What
is Air Leakage
“Air
leakage is the uncontrolled flow of air through gaps and cracks
in the fabric of a building (sometimes referred to as infiltration
or draughts). This is not to be confused with ventilation,
which should be a controlled flow of air into and out of the
building through purposed built ventilators that is required
for the comfort of the occupants. Too much air leakage leads
to unnecessary heat loss and discomfort to the occupants from
cold draughts. The increasing need for higher energy efficiency
in buildings and the need in future to demonstrate compliance
with more stringent Building Regulations targets means that
airtightness has become a major performance issue. The aim
should be to ‘Build tight- ventilate right’.
What
is the impact of Air Leakage
Fabric
heat losses have been driven down over many years by the various
versions of the Building Regulations and there is limited
return in reducing them down significantly further. Airtightness
of existing buildings has been proven to be poor, which leads
to unnecessary ventilation heat loss but also widespread occupant
dissatisfaction”............. ATTMA Technical Standard 1 Issue
2 2007 www.attma.org
Dwellings
Home
energy is responsible for a significant percentage of carbon
dioxide emissions. Air leakage from buildings, both new and
old is a major cause of energy loss and increased emissions.
Improving airtightness in dwellings will reduce air leakage
thereby preventing unnecessary heat loss and excessive fuel
costs and will increase comfort levels.
To
ensure airtightness, the issue needs to be addressed at design
stage. Careful consideration should be given to the building
envelope and the products used to create an airtight barrier.
Airtight construction combined
with appropriate ventilation will improve energy efficiency
and comfort levels.
Why
use BioBased
Spray Foam Insulation in your Dwelling
BioBased
501s spray foam insulation when installed expands to 100 times
its original size to completely fill all voids in walls and
roof areas while tightly adhering to structural timbers. What
occurs naturally during BioBased
installation would require a great degree
of skill and patience on the part of a tradesman using conventional
forms of insulation material. BioBased insulation helps
to create a sealed thermal and airtight barrier around the
building envelope. This airtight barrier eliminates heat loss
and creates an improved building which is comfortable, safe,
energy efficient and an overall healthier indoor environment.
Unlike
conventional insulations BioBased 501 spray foam insulation
provides a seamless air barrier that conforms to irregular
shapes and slopes and allows easy detailing around penetrations
such as plumbing and electrical works. With BioBased insulation
in a typical domestic house there is no need for vapour control
layers as BioBased 501 is a complete air barrier.
Advantages
of BioBased Airtight Dwellings
a)
Reduced
CO2 emissions
b)
Maintains
heat in the house and saves on energy costs
c)
Comfortable
draught free house and improved air quality
d)
Healthy
indoor living environment
e)
Resists
moisture and prevents mould growth
f)
Natural
alternative to traditional insulations
What
are the guidelines in relation to developments?
Number
of Units |
Number
of Tests Required |
1-4 |
One Test
** |
5-40 |
Two Tests
|
41-100 |
5% of
Dwelling Type |
101+
(if target is reached) |
2% |
101+
(if target is not reached) |
5% |
*
The
regulations apply to new dwellings where planning permission
has been applied for on or after the 1st July 2008 and where
substantial works are not completed before the 30th June 2009.
**
For small developments, no more than three dwelling units,
a specific pressure test may not be necessary. If it can be
demonstrated by way of a report that during the preceding
12 months a dwelling of the same type constructed by the same
builder achieved an acceptable standard.
Click
on Image below to view our Advantages
of BioBased Airtight Dwellings brochure
