Building Compliance
Vision Energy are leading suppliers of air tightness testing for new build residential and commercial properties across the UK. When achieving compliance with Building Regulations, air tightness (permeability) testing targets are set at design stage within your SAP or SBEM Calculations.
Air tightness testing measures the rate at which air passes through the unintentional gaps and cracks in the building fabric. Building Regulations Part L stipulates that the maximum air permeability rate to be achieved for any new build development is 10m³/hr.m². However, a rating of 10 is unlikely to achieve compliance with SAP or SBEM Calculations, so the design target is always project-specific.
It is possible to carry out sample testing on your development if you have a number of units of identical design. However, a 2m³/hr.m² penalty will be applied to each dwelling that is not tested.
When it comes to the target for you air tightness test, you may hear a few figures being used and its important to understand the correct target your development is required to meet. Building Regulations Part L stipulates that the maximum air permeability rate that is to be achieved for any new build development is 8m3.hr.m2. However the likelihood is that if your development achieves a rating of 10 this will not achieve compliance with your SAP Calculations or SBEM Calculations. Therefore get in contact with your energy assessor to get the exact target for your development.
Air tightness testing cost can vary per development as the size and complexity of the development determine the type of air tightness testing required. as a rough guide a single simple dwelling can cost a couple of hundred pounds, whereas a complex commercial development could cost much more. Similarly if your development has multiple dwellings discounts can be applied.