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Vent Test-Air Pressure Test-Sound test
Helping you save energy and money.
Ventilation, Sound and Air tests
Sound test Part E
We offer airborne and impact sound test for domestic buildings to comply with building regulation Part E
Vent test Part F
We provide ventilation tests to cover efficincy of all extract and MVHR systems along side kitchen hoods and fans for domestic and commerciql buildings
Air Permeability test
Air pressure test is done to all new built properties (domestic and commercial) to ensure the air leakage has been minimise in the new developemnts. The survey is done to comply with Part F.
Vent Test
Ventilation test is done to measure the flow rate and electricity consumption of the fans and extract system to make sure the SFP of these units meet the minimum requirements.
We also carry out the vent test on all MVHR (mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery).
Sound Test
There are different regulations in place to deal with sound testing and acoustic designs. These include new domestic properties that no longer meet requirements and are required to comply with Part E - Resistance to the Passage of Sound that came in force July 2003 (amended in 2010) and covers issues such as:
- Minimum standards to be achieved by newly built domestic dwellings
- Protection against sound from other parts the building.
- Protection against sound within a dwelling
- Reverberation in common internal parts of domestic buildings
- There are also additional requirements for domestic buildings in Code for sustainable homes and Eco homes for sustainable designed dwellings.
BREEAM assessment requires all commercial building to achieve a minimum sound test as a part of sustainability design for all commercial buildings. On top of those guidelines there are more specific requirements for classrooms within schools to comply with BB93- Acoustic design of schools.
Sound insulation testing is also required in hospitals and workplaces where noisy activities need to be separated.
Sound Insulation Testing For Compliance with Part E
Building contractors may show compliance with Part E of the Building Regulations by two methods. One method is to register plots to be built with Robust Standard Details Limited and the other is to show as-built performance by Pre-Completion Sound Testing.
Based on Part E - Resistance to the passage of Sound (Amended in 2010) all new build properties and conversions, which were built after July 2003 require 10% of each party wall/floor construction type to be tested. This test is called Pre-Completion Sound Insulation Test.
Sound Testing is carried out between pairs of rooms separated by party walls or floors. The rooms sound tested will be the two main habitable rooms, which would usually be the living rooms and bedrooms.
The sound test procedure involves setting up a noise source like a normal speaker in a room on one side of the party wall and measuring the noise by using a microphone or measuring device on both sides of the partition.
Pre-completion sound testing is generally carried out at the request of the Building Control Officer. The guidance contained within Approved Document E gives detailed recommendations for the partitions to be tested and for the number of sound tests that should be carried out.
Proposed sound testing is normally agreed in advance with the Building Control Officer (or person requiring the sound test).
According to Part E there are two main types of Sound tests:
Airborne Sound test:
Airborne sound tests may be required between horizontally and vertically separated pairs of rooms. The sound tests are undertaken by using a sound source, amplifier and loudspeaker to generate a high noise level in one room (the source room). Noise measurements are then taken in both the source and receiver rooms using a prescribed number of source and microphone positions. The background levels in the receiver room are measured and the reverberation time in the receiver room is also measured.
Impact Sound test: Impact sound test is undertaken using a “tapping machine”, which drops a series of weights onto the floor of the upper room. The noise level in the lower (receiver) room is measured for a prescribed number of source and microphone locations. The background levels in the receiver room are measured and the reverberation time in the receiver room is also measured.
We also undertake sound testing to assess the performance of office partitions, acoustic performance of doors, and walls, and throughout the entertainment industry such as pubs, nightclubs and concerts.
We offer advice on basic remedial measures for failed sound tests. However, this can be avoided if you employ the Air Pressure Testing as your Acoustic consultant from beginning of the project and in the design stages.
What is sound insulation testing?
Sound Insulation Testing is a method of quantifying the sound insulation performance of a wall or floor. Sound insulation testing can be carried out on party walls, party floors or external walls of any building.
What is Pre-Completion Sound Testing?
