Preparing the building/room

Prior to testing, or whilst the air receivers are being charged, the following actions should be carried out depending on the type of test being performed:

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Whole building tests

1. Open all interior doors and openings to allow for the flow of air between rooms.
2. Close or seal up any intentionally provided ventilation as per the testing protocol being followed (e.g. CIBSE TM23 or IAA Background Ventilation Assessment).
3. Measure the building geometry accurately as per the Enclosure Geometry section. This information will be entered into the software when running tests.
4. Inform current building occupants of the imminent testing. You may also wish to warn occupants about the noise during testing, as it may disconcert them if unannounced.
5. You may wish to place signs on external doors to ensure nobody enters during testing, which would void a test.

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Room only tests

1. Open a single external door or large window, so that the pressure difference is created only between the room being tested and the rest of the building.
2. Close or seal up any intentionally provided ventilation as per the testing protocol being followed (e.g. CIBSE TM23 or IAA Background Ventilation Assessment).
3. Measure the room geometry accurately as per the Enclosure Geometry section. This information will be entered into the software when running tests.

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Example sealing up

Ventilation devices that you want to exclude from the test must be closed or sealed up using air sealing tape. The photos below show examples of recommended sealing procedures:

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Intermittent extract fans

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Passive vents

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Mechanical ventilation outlets

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Enclosure geometry

Regardless of the type of enclosure being tested, the overall dimensions of the space are an essential input to a Pulse test. The dimensions required are the internal volume and envelope area of the conditioned space, and these must be measured precisely to produce an accurate result. For a whole-house test, the entire dwelling should be measured, including the main dwelling and any extensions or loft conversions, but not unconditioned spaces (such as garages, unheated conservatories, outbuildings, or cold roofs). For room-only tests, the dimensions required are those of the room itself. Similarly, for commercial buildings or other enclosures, the dimensions are defined by the extent of the space that is being tested. The specific measurement method will depend on the airtightness standard that is being followed (e.g. CIBSE TM23, ISO 9972, etc), but the following measuring techniques are provided for guidance:

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Measuring volume

The volume is measured as the total internal volume, in cubic metres, of the building envelope or part of the building being tested. No subtraction is made for any of the following:

• Internal wall areas
• Intermediate floor height (for multi-storey buildings)
• Furniture or other internal objects
• Other voids or cavities

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Measuring envelope area

The envelope area encompasses the total surface area, in square metres, of all the boundary walls, floors and ceilings of the building envelope or part of the building being tested. Internal walls are excluded unless they form part of the external barrier, such as an integral garage wall, a plant room, or other unconditioned space. The surface area of party walls between terrace, end-terrace and semi-detached properties should be included in the total envelope area. In apartments of a multi-story building, the surface area of all walls, floors and ceilings that adjoin neighbouring apartments should also be included.