The End!

Final airtightness test carried out.

Now improved to 2.8 m3/m2 at 50 pa!

Again some sealing required.

There is air loss where we know to have problems from both detailing and execution of the works. Although the latter we will have to accept as how far does one go!!!

Air leakage occurred in the front window frames, around the sash fasteners. These are a vertical sliding sash design. This appears to be a detailing/manufacturing problem.

We will be notifying the manufacturer of our findings.

Leakage was noted at socket outlets and at 1st floor skirting/floor junctions.

The areas identified were retro sealed as best as possible.

It will be difficult to ascertain the air loss path at these locations.

There was a substantial leakage in the bathroom services cupboard.

This was an oversight where a controlled penetration pipe sleeve had not been sealed! This has been sealed, although could not confirm what the impact of this was as the testing company had to leave.

Predict a final official air test result, when carried out by the EST, to be nearer 2.5 m3/m2 at 50 pa.

Slightly frustrating to know the issues that exist, we were not that far off realistically in achieving PassivHaus air tightness level.

COMPLETE!!!!!!

Decoration complete.

Minor finishing off tasks have dragged on a little, but we are there.

Property complete.

I'm sure I can see the finish?

Heating install completed and commissioned.

Some minor commissioning issues with a leak on solar pipes on the roof. This was easily addressed.

Wattbox second fix complete and commissioned.
Operating as planned.

External works complete.

Still 2nd fixing

Second fix work continues.

Some electric cables were lost while boarding over ceilings and walls. This caused some minor opening up to re locate cables, in two or three locations.

Decoration continues.

2nd Fix Electrics

Second fix electrics commenced.

There was some ambiguity with regards to the securing of the light fittings which was clarified by the lighting supplier.

The down-lights in the pod were substituted for surface light fittings. Although not an ideal solution, it was adequate.

Internal decoration commenced on site. Although this was a little premature, we needed to gain some time back.

Waterproof testing

At the end of September, EMH team members visited a couple of other retrofit projects in the North east of England to assess and benchmark progress on project implementation and to discuss any similar problems arising. Project Cottesmore has similar project members, managers and a significant overlap in the supply chain with the projects at Greenford Road in Newcastle and the Isos property in North Shields. The image show the property in Newcastle and the detailing on the roof and bay window produced as an off-site pod. Looks waterproof from the outside!

And so the work continues...

First fix heating and plumbing commenced.

Heating pipework is in micro-bore.

Solar collector pipework enters roof void between the pod an party walls via a proprietary flexible slate on roof. These fall outside of the airtightness membrane and enter on the first floor living space rear-elevation.

Care needed to be taken that the breach in the airtightness is controlled and carefully resealed.

Furthermore, pipework from the pod for the heating and the overflow for the MVHR also breached the airtightness membrane. The location is awkward and a lot of effort was taken to ensure that resealing was satisfactory. These pipes enter the bathroom services cupboard via a sealed duct.

The boiler flue was sleeved through a duct to outside.
This sleeve was sealed around the brickwork and the airtightness membrane. When the boiler flue is inserted the gap between the flue and the duct will be sealed internally and externally ensuring airtightness.

Second fix joinery commenced.
Fire doors within the property were cut from fire blanks to take into account non standard openings.

The kitchen was installed as per agreed layout.
The cooker-hood extractor which was integrated as part of the MVHR was installed and attached to the ducting.

A cupboard was formed in the front bedroom to allow for storage and an additional cupboard was formed around the MVHR unit.

Site visit takes place from Kingfisher Group to look at pod and retrofit works.