In January 2021, ATTMA introduced a new certificate for shell and core buildings at the pre-fitout stage. This new certificate had a change in colour of the tables from blue to brown, and the text in the top left of the certificate was changed from “Certificate of Air Permeability Test” to “Pre-Lodgement of Air Permeability Test”. Besides this wording, “NOT FOR COMPLIANCE” is added in red.
This change is because, historically, shell and core developments that should have been tested again after fit-out were not tested overall. The test certificates at the pre-fitout stage were being used to represent the building as received at completion, where, in extreme cases, whole sections of the building façade were in the scope of the works at the fitout stage.
In addition, no shell and core developments at the pre-fit-out stage have ever had an air tightness test in full accordance with the approved air tightness test procedure named within the building regulations because they always fail to meet the minimum build requirements outlined within them.
Therefore, using this type of certificate to generate and lodge a shell and core EPC using the worst-case fit-out allowable under the building regulations is acceptable. An EPC is generated at this stage to cover either a sale or rental of the building. When the fit-out is completed, an additional air tightness test is undertaken, per the approved test procedure, which can be used to generate an EPC with the fit-out specification. This should ensure that the building owner and occupier will have a building performing as expected regarding the air tightness.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding your air test, please don’t hesitate to contact us.