FAQs Archive - Stairhill https://www.stairhill.co.uk/faq-items/ Architecture & Developments Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:54:43 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Ventilation System Guidance https://www.stairhill.co.uk/faq-items/ventilation-system-guidance/ Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:43:19 +0000 https://dev.stairhill.co.uk/?post_type=avada_faq&p=661 Column 1 Column 2 5-10 m³/hr.m² Intermittent extract fans with trickle vents to windows  3-5 m³/hr.m² Decentralised Mechanical ventilation system with trickle vents to windows.  < 3 m³/hr.m² Full house mechanical ventilation system (Mechanical ventilation heat recovery system) 

The post Ventilation System Guidance appeared first on Stairhill.

]]>
Column 1 Column 2
5-10 m³/hr.m² Intermittent extract fans with trickle vents to windows 
3-5 m³/hr.m² Decentralised Mechanical ventilation system with trickle vents to windows. 
< 3 m³/hr.m² Full house mechanical ventilation system (Mechanical ventilation heat recovery system) 

The post Ventilation System Guidance appeared first on Stairhill.

]]> How are the results given and what do they mean? https://www.stairhill.co.uk/faq-items/how-are-the-results-given-and-what-do-they-mean/ Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:43:03 +0000 https://dev.stairhill.co.uk/?post_type=avada_faq&p=659 The results of the air tightness test are given with a figure in m³/hr.m²  Good practice target is for a result anywhere between 5-7 m³/hr.m²  The result of the test can have an impact on the installed ventilation system and must be checked that the ventilation as installed is compatible with the air permeability result. 

The post How are the results given and what do they mean? appeared first on Stairhill.

]]> The results of the air tightness test are given with a figure in m³/hr.m² 

Good practice target is for a result anywhere between 5-7 m³/hr.m² 

The result of the test can have an impact on the installed ventilation system and must be checked that the ventilation as installed is compatible with the air permeability result. 

The post How are the results given and what do they mean? appeared first on Stairhill.

]]> When should I have an air tightness test carried out? https://www.stairhill.co.uk/faq-items/when-should-i-have-an-air-tightness-test-carried-out/ Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:42:31 +0000 https://dev.stairhill.co.uk/?post_type=avada_faq&p=657 Air tightness tests should be carried out at completion stage prior to handover. The results from the air permeability test are used within SAP software to produce the final as built EPC.  Where a dwelling has been designed with a low air permeability target below 3 m³/hr.m² we would advise that a mid-build test is …

The post When should I have an air tightness test carried out? appeared first on Stairhill.

]]> Air tightness tests should be carried out at completion stage prior to handover. The results from the air permeability test are used within SAP software to produce the final as built EPC. 

Where a dwelling has been designed with a low air permeability target below 3 m³/hr.m² we would advise that a mid-build test is carried out once the air barrier layer has been installed. This allows early identification of any potential leaks and allows them to be sealed at source. A final test is still required at completion. 

The post When should I have an air tightness test carried out? appeared first on Stairhill.

]]> What do I need to do before an air tightness test? https://www.stairhill.co.uk/faq-items/what-do-i-need-to-do-before-an-air-tightness-test/ Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:38:41 +0000 https://dev.stairhill.co.uk/?post_type=avada_faq&p=652 Know your design permeability value found in the SAP calculation and measured in m³/hr.m² All external walls, floors and roofs to be completely installed. All windows and doors should be fitted with draft proofing installed to all external doors where required. All fittings should be installed (including electrical) any ducts to external air should be …

The post What do I need to do before an air tightness test? appeared first on Stairhill.

]]>
  • Know your design permeability value found in the SAP calculation and measured in m³/hr.m²
  • All external walls, floors and roofs to be completely installed.
  • All windows and doors should be fitted with draft proofing installed to all external doors where required.
  • All fittings should be installed (including electrical) any ducts to external air should be sealed.
  • Plumbing work should be completed with all sanitary ware installed. All traps require to be filled with water. Bathrooms and kitchens are common places for leakage through poorly sealed drainage pipes often hidden by kitchen units or bathroom fixtures. Before fitting bath panels, boxing in or vanity units etc, pipework should be checked to ensure an airtight seal is in place around the pipework.
  • Doors to unheated garages, loft hatches, coomb access hatches etc should all be fitted with draught excluders.
  • Mains power is available within the dwelling
  • The house must have a minimum of one external door of standard dimensions not more than 2.5m tall or 1.1m wide

The post What do I need to do before an air tightness test? appeared first on Stairhill.

]]> Why is air tightness testing important? https://www.stairhill.co.uk/faq-items/why-is-air-tightness-testing-important/ Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:38:16 +0000 https://dev.stairhill.co.uk/?post_type=avada_faq&p=650 Airtightness is important for avoiding heat loss as it means less uncontrolled air movement in and out of the building (cold drafts). Minimizing heat loss also means your heating and ventilation systems will work at their optimum efficiency, thereby reducing heating bills and energy wastage. 

The post Why is air tightness testing important? appeared first on Stairhill.

]]> Airtightness is important for avoiding heat loss as it means less uncontrolled air movement in and out of the building (cold drafts). Minimizing heat loss also means your heating and ventilation systems will work at their optimum efficiency, thereby reducing heating bills and energy wastage. 

The post Why is air tightness testing important? appeared first on Stairhill.

]]> Do I need to have an air tightness test carried out? https://www.stairhill.co.uk/faq-items/do-i-need-to-have-an-air-tightness-test-carried-out/ Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:37:47 +0000 https://dev.stairhill.co.uk/?post_type=avada_faq&p=648 All new homes in Scotland under current regulations - Domestic Technical Handbook (June 2023) require to have an air tightness test carried out in accordance with CIBSE TM23 

The post Do I need to have an air tightness test carried out? appeared first on Stairhill.

]]> All new homes in Scotland under current regulations – Domestic Technical Handbook (June 2023) require to have an air tightness test carried out in accordance with CIBSE TM23 

The post Do I need to have an air tightness test carried out? appeared first on Stairhill.

]]> What is Air Tightness Testing? https://www.stairhill.co.uk/faq-items/what-is-air-tightness-testing/ Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:37:28 +0000 https://dev.stairhill.co.uk/?post_type=avada_faq&p=646 Air tightness testing sometimes referred to as air permeability testing, air leakage testing and air pressure testing measures the amount of uncontrolled air escaping through the external fabric of the building envelope.   The air tightness test determines the amount of air leakage in cubic metres per square metre of internal surface area of the building. …

The post What is Air Tightness Testing? appeared first on Stairhill.

]]> Air tightness testing sometimes referred to as air permeability testing, air leakage testing and air pressure testing measures the amount of uncontrolled air escaping through the external fabric of the building envelope.  

The air tightness test determines the amount of air leakage in cubic metres per square metre of internal surface area of the building. Or, to put it simply, air tightness testing measures the amount of air that escapes (drafts) through the gaps or building fabrics. Ideally, having an airtight building means that less energy will be wasted through the leakage of heated air.  

All new homes in Scotland require to have an air test carried out in accordance with CIBSE TM23

The post What is Air Tightness Testing? appeared first on Stairhill.

]]>