Air tightness testing, Air pressure testing, Air admittance testing,
Air leakage testing, Air permeability testing.
We provide a guaranteed domestic Air Pressure Testing service for compliance with Building Regulation L1A. We offer a free advice helpline to our experts and a re-test guarantee package - All to ensure that you pass without a ruffle.
We aim to get you you a pass first time - but if with our guarantee serviced we will return and re-test free of charge *
* subject to conditions below
We operate from our base in Kent throughout South East England the Midlands and East Anglia
Tel 01634 566215 for expert free advice or a quotation.
Tophouse Assessents Limited.
17 Albany Road. Chatham. Kent. ME4 5DL
We take the pressure - so you pass. 
We are fully accredited and acceptable to Building Control
Being BINDT qualified allows us to issue certificates of compliance which will be accepted by building control as evidence that the test meets the required standards set down in the building regulations. We adhere to ATTMA TS1 standard for air permeability testing.
Booking a test is simple : call 01634 566215
Questions commonly asked by our customers
Q How much do you charge .
A : We constantly review our prices and try to keep them as low as possible your quote is individually tailored to your circumstances according to the type of construction, the number of tests you require, the date and location . Flats are cheaper than houses,tests on several dwellings cost less than individual ones... All our prices include a BINDT approved test and a certificate. Typical prices for a 3 bed house in Kent £200 . 3 or more flats at the same time £99.
Q: What happens in the dwelling fails the test?
A: most dwellings pass first time. If not - we will try to locate the sources of leakage and offer remedial advice. If the problem can be fixed instantly then we will wait and re-test - at the testers discression, provided he is still on the premises ( normally he stops and eat his sandwiches and likes cups ot tea!). Otherwise we offer our re-test guarantee. see below.
Q: The free re-test guarantee - what are the terms and conditions?
A: If the dwelling fails the first test Our engineer will attempt to locate leakage spots and advise you.
If the problem can not be fixed there and then we offer to return on one further occasion and re-test the property without further charge to you.
Subject to the following conditions...
This guarantee is only valid if offered explicitly before the testing commences
Not availible for dwellings with a target below 7.0 (m3/m2.hr at 50 pa)
The dwelling must not have been tested previously either by us or any other company.
Your invoice must be settled and cheques cleared before the re-test date.
re-tests must be within one calander month of the original test.
Re-test dates are subject to tester availability certain dates may not be available.
if testing multiple dwellings and more than one dwelling fails then we reserve the right to withdraw this offer at our discression.
We always do our upmost to ensure that your dwelling passes first time - most do!
Q: How long does a test take?
A:. From 1 to 3 hours depending upon the complexity of the buildings - sometimes we are required to do some calculations first.
Q: Will we know whether we have passed or failed at the time of testing?
A: Yes – normally as soon as the test has been completed we are able to advise of the result
Q: How many tests can you perform in a day?
A: We can perform several tests per day at the same site
Q: How long will it take to receive our test certificate(s)?
A: Test certificates can be normally be supplied on the spot or posted next day.
Q: Do you test commercial premises?
A No not at the present time - we are specialists in domestic dwellings (flats houses bungalows etc)
Q: What is the Design Air Permeability and why does this sometimes have different values?
A: This is the value that you are testing to you - you must acheive a test result lower than this in order to pass. This set by your SAP assessor and forms part of the SAP calculations for energy loss at the design stage. The higher the leakage value set - the more heat is lost and so it becomes harder to pass the building regulations. Normally the highest target that is set is 10 - however if the SAP assessor has to make savings to make the dwelling pass then the value may be be lower. It is unusual to see a target below 5 because this is difficult to achieve in practice using conventional building techniques. The lower the target the more carefully you must build.
We require the value of your design air permeability from your SAP calculation.
Q I have not done a SAP calculation - can you recommend someone.
A We are also SAP assessors. We can provide SAP calculations and Energy performance certificates.
Q: When is the best time to consider the Air leakage and ask for advice ?
A: Right now! - the earlier the better. It is best practice to consider air leakage at the design stage along with the thermal insulation. The next important phase is the second fix when service pipes and holes are being made -and can be sealed up again - before they are boxed in.
Q: I am constructing a room in the roof with cupboards - can this be a problem area?
A: Yes - this is a common cause of failure - phone for advice now on how to avoid this problem.
Q: I am converting an existing building into several flats do I need to air test?
If this is being assessed under L1B (Conservation of fuel and power - changes to existing dwellings) then a test is not normally required - the same applies to house extensions.
Q: How long does a test take?
A:. From 1 to 3 hours depending upon the complexity of the buildings - sometimes we are required to do some calculations first.
Q: Can other people be working in the building during the test?
A: people can work whilst the equipment is being set up but we ask that workmen leave the building for the half hour or so whilst the test is taking place.
Does the test cause any damage or is it harmful?
No not at all the pressure used is very small and is hardly detectable and causes no damage to the building structure or health. It is equivalent to opening a door on a drafty day.
What areas do you cover?
We provide Air pressure tests in the following counties, Kent, Essex, London, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Medway, London, Birmingham. If you require several tests then we are able to travel further afield - even to Leek in staffordshire .
Q :What if the answer to my question is not on this page?.
Phone 01634 566215 for free expert advice.
We take the pressure - so you pass!
otherwise the answer is 42