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During the course of the works, the ‘Accredited Construction Details’ should have been followed (and each relevant sheet signed). If this is the case, the following information should be plain sailing.
At this stage, check the following have been done:
- all skirtings sealed
- loft hatches draught sealed and secured (catches or cabin hooks)
- wall/ceiling junctions checked and sealed as necessary
- all openings through external walls sealed
- internal soil and vent pipes sealed at the point of entering a ventilated roof (or other) void
- heating/water pipes sealed at point of entering ventilated void
- soil pipes through ground floors to be sealed at entry
- window reveals, heads and window boards adequately sealed
- plasterwork or dry-lining to walls completed
Then
- Arrange the date for the pressure test to be carried out— Energy Check Ltd can carry out this test, or you can choose another company if you wish (Energy Check gives a discount to existing customers because of the retained envelope calculations)
- Obtain the Commissioning Certificate and occupier instructions from the heating installer
- Obtain the Window Rating Certificates or precise U-values from the window/door manufacturer
- Fully complete the relevant parts of the ‘Accredited Construction Details’
- Complete the ‘completion of dwelling’ checklists in the construction pack
Preparing the dwelling for the Pressure Test …
The test can not be carried out if it is too windy (say force 4 or about 14mph wind). Please inform us on the day of the test if you think the wind is too strong.
- Make sure electricity is available (230V)
- Check that all the waste traps (including washing machine/dishwasher) are filled with water.
- Turn off any room ventilated boilers/appliances.
- Close all windows and external doors including closing all trickle vents/hit & miss vents (all internal doors to be left open)
- During the actual test it would be useful for the builder/client to be present within the dwelling.
It should be possible, at the time of the test, to provide a sample calculation to enable a ‘pass or fail’ to be ascertained. If a failure, a full report on the reasons can be provided at extra cost if required.
A re-test could be carried out at a later date following remedial works.
Once the dwelling has passed the pressure test, the results plus complete recalculation of the DER/TER, have to be forwarded to Building Control within 7 days. The pressure test certificate can usually be e-mailed to Building Control the day following the test, however, the following documents must be given to “Energy Check” as soon as possible.
- Heating commissioning certificate
- Window rating certification
- The completed ‘Accredited Construction Details’
- The ‘completion of dwelling’ checklists in the construction pack
If you require any advice, please ask!
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