Air Testing for all types of building in Derby

Air tightness is important for many reasons and plays a significant role in the overall energy efficiency of a buildings.

Because:

• Reducing energy bills which results in reduced rates or CO2 emittance
• The built environment as a whole contributes to about 50% of total carbon emissions.
• A poor Air-leakage test results in a building using additional energy to maintain temperatures

The government has made commitments to reduce carbon emissions through the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Kyoto Agreement.

Part L is their method for addressing the conservation of fuel and power in buildings

1. Upon arrival to the property the energy assessor will introduce themselves and explain the process and carryout out a health & safety risk assessment internally/externally for safety purposes.
2. The premises is measured internally to allow its heated volume and external-facing surface area (walls/floor/ceiling) to be computed.
3. All planned ventilation is then stopped, eg windows and doors shut, extractor fans turned off, passive vents covered (with masking/technical tape or plastic film). Also, if the property is new, all plumbing traps (eg U-bends) are filled to ensure that no air can enter/escape that way
4. Connect a fan (or fans) to an aperture in the building envelope (e.g. door) and Set up testing equipment;
5. Perform air test
6. We will thereafter analyse the recorded air tightness test data and present the results to the client in a technical report. In the event of test failure, we will make every effort to advise the client on site on appropriate mitigation measures.

The time taken to carry out an Air-Test can vary based on a number of contributing factors:

• The size/complexity
• The amount of preparation that needs to take place before the test can take place
• Access to the site.

Assuming the second two factors above are within reasonable parameters then you are looking at a test time between 1 and 4 hours.

Houses and flats = 30 to 90 minutes for each unit

Industrial units = 90 minutes and 3 hours

Schools, Care home, large office blocks = 4 hours

• We will always give you an indicative result on the day of your survey
• We can typically issue you with a certificate on the same where required
• We send out short-form certificates within 2 working days of the survey