Pre-Completion Sound Testing is method of showing compliance with Approved Document Part E of the Building Regulations by testing a construction prior to handover. These test normally carried out when the construction of party walls and floors are largely complete. Windows should be in place with any vents closable. Internal and external doors should be in place, along with skirting, cornicing and plug sockets in place. Sound insulation testing on floors must be carried out before any soft coverings are in place.
In order to complete the survey the site should be ready it means
Windows should be fully fitted and trickle vents should be blocked.
All walls, floors and ceiling which are going to be tested in rooms should be completed (including sockets and switches if applicable). Carpets or timber laminates have not been laid in rooms where floors are to be tested.
What is a Robust Standard Detail?
A Robust Standard Detail is party wall or floor construction of proven performance.
Robust Standard Detail Limited produces a handbook containing specifications and checklists for a restricted number of proven constructions based on empirical data.
Air Permability Testing
Table of contents:
1- What is the air tightness test?
2- What is the test procedure?
3- What types of preparations are required before the air tightness tests?
4- How long would it take to carry out the test?
5- Is air permeability test mandatory?
1- What is the air tightness test?
Air tightness test is as an air permeability test, which is carried out by a professional testing company to identify the volume of air escaping from the building. Irrespective of building regulations requirements (Part L1A conservation of fuel and power in new dwellings and Part L2 conservation of fuel and power in Non-dwellings), pressure testing provides some benefits. They provide clear guidance on how to make buildings more energy efficient, cost effective and comfortable.
It also helps to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Air tight buildings prevent conditioned air escaping from the building and any unwanted cold draughts.
2- What is the test procedure?
Air tightness testing is carried out in accordance with the procedures detailed in ATTMA TSL1 for Part L1A conservation of fuel and power in new dwellings and ATTMA TSL2 for Part L2 conservation of fuel and power in new non-dwellings.
Air permeability is expressed as volume flow per hour (m3 h-1) of air supplied to the space per square metre (m-2) of envelope area for an internal to external pressure difference at 50 Pa.
The air permeability test involves connecting a series of small fans, or a large fan, to a suitable aperture in the building envelope (which is normally the entrance door) and pressurising it over a range of pressure differences.
The fan speed is increased in specific intervals up to a maximum and then subsequently decreased.
Air volume flow rate through the fan (equal to the air escaping through the building envelope, such as gaps and uncovered holes) and the pressure difference across the building envelope are recorded at each fan speed.
In calculating air permeability, corrections are made for temperature and barometric pressure.
3- What types of preparations are required before the air tightness tests?
Before the test is carried out, exhaust fans, kitchen hoods and ventilation systems must be thoroughly sealed. Sealing can be achieved with covering the grilles with strong sheets of metal, wood or plastic and appropriate use of strong adhesive tape. Drainage traps should also be filled.
While the pressurisation test is being carried out all external doors and windows must be closed and secured to avoid them being blown open. It is also recommended to tape off all the vents on the windows. Internal doors must to be wedged open during the test to avoid them inappropriately slamming.
The fan unit will create draughts in the building. Lightweight objects and paper near the fan unit should be removed to avoid them being blown away. Large objects such as fixtures and furniture will not be affected.
Access in and out of the building during the test will not be possible (unless there is an emergency and a need to evacuate the building).
There are no health risks to site workers who will remain in the building while the air pressure test is being carried out. However, there may be some discomfort due to cold draughts and some noise from the fan.
4- How long would it take to carry out the test?
The test will take approximately 30-100 minutes for dwelling and up to three times that level for commercial buildings depends on the size of the respective dwelling.
5- Is air permeability test mandatory?
Yes and is based upon the Part L regulation that states buildings need to demonstrate a minimum level of air permeability (10m³/(h.m²)). However, the energy assessor will identify (in SAP report or SBEM report as a design air permeability) what is the minimum requirement, and which figure should be achieved. For a specific building may need to drop lower in order to achieve the overall carbon emission rate.
