London - Air tightness tests - 020 3390 0301

The counties covered by this office are:
Kent, Oxfordshire, London, , Surrey, East Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Middlesex,

Phone Number: 020 3390 0301 Email: london@e2consultants.co.uk

Air Testing is sometimes referred to as Domestic Air tests, Domestic Air tightness tests, Domestic Air pressure testing, Domestic Air leakage testing, Domestic Air pressure tests, Domestic Air tightness testing.

When Should The Test Take Place?

A building envelope will need to be completed before the air test takes place - which should be one of the last surveys undertaken once all the walls, windows, doors etc. are complete and sealed. This ensures no air will escape and prevent drafts through the property which will in-turn improve your air permeability score.

Do I Need An Air Leakage Test?

Planning your test in advance will help our experience air assessment team covering London to determine how many tests you'll need ahead of time per property and will be happy to offer advice on the best ways to gain your air permeability rating.

Domestic properties and commercial buildings over a certain size must have a passing air leakage certificate before the property can be handed over following a sale. All new buildings in England and Wales have had this requirement since 2006 and in Scotland this has been mandatory since 2010.

On a large plot of new houses that are built to a similar specification, only a sample of the houses will need to be air tested. This is outlined in Part L of Government building regulations.

What Air Permeability Rating Do I Need?

A passing score in London is 10 m³/(h.m²) for an air permeability rating which resembles the amount of uncontrolled air that's leaking from the dwelling. Should the test fail, our air tightness team will help you identify where the leakages are happening in the hope that a passing score will be achieved after a re-test.

What Does An Air Leakage Test Involve?

Whilst the air tightness test is being undertaken, furniture will not be affected but smaller items such as paper must be held down or removed completely so they're not blown about. The pressure of the room will be tested and as such all windows and doors that lead outside must be securely closed to avoid them swinging open and the test being abandoned. Similarly, all internal doors should be wedged open to avoid being slammed shut.

Air tests cannot be carried out if the wind speed is more than 13mph - 3 metres per second is the ideal wind speed when undertaking an air test in London. An air test involves placing a large fan, or several fans, to an opening within the property; usually a doorway. The fans will increase and decrease in speed that will in-turn change the building's air pressure and record the results.

Employees can still do their job inside a commercial building in London, within reason, though may feel some discomfort due to the noise of the fan and the draught that will be felt throughout the building. There should be no outside access once the test has begun - which lasts for approximately 90 minutes, so plan accordingly.

How Many Properties Need An Air Tightness Test?

The number of tests required are as follows:

• 4 or less properties of the same type: one test needed per type
• More than 4 but less than 40 dwellings of a type: at least two tests of each type
• More than 40 properties of a type: 5% of each type UNLESS the first 5 get a passing score - then this can be dropped to just 2%

For further Domestic Air Leakage Testing information for your area, be sure to check out Air-Testing-East-London.co.uk.