Company News
- Industry body ATTMA says: “Air Pressure Testing is a Force for Good!"
- Thermal Imaging Service
- We Air Test for BBC Radio 4
- Sound/Acoustic Service
PRESS RELEASE - Issued: Sept 9th 2011 for immediate release.
Air Tightness Testing & Measurement Association
Research recently carried out by the BRE, on behalf of the ATTMA and BINDT, indicates that in a typical UK dwelling, improving the air-tightness of its fabric from 16 to 5 m3/(m2.hr)@50Pa reduces the space heating load during the heating season by around a third.
Furthermore, it is reasonable to assert that proportionat reductions in space heating load are attained by improving air-tightness from say 10 to 5 m3/(m2.hr)@50Pa, which is the sort of impact that air-tightness testing has had since its introduction into Part L1A in 2006. Considering the number of plots built since (plus all the non-dwellings), and the number of heating seasons that they’ll each experience, then we are taking about a vast saving in energy, cost and carbon.
So surely air-tightness improvement, driven by pre-completion testing, is a force for good?
Not according to Mr Edmund Vaughan in his recent widely published article, in which he appears to suggest that the increased air-tightness testing that the new Part L1A 2010 stipulates will "add up to 60 per cent to the cost of ensuring a building is compliant for very little additional value".
As well as being baseless, this statement is reckless, resulting in one interpretation that "...new Part L pressure testing regulations could add up to 60 percent to the cost of developing residential property” (from the article "RICS study shows true cost of Part L").
Mr Vaughan also suggests that “sample testing” is no longer an option under 2010 part L1A, when categorically it is; and more’s the pity when usually the only way to ensure that a dwelling will be adequately air-sealed is the prospect of it being independently tested. In our experience, Site Managers unashamedly target air-sealing work on only the plots ear-marked for testing. To be honest, if I was in their boots, so would I!
The notion that developers seeking to recommence house-building are going to be “in for a nasty shock” as a result of the increased air-tightness testing requirements is pretty absurd when we are talking about something that amounts to around 0.0006 of the cost of modest dwelling!
So, granted, there’s a housing shortage but let’s get real; increased air-tightness testing - or indeed Part L as a whole - is not going to stop developers building. That’s the preserve of the banks.
Meanwhile, there is also a changing climate and escalating fuel prices to consider. Haven’t the owners and occupants of new homes a right to expect them to be as efficient as possible?
A ‘fabric-first’ approach to energy efficient building, exemplified by Passivhaus, is now widely accepted. Notably, while requiring fastidious design and construction quality procedures, Passivhaus still requires 100 percent air-tightness testing.
Rob Coxon
Chair- Air Tightness Testing & Measurement Association (ATTMA)
Director, Stroma Technology Ltd.
r.coxon@stroma.com
0845 621 11 11
For further information, contact:
The British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing
Newton Building
St George's Avenue
Northampton
NN2 6JB
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1604 89 3811 Email: info@bindt.org
Notes:
BRE - Building Research Establishment
ATTMA - Air Tightness Testing & Measurement Association
BINDT - British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing
Thermal Imaging and Infrared Surveys.
We can carry out simple thermal imaging of buildings with our own test equipment. However if more in-depth thermal imaging is required we can arrange a comprehensive thermal imaging survey and consultation service via an ITC certified and UKTA registered partner organisation. Infrared thermography (thermal imaging) is ideal for non-invasive assessment of areas such as flat roofs, walls and pipework. It will also quickly identify defects such as missing or damaged insulation and render, as well as condensation problems.
As with our air tests, all work is carried out with minimal disruption and can be scheduled around your site requirements.
For more information telephone: 01799 540220.
BBC Radio 4's Tom Heap turns to Air Leakage Testing.
Air Leakage Testing performed an air test for the BBC earlier this year as part of a programme on Radio 4 called Costing the Earth.
When presenter Tom Heap bought a rundown cottage near Rugby in Warwickshire he was shocked by the heating and electricity bills. As part of a year-long project to reduce his family's energy consumption he drafted in Air Leakage Testing to advise on minimising heat loss. The results were broadcast in April this year.
Although reliant upon Tom's commentary throughout, listeners were treated to Tom's family's obvious delight at the sight of smoke billowing out of gaps in window and door frames and loose tiles, as Keith Bartlett of Air Leakage Testing pumped air into the building with a giant fan. Air tests don't normally involve the use of smoke but it made good radio!
Keith then toured the exterior of the house with an infra-red heat-detecting gun pointing outobvious areas of heat loss. To hear the broadcast visit the BBC Radio 4 Science pages.
Sound Testing.
Acoustic or sound testing may be required if your building is to comply with Part E of the Building Regulations. We work closely with a partner organisation that is a member of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) and the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC).
Before starting work on any project where acoustics or sound insulation may be an issue it's wise to seek guidance from a qualified consultant. Our advisors will review your plans and confirm whether or not any proposed noise reduction measures meet the required standards. Often they will point out ways in which to save you money.
As with our air leakage testing service, our emphasis is always on pointing out common pitfalls before you commit to difficult or costly sound reduction measures, and to providing you with as much practical assistance and feedback as possible on testing procedures.
For more information about noise testing telephone: 01473 893997.