Northern Ireland
In direct response to the implementation of the New Parts F1 & F2 of the Building Regulations, which apply to all projects applying for building control after 1st December 2006, Stroma have opened a base in Banbridge, Co. Down
With experience gained from working with numerous builders during the early years of Parts L1 & L2 in England & Wales we are ideally placed to work with the architectural and contracting community in Northern Ireland as the regulations start to take effect.
General Manager Mike Crotty says ‘We are setting our stall out as air-tightness consultants who will be able to provide valuable input into both the design and build process such that compliance with the air-tightness requirements is more likely to be achieved when we finally carry out the test. To our knowledge we are the only fully UKAS/ATTMA/BiNDT accredited air-tightness specialists to be directly based in Northern Ireland.’
A comprehensive range of desk top and site services are available at the pre commencement stage including:
- SAP calculations as required under Part F1
- SBEM calculation as required under Part F2
- Acoustic Surveys as stipulated in Planning Policy Guidance 24 (Planning & Noise)
- BREAM assessments
- Code for Sustainable Homes
- CPD style training seminars
Upon commencement on site we provide
- Design Workshops – an open forum for the entire design team to discuss and agree the air barrier strategy on any given project.
- Design Reviews – involving a drawing-by-drawing, detail-by-detail review of the scheme, which may be of more benefit on projects with an onerous air leakage target.
- Air Barrier Site Audits – involving a thorough room-by-room walk through checking that the agreed detailing is being implemented on site. The findings are submitted to the design team in the form of an illustrated report.
- Sample Testing – a pre test quality check to demonstrate that generic or repeat details are working, thus improving the chance of a compliant test upon completion.
- Fully Accredited Air Tightness Tests – undertaken by experienced, fully trained engineers using calibrated equipment and software based in Northern Ireland
We have found that this structured approach is being adopted by such contractors as Farrans, Graham’s and McLaughlin & Harvey on a range of major contracts.
To engage Stroma on your next project, please send dimensioned construction drawings of the plans, elevations and sections of the building in question to info@stroma.com and we will provide a detailed proposal by return.
Republic of Ireland
Over recent years, Stroma have worked on various projects in the Republic, having carried out air-tightness tests on several retail projects, room integrity testing at Huntsdown Power Station, and notably an air-test on a large manufacturing facility in Athlone that proved to be one of the most air-tight buildings we've ever tested.
The New Part L
New Dwellings
Part L (New Dwellings) of the Building Regulations was revised with effect from 1st July 2008. As with Parts L and F in England/Wales and Northern Ireland respectively, a new dwelling shall be designed and constructed so as to improve the energy performance of the building. This is established at design stage using the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure and is proven by ‘sample’ air leakage testing upon completion. Not every dwelling, on every development needs to be tested but the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government has stipulated testing in accordance with the following table:
| Number of units |
Number of tests |
| 4 or less |
One test |
| Greater than 4, but equal or less than 40 |
Two tests |
| Greater than 40, 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 |
At least 2% (for dwellings in excess of first 100 units) |
| (b) where one or more of first five tests do not achieve the design air permeability |
At least 5% of units, until 5 successful consecutive tests are achieved, 2% thereafter |
In the event that one of the chosen dwellings fails to achieve its required air permeability rate, remedial works will be carried out; the building is re-tested, as is another of the same type on the development.
The target air leakage rate stated in the regulations is 10m3 (m2/hr)@50Pa
New Buildings other than Dwellings
The Non Domestic Energy Assessment Procedure (NEAP) is the methodology for demonstrating compliance with specific aspects of Part L of the Building Regulations.
As registered assessors Stroma use the SEI approved SBEM software to calculate monthly energy use and CO2 emissions of a building. The process considers the location/orientation of the structure, its construction details and material and proposed M&E systems for heating, ventilation and lighting.
To provide the initial, or ‘as designed’ calculation we would require the following items:
- Mechanical & Electrical Design Drawings on AutoCAD (dwg format) - if applicable
- M&E Specifications – if applicable.
- Architectural floor plans, Elevations and sections on AutoCAD (dwg format)
- Architect’s construction drawings detailing the insulation and U-values achieved.
- Site layout and location plan
Upon completion of the project, an ‘as built’ revision is made that reflects any changes in specification that may have occurred over the course of the contract.
As with dwellings, the default figure featured in the calculation is 10m3 (m2/hr)@50Pa, however, a more air tight building will assist in achieving an improved Building Energy Rating. In our experience, should the design team be looking to achieve a greater level of air tightness, this should be designed and built in from the outset. Stroma can assist in this process with:
- CIBSE approved CPD Seminars – ‘Achieving Air Tight Buildings’
- Design Workshops and Reviews
- Site Audits
- Sample Testing
With a physical presence in Ireland, with locally based equipment and manpower, we are well placed to respond to the requirements for air-tightness testing, be it client driven or indeed stipulated under the new Part L of the Building Regulations.
