Air Testing In The Uk Building Trade
Whilst this requirement has been in place for a number of months at the point of publication of this article, it is the author's experience that on the whole the process of air tightness testing is still lacking in its understanding and importance by many in the building trade.
Air testing is no longer a nicety but an important implication to the building trade, and where contractors have not considered the implications of the air barrier, or worse where architects unaware of the new building regulations and design a structure that is complicated or in the worst case impossible to seal correctly in specific locations, the result can be unnecessarily costly to correct.
On the opposite side of the coin however, a number of companies realise the relevance of air testing, and the cost associated with attempting to remediate a failed test after construction has been completed.
This is where the key issues lies. Contractors, and Architect realising the implications of the air tightness testing and attempting at the point of design and build, to ensure that where practically possible measures are taken to correctly consider the design more carefully, and during construction, ensure that contractors are aware of the issues and take more care in their constriction methods.
A simple example that I have often encountered on site involves plumbers and electricians. As they start work and place cables and piping through the air barrier, (such as the cavity wall) they often create much larger openings than are necessary. This then adds the problem where these openings are not correctly sealed when work is completed, or in some cases not even sealed at all, and become hidden by internal panels, etc.
There is often the miss conception that air will be stopped by such barriers and the sealing of such openings is time consuming and unnecessary. Whilst air is in some way stopped by such barriers, it is by no means very effective. This is why it is imperative that such work is completed to a high standard, and checked regularly by the site manger to ensure that contractors are completing work as instructed. A single small location badly sealed on a large building will have minimal effect, but numerous breaks in the air barrier will.
But what are the implications of failing the air test? In some sectors of the building trade there is a miss connection that the fail is, whilst not good, is not important. They are unaware that without a pass, building control should not approve the completed building. The implications being, you are unable to hand over your building, or complete a sale.
However, often contractors are unsure about the process that can lead to a failure in an air test. The solution is simple, if you have no experience and are unsure; seek the advice of a professional ATTMA accredited company. Experience comes from practical application, and learning this through a costly failure of a project is not an effective method, and a problem I have encountered on a number of projects. It cost nothing to inquire through the various approved testing companies listed at the ATTMA website, but it can cost thousands in improvements and repeat testing.
To summaries the lessons are simple.. design appropriately and consider the air barrier, ensure construction is effective, and where unsure seek the advice of accredited professionals.
Steven Marriott
Test Engineer - STROMA Technologies
Related Tags: environmental, air testing, air tightness, air permeability, pressure testing, part l, air leakage
STROMA Technologies
SAP 2005 & SBEM Calculations
Air Testing in Ireland
Recent articles in this category:
- Solar Power - A Sustainable Source Of Energy
Since time began, the sun was seen as a source of energy. Suprisingly only about 10% of solar energy - Why Leopards Are Becoming Extinct
On the flooded marshlands of Mombo in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Botswana, there are fertile f - The Different Kinds Of Bats
Most bats are found in warm places. Some are very strange: there are brightly colored, even spotted, - How Bats Find Their Way In The Dark
People have always been puzzled by how bats see small insects in the dark, and how they avoid bumpin - How Bats Live
Bats live together in caves or other dark places during the day. Just before dark, or before the sun - At Home With Mr. Burroughs
Youth still peered out at me in spite of his crowning thatch of silvery hair when I first met John B - Gas Fired Boiler Care Evaluation
Get Central Heating Cover And UnwindWhilst advanced heating boilers are reliable, at some point in t - Environment Articles - India's strength and investments in Nuclear Energy Markets
Indian Nuclear Energy Markets Indian Nuclear Energy Market: An investment opportunity of US$55 - Environment Articles - Wind Energy is the fastest growing renewable energy sector in India
Wind Energy Markets in India India is likely to generate almost five times more wind energy cap - Environment Articles - Ideas On Reusable Kids Lunch Boxes
If your kids are now in school, lunch boxes are what you need. Packing their lunch assures mothers a
Most viewed articles in this category:
- The Demand for Water and Water Privatisation
On TV recently you have Indian villagers complaining that coca cola had built a bottling plant in th - Solar Powered Lights
All of our energy comes from the sun. Solar powered lights offer a low cost and do not pollute the e - About Ethanol Distillation
Through the years, people have been used to oil price hikes, such that even when prices rise to a se - Simple Mold Removal Wihtout Cleaning Mold
Are you fighting with black mold and it keeps coming back? Use the correct methods for mold cleaning - The Business of Saving the Planet
On a sweltering day during the summer, I called my business partner Michael to ask why he thought it - Global E-Waste Dumping - How Does It Occur?
When people "donate" or "recycle" electronics and computers, they do so with good intentions, and th - Earth Friendly Composting
Earth Friendly Composting Municipalities throughout the United States require residents and busines - A Unique Overview of Yellowstone National Park
When it comes to national parks, it is hard to imagine a more famous one than Yellowstone National P - Save the Planet Article 2
This is the second article in a series that examines common house-hold products, how their manufactu - Environmental Cleanup Challenge - Uranium Recovery and Soil Cleanup
The plant site was located in the sagebrush-covered desert of eastern Washington, and had 8 acres of