Event information - About the series

Airtightness and vapour control are crucial when creating a low energy or Passive House building. Achieving and installing stringent levels of airtightness may feel daunting, but this training series will guide contractors and builders on both theoretical and practical training for both domestic and commercial projects. The benefits of airtightness and vapour control are substantial and numerous, including reduced energy consumption, improved levels of comfort and a healthy environment for occupants when combined with effective ventilation and, importantly, structural durability.

We spend around 90% of our time indoors and most building failures are caused by moisture related issues, the need for active moisture management, lifetime building durability and a healthy living environment become more crucial than ever. During these four sessions, you will learn what airtightness is (and isn’t), why it matters, the causes and effects of poor moisture management and current vs. future airtightness standards.  

The training series highlights the importance of a collaborative approach on site and for a change in attitude to interpret airtightness designs and construct buildings that are more durable, healthy, and fit for the future.

You will also see lots of practical installations and engagement offering help and advice on all those details you previously considered might be tricky and how they can easily be solved with just a little forethought, knowledge and the right products and tools. You will receive industry leading training from highly experienced technical professionals with the opportunity to engage throughout. View the full programme here.

Who should attend?

Builders, contractors, architects, designers and other professions should attend to get an invaluable insight into airtightness, vapour control and detailing, and the importance of a collaborative approach when on site.

Other sessions in the series

Special offer: Book all 4 in the series for a reduced rate. £129 for members, £173 for non-members - a saving of over 10%. You can also book 3 places for the price of 2 when booking for 3 people from the same organisation. See below for more details. 

Event information - About this session: Airtightness 1: An Introduction to Airtightness & Moisture Management

The session will cover:

9.00 - 10.20: Basics, with Neil Turner

Starting with the airtightness basics and theory, addressing the pros and cons of different commonly used materials on site. We’ll interpret the “Red Line” rule to define the air barrier and the need for diligent attention to detail and co-operation between all trades on site.

Airtightness and vapour control go hand in hand, so we’ll be looking at moisture levels on site, the movement of moisture vapour through various materials and the associated consequences caused by this moisture. We also examine how choosing fit-for-purpose materials is essential in ensuring durable, sustainable buildings and a healthy comfortable living environment is achieved.

• What is airtightness? What is windtightness? What’s the difference?
• Why does it matter?
• How is airtightness designed from the outset?
• Moisture management to avoid structural damage and damp.
• How to ‘Build Tight & Ventilate Right.’
• Airtightness standards from the legal minimum to the best.
• Best practice techniques – appointing an Airtightness Champion.
• Consequences of a lack of airtightness and common failure areas.

10.20 – 10.30 Break

10.30 – 11.00 Trainer - Diane Hubbard

Utilising her vast experience as an airtightness tester and thermographer for Part L, Passivhaus and Refurbishment Projects, Diane will base her presentation around her experience of working with contractors and the issues and questions that commonly arise.

The second part of the first session will cover;

• What is an airtightness test
• Explaining the numbers Q50/N50
• When to test
• Preparing for a test
• Leak detection

ARB and RIBA Mandatory CPD Requirements

As of January 2024, all architects on the UK Register are required by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) to record and confirm participation in CPD to maintain registration. ARB’s CPD scheme is activity-based and is focused on learning outcomes. You can find out more about ARB’s CPD requirements here.

View or download this checklist which shows in more detail how attendance on this course can help you meet these requirements. 

About the trainers

Neil Turner, UK Technical Manager, Ecological Building Systems

A BBA-competent U-value assessor, who has been involved in developing CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) European standards, Neil has extensive experience in the building products sector. Neil advises architects, contractors and timber frame specialists on the specification of sustainable insulation products and has been involved in numerous sustainable projects throughout the UK. Recent projects that Neil has been involved with include:

• Bristol City Council affordable Passivhaus housing scheme with pro clima systems, Halstatt Construction and Gale & Snowden Architects
• York Road Montpelier Bristol, internal and external renovation with Diathonite Evolution system, Andrew Dale Architects
• Oak Meadow Primary School, Thomas Vale Construction and Cygnum pro clima
• West Dulwich Passivhaus new build pro clima systems, RDA Architects

Diane Hubbard, Green Footsteps 

With a mechanical engineering background, Diane’s interest in buildings arose several years ago with the realisation that our existing buildings are crucial to reducing our environmental impact.

Primarily interested in building physics, she completed an MSc at the Centre for Alternative Technology and over the past few years has had a number of papers published in the field of ventilation in traditional dwellings, together with undertaking project work for organisations such as the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) and Historic Environment Scotland.

Diane is a certified Passive House Consultant and Tradesperson as well as being accredited through the iATS (Independent Airtightness Testing Scheme) to airtightness test and certify both homes and non-domestic buildings for Part L.

What do delegates say about previous seminars with these trainers?

"Excellent diagrams clearly explaining the concepts and practical examples and common problem descriptions."
"Very clear, helpful and very well done!"
"Excellent ... good mix of technical and practical demonstration."

Working in partnership with

Special offers

• Book all 3 in the series for a reduced rate: £129 for members, £173 for non-members - a saving of over 10%
• Book 3 places for the price of 2. Use this discount code when registering: 342
  The 342 discount can only be used for 3 people from the same organisation booking a place at the same event / whole series of events