Sound insulation testing
or pre-completion testing must be carried out on new build properties as well as converted properties. A property will either require an Airborne test or an Airborne and Impact test. Airborne tests are carried out on all separating walls between habitable rooms of flats and houses.
Airborne and Impact tests are carried out on the separating floors between habitable rooms of flats. Sound insulation testing must comply with Building Regulations Approved Document E.
All of our sound insulation tests are carried out in accordance with ISO 140-4 and ISO 140-7. All of our test engineers are UKAS accredited for pre-completion sound testing.
Approved Document E
From 2003, Approved Document E states that all new UK builds must undergo pre-completion sound insulation testing. New builds must achieve impact sound test results of no more than 62dB (decibels) and airborne sound loss of no less than 45dB. Converted properties must achieve impact results of 64dB or lower and airborne sound loss of no less than 43dB. Approved Document E sets out details pertaining to the resistance to the passage of sound.
This Approved Document, as part of UK Building Regulations helps to ensure that newly built or converted houses and residencies, flats and residential spaces and other relevant buildings are constructed to minimum standards that provide ‘reasonable resistance to sound from other parts of the same building and from adjacent buildings.’ All of our tests are fully compliant with Approved Document E and our expert team have been carrying out compliant tests for many years, for thousands of satisfied customers throughout the UK.
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Air tightness testing
also known as an air leakage, air infiltration or air permeability testing is a test to indicate the cubic metres of air leakage per hour per square metre of external area of the building – (m3/hr.m2) – as per Part L of Building Regulations.
Air leakage can occur through gaps and cracks in the fabric of the building envelope, allowing heat to escape, thus driving up heating bills and C02 production. Part L of the Building Regulations now requires that a representative sample of all new-build domestic dwellings be tested for air leakage.
All of our tests are carried out in accordance with ATTMA TSL1 (domestic) or TLS2 (commercial) and all our engineers are trained and registered members of ATTMA
Air tightness testing is an often overlooked part of building new houses. It applies to almost every new build dwelling, and a certificate must be held in order to get building control sign-off
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Ventilation testing and ventilation commissioning
Part F of the Building Regulations (2010) introduced the requirement to test the practical performance of ventilation systems in new dwellings. We have experienced engineers who have completed hundreds of tests across the country. Our engineers are all fully BPEC accredited, having completed the Domestic Ventilation course.
Ventilation testing and ventilation commissioning are actually two different things. Testing refers to extractor fans, like you would find in a toilet, bathroom or kitchen. These are tested to see how much air they extract. Commissioning refers to more complicated ventilation systems, such as Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR). These need to be balanced, to make sure the correct amount of air is either being extracted from or supplied to every room in the house.
The tests must be undertaken using UKAS calibrated equipment and should be conducted by an engineer registered with a competent scheme with respect to domestic ventilation technologies. All our engineers have successfully completed the BPEC Domestic Ventilation course and all of our equipment is fully UKAS calibrated.
Ventilation is incredibly important in all dwellings. A property without sufficient ventilation is far more likely to have problems with mould, condensation and damp. In addition to this, Pollutants in your home’s air can cause poor indoor air quality, which in turn may cause dizziness and headaches, plus aggravate allergies and asthma. With a sufficient ventilation system, you’re ensuring a good supply of fresh air and improving yours and your dwelling’s well-being.
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Water efficiency calculations
Are more important than ever for new homes, conversions and developments. Since April 2010, new water efficiency targets must be met, and this makes the calculations to determine a property’s efficiency more important than ever. We regularly carry out these crucial calculations for a wide range of clients across the UK.
These specialised calculations do not only affect the landlord, leaseholder or property owner. They also affect any residents or tenants of the buildings in question as there is a maximum amount of 125L of ‘potable’ water that may be used per person per day. This is to ensure strict adherence to Building Regulations Part G.
Ensuring that properties are properly efficient when it comes to water and its use has never been more important. By ensuring that properties adhere to the regulations, increasing numbers of developments up and down the country are saving large amounts of water and in turn are becoming more environmentally friendly and energy efficient in turn, contributing to better SAPs for properties.
Since April 2010, Building Regulations Part G has applied these laws regarding water efficiency calculations to all new builds and developments throughout the UK. Implementation and enforcing of these laws and regulations is overseen by local authorities and Building Control.
Upon attaining the results needed for a pass, a Water Efficiency Certificate is awarded. Our team regularly works with local building authorities and Building Control bodies to ensure that properties pass their assessment first time round.
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