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In November 2006 a new Building Regulation (Part f1) came into force which means that all new dwellings must achieve a higher standard of Air Tightness. We at Air Tight Solutions can help you achieve these standards.

We are an Armagh based company registered with the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) and therefore qualified to test to ATTMA TS1 standard throughout Ireland. Using the latest technology imported from Canada we can offer a thorough service which can trace air leakage in homes, therefore reducing fuel costs and improving the energy efficiency levels of homes.

Airtight Solutions are a recognised company by building Control qualified to carry out services to the Building & Construction Industries and home owners.

The services we provide are:

• Air Leakage Testing for New Homes
• Domestic Energy Assessment
• SAP Calulations

We will prepare building for testing and complete the necessary report for building control.

Before testing the house we will firstly need to calculate the exact area of the building by using the house plans.

Then using the fan blower equipment on the front door of the house, we will carry out the test to check for air leakage.

Once this has been done we will collect all the necessary data, and issue a report to the Site Manager, which must then be fowarded to Building Control within seven days.

If a building fails the test the engineer may offer a srnoke test to be carried out before a re-test is undertaken.

When the house has successfully completed the test we will inform BINDT, and the required ATTMA TSI standard certificate will be issued.

From November 2006 Building Regulations approved document f1 which requires a sample of approximately 10% of all new residential and private housing to have an air leakage test.

Where 'approved' construction details have been adopted one test should be carried out on each dwelling type on each development. Separate blocks of flats are considered as separate buildings.

The following constitutes a change of dwelling type:

• Change in method of construction eg. Timber frame and brick or block
• Ground floor, mid floor, and top floor flats
• End terrace and mid terrace
• Semi-detached and detached
• Significant changes in building floor area ie. 2 bed/3 bed

Where approved construction details have not been adopted, then each dwelling as above but with an increased sampling regime as follows:

• type 3 or less  - One test of each dwelling type
• 4 to 40  - Two tests of each dwelling type
• 40 or more - At least 5% of each dwelling type unless the first 5 units achieve the design air permeability, then the frequency subsequently reduced to 2%.

For developments with one or two units, one unit must be tested [or two if they are a different arrangement or construction type). The only exceptions are if:

• The identical construction has been built by the same builder within the past 12mths and has successfully passed the air tighness test.
• A poor default value of 15m3/h/m2 is accepted in the SAP 2005 calculations.
• The building control officer will choose which units are to be tested - in accordance with Part f1 regulations.