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Design Checklist
4340
Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005
For Air Tightness & Sound Insulation Testing
A UKAS Accredited Company Registered in England
& Wales No. 527550
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Consultancy
Services
Air or Sound Test failures to hardover stages of a project can prove
costly in relation to both financial and programme aspects of the project.
Successful Building Air and Sound Tests stem from an attention to detail
at an early stage in the Design and Construction Processes.
Our company believes in working with our clients to achieve the best
possible results for an Air Test. We believe that by being involved at
the beginning of a project we can save our clients expensive and difficult
remedial works at the completion stage of a project.
We offer the following consultancy services:
1. Design review
We will carry out a renew of the architect and any specialist dividing
envelope subcontractor drawings to identify any areas which will perform
poorly during testing. If necessary we can produce suitable details for
use by the design team.
2. Site Inspection
During the construction phase we can visit the site and inspect the work.
A report will be produced highlighting any areas of concern or poor workmanship
that may load to a test failure.
Design Review/s for Air Tightness and Acoustic Compliance
Air Pressure Testing’s design reviews ensure that air tight elements
are fit for the intended purpose and will have the expected life span.
Our operative’s expertise, skills and experience provide clients
with pragmatic design solutions; to minimise the risk of the air tightness,
fire enclosure and acoustic works failing in the short and long term.
Using our technical knowledge and experience within construction we can
quickly identify areas of the building design and specification that pose
a risk to the air tightness and acoustic specification. Aspects to review
for air tight elements can include their material specification and physical
characteristics, air permeability, detailed design, proposed installation
procedures and operational requirements.
Air Pressure Testing’s Design Review is therefore fundamental in
eliminating potential problems. By sending us drawing and specification
details at a key stage is vital to accruing the long term benefits of
achieving the air tightness and acoustic specification and reducing the
risk of a compliance failure to Part L & E of Building Regulations.
Site Audits for Air Tightness
By building to the right design detailing first time whilst under the
experienced eye of Air Pressure Testing’s Engineers; our Clients
can avoid the potential high cost of remedial works; and even higher costs
of delays and subsequent Liquidated damages. By requesting Air Pressure
Testing to audit air tightness site works throughout the duration of your
project (a good guideline is 3 visits per project). This is usually undertaken
in the presence of a member of the contractor's site team, so they have
a better understanding of the problem areas, and can more easily reference
and action Air Pressure Testing’s site audit report. The Air Pressure
Testing’s air tightness site audits are carried out by experienced
Engineers who have gained a significant amount of experience by carrying
out over 1000 projects to date, and also have the experience of general
site construction management having been Project/Contract managers in
leading construction/consultancy companies such as Amec.
Our experience of auditing and carrying out air sealing works, on hundreds
of different sites, ranging from small enclosures; such as hospital intensive
care units to large distribution warehouses, this has provided us the
knowledge and experience to ensure whatever your project; it is built
correctly and thereby compiles with Part L & E first time.
Audit reports can be prepared, providing a schedule of works, cross referenced
with relevant drawing details and photographs, this allows for a quick
and easy site reference for all of your site staff and sub-contractors.
Site audits should be carried out at critical points during the build
programme, i.e. during the main construction of the external envelope.
This will ensure you pass the air tightness tests first time and that
the air tightness specification is fully complied with.
Site Audit Case Study (Isolation Room)
Air Pressure Testing’s on-site expertise was used to good effect
during a Project at Great Ormond St Hospital, during the construction
of 4 isolation rooms. The contract specification included an item for
the Contractor to achieve an air permeability rate under 1m³/h/m².
By carrying out site audits and having a strong proactive approach working
along side the contractor; Air pressure Testing enabled the air tightness
specification to be met with minimal disruption and costs despite the
Required air leakage rate being 10x lower than the building regulations
standard.
