Falkirk Sheriff Court
Air Tightness Testing & Thermography at Falkirk Sheriff Court
Client: Atalian Servest AMK Ltd on behalf of Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
Architect: Michael Laurie Architects
Project Value: n/a
Project team: Russell Macdonald, Gareth Henderson, Dale Porteous, Danny Robinson
Falkirk Sheriff Court’s new building was completed in 1990 at a cost of £6.3 million.
The Crown Estates Department targeted this building to address data observed from their estate energy management system highlighting expensive heating costs. There was a client intention to undertake building insulation upgrades, but prior consideration was given to the building’s air tightness which may have undermined any benefit from such works.
RMP consultants, as accredited Level 2 EAS (Elmhurst Air Tightness Scheme), undertook a whole building air tightness test including air leak detection and a thermographic survey.
Undertaking a thermographic survey is a useful air leakage diagnosis tool used in conjunction with air tightness testing. A thermography survey, using an infra-red camera, is a qualitative assessment of the internal envelope of the building to assess the thermal characteristics and integrity.
Typically, this can identify issues such as areas of missing or defective insulation, associated detailing issues such as cold bridges and air leakage routes. When used in conjunction with air de/pressurisation testing, air leakage routes are highlighted providing useful visualisations of the problem areas and pathways. A four blower doors system was deployed alongside a thermographic building survey, undertaken during weekend hours.
Testing was performed in accordance with the requirements of BS EN 13829:2001 – Thermal performance of buildings – determination of air permeability of buildings – fan pressurization method’ and The Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association Technical Standard TS 1 “Measuring Air Permeability of Building Envelopes”.
The results of the air tightness test and thermography survey showed the measured air permeability to be reasonable relative to its age and benchmark standards.
