BUILD TEST SOLUTIONS BTS-Pulse 2.0 Operator's manual

Pulse - Air Permeability Measurement
System
MODEL: BTS-Pulse 2.0
Instruction Manual and Safety Guidelines
Version 6.2
Version number
6.2
Product:
Pulse Air Permeability Measurement Instrument
Type:
Customer instruction manual and safety guidelines
Date of issue
02/07/2021

Page 2 of 28
Contents
1
1General Information.................................................................................................................................3
2Warranty and Supply Information............................................................................................................4
2.1 Warranty ...............................................................................................................................................4
2.2 Supply....................................................................................................................................................4
3Important Safety Instructions ..................................................................................................................5
3.1 Intended use of Pulse............................................................................................................................5
3.2 General Safety Information...................................................................................................................5
3.3 External Power Supply –230v and 110v operation ..............................................................................6
3.4 Connections ..........................................................................................................................................6
4Technical Information ..............................................................................................................................7
4.1 Technical Specification..........................................................................................................................7
4.2 Equipment.............................................................................................................................................7
4.3 Compressor unit....................................................................................................................................9
4.4 Other equipment ..................................................................................................................................9
5Service & Maintenance Requirements ...................................................................................................10
5.1 User Maintenance and Inspection ......................................................................................................10
5.2 Expert Servicing and Calibration .........................................................................................................10
5.3 Cleaning the Air Receiver unit.............................................................................................................11
5.4 Cleaning of the touch screen ..............................................................................................................11
6Scope of Use ..........................................................................................................................................12
6.1 Pulse Property Size Limitations ...........................................................................................................12
6.1.2 Conversion of 50Pa figures to 4Pa..................................................................................................13
7Operation...............................................................................................................................................13
7.1 Assembly and First Use .......................................................................................................................13
7.2 Transport.............................................................................................................................................13
7.3 Initial Setup .........................................................................................................................................14
7.4 Charging the Air Receivers ..................................................................................................................14
7.5 Test Preparation..................................................................................................................................15
7.6 Launching the Pulse test .....................................................................................................................15
7.7 Step tests.............................................................................................................................................16
7.8 Results.................................................................................................................................................16
7.9 After testing ........................................................................................................................................18
8Control Box Menu Controls....................................................................................................................19
8.1 Menu Map...........................................................................................................................................19
8.2 Test......................................................................................................................................................19
8.3 History and back-up ............................................................................................................................22
8.4 Settings................................................................................................................................................23
8.5 Software..............................................................................................................................................24
8.6 Tank Drain ...........................................................................................................................................25
9Technical Support and Troubleshooting.................................................................................................26
10 Appendices ............................................................................................................................................28
10.1 Appendix A –Annual Self Calibration Check.......................................................................................28

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1General Information
This manual is copyrighted, all rights reserved. It may not be, in whole or in part, copied, photocopied,
reproduced, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form without prior consent
in writing from Build Test Solutions (BTS) Ltd. Furthermore, it may not be distributed electronically in any format,
without prior consent from Build Test Solutions (BTS) Ltd.
Thank you for choosing the Pulse air permeability measurement system, a low pressure Pulse (LPP) technology.
The Pulse 2.0 product includes a variety of features and testing options to allow for the safe and efficient testing
of the air leakage characteristics of buildings and enclosures.
This manual provides factory prescribed operation and maintenance procedures for a Pulse 2.0 LPP Unit. The
procedures illustrated in this document are only to be performed by competent, authorised personnel. For
further information regarding the procedures outlined in this document please contact BTS Ltd before
proceeding.
We strongly recommend you read this guide thoroughly before attempting to use the Pulse unit. It is also
recommended that you receive approved training prior to the use of this technology.
Support and Manufacturers Details
Pulse is a technology manufactured by Absolute Air & Gas Ltd, and supplied by Build Test Solutions Ltd
Address: 16 St John’s Business Park, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 4HB, United Kingdom
Tel. No: 01455 555 218
Internet: www.buildtestsolutions.com
Email: [e-mail]