Problem
Much of the construction works had already taken place therefore it was
too late for Air Pressure Testing to change the specification of the walls
from Drylining (met-sec); to a solid masonry wall (a more efficient construction
). Unfortunately there was also a small plant room that was also encompassed
within the Air Leakage Test enclosure area. As the plant required full
emergency access, a solid ceiling could not be constructed below the plant;
therefore it could not be adequately sealed where the many M & E runs
terminated through the enclosure/s envelope.
Solution
Using due diligence and sound knowledge of construction detailing Air
Pressure Testing visited site to undertake a preliminary Air Leakage test,
unfortunately the Isolation rooms building envelope was initially prone
to large amounts of Air Leakage, using our small high powered directional
smoke machine APT quickly ascertained the pathways of Air Leakage. Details
were noted, photographed and recorded and a comprehensive detailed site
survey was undertaken with recommendations made for expansive remedial
works, this was undertaken in the presence of the client’s Project
Manager. Subsequently on the 2nd visit all the isolation rooms passed
the Air Leakage Test with a average result of 0.5 m³/h/m² or
5% of the current requirement of part L of the building regulations.
Site Audit Case Study (Timber
Frame Construction)
The client required all new Dwellings to be constructed out of Timber
frame to improve construction time and ease of buildability issues.
Problem
Unfortunately the customer had not taken into account the new Air Leakage
regulations and the subsequent greater risk using a Timber Frame construction
presented. This wasn’t unique to this large house builder; as virtually
no one understood (or had heard of) the concept of the term air tightness
or air tightness testing? Air pressure Testing met with the contractor
to educate everyone on the air leakage issues of this type of construction.
The information was then disturbed to the relevant site personal as well
as the design team.
Solution
Air Pressure Testing was appointed to undertake a complete design review
and subsequently helped produce the client's Air Tightness Design Guide
as well as producing the Timber Frame Download Guide. A series of air
tightness workshops was undertaken on existing sites/offices. At this
pre-contract stage, all parties were at least aware of why and how air
tightness targets could be achieved. The client then instigated initial
design reviews for all new house designs , prior to a start on-site, to
set out the issues for each particular project with Air pressure Testing.
Elements of the design and specification were highlighted if there was
a risk to the overall air tightness specification being exceeded and solutions
put forward. These meetings enabled Project Teams to identify, co-ordinate
and manage the installation of the air tightness works on-site. Ultimately,
the new dwellings reached their air tightness specification first time.
Smoke Tests to Highlight Areas of Air Leakage
Our powerful yet portable Smoke testing equipment makes up part of Air
Pressure Testing’s air test rig; this allows for a rapid visual
diagnosis of air tightness problems and possible air leakage paths. The
smoke is not harmful but it is a requirement of Air Pressure Testing that
you inform the fire brigade prior to any large Smoke Test being undertaken.
As part of our standard Test equipment we carry both hand-held and full
building smoke generators. The large building smoke generators can be
linked together to ensure all parts of large buildings are filled with
smoke, which makes for easier diagnostics. When the building is pressurised,
smoke is forced out through air leakage paths thereby providing conclusive
evidence of areas requiring attention, it is essential that you have a
competent person such as your Site/Project manager available to witness
the test, so the company has an understanding of the project/s air leakage
areas, and can more easily reference the smoke test report.
Consultancy for Sound Testing
Air Pressure Testing undertakes the acoustic design and Sound Testing
of projects from the initial scheme stage i.e. from the planning stage:
PPG 24 to completion. We offer a no nonsense professional proactive approach
to acoustic design and Sound Testing; that ensures your company receives
professional advice every step of the way, with a continual consideration
of cost. We have considerable experience in all matters related to architectural
acoustic design and detailing. In our usual professional capacity, we
are responsible for developing the acoustic design of the project from
the initial design scheme stage right through to the sound testing. We
have hands on experience in all aspects of acoustic design of commercial
and residential projects, as well as the corresponding Sound Testing;
in particular acoustic isolation, and interior acoustic. We use the latest
acoustic prediction and modeling software systems. We also use the latest
Norsonic equipment, which include analysers and sound sources for conventional
and binaural acoustic measurements.
