About 24Nationwide
24Nationwide is a long-established Facilities Management firm with regional offices in Yorkshire and the North West. We have built a great reputation as a leading provider of commercial cleaning services, building maintenance and facilities management (FM). Our client base is very diverse, as we continue to deliver high quality contract solutions in various industries across the UK.
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Air Permeability Testing & Air Tightness Testing in a Diverse Range of Industries
Yr As Fach
Arenas & Venues
Automotive
Commercial
Construction
Education
Hotels & Restaurants
Industry & Manufacturing
Logistics
Managing Agents
Medical
Public Sector
Residential
Retail
Sports & Leisure
Transport
How are these air tests different?
Air Permeability Test
An air permeability test measures the volume of air that escapes from a building per hour. This test verifies if your building is well-insulated, which not only improves energy efficiency but can also increase fire safety. Proper air direction helps control flame spread, while excessive air leakage can fan flames, accelerating fire spread throughout the structure.
Airtightness Test
An airtightness test, also known as an air permeability test, assesses how much air escapes through gaps and cracks in a building. A specialised fan is used to pressurise and depressurise the structure, determining the rate of uncontrolled air loss from inside to outside. For new residential and commercial buildings, regulations require specific air permeability targets, making it essential to conduct the test early to ensure compliance.
Part L1A & L2A Building Regulations
Since 2006, Part L1A and L2A of the Building Regulations mandate airtightness testing for all new domestic and commercial builds. This testing measures uncontrolled air leakage through gaps and cracks in the building envelope using a fan to pressurise or depressurise the building.
Do I Need an Airtightness Test?
If your commercial building experiences significant heat loss, an airtightness test can identify areas for improvement, potentially saving you hundreds of pounds each year on energy costs. An airtightness test is also essential to meet building regulations. Moreover, better air control can improve fire safety by reducing the risk of flames spreading rapidly.
How Do You Pass an Airtightness Test?
To pass an airtightness test, a building must achieve a target air permeability score, typically between 1 and 10, which is set by an SAP assessor. Achieving this score is essential for building compliance. To ensure success, enlist an experienced airtightness technician to guide the process and help you meet your target, as buildings are only approved once this standard is met.
The Benefits of Airtightness Testing
Choosing an airtightness test with 24Nationwide offers multiple advantages worth considering:
Property Benefits
If your property lacks airtightness or is overly airtight, it risks internal structural damage. Everyday activities, like cooking and cleaning, produce heat and humidity that can seep into cracks and gaps. When this moisture reaches the building’s structural envelope, it can lead to damage.
Additionally, an insufficiently airtight property allows internal air, heat, and moisture to escape. Over time, this moisture accumulates in hard-to-reach areas, causing condensation. Left unchecked, this can lead to rot, mold, and dampness. Conducting an airtightness test helps prevent these issues and protects your commercial building.
Environmental Benefits
Our environmental impact has led to significant challenges, such as climate change. To address this, the UK Government aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by half by 2025, with the goal of being carbon-neutral by 2050. Improved building practices, including increased airtightness, support this effort by enhancing energy efficiency.
By ensuring your property is airtight, you contribute to reduced carbon emissions. With better temperature regulation, your commercial building requires less energy for heating, reducing your environmental impact and supporting the goal of lowering overall carbon emissions.
Financial Benefits
An airtight property not only benefits the environment and building integrity but also saves you money. Temperature regulation is challenging in a property that isn’t airtight, as heat escapes through cracks and gaps. By ensuring your commercial building is airtight, it retains temperature more effectively, reducing the energy needed for heating and cooling and leading to lower energy bills.