BRE airtight regs reminder

The Building Research Establishment's airtightness experts are reminding designers and contractors that as from 30 September 2003 all new commercial and public buildings with a gross floor area of 1,000m2 or more, must demonstrate that they meet the new airtightness standard of 10m3/h/m2.

Part L2 of the Building Regulations, which came into force last year, states that new buildings have to be tested for air permeability and those with excessive air leakage are no longer acceptable.

Although the government has allowed a standard of "reasonable compliance", industry will have to meet the stricter standard as of September.