Airtightness testing Kerry and Munster

DESIGN AND FITTING

We will design an airtightness strategy that is suitable for all construction types and supervise from plans through to final air test. The airtightness detail will be drawn up and priced, based on an agreed level of airtightness. Before installation the strategy will be communicated to the building team. A quality control procedure will be developed to ensure that all subcontractors have an understanding on site of the airtightness measures taken at joints, intersections, junctions, services points etc and how this relates to their trade.

AIRTIGHTNESS TESTING:

Airtightness testing measures the flow of air within a building. It helps to identify unwanted and uncontrolled air leakage through gaps and cracks within the building fabric. Reducing air leakage by improving the air tightness of a building will dramatically reduce heat loss, and so saves you money on your heating costs. This does not mean, that there will be a lack of fresh air entering the building; however it just means that the flow of air becomes controlled. The aim is to "Build Tight and Ventilate Right''. Air Tightness Testing is also known as Air Permeability Testing or Air Leakage Testing. It is now mandatory that an Airtightness Test is carried out for all new dwellings to comply to the 2011 Building Regulations. The airtightness test must be carried out before the building is habitable in accordance to European Standard EN 13829.

Domestic new builds

should be constructed to a minimum air permeability of 7m³/hr/m² at 50 Pa. However, this is only a backstop value and it is better to achieve a value of at least 3m³/hr/m² at 50 Pa, and below especially if a MHRV is part of the design. It is advisable to carry out a quality assurance test when the air barrier is complete and not covered up. This allows for leaks to be identified and sealed with minimum disruption.

Multi Units Developments

Air Tightness Testing is to be carried on a proportion of dwellings on all development sites. The guidelines are based on each dwelling type. In the case where a number of apartment blocks are on the same site, each block should be treated as a separate development.

Number of Units	Number of Tests
4 or less	One Test
Greater than 4, but equal or less than 40	Two Tests
Greater than 4, but equal or less than 100	At least 5% of the dwelling type
More than 100 (a) where the first five tests achieve the design air permeability (b) where one or more of the first five tests do not achieve the design air permeability	At least 2% (for dwellings in excess of first 100 units) At Least 5% of units, until 5 successful consecutive tests are achieved, 2% thereafter

Common air leakage problems > Areas to tackle in a Airtightness Retrofit

Waste/service pipes penetrating the external walls 
Fittings and service penetrations in ceilings. 
Poorly fitted windows and doors. 
Poor draught stripping to doors, windows and attic hatches. 
Damaged vapour control layers. 
Gaps in mortar joints  Joists and slabs built into external walls. 
Open chimneys without dampers. 
Gaps at floor/external wall junction and wall and roof junction.

Building Regs Part L Compliance

We will assist architects, builders, self-build construction teams with achieving Part L compliance. We will carry out a thorough check of plans and specifications to ensure that they meet with the new regulations and issue Part L compliance report and Provisional BER certificate. All new buildings & significant refurbishment, must show that they meet the minimum efficiency standards as set out in the 2011 Part L Technical Guidance Document. A full analysis of your plans by our assessors will ensure, efficiency and cost effective design, with full compliance under the following headings:

Thermal Envelope and Building Fabric Heat Loss
Building Airtightness, Ventilation & Thermal Bridging
Building Services & Controls
Renewable Energy Contribution
BER (Provisional / Final)
DEAP Compliance Report
EPC and CPC Energy and Carbon Performance Coefficients
Refurbishment of Existing Buildings

Land Registry Mapping for Property Sales

We provide a land registry compliant mapping service, required legally for first registration of title on some property sales. We provide a complete service of site survey and production of maps for submission to Property Registration Authority (Land Registry). Please call or email for competitive & affordable quote.

Land Registry Mapping

When a property or part of a property requires a new title, the plot needs to be lodged and approved by the Land Registry (Property Registration Authority). Some properties may not have been previously registered, and may have to go through a process called First Registration, your solicitor will inform you if its required. You can also check yourself if your property has been previously registered with The Land Registry - click on the following link https://www.landdirect.ie/pramap.aspx/ . If your site or property is not outlined in red/green, it has not been registered.

Ventilation and Moisture Managment

Improved Buildings Regulation standards are resulting in higher levels of thermal insulation and airtightness in new build and renovation projects. So it is vital that suitable ventilation is also designed and installed into the build; to ensure the health of the dwelling, its occupants and compliance with building regulation. Compliance requires, for example, a permanent open vent where a combustible appliance is used in the room (stove or fireplace). Other rooms require a minimum amount of supply air extraction and purge ventilation.

Analysis of your plans or the result of our air tightness test can help us determine the correct level of ventilation to comply with Building Regulations Part F; and decide whether to proceed with natural ventilation or to adopt a more energy efficient mechanical ventilation system.

Certification of Near Zero Energy Buildings Ireland nZEB

What is the nZEB standard?

The European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive Recast 2010 (EPBD) requires all new buildings to be nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) by 31st December 2020 and all buildings acquired by public bodies by 31st December 2018.

Residential buildings: The Irish Government is implementing the Energy Performance Building Directive 2010 recast through revised building regulations for homes which are proposed to come into force on 1st April 2019. This means that any dwelling receiving planning permission after 1st April should meet the nZEB standard. Substantial completion must have been achieved by 1st April 2020. After 2020 all homes irrespective of when they received planning permission should achieve the new standard.

Non-residential buildings: The revised regulations require buildings to use up to 60% less energy than allowed under current regulations, plus a requirement for up to 20% of this final demand to be met with renewables. If a higher level of efficiency is achieved the renewables ratio may be reduced to 10% of final demand. Note: final demand does not include tenant equipment. This comes into force on the 1st January 2019, with a transitional arrangement that does not extend beyond the 1st January 2020. This means that the current regulations – Technical Guidance Document L -conservation of Fuel and Energy (2008 ) can only be used beyond 1st January 2019 if Substantial work had been completed by 1st January 2020 one year ahead of the 31st December 2021 deadline for NZEB itself.

Concave Design Services:

We provide a seamless solution from building design stage right through to certification of the completed building.

By modelling your building, early in the process, through calculation software, we will insure compliance with current Part L and nZEB building regulations. This provides a complete build methodology to follow for the entire process allowing for smart decisions to be made that save on both energy and build costs.

Airtightness testing Kerry and Munster

DESIGN AND FITTING