Air Tightness Testing in High-Specification Laboratory Environment

SEES was appointed to carry out air tightness testing for a specialist laboratory facility designed to handle hazardous substances and sensitive experimental work. The project involved multiple zones, each with strict requirements for air permeability and containment integrity.

The laboratory featured:

• Complex ductwork systems for extraction of contaminated air
• Multiple service penetrations entering containment zones
• Stringent requirements for pressure control between spaces
• High-performance air barriers to support negative pressure environments
• Given the critical nature of the facility, air leakage needed to be minimised far beyond standard building regulation thresholds.

Our experienced testing team conducted:

• Early-stage consultancy to advise on air barrier detailing during construction
• Interim testing to validate air integrity prior to finishes
• Final air tightness testing to BS EN ISO 9972, meeting bespoke permeability targets well below <0.2 m³/h·m² @ 50 Pa Maximum permitted air permeability required.

To locate and address any leaks, we used:

• Smoke testing to visualise air pathways
• Thermal imaging to identify potential leakage around service entries
• Zonal testing to isolate problem areas without disrupting clean zones

Outcome:

The laboratory achieved its target air permeability, enabling:

• Full commissioning of the specialist ventilation system
• Certification of containment performance
• Compliance with Part L, BRE, and project-specific technical requirements

This test case highlights SEES’s capability in supporting highly technical and sensitive environments, where air integrity is non-negotiable.