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Pre-Completion Air Testing at a Farmhouse in Stockbridge

Updated: Sep 15

Last week we had the pleasure of visiting a beautiful new farmhouse in Stockbridge, built to provide accommodation for the farm’s new manager. With its striking flint façade, modern glazing, and solar roof, this project is a great example of blending traditional materials with contemporary performance standards.


As part of the builders handover process, our role was to carry out the pre-completion air permeability test for Building Regulations Part L, helping to ensure the building met regulatory requirements and achieved its energy performance targets.


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Early Support: Pre-Inspection Visit


Before the official test day, we carried out a pre-inspection of the property. This is always a valuable step, as it allows us to highlight potential weak spots in the airtightness before the pressure is on.


During the walkthrough, we identified a couple of areas that required attention:


  • Sliding doors – the gaskets weren’t sealing tightly in places, which can allow air to bypass the frame.

  • Downlights – some fittings were providing pathways for air to escape into the roof void.


These are common problem areas in new builds, and by spotting them early, the builder was able to address them before test day.


In this video the building is under pressure from the door fan blower so you can see the smoke getting pushed out during the test.

Test Day Success


When we returned for the actual air test, the distinctive red blower door was fitted to the main entrance front door, ready to pressurise the building and measure the dwellings leakage. With the remedial work completed, we’re glad to say the farmhouse achieved its target result of under 4 m³/h·m² – comfortably within the Part L requirements.


This result demonstrates not just the quality of the build, but also the value of taking a proactive approach. By combining a pre-inspection with the final test, we help our clients avoid delays, unexpected failures, and costly remedial work after the fact.

Why Airtightness Matters


For homes like this farmhouse, airtightness is more than just a tick-box exercise. Achieving a good score means:


  • Lower energy bills for the occupant, thanks to reduced heat loss.

  • Improved comfort, with fewer draughts and cold spots.

  • Coupled with the dwellings Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) the occupants will enjoy excellent indoor air quality and comfort.

  • Futureproofing the building against tightening standards and sustainability goals.

Final Thoughts


It was a pleasure to support this project in and to help the farm’s new manager move into a home that performs as well as it looks. This case is a great reminder that early engagement and attention to detail make all the difference when it comes to achieving airtightness targets.


If you’ve got a project coming up and would like advice on pre-inspections or testing, we’d be happy to help. Just give us a call on 01489 565920 or email info@beatsolutions.co.uk

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