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HomeAir Tightness Testing
Air tightness testing is now part of the Building regulations Part L 2007
and it applies to dwellings, where the work commences or takes place, on
or after 1 July 2008. (Exempted from this regulation are dwellings where
the work commences before July 2008, or where planning permission has
been applied for before June 30, 2008 and substantial work has been
completed by July 1 2009.)
The aim of the testing is to reduce energy losses from the dwelling in the
form of air leakage. Building owners and occupiers should experience
substantial savings in heating costs as the result.
The air tightness test, or pressure testing, is a non-destructive check of unwanted ventilation i.e. drafts, resulting
from poor specification, materials and workmanship. A performance level of 10m3/ (hr.m2) is quoted in Part L
as the ‘reasonable upper limit for air permeability’.
The pressure testing process supplies air to a building at a variety of air flow rates and measures the resulting
pressure differentials across the building. Internal and external temperatures and barometric pressure are also
measured to provide corrected airflow rate measurements.
The measurements will be verified on site and results given. A full report is then issued, which will be required
to confirm compliance with Part L.
Please contact us for more information and/ or to arrange one of our experts to carry out this service.
On a windy day, carefully hold a lit incense stick or a smoke pen next to your windows, doors, electrical
boxes, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures, attic hatches,
and other locations where there is a possible air path to the outside. If the smoke stream travels horizontally, you have located an air leak that may need caulking, sealing, or weatherstripping
Contact us for more information.
BER assessments for commercial buildings differ greatly to the already established domestic BER sector.
BER Ireland offers a complete assessment allowing the client to avail of best practice energy saving advice.
The aim of the air tightness testing is to reduce energy losses from the dwelling in the form of air leakage.
The energy audit will provide you with a specific report relating to your property which will address any weaknesses.