Leeds - Air Testing - 0113 850 0152

What Air Permeability Rating Do I Need?

A dwelling in Leeds must receive an air permeability result of 10 m³/(h.m²) to successfully pass an air leakage test. However, in the design stage SAP, the APR will often produce a more accurate and realistic target. Should your air test fail, the dwelling may need re-testing following some potentially costly revisions - that's why it's always a good idea to seek advice early. To restore confidence with Leeds Building Control, you may also need to test further properties in your group, where applicable.

Our air testing consultants offer constructive advice on the best way to reach your target rating.

Do I Need An Air Leakage Test?

Domestic properties and commercial buildings over a certain size must have a passing air leakage certificate before the property can be handed over following a sale. All new buildings in England and Wales have had this requirement since 2006 and in Scotland this has been mandatory since 2010.

On a large plot of new houses that are built to a similar specification, only a sample of the houses will need to be air tested. This was outlined in Part L of the aforementioned regulations.

We offer air leakage testing throughout Leeds and the surrounding areas where our experienced assessors will be happy to offer advice on the best ways to gain your air permeability rating. Planning your test in advance will help us determine how many test you'll need ahead of time per property and we always ensure we agree with the Building Control air testing regime.

We provide air testing for Leeds - stated on the table below are the number of air tests you may require.

No. of Dwelling Type Instances	No. of Tests Per Type
4 or less	One test of each type
Greater than 4, but equal or less than 40	Two tests of each type
More than 40	At least 5% of each type, unless the first 5 units pass, when the frequency can be reduced to 2%

Our accredited consultants can help you comply with EPBD Article 9 and the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations. We have expert consultants in Leeds that will undertake an assessment of the efficiency of your air conditioning system, reviewing sizing / capacity and offering advice on any improvements or alternative solutions. These solutions, if implemented, can in many instances reduce costs and thus pays for the inspection in the first year.

It is a requirement under the Building Regulations 2006 Part L that new dwellings in Leeds must pass an air test prior to occupation; this test certificate must be produced for the dwelling to be signed off by local Leeds building control.

Envelope Area (m2)	Leakage Rates (m3/hr at 50Pa)
	5	7.5	10	15	20	25
2000	0.51	0.76	1.01	1.52	2.03	2.54
5000	1.27	1.90	2.54	3.80	5.07	6.34
7500	90	2.85	3.80	5.71	7.61	9.51
10000	2.54	3.80	5.07	7.61	10.14	12.68
12500	3.17	4.75	6.34	9.51	12.68	15.85
15000	3.80	5.71	7.61	11.41	15.21	19.02
20000	5.07	7.61	10.14	15.21	20.29	25.36

The report has all the details required by the regulations to indicate that a valid test has been performed.

To carry out such a test with accurate results, we require some general requirements to be made available at the time of the test: SAP Design air pressure test figure, an electricity supply and a water supply to enable traps to be filled.

We will seal all of the intentional leakage areas in the house prior to testing. These include: