BSRIA achieves UKAS accreditation for RAPF airtightness testing

BSRIA has proudly become the first and only organisation in the United Kingdom to achieve UKAS accreditation in accordance with BTS 4/2024 standards. This outstanding accomplishment allows BSRIA to perform airtightness testing on Raised Access Plenum Floors (RAPFs) following a successful ISO 17025 audit earlier in the year.

Such accreditation extends the scope of BSRIA’s accredited activities, confirming their position as a leading authority in building performance and building services testing and evaluation. RAPFs are a pivotal component in achieving optimal airflow management, particularly within data centres.

Chris Knights, BSRIA Building Performance Evaluation Business Manager and Lead Author of BTS 4/2024, highlighted: "The UKAS accreditation ensures we continue to provide independent testing to the highest standards of quality, repeatability, and traceability". This significant advancement promotes the adoption of a dedicated standard across the industry, encouraging higher performing building services solutions for owners and operators.

The new standard, BTS 4/2024 Airtightness Testing of Raised Access Plenum Floors, introduces a comprehensive methodology for measuring the air leakage of RAPFs. It provides essential support in managing airflow efficiently.

Widely incorporated in modern construction, particularly in data centres, RAPFs provide crucial airflow management needed for cooling and operational efficiency. Ensuring the airtightness of RAPFs is vital to maintain the flow of conditioned air from underfloor voids into occupied zones, preventing escape through cavities and other potentially unintentional outlets.

BTS 4/2024 supersedes the previous BG 65/2016 Floor Plenum Airtightness guidance, and introduces further enhanced testing processes alongside simplified guidance in reply to industry feedback.

Chris Knights elaborated further, asserting that: "An effectively constructed and air-sealed raised access plenum floor is essential for achieving the air distribution performance intended during the design phase." This new methodology delivers clear criteria and a step-by-step process to verify as-built performance of RAPFs.

Amidst an influx of demand for high-performance spaces, particularly data centres, BTS 4/2024 demonstrates support for effective air distribution solutions, ensuring optimal RAPF performance and energy efficiency in alignment with design intentions.

BSRIA stands as a global consultancy and testing organisation offering profound services to construction, building services, and facilities management sectors. Renowned for expertise in sustainability, energy efficiency, and building performance, they continue to enable clients to optimise their future projects.