CVD Fire Protection now supply an Airtightness Sealing Service to assist clients comply with building regulations.

A definition of Air Tightness is the resistance of the building envelope to inward or outward air leakage. Excessive air leakage results in increased energy consumption and a draughty, cold building.

Air leakage is caused by differential pressures across the building envelope. The mechanisms that create these differences in pressure are the combined effects of – stack (internal warm air rises), external wind (inducing positive and negative pressures on the envelope) and mechanical ventilation systems.

The energy use within buildings accounts for approximately half of all UK Co2 emissions. Two major factors in the design and performance of building fabric which affect energy consumption are air leakage and continuity of insulation.

There are also considerable commercial benefits to building owners that are generated over the lifetime of the building. Reduced energy costs provide real cash incentives to achieve airtight buildings.

During refurbishment, newbuild, or even a building in use, CVD can tackle the causes of air leakage. Clients can cut life time heating costs and improve user comfort by upgrading air tightness.

A particular benefit that can result from specifying lower capacity H&V plant for well sealed buildings. The expense of air sealing a building can be more than offset by service plant cost reduction.

Other benefits are gained from increased temperature comfort for building users, office staff and visiting customers which are tangible benefits to the client.