Since June 2022, every new dwelling (including conversions) in England and Wales requires an air tightness test to meet Building Regulations.
Current Challenges
This is a potential minefield, particularly with conversions, typically involving many labour hours of sealing and masking with no guarantee of success at the new required levels. Once all cut outs have been made at first fix stage for downlights, light switches, sockets and ventilation, much of a building’s heat loss is via these often overlooked escape routes. In fact an astonishing 40% of heat loss in the UK is due to poor air tightness.
The Solution
This aspect has been an important part of the design process on our current project, particularly with a view to achieving the highest potential EPC rating via all other conventional methods such as A rated combi boilers, app based controls and insulation. We will therefore be utilising a relatively new and little known technology which achieves air tightness at or above the required level in as little as 60 mins (subject to standard preparation procedures).
The Process
The system utilises a combination of pressure and automated ionised sealant stations, which find and seal all building envelope leaks up to ½ inch and as small as a human hair. This ingenious system effectively allows the sealant to self-guide to the edges of leaks, creating an airtight seal whilst providing real-time updates about the progression of the seal.
The building will be kept under pressure until the remaining atomised sealant has ‘overshot’ the goal air tightness level. This ensures the final test will beat any certification or Building Regulations requirements. An in-house certificate to verify your building’s envelope leakage is then issued onsite, guaranteeing a pass at the new required levels.
Please directly contact us if you would like to learn more.
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