Pulse Air Permeability Testing Equipment

Pulse is a portable compressed air-based system that is used to measure the air leakage of a building or enclosure at a near ambient pressure level of 4Pa. In the UK, the system is a recognised air pressure testing methodology under both Part L1A building regulations and PAS 2035 retrofit guidelines.

Pulse air receiver, controller and compressor

Pulse 2.0 air pressure measurement equipment

A highly portable, modular compressed air-based system designed specifically to measure air leakage rates and enclosure integrity directly at low pressure.

What's included

  • 40L Air Receiver module

  • Touch screen control unit

  • Portable air compressor

  • All ancillary cables and software

Price from

£6,500 GBP
Excluding VAT & delivery

Air tightness testing made simple

Pulse is used to measure the airtightness of buildings with tests completed in as little as 10 minutes. Measuring directly at low pressure, the system provides an air change rate measurement that is representative of normal inhabited conditions, helping to improve understanding of energy performance as well as background ventilation.

  • Technician using the Pulse equipment

    Quick and simple to operate

    Plug and play set up with measurements conducted at the push of a button. Pulse is a self-contained device, able to test the whole building envelope or enclosure, including all doorways. It can also be used to test individual rooms.

  • Pulse equipment in a kitchen

    Low disruption to occupants

    Occupants or tradespeople may remain in the building for the duration of testing. The equipment does not penetrate the envelope and will not change the temperature of the building as part of the test process.

image/svg+xml Part F Approved Part F Approved
image/svg+xml Part L1A Approved Part L1A Approved
image/svg+xml PAS 2035 Approved PAS 2035 Approved
image/svg+xml UK Designed and Manufactured UK Designed and Manufactured

Complete air pressure testing solution

Developed specifically to measure air leakage rates directly at low pressure, the Pulse system is a self-contained compressed air-based system that can be placed centrally in a building or enclosure to measure ambient level background air change rates and/or to assess air barrier integrity.

Practical

Pulse is a self-contained device, able to test the whole building envelope or enclosure, including all doorways. It can also be used to test individual rooms.

Low pressure

The test process does not overly stress the building fabric during testing and does not force leakage paths that would not otherwise be there under normal conditions.

Accurate and repeatable

Pulse provides highly repeatable results at low pressures whilst the system also minimises the impact of changes in background pressure due to wind.

Flexible modular system

Multiple standard Pulse air receivers can be linked together to test larger buildings, delivering a precise and uniform pressure distribution.

Quick and simple to operate

Setup, test and pack down in as little as 10 minutes. The Pulse unit is simply placed into the centre of a building and can be operated using a touch-screen interface.

Low disruption

Occupants or tradespeople may remain in the building for the duration of testing. The test does not penetrate the envelope and will not change the temperature of the building.

How do you test air leakage using Pulse?

Pulse is a portable compressed air-based system that is used to measure the air leakage of a building or enclosure at a near ambient pressure level (4 pascals). A Pulse system comprises an air receiver, air compressor and a touch screen control unit.

The test occurs entirely within a building envelope and requires no penetrations to the outside or any external pressure tapings. The equipment is positioned approximately in the centre of the ground floor or enclosure being tested in order to ensure an evenly distributed and non-turbulent burst of air release. The system then accounts for wind and buoyancy effects by measuring background pressure before and after a Pulse test and predicting pressure trends during the test period using these measured background pressures.

Pulse measures building leakage across a range of low pressures (2-15 Pa) in a dynamic manner. This involves high-frequency logging of data points over a short 6-15 seconds test period, with results measured at 4Pa but also extrapolated and presented as 50Pa equivalents. Since the test exerts no abnormal pressure or de-pressure loads on the building envelope, there is no requirement for combined pressurisation and depressurisation tests as is required using the traditional blower door fan method.

The air leakage rate at 4Pa, as measured directly by the Pulse method, is widely considered the typical pressure differential across a building envelope over the course of the seasons (i.e. whole year average). The key benefit of Pulse is that it provides an air change rate measurement that is representative of normal inhabited conditions, helping to improve understanding of in-use energy performance and true building ventilation needs.

Why measure building air tightness using Pulse?

Relatively new to the market, the possibilities presented by this innovative measurement solution are countless.

Energy efficiency

Air leakage in buildings typically accounts for a third of total space heat demand. Measuring air leakage allows you to understand and address these losses reducing energy costs.

Ventilation strategy

By measuring directly at low pressure, the results are more closely representative of air leakage observed under ambient conditions. This helps to inform and design the overall ventilation strategy.

Build quality and trust

A building with good airtightness is a sign of quality workmanship. Testing for air leakage can give reassurance to homeowners that no corners have been cut and all leakage paths are properly sealed.

Versatile use

Measure a wide variety of new and existing buildings but also other specialist environments such as smoke shafts, cleanrooms, containment labs and cold storage compartments to name a few.

Who is Pulse designed for?

The modular equipment is highly versatile and suits a wide range of applications. Adopters of the technology include:

Frequently asked questions

How is Pulse different to a blower door test?
Pulse provides a dynamic measurement of air leakage at a pressure level that is more representative of real-world conditions. A blower door fan on the other hand provides a steady-state measurement at positive and/or negative pressure, serving largely as a stress test of a building's airtightness.
Is Pulse suitable for building regulation compliance testing?
Pulse is an approved air permeability testing methodology in England and Wales under the new Part L building regulations, in force from June 2022. It is also an approved method for testing air leakage and background ventilation rates under the PAS 2035 retrofit standard. Pulse is also approved for use in Northern Ireland with acceptance under revised codes in Scotland and Ireland also expected very soon.
Why measure at low pressure?
A 4Pa reference pressure is generally considered the typical pressure differential across a building envelope over the course of the seasons (i.e. representative whole year average). It is the pressure used as an infiltration reference in the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, ASTM E741, it's cited in CIBSE TM23 and within the building codes used in France, Switzerland and the US.
What range of building sizes can Pulse test?
The maximum building volume supported is a function of the size and leakiness of the building or enclosure being tested, as well as the number of air receivers used and the pressure they are charged to. You can use our sizing guide in the help centre to estimate the number of Pulse air receivers required for a particular job.
Can I hire Pulse equipment?
Due to the nature of the equipment and training required, it is generally not possible to hire equipment directly from BTS unless it is to supplement an order. We can however help you find a local air tightness tester who can perform a test for you.
Where can I find a Pulse tester?
BTS are a manufacturer of air tightness testing equipment and don't directly provide testing as a service ourselves. However, we do host a directory of approved Pulse air tightness companies which you can use to find a local tester in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

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