Information Tech- TekTalk

Reducing drafts & heat loss in dwellings...

ISS UE

December 2011

02

Air tightness testing is the procedure that

quantifies the extent to which buildings

‘leak’ air through their envelopes.

Air leakage is a vehicle for heat loss &

energy wastage resulting in increased

space heating & cooling loads by the

constant uncontrolled flow of air through

the building fabric.

We possess the training, expertise &

accreditation through BINDT to carry out

the procedure and provide certified results

acceptable to Building Control Authorities.

this issue

Statutory requirements P.1

Typical air leakage paths P.2

The printed report P.3

Why is airtightness important? P.4

better energy

“The Building Regulations require that air tightness testing is carried out on

all new buildings in accordance with the ATTMA TS1 testing procedure”.

AIR TIGHTNESS TESTING IS NOW A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT...

WHAT IS AIR TIGHTNESS TESTING?

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAIL...

TYPICAL AIR LEAKAGE PATHS...

Intermediate floors: use joist hangers where possible, if built into the walls seal with a

flexible sealant.

Behind skirting boards: seal between floors and walls.

Behind coving: seal between wall and ceiling.

Boxed in pipes & soil stacks: seal when pipes/soil stacks go out through the ceiling

into the roof space.

Behind bath panels -seal all services and pipe work that penetrate the envelope of the

building.

Kitchen units: seal all services and pipe work that penetrate the envelope of the

building.

Other services: seal pipe work and services that enters the building ensure a good

seal.

Trickle vents: the test only allows for trickle vents to be shut and not sealed.

Windows and doors: ensure a good seal behind plaster board as well as decorators

finishing mastic

Recessed lights: ensure they are fire rated fittings that are fitted correctly.

Loft hatch: poor quality loft hatches often leak.

Floorboards: make sure any holes in timber floorboards are refitted correctly and

sealed.

CONTENTS OF THE PRINTED REPORT...

SAMPLE AIR LEAKAGE GRAPH...

ATTMA TS1 TEST METHOD & STANDARD

PROPERTY ADDRESS

DATE OF CONSTRUCTION

ENVELOPE AREA

DOCUMENTATION OF PRESSURE & FLOW CALCULATIONS

STATUS OF BUILDING OPENINGS

DESCRIPTION OF TEMPORARY SEALS

TYPE OF HEATING, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING

ZERO FLOW PRESSURES

INSIDE & OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES

WIND SPEED & BAROMETRIC PRESSURES

TABLE OF BUILDING PRESSURES & FAN FLOW RATES

Cenv, CL n & r2

AIR PERMEABILITY RESULT

DATE OF TEST

TEST EQUIPMENT DETAILS & CALIBRATION CERTIFICATE

CONTACT US FOR A FREE QUOTATION...

TekTalk Issue 02 December 2011 better energy

Mi chael Gl an f i e l d

Bet te r E nergy

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Con tac ts:

Cert i f ied resu l t s accepted by Bu i ld ing Cont ro l Au thor i t ies .

Opera t i ves t ra ined by BSRIA & reg is tered wi th BINDT.

Test ing p rocedures fu l l y meet ATTMA TS1 s tandards.

UKAS ca l ib ra ted equ ipment .

Marcus Boyd

Th e rmco

2 En n e rd a le Ave n u e

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Source data supp l ied by the Bu i ld ing Research Estab l i shment