Conservation of fuel and power: Approved Document L, Volume 1 — Dwellings

O N L I N E V E R S I O N R43 Section 7: Air permeability and pressure testing 7.1 The minimum standard for air permeability of a new dwelling is given in Table 4.1 of Section 4. 7.2 The building control body should be provided with evidence that test equipment has been calibrated using a UKAS-accredited facility or by the original manufacturer within either of the following periods. a. The previous 12 months. b. A period in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance. Calibration should be carried out in accordance with CIBSE’s TM23. It is recommended that test equipment is recalibrated at least every 24 months. 7.3 Building control bodies may accept a pressure test certificate as evidence that the dwelling complies with regulation 43 of the Building Regulations. The building control body should be provided with evidence that the person who pressure-tested the building meets both of the following. a. Has received appropriate training. b. Is registered to test the specific class of building. 7.4 An air pressure test should be carried out on every dwelling. Showing compliance and reporting pressure test results 7.5 The dwelling primary energy rate, dwelling emission rate and dwelling fabric energy efficiency rate, all calculated using the measured air permeability, must not be higher than the target primary energy rate, target emission rate and target fabric energy efficiency rate, respectively. 7.6 If the criteria in paragraphs 7.1 and 7.5 are not achieved, the dwelling air permeability should be improved. New tests should be carried out until the dwelling achieves the criteria in paragraphs 7.1 and 7.5. 7.7 The results of all pressure tests on dwellings, including any test failures, should be reported to the building control body. Air pressure testing procedure 7.8 Air pressure tests should be performed following the guidance in the approved airtightness testing methodology, CIBSE’s TM23. The procedures in that document have been approved by the Secretary of State. 52 Approved Document L Volume 1, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010 O N L I N E V E R S I O N