Durham - Air pressure testing - 0191 633 0103

The office that covers this area is: Newcastle

Phone Number: 0191 633 0103 Email: durham@e2consultants.co.uk

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

Do I Need An Air Leakage Test?

Planning your test in advance will help our experience air assessment team covering Durham 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.

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.

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.

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%

When Should The Test Take Place?

For obvious reasons, an air pressure test is generally one of the last surveys to be undertaken once all the walls, windows, doors etc. are complete and sealed to stop any air escaping and prevent drafts through the property. The building envelope will also need to be completed.

What Does An Air Leakage Test Involve?

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. Please note: an air test cannot be carried out if wind speed is more than 13mph. 3 metres per second is the ideal wind speed when undertaking an air test in Durham.

Employees can still do their job inside a commercial building in Durham, 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.

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.

What Air Permeability Rating Do I Need?

Your air permeability rating resembles the amount of uncontrolled air that's leaking from the dwelling. A passing score in Durham is 10 m³/(h.m²). If the air test fails, we will help you identify where these leakage areas occur in the hope that a passing rate will be achieved following a re-test.

For further Fan Pressure Testing information for your area, be sure to check out Air-Testing-Newcastle.co.uk.