Air Tightness Testing

AND VENTILATION TESTING
  1. Services
  2. Air Tightness Testing

In order to offer our clients Air Tightness Testing and Ventilation Testing; Dragonfly Consulting have formed a partnership with Northern Air Tightness Testing Services.

Since 2006 all new domestic and commercial buildings are required to be tested for Air Permeability; in order to comply with Part L1 and Part L2 of Building Regulations.

This means that for a dwelling to be deemed as habitable and meet Part L1A of the Building Regulations it needs to achieve the standard of air tightness set at the SAP Design Stage; and be energy efficient. In subsequent amendments to Building Regulations the levels of air tightness have become more stringent as dwelling emission rates have been lowered. This has put a greater emphasis on building more air tight buildings.

Air Tightness Testing is a method of calculating this by quantifying how much air leaks in or out of the building. For this we use the term ‘Air Leakage’ which is defined as ‘the uncontrolled flow of air through gaps and cracks in the building fabric’.

Areas for potential leakage which should be given particular attention during the build process are:

  • Behind Kitchen/Utility units or fitted bedroom or bathroom furniture.
  • Where all walls meet a floor.
  • Around windows and external doors.
  • Around any pipework leading into or out of the building.
  • Around sockets and other electrical points.

In addition to Air Tightness Testing; the 2010 Part F Building Regulations require developers to verify the performance of ventilation in new dwellings. This requires the validation of the measurement of air flow through mechanical extraction systems for every dwelling constructed as well as ensuring that the system has been commissioned correctly.

All site visits and testing will be carried out by a qualified Northern Air Tightness Testing engineer, all of whom are members of the Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association (ATTMA) in addition to having completed the BPEC Domestic Ventilation course. This ensures the consistent quality and accuracy of measurements undertaken to indicate compliance with the Building Regulations.

If you would like more information about our Air Tightness Testing services please contact us to discuss your requirements

Our Services

Architectural Acoustics

Our Consultancy Team offers a construction review service to assist in the acoustic design of buildings from inception through to construction. During the design phase, potential issues such as room acoustics, speech privacy and reducing the impact of external noise sources are all taken into account.

Commercial & Industrial Development

Our team has worked on projects as diverse as medical facilities, hotels, university lecture theatres, residential houses and flats, music rooms and interview suites. In all instances we ensure that acoustic separation between rooms meets both the regulatory requirements and the standards of the client.

Residential Development

When applying for planning permission for a residential development, it’s likely that a Noise Impact Assessment will be required to ensure noise from external sources is kept within suitable limits. Such assessments are generally formed under the guidance within British Standard 8233:2014.

Wind Turbine Noise

Dragonfly Consulting has been involved in the development of over 200 wind turbine sites and has considerable experience liaising with local authorities to establish their requirements for assessment of applications. We have also been involved in the type approval of new wind turbines coming into the UK.

Construction Management

When applying for planning permission it’s likely that a Planning Noise Assessment will be required. For this you will need an Acoustic Consultant. Dragonfly Consulting can help with your project from single dwellings to developments of 100 properties.

Health & Safety at Work

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations came into force in Great Britain on April 6th 2006. To comply with the regulations every employer must take steps to protect their employees, initially by undertaking a workplace noise assessment.

Air Tightness Testing

In order to offer our clients Air Tightness Testing and Ventilation Testing; Dragonfly Consulting have formed a partnership with Northern Air Tightness Testing Services, ensuring our projects comply with Part L1 and Part L2 of Building Regulations.

Expert Witness & Legal Services

Chris Chittock, Managing Director of Dragonfly Consulting, has extensive experience in the preparation of expert witness services and providing technical evidence for planning enquiries, local authority licensing hearings and the civil courts.

Lighting Design

Good lighting design enhances safety and improves security, it encourages movement, and encourages people to participate in outdoor working and sports activities. Good lighting design improves opportunities giving us a higher quality of life.

Ecological Appraisals

Ecological appraisals are often required to support planning applications to ensure compliance with the Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, and to ensure the client has regard to conserving biodiversity in the exercise of their functions.

Heritage Consultancy

In order to offer our clients Heritage Assessment and Consultancy services; Dragonfly Consulting have formed a partnership with Humble Heritage. Headed by Senior Heritage Consultant Liz Humble, the team at Humble Heritage allow us to offer to our clients an extensive range of heritage consultancy on all aspects of the historic environment.

Air Quality Consultancy

Dragonfly Consulting in partnership with Kairus Ltd has extensive experience in providing monitoring, modelling and impact assessment services across a wide range of projects within the Air Quality sector. With extensive experience with the provision of air quality elements for Environmental Impact Assessments as well as stand-alone air quality projects.
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