Testing and Assessment services
Climat BCT Ltd provide testing and assessments for compliance with the following Approved Building Regulations documents:
- Part E - sound insulation testing
- Part F - Ventilation flow rate balancing and testing
- Part G - Water usage assessments
- Part L - SAP, SBEM/BRUKL and EPC assessments & Air tightness testing
- Part O - Overheating assessments
We also offer BREEAM credit testing in Air Quality, Thermography and acoustic testing departments. Other bespoke testing is available
Air Tightness Testing
All testing is in compliance with ATTMA testing standards and all engineers are members of ATTMA or ElmHurst competent persons scheme. Air tightness testing is a test that must be completed on every new build plot, both domestic and non-domestic, throughout the UK.
All engineers have a high level of experience and are able to assist in diagnosing any issues for air leakage in developments that do not meet the air leakage targets for the project.
We also undertake bespoke testing including smoke shaft air leakage testing, floor plenum testing and PassivHaus testing with engineers that have appropriate qualifications and registration with the required bodies.
Acoustic Testing
All new build domestic properties and change of use domestic properties must either have 10% of on-site plots tested for compliance with the sound insulation levels, or be registered with robust details.
We also offer bespoke testing including BB93 testing of schools and educational institutions, HTM08-01 testing for hospitals and welfare developments, noise surveys and BREEAM credit testing for HEA05 and POL05 plant noise assessments. Other services are available upon request.
We have members of the Institute of Acoustics and are finalising UKAS accredited in Part E testing.
SAP, SBEM/BRUKL and EPC Assessments
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) used for all properties across the UK which calculates the typical energy usage and cost implications for a property are required on every property. It is best completed at the design stage in order to ensure your property complies with the current regulations. On completion the As-Built SAP is completed and the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is lodged and registered on the government centralised portal.
The non-domestic equivalent - Standard Building Energy Model (SBEM) is required on all non-domestic properties and can also be completed at design and the follow on As-Built stage with EPC lodged on completion.
Ventilation Flow Rate Testing
There are several types of ventilation systems installed in all properties. We offer flow rate balancing and testing to ensure these operate correctly. These are:
- Intermittent extract fans -these are in all wet rooms and come on when the room is occupied
- Decentralised and centralised mechanical extract - these are in all wet rooms and have a lower power consumption as they have a low trickle rate with a slightly raised boost flow rate in order to keep a good flow of 'fresh' air around the property
- Mechanical extract with heat recover - extract fans pull air out of wet rooms and pass through a centralised exchanger which maintains the heat energy from the warm air in the wet rooms and passes this warmth to the supply grills that have a fresh outside supply that is run through air filters ensuring clean air is supplied at a required rate to the non-wet rooms.
Indoor Air Quality Testing
We test for TVOC and Formaldehyde levels in non-domestic buildings as part of a BREEAM credit.
We can also undertake the indoor air quality planning at design stage of projects
Overheating assessments
We complete desktop simplified and detailed overheating assessment assessments. We will review the project prior to advising which service is required and the most cost effective option to compliance with Part O of Building regulations will be applied. This assessment uses information already discussed in SAP assessments such as the glazing type, shading factors and ventilation systems to be installed in order to establish if the property is at risk of overheating and if so the most practical methods to reducing this overheating.
Thermographic survey
Thermographic surveys for BREEAM credits are completed with a level 2 assessor or higher. This involves the building having a thermal camera observe weaknesses with the continuity of insulation. Cold spots will then be assessed as to whether they present an issue and this is reported upon.
Water Usage assessments
Building regulations Part G requires properties to meet a maximum anticipated water consumption rate which is based on the flow rate and capacities of installed water outlets.
Thermal Bridging calculations
Thermal bridging is a crucial component to complying with SAP assessments and therefore achieving building compliance as these details will impact the fabric efficiency of new dwellings by up to 60%. (compared to default bridging values). For bespoke details it is recommended to complete a bridging specific calculation.
