll ensure you comply with all airtightness test building regulations and that your building is protected from fire with air permeability tests. Airtight Testing Staffordshire will be able to advise you if you need a test and what rating you need to meet. Contact us now and speak to a knowledgeable advisor who will gladly help.

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Target Scores

In terms of air test requirements, building regulations have a maximum air permeability value of 10 m3.h/m2. However, each new build has a designated air permeability target, this can range from 1-10 and is usually assigned at the start of your project by your SAP assessor.

We test your dwelling to meet this initial target set by your SAP assessor. If your dwelling meets the target score, building control can approve both your air permeability score and your SAP calculations based on review.

Test Sampling

A sample test may be possible when you have multiple houses of the same build type and size. This sampling method, however, forces you to apply a 2 m3.h/m2 penalty to all houses not tested. Making it crucial for a higher build specification of the dwellings to meet air test requirements.

From our experience, air testing is often more cost-effective when all houses are tested individually. This means that you are able to avoid penalties being applied to each new build.

The benefits of air tightness testing

Opting for an air tightness test with our team at Airtight Testing Staffordshire offers a lot of benefits that are well worth considering, such as:

It benefits your property

If your property isn’t airtight, or if it’s excessively airtight, then it runs the risk of causing lasting damage to the internal structure and integrity of the building. Everyday activities like cooking and tidying up create a lot of heat and humidity, which can seep into cracks and gaps in the home. When this happens, the moisture and heat can make its way into the building envelope of the property, resulting in damage.

What’s more, if your property isn’t airtight then all of the internal air and heat escapes, along with moisture. Over time, this excess moisture will build up and create condensation in hard-to-reach locations. If left untouched, this can cause a lot of significant damage to the home. Issues include things like rot build-up, mould and dampness. So it’s safe to say that getting your property checked with air tightness testing can help prevent all of this from happening.

It benefits the environment

It’s no surprise that our global impact on the environment has created a few significant challenges for us, such as climate change and the knock-on effects it brings. To combat this, the UK Government has pledged to drop our emissions of carbon dioxide in half by 2025, with hopes of being carbon emission-free by 2050. To do all of this, lots of different measures and plans are being put in place, such as new ways of building properties. One of these areas includes air tightness, as it makes properties incredibly energy efficient.

So, taking the time and effort to ensure that your property is air-tight helps lower our carbon emissions by being more efficient. Your property will be much more competent in temperature regulation, so you won’t have to use as much energy to retain heat in the home. So by ensuring your property is sufficiently air-tight, you’re doing your part for the environment and lowering our overall carbon dioxide emissions.

It benefits your wallet

A sufficiently air-tight property isn’t just good for the environment and integrity of the building, it’s also great for your wallet too. It’s much harder to effectively regulate the temperature of a property that isn’t adequately air-tight. Heat will quickly escape through cracks and gaps, which results in a less than comfortable living environment. Ensuring your property is airtight means it retains a temperature more effectively. You’ll use less energy heating up and cooling down your property and as a result, your energy bills will be significantly reduced.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Why should I get an air tightness test for my home?

An air tightness test sometimes called an air permeability test, is important for the efficiency and integrity of your property. It’s a requirement in the latest building regulations (Part L1 and Part L2 Building Regulations) because it’s so beneficial to homes and the environment. The test uses specific calculations to determine a final environmental rating. To retain a Building Regulation Certificate, it’s essential to have this rating.

Q. What happens during an air tightness test?

The first thing we do is use a set of property scale plans to calculate the total envelope of the property, as well as the volume and floor area within the building. From here, our team of specialists uses a sophisticated fan that’s attached to a temporary seal to depressurise the home. We’ll also seal certain openings, like extractor fans and close all windows and doors.

Once we’ve got all that sorted, we get to work by taking readings at different pressures to determine the property’s air tightness. These changes in pressure are minimal, so there isn’t any risk of damaging the property.

Q. How long will the air tightness take?

Although every property is different, we generally spend around an hour or so setting up and recording our measurements. You can still go about your day while we’re taking the readings, and we try to be as unobtrusive as possible throughout.

Expert Advice

Airtight Testing Staffordshire is here to help you move quickly and easily through the air testing process. Our experienced test engineers can offer expert advice to achieve compliance.

We also offer a wide range of other services that make it easier to pass building regulations than ever before!