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Part-Built Diagnostic Services

Pinpoint Air Leaks with
Expert Smoke Testing
Across the UK

ARMEEC Manchester: Find hidden air leaks that raise your energy bills and affect building performance. Prepare for accurate air tightness results with our professional diagnostic smoke testing.

Visual Leak Detection
Pass Your Final Air Test
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Visual Air Leak Detection

What Is Diagnostic Smoke Testing?

Diagnostic smoke testing is a simple, highly effective way to spot hidden air leaks, poor airflow, and faults in buildings or duct systems. We carry out this testing across areas like London, Manchester, and Nottingham using safe, non-toxic, and highly visible smoke.

The process involves gently releasing smoke into a pressurized building or ventilation system and watching how it travels. This helps us clearly see where air is escaping—such as through cracks in walls, unsealed floor joints, ceiling penetrations, or ducting flaws. Unlike standard surface checks, smoke testing uncovers hidden problems that could cost you money or cause your building to fail its final Part L air tightness test.

  • Identify Drafts: Visually trace escaping air to its exact source.
  • Boost Efficiency: Seal the right gaps to lower heating and cooling bills.
  • Ensure Compliance: Prepare confidently for final building regulations tests.
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Smoke Generator
Hidden Air Leak Detected
Diagnostic Phase ✓
The Value of Smoke Testing

Why Is Diagnostic Smoke Testing Important?

Conducting a diagnostic smoke test offers numerous benefits, turning invisible energy drains into easily fixable targets before completion.

Improves Energy Efficiency

Finds and seals hidden air leaks in your building, helping cut down on wasted energy and drastically lowering heating and cooling bills.

📜

Ensures Regulatory Compliance

Ensures your property follows strict Part L airtightness rules, helping you stay compliant, pass your final tests, and avoid fines.

💧

Prevents Mold & Moisture

Detects structural leaks early so you can fix them before they cause moisture ingress, mould growth, or long-term building damage.

🌿

Enhances Air Quality

Stops harmful outdoor particles, dust, allergens, and damp air from getting inside, making your space cleaner and healthier.

💰

Saves Money

Cuts down on energy use and helps you avoid expensive post-completion retrofit repairs by spotting issues early, before the plasterboard goes up.

🛋️

Improves Comfort

Gets rid of cold drafts and keeps room temperatures steady, ensuring the building feels pleasant and retains heat all year round.

When To Test

When Should You Consider Smoke Testing?

By using diagnostic testing at the right stages, you can boost efficiency and avoid costly problems later on.

01
🏗️

During Construction

Use smoke testing to check that new work, like windows, doors, or ducting, has been installed properly before final finishes are applied.

02
🎯

Before Final Air Test

Spot and fix leaks early, so when it’s time for the official Building Control air permeability test, your building passes without delay.

03
📉

After a Failed Air Test

If your property didn’t pass the initial pressure test, smoke testing shows precisely where the problems are, making repairs quick and effective.

04
🏢

Large Commercial Buildings

Ideal for complex structures. Smoke testing gives a full picture of how air moves through different zones, helping you stay compliant.

Comprehensive Guide

Preparing for Diagnostic Smoke Testing

To ensure accurate, reliable, and actionable results from your diagnostic smoke test, proper site preparation is critical. Just like a final air tightness test, the building needs to be in a controlled state so the smoke behaves predictably, highlighting only the genuine structural leaks.

  • 🚪
    Seal the Building: The building should be sealed enough to hold pressure. Make sure windows, doors, and vents are accessible so they can be securely closed during the test.
  • Ensure Power Supply: You’ll need a steady power source (240v or 110v depending on equipment) to run the smoke machine and blower door fan. Keep extension leads available.
  • 🌬️
    Control Internal Airflow: Turn off HVAC systems, extractor fans, and any equipment that moves air to prevent interference with the smoke's natural path to the leaks.

Additional Requirements for a Successful Test

Before our engineers arrive on site in London, Manchester, or beyond, ensuring the following conditions are met will guarantee a smooth process:

Clear Pathways & Access

Testers must reach every room, hallway, and ductwork area. Clear the way so equipment and staff can move easily around the property for proper inspection. Remove anything that might block the flow of smoke or cause confusion.

Weather Conditions

Avoid testing when there’s extremely heavy wind or rain, as these can affect the pressure inside the building and give unreliable results. Our engineers will monitor weather forecasts to ensure optimal testing conditions.

Occupant Safety & Clearance

We only use approved, non-toxic smoke for testing. However, you should let occupants know in advance, and if needed, make sure the space is empty to avoid discomfort. Once testing is done, we open windows to clear the air quickly.

🌟

Beyond Just Finding Leaks

While locating air leaks is the primary goal, diagnostic smoke testing also takes pressure off your HVAC system. By fixing the leaks we find, your equipment won't have to work as hard to heat or cool the space, which helps your systems last longer and run more efficiently, promoting true sustainability.

🏆

Why Choose ARMEEC?

We provide fast, visual diagnostics and actionable advice to get your building sealed and compliant.

Certified Testing Engineers
Safe, Non-Toxic Smoke
Nationwide Site Visits
Part L 2026 Ready
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Common Questions

Diagnostic Smoke Testing FAQs

Clear answers regarding the process of identifying air leaks and preparing your build for compliance.

Is the smoke used in the test toxic or harmful?
+
No. The smoke (or fog) we use is specially formulated for building diagnostics. It is completely non-toxic, leaves no residue, and is safe for use in residential and commercial environments. It simply clears away after the test when the space is ventilated.
Will smoke testing set off fire alarms?
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Yes, it can trigger optical smoke detectors. It is highly recommended that you isolate or temporarily cover smoke detectors in the testing zones during the diagnostic process. We will remind your site manager of this before we begin testing.
Do I have to do this before my final Air Tightness Test?
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It is not legally required, but it is highly recommended. Finding and fixing leaks when the building fabric is still exposed (before plasterboard and finishes) is vastly cheaper and less stressful than failing the final Part L test and having to tear down finished walls.
Can you test large commercial buildings?
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Yes. We use high-capacity blower door fans and specialized smoke generators to pressurize and test larger commercial spaces or isolate specific zones and ductwork within them.
Ready to Start?

Ready to Pinpoint Those Hidden Leaks?

Don’t risk a failed air tightness test. Get in touch with ARMEEC today for professional, fast, and nationwide diagnostic smoke testing.

Call Us Now (+44 7816 587548) Email for a Quote