Anderson Mechanical Services have carried out their first two domestic airtightness tests since the revised Building Regulations were introduced on 30th November 2006 in Northern Ireland.

Both F T Ferguson and Patton Homes were eager to determine how their dwellings would perform when testing becomes mandatory for Building Control compliance.

One show home from each of their respective developments in Greenisland and Broughshane was selected and tested using typical single-fan domestic testing equipment. The houses were similar in size (two-storey, approx 2500 ft²) and construction (brick cladding, plastered block internally).

Typically, houses assessed under the new Regulations will have to prove an air permeability rate of no more than 10 m3/h.m2, or less where the designer specifies a lower target. Thankfully both parties obtained a result below 6 m3/h.m2, this achieved without any specific airtightness detailing which proves that meeting the new Regulations should not prove too onerous on developers and builders.

To arrange a test, an in-house presentation or for more general info on airtightness contact David Anderson, Mobile: 07802 259 489 or
email: david@andersonmechanical.net