Guide to Passing a Smoke Shaft Air Test

How to Pass a Smoke Shaft Air Test
Achieving success in a smoke shaft air test is vital for ensuring building safety and regulatory compliance. However, passing the test on the first attempt can be challenging. Here’s a condensed guide outlining essential steps to prepare your smoke shaft for the air tightness test:

1. Consultation with Experts: Seek early advice from air tightness consultants for insights into effective smoke shaft design and sealing strategies.
2. Determine Air Tightness Target: Establish the airtightness goal, typically less than 3.8 m³/h/m² @ 50 Pa, which can be challenging for small enclosures like smoke shafts.
3. Optimal Design: Ensure robust construction materials like concrete or high-density blocks to create a tight air barrier with no mortar joint gaps.
4. Interior Finish: Smooth and seal the inside of the shaft meticulously, including all junctions and joints, using appropriate methods like parge coating or mastic sealing.
5. Seal Penetrations: Completely seal all service, structural, and cable penetrations within the smoke shaft envelope.
6. Secure Door Openings: Use heavy-duty materials to seal all door openings within the smoke shaft to prevent leakage.
7. Seal AOV Door Frames: Mastic seal the perimeter of AOV doors to prevent leakage.
8. Seal Shaft Base and Head: Ensure thorough sealing of the shaft’s base and head before the air test.
9. Conduct Air Testing: Use a calibrated blower door fan set to pressurize the shaft and measure air tightness according to CIBSE TM23 standards.
10. Address Test Failures: If the shaft fails the test, employ smoke testing or thermal imaging to identify and seal leaks, producing a detailed leakage survey report.

For comprehensive assistance in smoke shaft systems, consult experts specialising in smoke shaft design and compliance. Utilise services from UKAS accredited air tightness consultants and testing companies, equipped with the latest high-powered fan equipment and diagnostic tools like smoke machines and thermal imaging.

UKAS Accredited

We are a UKAS accredited, as well as being certified to ATTMA Level 2 for air tightness testing. For a detailed guide, you can refer to our article that provide a comprehensive roadmap and tips for preparing your smoke shaft for an air test. It’s advisable to consult with UKAS accredited air tightness consultants early in the process to increase the chances of passing the smoke shaft air test on the first attempt.

How We Can Help you PASS your Smoke Shaft Air Test

There are many ways we can help you pass your smoke shaft air test at the first attempt. Firstly, our experienced engineers have over 10 years in the field of smoke shaft testing – having undertaken hundreds of air test, so we know how to help clients to pass their testing:

Our simple roadmap to a successful smoke shaft air test:

Smoke shaft survey visits by experienced air tightness consultants.
UKAS and ATTMA Level 2 air testing company
UKAS smoke shaft air test certification
The latest high-powered fan equipment
UKAS calibrated equipment
Diagnostic leakage surveys testing using smoke machines & thermal imaging
Rapid testing service – sometimes within 48 hours!

We offer leading design, consultancy, and compliance for every part of your project. It’s APT’s aim to provide a friendly and professional stress-free experience.

Please contact APT on 07775623464, or email us at info@airpressuretesting.co.uk for more information.