Air Permeability Testing – Ensuring Compliance with Parts L1A & L2A of Building Regulations

Air permeability testing is essential for all new domestic and commercial builds to conform to Parts L1A & L2A of the Building Regulations. Our team at Airtight Testing Staffordshire provides fast and reliable air permeability testing services across the Midlands and, on request, throughout the UK.

What is Air Permeability Testing?

An air permeability test measures the amount of air lost due to the design of a building. The test is performed using a specialised fan that depressurises or pressurises the dwelling, as required.

Why Choose Airtight Testing Staffordshire for Your Air Permeability Testing Needs?

Our team at Airtight Testing Staffordshire offers a fast and reliable air permeability test service, ensuring that your new build complies with building regulations.

What Are the Air Permeability Requirements for New Builds?

According to building regulations, the maximum air permeability value for new builds is 10 m3/h/m2, but every new build has its own designated air permeability target, known as a “target score.” Your SAP assessor usually assigns this target score at the beginning of the project.

Our air permeability test ensures that your new build meets the initial target set by your SAP assessor. Building control can approve the air permeability score and your SAP calculations if your property meets the required air permeability target.

Choose Airtight Testing Staffordshire for Air Permeability Testing to ensure your new build fully complies with Parts L1A & L2A of the Building Regulations.

What is Test Sampling?

When multiple buildings of the same type and size are present, you may be able to get a sample test. While this can save some time, this air permeability testing method does incur a 2 m3.h/m2 penalty to all dwellings that have not been tested. That’s why it is vital to have higher build specifications across the tested dwellings to meet building regulation requirements.

With the requirements being more difficult to meet, testing dwellings individually is often more cost-effective. Doing your air permeability test this way ensures that you can avoid penalties being applied to each dwelling by building control.