Overtonlea Care Home, Shetland

Air Tightness Testing, multi-fan testing, leakage diagnostics and infrared Thermography at Overtonlea Care Home, Shetland

Client: Shetland Islands Council

Services: Airtightness testing, multi-fan testing, leakage diagnostics and infrared thermography

Investigating building performance in a sensitive operational care environment

RMP was appointed by Shetland Islands Council to undertake airtightness testing and thermographic inspection works at Overtonlea Care Home as part of a wider programme of diagnostic investigations across existing public buildings in Shetland. The purpose of the work was to provide reliable building-performance data to support energy modelling, decarbonisation planning and estate improvement decisions.

Ahead of the main test programme, RMP carried out a dedicated pre-test survey to review the building layout, operational constraints, access arrangements, ventilation systems and preparation requirements. The findings were used to produce detailed guidance for the Care Home Building Services Team, helping the final testing proceed efficiently while maintaining appropriate sensitivity to residents, staff routines, security arrangements and care-home operations.

Unlike standard compliance testing, the work at Overtonlea required a carefully managed diagnostic approach within a live care environment. The remote island location, exposed coastal conditions and operational nature of the building added further complexity, requiring close coordination with the client around building preparation, access and suitable testing windows.

RMP carried out multi-fan airtightness testing, with the methodology adapted to suit the building’s size, layout and test conditions. In parallel, infrared thermography and air leakage diagnostics were used to help identify significant leakage paths, weak junctions and areas of potential heat loss.

The resulting report provided Shetland Islands Council with practical evidence to support informed decision-making, helping to identify where fabric performance, uncontrolled air leakage and heat-loss pathways may influence comfort, energy use and carbon-reduction planning.

This project demonstrates RMP’s ability to deliver specialist diagnostic airtightness and thermographic testing in sensitive occupied environments, combining technical capability with careful planning, clear communication and practical reporting.

Key project value

Diagnostic airtightness testing in an operational care setting
Dedicated pre-test survey and preparation guidance
Remote island delivery across Shetland
Testing planned around resident, staff and access requirements
Complex multi-fan airtightness testing
Infrared thermography used alongside leakage diagnostics
Adapted methodology for exposed coastal and windy conditions
Evidence to support energy modelling and decarbonisation planning
Practical reporting to inform estate improvement decisions
Sensitive delivery in a live care environment