Duct Leakage Testing: UK Contractor Buyers’ Quote Comparison

To compare duct leakage testing quotes, specify the duct sections, acceptance criteria, test conditions, preparation responsibilities and report required. Choose between duct pressure or leakage testing (DP) and pressure testing for a system specified as zero-leakage/high-integrity; Air Ducts Southern advertises both services.[1]

Choose the testing service

The options below compare services, not contractors. Air Ducts Southern’s page does not state its geographic coverage, so confirm UK project attendance before requesting a quote.[1]

Duct pressure or leakage testing (DP)

• System fit: Air Ducts Southern advertises DP testing for new and existing ductwork systems.[1]
• Stated testing basis: The provider names BESA DW143 and says all testing follows DW143 and the client’s specification.[1]
• Scope to confirm: Request the section selection, test pressures, acceptance values and deliverables against that stated testing basis.

Pressure testing of zero-leakage high-integrity systems

• System fit: The provider advertises pressure tests for systems described as “zero-leakage high integrity”.[1]
• Stated testing basis: The page’s general commitment is to DW143 and the client’s specification.[1]
• Scope to confirm: Ask how the provider’s “zero-leakage” designation translates into a test method and measurable acceptance limit.

Where the project specification calls the system zero-leakage/high-integrity, include that designation in the enquiry. If the specification is ambiguous, seek clarification from its author rather than choosing a service from its name alone.

Define sections and acceptance conditions

Give every bidder the same section schedule and acceptance conditions. Ask the project designer or specification author to complete these fields from the project documents:

• Section identity: section IDs, drawing references and revisions, physical start and end boundaries, included branches and components, and any specified sampling extent.
• Leakage requirement: the specified leakage class and permitted leakage or other acceptance criterion for each section.
• Design conditions: the relevant design or operating pressure, clearly labelled.
• Test conditions: the requested test pressure and whether positive or negative pressure is required.

Keep design or operating pressure separate from test pressure; do not assume they are identical. Confirm section boundaries, leakage classes, pressures, sampling proportions and acceptance limits for the enquiry.

Resolve missing or conflicting requirements before attendance, then issue the agreed schedule to every bidder. Requesting this information from the designer is a procurement step—not a responsibility established by the provider’s service description. Keep this enquiry focused on duct leakage testing rather than combining it with requests for airflow balancing, whole-building airtightness testing or general HVAC servicing.

Allocate preparation and readiness responsibilities

Request a preparation checklist with a named owner and completion deadline for each task. Ask bidders to identify preparation included in their price and work others must complete.

• Access and services: who provides safe access, working space and power?
• Section preparation: who isolates the ductwork, installs temporary blanking or seals, and provides test openings and instrument connections?
• Readiness: what checks are needed on joints and section boundaries, who confirms readiness, and will the testing contractor supply a pre-visit checklist?
• Reinstatement: who removes temporary seals and reinstates affected components after testing?

Confirm preparation responsibilities, readiness arrangements and failed-visit terms with the provider. Agree what happens if a section is not ready, including waiting time, aborted attendance, notice to rearrange and rebooking charges.

Specify the section-by-section report

Ask for a sample report and agree the deliverable before accepting the quote. Ask Air Ducts Southern to confirm whether its DW143/client-specification testing includes a report, certificate or pass/fail schedule, and agree its contents and turnaround.

Use the following as a requested reporting specification, not as a statement of mandatory DW143 contents:

• Section identity: section name, drawing reference and tested duct surface area where applicable.
• Test conditions: specified leakage class, test pressure and positive or negative pressure direction.
• Acceptance comparison: measured leakage, allowable leakage and an explicit result against the agreed acceptance criteria.
• Traceability: test date, instrument identification, calibration information and witness or sign-off details.
• Limitations: deviations and reasons for any incomplete test.

Request results for every agreed section, including failed and incomplete tests. Agree the format and delivery deadline so the quotation covers the evidence requested for acceptance.

Separate testing, leak finding and remedial work

Request separate quote items for measuring leakage, locating leaks, repairs and repeat tests. Ask the provider to confirm whether leak location, marking, remedial sealing or repeat tests are included.

• Leak finding: does the price include identifying and marking individual leak locations, or only measuring section leakage?
• Repairs: is remedial sealing or repair included? Name who authorises and completes it, and confirm whether time is allowed during the original attendance.
• Repeat tests: how are tests after failure charged, and what triggers another attendance charge? Request revised results referencing the original section records.

What to confirm with each provider

Ask the provider to confirm prices, attendance duration, lead times, itemised commercial terms and cancellation and rescheduling terms. Request:

• Total price, VAT treatment, travel and call-out charges.
• Attendance assumptions, waiting-time charges and repeat-visit rates.
• Geographic coverage, availability and report delivery deadline.
• Payment, cancellation and rescheduling terms, plus explicit exclusions.

Compare prices after resolving these points against the same section schedule, preparation allocation and reporting brief. Treat the provider’s service descriptions as advertised scope, not independent evidence of competence, accuracy or reporting quality.

Send a quote-ready enquiry

Please quote for [selected testing service] at [project location], covering [section schedule and boundaries] on drawing [reference/revision].

Test basis: [project specification/revision], leakage class [ ], test pressure [ ], pressure direction [ ] and acceptance criterion [ ]. Please flag unresolved conditions before booking.

Confirm preparation and readiness responsibilities; the section-by-section report and delivery date; leak-location, repair and repeat-test inclusions; and itemised charges, availability and commercial terms.

Obtain each contractor’s written acknowledgement of the same scope before treating the totals as comparable.

References

1. Testing – Air Ducts Southern (airductssouthern.com)