Do You Need An Air Tightness Test?
What is Air Leakage Testing?
Air leakage testing, also known as air tightness testing or blower door testing, measures the amount of uncontrolled air escaping through a building’s envelope.
All new-build residential and commercial developments require air tightness testing to demonstrate compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. The test helps verify that the building has been constructed to the required standard and is performing efficiently.
Air tightness testing can help:
- Demonstrate Part L compliance
- Reduce heat loss and energy consumption
- Improve SAP/SBEM performance
- Identify areas of unwanted air leakage
- Support Building Control sign-off
- Improve occupant comfort and building performance
If you’re unsure whether your development requires testing, our team can review your project and provide advice on the most appropriate compliance route.
What Does Air Leakage Testing Cover?
Accurate Measurement of Building Airtightness
Depending on the project, our service may include:
Envelope Assessment
Review of the completed building envelope to ensure readiness for testing.
Air Permeability Testing
Measurement of air leakage rates in accordance with CIBSE TM23 standards.
Leakage Identification
Identification of areas where uncontrolled air leakage is occurring.
Part L Compliance
Testing and certification to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations.
Residential Testing
Air tightness testing for houses, apartments and residential developments.
Commercial Testing
Testing of commercial, industrial and mixed-use developments.
Practical Remedial Advice
Recommendations to improve airtightness where further sealing works are required.
Certification & Reporting
Provision of test certificates and documentation for Building Control.
Why Choose MES Building Solutions?
Compliance-Focused Advice
Our experienced testers work closely with developers, contractors and architects to achieve compliance efficiently and minimise delays at project completion.
Benefits
What is the Process?
Simple, Efficient, Clear
Our proven step-by-step process keeps your project on track and delivered on time.
Step 1
Send us your drawings, project details and required completion dates.
Step 2
We review the development’s features and provide a fixed-fee quotation.
Step 3
A testing date is arranged when the building is substantially complete.
Step 4
Our engineer carries out the air tightness test on site using calibrated equipment.
Step 5
Test results and certification are issued to support Building Regulations compliance.
Recent Project Experience
Air Tightness Testing Projects
We provide air leakage testing services for developments of all sizes across the UK.
Various commercial units across Birmingham.
A new vaccine factory in Teesside
A Passivhaus-certified archive building in Duxford.
A hospital in Northamptonshire.
What Our Clients Say
Just like to mention that the test itself was quick and painless and the speed & professionalism of your On-Site Testing Engineer was much appreciated.
PL, Self-Builder
Frequently Asked Questions
Air leakage testing measures how much uncontrolled air passes through a building’s external envelope. It is used to demonstrate compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations.
Yes. All new-build dwellings and many commercial buildings require air tightness testing as part of the Building Regulations compliance process.
The test should be completed once the building envelope is finished and all sealing works are complete, typically towards the end of construction. However, we offer intermediate tests to help stay on track with airtightness targets.
A calibrated fan is installed within an external doorway to depressurise the building. The equipment measures the volume of air passing through the building envelope.
If issues can be addressed on the day, remedial works may be undertaken and the building re-tested. Where further work is required, we provide advice on improving airtightness before retesting.
Most residential tests take up to an hour, while larger commercial buildings may require 2-3 hours depending on size and complexity.
Typically we require floor plans, sections, building dimensions, site location details and the proposed testing date.
Yes. We undertake air tightness testing for residential and commercial developments nationwide.
Costs vary depending on the size, location and complexity of the project. We provide fixed-fee quotations with no hidden charges.