| Air Tightness Testing | Residential Testing |
Stroma is uniquely experienced in air-tightness work within dwellings. Over many years we have been engaged in projects that have specified ‘best practise’ air-permeability levels, such as EcoHomes, dwellings by AECB members (Association of Environment Conscious Builders) and Super-E Homes. Attainment of air permeability rates of less than 2 m3/(hr.m2) @50Pa has been typical in these cases.
From April 2006, the Building Regulations Approved Document Part L1A requires sample testing on most new residential developments. Stroma provide a range of services that will prove invaluable in enabling builders achieve cost effective compliance.
Our early involvement with a Development can be the key to achieving cost effective ‘first time’ compliance with the requirements of Part L.
 | - Site Inspections & Reports: The provision of an air-tightness expert to inspect air-barrier details within ‘work in progress’ plots on site can be of considerable assistance to hard-pressed Site Managers. Not only can potential problem areas be identified and addressed early in the programme, our detailed, illustrated reports provide invaluable third-party evidence to put before potentially culpable sub-contractors.
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 | - Formal ‘Acceptance Testing’ & Certification: Having all the necessary quality systems, procedures and UKAS accreditation in place, Stroma are accepted by Building Control bodies as being suitably qualified to carry out the formal air-permeability testing and certification to the required ATTMA ‘TS1’ standard.
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We liaise closely with site management to ensure that testing in conducted with the minimum of disruption. In addition to the actual testing, our service includes the detailed calculation of the dwelling’s ‘air barrier envelope area’, all necessary test preparation, such as temporary sealing of ventilation, and in the event of test-failure, we conduct a thorough inspection of the dwelling, using smoke testing techniques to locate the air leakage sites.