New air tightness testing scheme welcomed by BM TRADA

16 Feb 2015

BM TRADA has welcomed the new air tightness testing scheme and the company is currently certified to operate at Level 2

The new air tightness testing scheme has been designed to give testers the opportunity to demonstrate their skill and competence.

This will give their clients more confidence in their test results.

The ATTMA Scheme aims to cover all parts of the industry.

It is available to testers who were previously registered on the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing’s (BINDT) air tightness tester registration scheme.

The BINDT Scheme closed on 31st December 2014.

Testers who were registered on the BINDT Scheme are qualified to transfer to the ATTMA Scheme but they will be assessed and reviewed throughout the first year of their membership.

Levels of operation for air tightness testing

Testers must join the scheme at an organisational level, rather than as individuals.

This way, the organisation can chose a suitable level of operation by showing the competence of their testers to one of three levels.

Level 1 testers can test dwellings and non-dwellings of up to 4,000m3 gross envelope volume tested as a single entity, with a single fan.

Level 2 testers can test all buildings except large and high-rise buildings.

These buildings can only be tested by Level 3 testers. Created for air tightness experts, Level 3 also covers higher level technical competencies, such as zonal compartmentalisation.

To be certified to Level 3, testers will need to have a qualification that proves their technical competency.

Testers from firms which are UKAS-accredited to ISO 17025 will be certified at the Level to which they currently operate. This means that dwelling-only testers will be certified to Level 1 and all building type testers will be certified to Level 2.

BM TRADA is currently certified to Level 2. Its air testing service is based on practical guidance and it offers advice before, during and after air tightness testing.

Find out more about the Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association (ATTMA)

Exova BM TRADA,
Chiltern House,
Stocking Lane,
Hughenden Valley,
High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire,
HP14 4ND

Visit Exova BM TRADA's website