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AIR TIGHTNESS AND VENTILATION IN CONTEXT

All dwellings need to have a supply of fresh air. Ventilation is necessary for several reasons:
Control of condensation.
Removal of pollutants.
Health and comfort of the dwellings’ occupants.
Ensure the safe operation of open-flue appliances.
It could be argued that there is a conflict between air tightness and ventilation, however, if you think of air-tightness as preventing the uncontrolled movement of air, both into and out of the dwelling through the cracks and gaps in the building envelope, then you can think of designed ventilation as controlled movement of air into or out of the dwelling.
So, air tightness and ventilation go hand in hand. This means that building an airtight house and fitting the correct type of ventilation will allow the homeowners to have control of their property’s ventilation rather than the ventilation being uncontrolled. However, it is important to choose the correct ventilation system to suit the design air tightness of the dwelling. This can seem very complicated, and many developers have fallen foul of the ventilation regulations, which can often result in expensive remedial work.

Ventilation should be seen as part of an integrated design approach when planning an existing or new build. Here at Northern Air Tightness Testing Services, we can advise on the most appropriate ventilation for your specific build. We are also BPEC accredited to commission, test and certify your ventilation system/extractors for your building regulation approval.
Part F of the building Regulations of 2010 requires the verification of the performance of ventilation systems in new dwellings against design. This means that the airflow measurements for every dwelling constructed under this edition of the Building Regulations need to be validated, as well as ensuring that the system has been configured correctly.

Northern Air Tightness Testing Services can provide this service either as a one-off or alongside our air testing service.

The tests and configuration of extraction systems must be undertaken using UKAS calibrated equipment and undertaken by an appropriately qualified engineer registered with a ”competent scheme”. All our engineers at Northern Air Testing Services have successfully completed the BPEC Domestic Ventilation course.

THE TESTS ARE REQUIRED FOR SYSTEM 1 AND SYSTEM 3 EXTRACTION

System 1

System 1 Background ventilators (trickle vents in windows) and intermittent extract fans (fans that switch on, e.g. when the light is turned on) in kitchens, Utility rooms, Cloakrooms, Bathrooms and en-suites.

System 3

System 3 Continuous mechanical extract (extractor fans that run continuously and boost when required either remotely on a sensor or when a light is turned on) in kitchens, Utility rooms, Cloakrooms, Bathrooms and en-suites.

System 4

Ensure your Continuous Mechanical Extraction with heat recovery system (System 4) meet Part F Building Regulations with our professional System 4 ventilation testing services. As accredited ventilation testers, we conduct precise airflow rate measurements and extract fan performance checks to verify compliance, helping developers, contractors, and homeowners meet building regulations. Our reports are approved by Building Control, ensuring a smooth sign-off process. For fast, reliable, and UKAS-compliant Ventilation testing—contact us today for a quote!

get In Touch

Fill in our form, and we'll get back to you within 48 hours with a quote that matches your needs. Or you can give us a call on 01423 572 019 or email us at info@northernairtesting.co.uk to get in touch.

We operate within a 150-mile radius of Leeds; any queries outside of this can be discussed over the phone to see if we can fit you in.
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Get In Touch


01423 572 019
info@northernairtesting.co.uk
Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LE

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