Air Tightness Testing
Forsah is NSAI certified to conduct air tightness (or air permeability) testing for new residential builds. This is crucial for complying with Part L regulations, which require a maximum air leakage of 5 m³ /hr.m² .
Our experience in minimising heat losses due to air leakage makes us the ideal partner for on-site testing. The test involves applying positive and negative pressure to the building envelope to measure air escape.
Requirements for Air Tightness Testing
Forsah execute airtightness tests in line with the technical guidance documents and are certified with the NSAI to conduct tests to ISO 9972:2015 Thermal performance of buildings — Determination of air permeability of buildings — Fan pressurization method. All staff are highly trained in the method to ensure that tests can be carried accurately and effectively for your project. Detailed performance test reports are supplied following the on-site testing to the standards requirements.
Benefits of Good Air Tightness
Air leakage occurs in various locations through your building envelope in areas such as joints where building fabrics meet or where services penetrate the air tightness barrier. Minimising air leakage through the building envelope has many benefits including:
Increasing thermal comfort in the dwelling.
Reduce cold drafts
Increasing energy efficiency
Reducing your heating loads
Increased efficiency of MVHR systems
Making your building compliant with regulations
Achieving a Good Air Tightness Test Result
To achieve the air tightness result required it is important that there is full consideration taken to air leakage right from the design stage of your building.
We recommend engagement with your architect, engineer and builder right from the start of your project to identify any details which may be more difficult to achieve an airtight seal.
When choosing your airtightness materials and contractors it is critical to choose solutions which have the necessary certification and training.
During the construction process there should be constant quality control measures on the air tightness barriers to ensure that there are no compromises which would lead to air leakage.
There should be at least one provisional air tightness test carried out during the project to help identify potential air leaks at a time when they can be rectified.
Our Building Compliance Services
From expert BER assessments to in-depth acoustic testing, we ensure your projects meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and sustainability.
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