Acoustic Testing Services
Part E Compliance
In addition to Acoustic Consultancy Services, we can provide UKAS accredited compliance testing of sound insulation in accordance with Approved Document E of the Building Regulations (England & Wales) and BS EN ISO 140-4:1998 and 140-7:1998.
Final compliance testing will typically consist of two Airborne and two Impact sound tests to separating floors, with a further two Airborne sound tests to party walls.
We can also provide a confidence testing service at various stages during the construction phase to ensure that the finished construction will meet the specification. Confidence testing is advisable as a failed final test can result in a Building Control Officer requesting a more demanding test regime to prove compliance.
For refurbishment projects Building Sciences can test the existing structure to determine the level of sound insulation prior to the commencement of works, allowing targeted upgrading.
Air Pressure Testing Services
Part L Compliance
In addition to our Air Leakage Consultancy Services, Building Sciences personnel have extensive test experience in a wide range of construction and building types. We have particular expertise in the field of air pressurisation testing – as required by Part L of the Building Regulations (England & Wales, 2006) – with over 3,000 tests undertaken ranging in scale from 1m2 floor area (specialist enclosures) through to 60,000m2 hospital, office and superstore developments.
All testing is undertaken in strict accordance with relevant national and/or international standards and our test equipment is kept fully calibrated where appropriate. Our equipment ranges from sensitive low flow units to large scale trailer-mounted fans.
Our range of equipment allows us to provide maximum flexibility in terms of the type and size of buildings to be tested along with availability for preferred test dates. Testing is available nationally and our air testing procedures are UKAS accredited (to BS EN 13829:2001) giving the utmost confidence in the quality and consistency of our results.
Indoor Air Quality
IAQ
Indoor air quality is an important consideration of healthy building design, and it is widely accepted that the IAQ in buildings can have an adverse impact on occupant health, particularly given that we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors. General stuffiness and lingering odours are tangible indicators of poor air quality – a sign of inadequate ventilation. If the ventilation is under-performing, the indoor air can be repeatedly recycled, causing the build -up of pollutants.
Poor indoor air quality can contribute towards both short and long term heath issues. Typical symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality include eye, nose and throat irritation; headaches, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. In some cases, exposure can lead to building-related illnesses such as asthma. Many of these symptoms and conditions can be alleviated by correct ventilation, and/or identifying and eliminating the sources.
There have been many international IAQ studies over the years. The cumulative outcome of these has contributed to the development of a number of guidelines. The World Health Organisation has played a key role in the collation of this data, and has commissioned expert groups to undertake further research. Some of these guidelines have been developed into standards by the ISO.
The UK government has now recognised the need to address IAQ, and have for the first time introduced performance criteria for the control of pollution levels in the indoor air. All new homes built from April 2006 will need to ensure that the levels of pollution are within set limits.
Infra Red Thermography
IR Surveys
Thermographic surveys of buildings can quickly identify areas of high heat loss,
which can be the result of poor insulation continuity or air leakage. Surveys can be undertaken to assess the workmanship in the installation of the thermal elements of a building, and to assess failures in the thermal performance, which may be associated with moisture ingress. These qualitative surveys can result
in savings on energy bills and prevent expensive repairs.
Thermographic surveys are often useful prior to undertaking refurbishment on
existing buildings. Areas of poor/missing insulation can be identified, allowing
targeted improvement works. The survey will also highlight areas of thermal
bridging ñ areas where heat escapes at a higher rate ñ that may be improved
as part of the thermal upgrading works.