Air Pressure Testing
For new build properties constructed under Part L1a of the Buildings Regulations 2006 or 2010 it is now normally a requirement that an air pressure test is undertaken at practical completion of a dwelling.
An air pressure test is a practical, technical test, undertaken on site by a suitably qualified operative, that measures the airtightness of a dwelling's construction.
It is normally mandatory (with some exceptions) that a test is undertaken for individual dwellings on a single dwelling development and the test result should not exceed 10 m3 / hour / m2 at 50 Pa. During the testing it may be possible to undertake remedial works to achieve this but the emphasis should always be to design and to manage and construct the build in such a way that a good standard of airtightness is achieved.
The air pressure test has a bearing upon the final SAP calculation. The lower the air pressure test result figure the greater the likelihood that the SAP rating will be enhanced. As an indication an average air pressure test result is now normally around 5.0 m3 / hour /m2 at 50 Pa. For a Passive House, eco build type property, it is possible to achieve airtightness levels of 0.6 m3 / hour /m2 at 50 Pa. or better
Through an associate I am able to assist with air pressure testing of properties in the following counties - The West Midlands, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire.