Testing dwellings

BSRIA provides accredited airtightness testing on new dwellings for Part L1A of the Building Regulations and Section 6 Scottish Building Standards.

With 30 regionally based airtightness testers throughout the UK, BSRIA offers a nationwide, rapid response service to large housebuilders as well as the flexibility for self builders and testing small developments.

Our cost-effective airtightness testing service can be conducted with our sound insulation and ventilation testing for minimal site disruption. We provide:

• airtightness testing; phone 0800 5871000 or email compliance@bsria.co.uk for a quote or to book your test
• design review of construction details to ensure the details are robust
• nationwide coverage with regionally based engineers
• fully accredited engineers to provide certification recognised by Building Control
• rapid response and immediate results
• leakage diagnostics such as infrared thermography and smoke tests to identify air leakage paths if a dwelling fails a test

As a member of ATTMA, BSRIA is UKAS accredited to test to CIBSE TM23, BS EN 13829, and ATTMA TS L1 (pdf 3MB), demonstrating compliance to Part L Building Regulations with certificates recognised by your Building Control Officer.

Airtightness testing of new dwellings is now mandatory for developments of over two units under Part L Building Regulations in England and Wales and Section 6 of the Scottish Building Standards. A sample of each type of dwelling must be tested and be within the air leakage rate stated in the dwelling's SAP calculations.

For one or two units, airtightness testing is not mandatory, but an 'assumed' air leakage rate above the industry norm must be made. Often, it is simpler and more cost-effective for builders to test to prove a lower air leakage rate than to find more complex ways to demonstrate energy saving.

We will provide a free testing regime for Part L Building Regulations compliance and Section 6 Scottish Building Standards, calculating how many of each type of dwelling will need to be tested. From your build plan, we can also help you decide when testing will be most cost effective and keep site disruption to a minimum.

In order to provide this, we will require the following information:

• SAP calculation worksheets for each dwelling
• floor plans and sections for each dwelling
• Regulation / Standard you are conforming to
• site layout
• build program (if available)

Contact us on 0800 5871000 or compliance@bsria.co.uk for a quote and to book your test.