Air Leakage Test Guidelines

As a professional organisation, wherever possible we try to work with our Clients to ensure that their buildings pass the Air Permeability Test first time. To assist you we would like to draw your attention to the following guidelines, which if followed will create the correct conditions to ensure the building does pass first time.

IMPORTANT: The test can only be conducted when climatic conditions are such that an accurate result will be achieved. On the day before the test, the anticipated wind speed will be obtained, which can be no more than 12mph. Where it is likely that this will be exceeded then JSD will contact you to discuss what action should be taken, i.e. reschedule the test or wait until the morning of the test to measure wind speed before reaching a decision.

Before the air permeability test can be carried out, the building should be essentially complete, with doors, windows, fixtures and fittings in place. This will ensure that the air permeability test is measuring the construction of the complete building.

The test is carried out by closing all doors and windows (including trickle vents) and sealing up areas that have a function of allowing air flow, for example extractor fans, that way the equipment will only detect areas of leakage that should not be there.

The most suitable external door will be selected to fit the blower fan assembly – please note that when the test is in progress, nobody will be allowed entry or exit to the building. Anyone working in the building may continue to do so but will be unable to leave until the test is complete, which takes approximately 30 minutes. (Signs will be posted to show when the test is in progress)

The building will be prepared for the test by our Engineer but to help ensure your building passes the Air Permeability Test, the following should be observed:

• All surfaces (walls, floors, ceilings) should be complete with no voids or gaps
• Windows & doors are installed, complete and closed
• Window trickle vents are closed
• Cornice & skirting boards are all in place and sealed to all edges
• All light fittings, power/telephone/aerial sockets & switches are fitted
• Make certain there are no gaps around:
  • Windows, sills, doors & frames
  • Pipes (waste & supply) - Kitchen, Utility, Bathroom, boiler room, radiators, airing cupboard & En-suites
  • Loft hatches
  • Extraction units
  • Ceiling & wall joints at the eaves
  • Electrical sockets & fittings - walls & ceilings
• Ensure there are no gaps giving way to pathways that enable air leakage behind the bonded plasterboard to the walls and through gaps into the cavities
• Air tightness can be significantly improved by applying a sealer coat to the otherwise porous block inner skin prior to bonding plasterboards

Ideally a power supply of 240v sockets should be available, however we do have generators should they be needed

IMPORTANT: The higher the quality of workmanship the less likely your building will fail.

You will be asked to provide the name and contact number of the person who will be responsible for ensuring that the above conditions are met and who will be available during the test should the need arise.

If anything is unclear, or you would like to discuss your specific requirements, then please contact our office on 01366 387354

We hope that you have found the above useful

Thank you