Services
Air Tightness Testing
Air leakage is measured by using a fan pressurisation system (Blower Door). Quite Simply this is where a fan is placed in a doorway, all openings are shut or sealed. Once the fan has pressurised the dwelling, the pressure difference is measured and compared to the external ambient conditions. A range of readings are then recorded, including barometric air pressure, both internal and external temperature and corresponding airflow through the fan to maintain that pressure (usually 7 readings).
Sound / Acoustic Testing
We can conduct analysis on-site for the measurement of sound insulation of separating walls and floors between rooms.
SAP & SBEM Calculations
Part L1 of the Building Regulations came into effect in April 2002. These amendments insist upon the calculation of a SAP rating for all new dwellings and those converted through material change of use. The requirements also necessitate that the Rating is displayed in the property upon completion. SAP is the current ‘Energy Audit’ process and scores a building for Energy Efficiency between 1 and 100.
The SAP procedure for domestic buildings has been upgraded to SAP 2005, incorporating lighting energy, renewable and energy saving technology and takes into account the effects of thermal bridging.
SBEM stands for Simplified Building Energy Model, and it is the preferred method of the government to assess energy in non-residential buildings. These calculations are incredibly important as they are used to prove that the building conforms to the regulations laid down in Building Regulations Approved Document L2A. It does this by comparing the designed Building Emission Rate (BER), with the Target Emission Rate (TER).
