Domestic Dwellings

Air Tightness Information Pack - PDF download

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Dwellings Air Tigtness, SAP & Sound Testing Brochure (PDF download)

HRS Services are able to offer a dual UKAS accredited service of, air-permeability testing and sound testing, all under one roof. Guiding you from design to testing completion with regards to both Part L and Part E of the Building Regulations.

Your air-seal line will normally be your dry lining. Therefore before we visit you to test your property this simple guide will help you prepare for our visit.

Hints and Tips before your air-test

• Power is available in/near the test area.
• You have calculated your envelope area. If we don’t have this we cannot give a result.  (This may be provided by HRS, please enquire for details).
• Temporary Sealing of all mechanical ventilation. (Even though your expel air/Kitchen hood is off it will still be a leakage path).
• Closing all trickle vents and make sure windows close properly
• Making sure all water traps are either filled or temporarily sealed
• Making sure the trap to the roof void is in and has an air-tight fitting.
• Make sure there are NO HOLES in the dry lining.
  
  This includes:

• Sealing around services penetrating the dry lining. Service penetrations usually hidden behind kitchen / bathroom and other units and in service cupboards are still susceptible to air-leakage.
• Sealing either the bottom of the lining or the bottom of the skirting boards.
• Sealing the joins of window / door sills and the dry lining.
• Sealing gaps around mechanical / non mechanical air vents
• Sockets and light fittings are fitted correctly with gaps around the sides sealed.

• Please remember that Acoustic/loft insulation isn’t air-tight.

The sound test is more complex and is focused on the construction of the party walls/floors themselves rather than focusing on the finishing.

Hints and Tips before your Sound test

• Access is available to adjacent apartments
• All doors are fitted and are able to be closed (not freshly painted)
• Power is available, preferably 240v in the rooms themselves to avoid running cables and having gaps in doorways
• NO ground or construction works are going ahead during testing. High levels of site noise can lead to poor results, even failures
• No carpets are to be laid, if so then you may be asked for them to be taken up
• Plans are available and wall/floor construction is known

If in doubt please contact us, or view FAQ.  HRS Services are always happy to advise.

HRS Services also offer SAP rating. Please contact to discuss.