We can advise you in the following areas:
• Project planning and co-ordination of acoustic design.
• Acoustic commissioning and measurements of commercial and residential
facilities.
• Computer modeling of architectural and acoustic spaces for noise
control and modal behavior.
In order to achieve the current sound insulation performance requirements
of Approved Document E of the current Building Regulations, it is highly
recommended recommend you employ the services of an Acoustic Consultancy
such as Air pressure Testing Ltd to survey your design/construction proposals.
We will provide you with a clear review of the expected performance of
your proposed design using the latest software and construction experience,
and will advise on any additional treatment to be applied as necessary.
We also offer site survey visits which allow you (the client) and your
contractor to feel confident about the outcome of the Sound Testing at
the end of the build. These sessions allow you to raise any concerns you
may have with regards to acoustic detailing; and also give us an opportunity
to guide you through the process, avoiding crucial mistakes. Remember
some times you can have a compliant design which still fails the Sound
Testing due to poor workmanship, the site survey visits negate the risk
of sound test failure.
Once APT has undertaken and completed the noise survey our consultants
will assess the results against any relevant criteria e.g. part E, BB93,
Eco Homes etc, we also we take into account unique planning conditions
and/or any client specific criteria and advise on appropriate measures
which should be taken in order achieve compliance. This may involve the
relocation or modification of plant and equipment, or the use of acoustic
barriers or enclosures.
APT uses the latest in-house software to sound insulation of the building
façade so noise break-in, or indeed noise break-out can be accurately
modeled, along with the control of noise within the building based on
the sound insulation provided by the internal partitions and their associated
flanking structures.
Building Acoustics Planning Software
Our software undertakes the calculation of airborne and impact sound transmission
in buildings and of airborne sound transmission of outdoor sound.
The calculation of sound transmission is worked out by the software which
takes into account all sound transmitting elements and systems into consideration
which are relevant for the individual room-to-room situation. In addition
to the separating and the four flanking elements, doors and windows can
be inserted into the separating construction. Further, flanking elements
or even airborne sound transmitting systems, such as ventilation and cable
ducts, can be added.
All calculation results for airborne sound transmission between rooms
and from the outside can be rendered audible with for various interior
and exterior sound sources and for different kinds of receiving rooms.
Site Audit Case Study (Block of Flats)
Air Pressure Testing’s on-site expertise was used to good effect
during a Project in London, on the construction of an apartment block.
The contract specification asked for the Contractor to achieve Acoustic
- ECO homes standard, which is considerably more difficult to achieve
than standard Part E, as you need to achieve 50dB instead of 45dB. Unfortunately
we were not involved at the design stage; so much of the detailing had
already been designed without accounting for the acoustic elements.
Problem
Much of the construction works had already taken place therefore it was
too late for Air Pressure Testing to change the specification of the wall
abutment/junctions. Unfortunately there was numerous area where the wrong
wall ties had been used; heavy duty rigid ties instead of thinner acoustic
spec’d wall ties, to further compound the problem many of areas
where the walls abutted the concrete frame the wall had been butted tight
to the frame with mortar, thus resulting in a large amount of noise flanking.
Unfortunately most of the internal walls had been constructed prior to
Air Pressure Testing’s involvement; so there was no access to visually
inspect & survey the problem areas.
Solution
Using due diligence and sound knowledge of construction detailing Air
Pressure Testing visited site to undertake a preliminary sound test, we
associated the problem areas and carefully removed a small part of the
wall to visually inspect the area. Once the area and subsequent problem
was located we forwarded recommendations for the remedial the works detail
for both areas. Once the remedial works had been completed; it enabled
the sound testing specification to be met with minimal disruption and
costs; despite the Sound Testing requirement being more stringent than
the standard building regulations standard.
Air Testing Consultancy Services - Further Information
For further information on Air Testing Consultancy Services
please visit the 'air test consultancy
services testing page'.
Sound Testing Consultancy Services - Further Information
For further information on Air Testing Consultancy Services
please visit the 'sound test consultancy
services testing page'.
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