To engage Stroma on your next project, please send dimensioned construction drawings of the plans, elevations and sections of the building in question to info@stroma.com and we will provide a detailed proposal by return.
The Team
Michael Crotty – General Manager Ireland
m. +44 7976 824 621
e. m.crotty@stroma.ie
Michael’s primary roles are to meet with builders and contractors to discuss their requirements. to co-ordinate the resources required to complete the scope of works and the timely production of relevant reports. Prior to setting up the Stroma office in Banbridge, Mike was involved in various sales, marketing and Project Management activities, all related to the construction industry both in Ireland and the UK
Timothy Law – Senior Test Engineer
m. +44 7816 153 161
e. t.law@stroma.ie
Having been involved with Stroma Ireland since its inception, Tim is responsible for testing and undertaking on site audits. His experience on site will enable the successful contractor to ensure that any recommendations given are not only implemented but done so in a correct and robust fashion. Tim is a graduate of Dundee University where he gained a BSC Honors in Town & Regional Planning.
Building Regulations Part F1
- Designers will determine The Design Air Permeability for each dwelling type within a development as part of the overall DER (Dwelling CO2 Emissions Rate) calculation. The maximum design air permeability allowable (is 10 m3/(m2.hr) @50Pa.
- Sample testing is required of each dwelling type on each development. Building Control will identify the (early) units to be tested. The sample size depends on whether ‘Robust Details’ have been used:
- If Robust Details adopted, test one of each dwelling type on each development. If any fail, do remedial work, test again plus another dwelling of the same type on same development
- If Robust Details not adopted, the number of tests to be carried out on each dwelling type on each development are as follows: -
- 4 or less dwelling types - test one of each
- Between 5 and 40 types - test two of each
- Above 40 types - test 5% of each. For each type, this can reduce to 2% if the first 5 tests are successful.
- A relaxation Applies until Oct 2007. If the first test fails, the target becomes either 75 % of difference between 1st test result & the target, or the target is increased by 15% - whichever is the higher. A higher air permeability test result can be accepted if the recalculated DER remains better than the TER (Target CO2 Emissions Rate) - in spite of the higher air permeability rate
- Small Developments (2 units or less). An alternative to testing is to either prove that a satisfactory test result has been achieved on another dwelling of the same type in last 12 months, or use an assumed leakage rate of 15 m3/(m2.hr) @ 50 Pa in the overall carbon emissions calculation.
- Blocks of Flats have to be considered as separate developments, regardless of how many are on the same site.
Building Regulations Part F2
- The Design Air Permeability for the building will be determined by designers as part of the overall BER (Buildings CO2 Emissions Rate) calculation. The maximum design air permeability allowable is 10 m3/(m2.hr) @50Pa.
- A reduced Design Air Permeability (i.e. a high level of air-tightness) will serve to further reduce carbon emissions and make the TER easier to achieve. It may also mitigate the cost of more expensive carbon emission reduction strategies.
- A relaxation Applies until Oct 2007 on Buildings with less than 1000m2 Gross Total Useful Floor Area. If the first test fails, the target becomes either 75% of difference between 1st test result & the target, or the target is increased by 15% - whichever is the higher.
- A higher air permeability test result can be accepted if the recalculated BER remains better than the TER (Target CO2 Emissions Rate) - in spite of the higher air permeability rate, providing the air test result remains below 10 m3/(m2.hr) @50Pa.
- Consequences of Failing an Air Test: remedial works must be carried out and the building retested until the require result is obtained. From ADL2A “If it proves impractical to meet the design air permeability, any shortfall must be compensated through improvements to subsequent fit-out activities.”
- Buildings below 500m2 Total Useful Floor Area. Testing of these smaller non-residential buildings is optional. However, if testing is not carried out, an onerous air permeability rate of 15 m3/ (m2.hr) @50Pa must be assumed and used in the overall BER calculation.
- Other buildings types that need not be tested include, subject to certain qualifications: modular, factory-made buildings, large extensions (that are large enough to be assessed as a new building) that cannot be sealed off from the existing building, large complex buildings, and compartmentalised buildings. See ADL2A and ATTMA TS1 for detailed guidance.
- Extensions to Existing Buildings, are covered by L2B, unless their Useful Floor Area is more than 100m2 and is more than 25% of the total useful floor area of the existing building. In these cases ADL2A applies, and, depending on size will require air permeability testing.