Testing & Validation

Plant Performance Testing

We provide a performance testing service, either as part of a combined testing and commissioning package or on an independent basis, for all building engineering systems. The primary objective of instituting the testing of any installation would be to either prove performance or highlight any deficiency in:

  • plant performance due to incorrect supply, deficient installation, or
  • incorrect selection of equipment or,
  • system performance due to insufficient capacity, component failure or
  • incorrect operation.

The procedure and requirements for any tests would be dependent upon the type of plant incorporated together with the individual characteristics of any system. As an example, many air conditioning systems currently being designed and installed, have self regulating characteristics using equipment which have regulators preset during manufacture. These systems require a considerably reduced commissioning commitment. However, as final performance is dependant on the satisfactory operation of the various preset devices, it is often deemed prudent to undertake a test programme which verifies performance of the individual components and the system as a whole. We can offer, from our experience of setting to work the various types of systems and equipment, to provide unique test programmes and procedures to meet any such requirement.

We can provide uniquely written test documentation prepared by our engineers to satisfy any requirement in building services engineering. We can also offer a validation service to confirm the ability of any installation to meet defined criteria. This is applicable to new installations where performance of the engineering services is critical or to existing installations where the performance levels being achieved are not known.

Clean Air Environments

We can provide and carry out clean room test protocols to validate and certify cleanrooms and other controlled environments in accordance with industry standards and practices to either British Standard BS 5295:1989 or American Federal Standard 209E.

  • plant airflow under clean and dirty filter conditions
  • air distribution
  • room pressure cascades
  • air change rate
  • particulate contamination
  • filter integrity testing
  • temperature and humidity
  • Iighting level
  • structural integrity
  • noise levels

Fume Cupboards and Safety Cabinets

We can also provide a test programme for microbiological safety cabinets to British Standard BS 5726 of types:

  • Class I, open fronted exhaust
  • Class II, open fronted exhaust/unidirectional downward flow
  • Class III, enclosed exhaust

Life Safety Testing

We provide testing and certification of life safety ventilation systems, encompassing fire and smoke control systems together with air pressurisation of fire escape routes. All procedures would be devised to meet the particular project
criteria to satisfy the appropriate statutory and local fire officer requirements.

Testing of staircase pressurisation systems would be carried out to meet the requirements of BS5588 ”Fire Precautions in the Design of Buildings” Part 4 “Smoke Control in Protected Escape Routes”.

Noise and Sound Level Testing

We undertake a full range of environmental noise assessments in accordance with the relevant British Standards. The purpose of the tests would normally be to establish internal noise levels to meet the design criteria set for the use of the space and the “Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005”, or external noise assessments to BS4142 - 1997 Noise Tests, relating to external noise generated by mechanical and electrical plant and equipment.