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2Warranty and Supply Information
2.1 Warranty
All Pulse Units are supplied with a 12 month manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase, when
purchased, installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers guidelines. Only genuine service
parts should be used and no modifications made. For further information please contact BTS Ltd.
2.2 Supply
All Pulse LLP Units, are securely packaged in bespoke strong cardboard boxes for shipping. Upon receipt please
check immediately to establish whether damage has occurred to the external packaging and if the damage
extends to the Pulse components inside. If there is damage to the unit, contact the relevant supplier immediately
and do not attempt to use the product. Using a damaged Pulse unit can lead to irreparable functional faults or
cause serious physical harm.

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3Important Safety Instructions
This equipment has been designed and manufactured to meet strict international safety standards yet, like any
electrical and pressurised apparatus, due care must still be taken by the operator.
For your own safety, when carrying out work using a Pulse LPP unit, all relevant national safety regulations must
be complied with relating to pressurised and electrical systems.
3.1 Intended use of Pulse
Pulse is exclusively intended for determining the air leakage and/or background air change rates of buildings
and enclosures.
Pulse is portable equipment and must be stored in a dry, stable environment; protected at all times from
extreme conditions and weather.
Pulse must be operated only as intended and in accordance with the manual within the constraints of the data
on the product information plates located on the air receiver, controller and compressor, respectively.
Any operations that do not comply with those stated on the Pulse rating label will render the warranty void.
3.2 General Safety Information
This instrument is for professional use only.
Use only as described in this manual.
Do not handle plug or instrument with wet hands.
Read carefully and understand the instructions before using the equipment.
Do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. For indoor use only.
Do not remove any screws or non-operator accessible covers.
Do not insert any metallic objects.
Do not allow liquid to spill into cabinet openings. Resting drinks or other liquids on top of any of the product
components is strongly discouraged and will void warranty.
Do not allow anything to rest on or strain the power cords or air hose and ensure all cables are routed to
prevent damage, accidental contact or trip hazards.
Do not continue to operate the equipment if you are in any doubt about it working normally, or if it is
damaged in any way. Switch off, then withdraw the mains plug and consult your service agent.
Ensure all parts, including the controller case lid, are securely attached before transporting or carrying the
instrument.
Store the instrument indoors. Do not use or store this instrument below 0ºC (32ºF). Ensure that the
instrument is at room temperature before operating.
Do not unplug by pulling on cable. To unplug, grasp the plug, not the cable
Do not pull or carry by the power supply or data cables, use cables as a handle, close a door on cables, or
pull cables around sharp edges or corners. Do not squash the cables with any of the equipment and keep
the cables away from heated surfaces.
Keep all parts of body away from the air nozzle during use as it can get very cold during and after air release.
Do not block, or place objects near to, the nozzle: the force produced by air exiting the unit can cause objects
to be toppled, or even be projected.
Take extra care when moving the instrument on stairs. Do not work with the instrument above you on the
stairs.
Keep the air receiver and compressor components on the floor. Do not raise onto chairs, tables etc.
Do not shake the instrument or expose it to ongoing lengthy vibration.
Seek manual lifting and handling training before attempting to move this unit. If you are unsure as to your
ability to move the unit, do not attempt to. Seek help or procure a lifting aid.
Do not lubricate any parts or carry out any maintenance or repair work other than that advised in this
manual, or as advised by Build Test Solutions Ltd operatives.
When transporting the unit, ensure the compressor, air receiver and controller are all secured into place.
No modifications must be made to any part of the Pulse system, any modifications may reduce the
operational safety of the unit and invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty.

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Ensure that the equipment is depressurised and electrically isolated prior to carrying out any of the
scheduled maintenance instructions specified within this user guide.
3.3 External Power Supply –230v and 110v operation
In the event of a hazard or malfunction, the power should be switched off at the socket before being unplugged
from the mains.
The power lead should only be plugged into the air receiver power input socket. Check to ensure your electricity
supply matches that shown on the rating plate.
The power supply will provide adequate power for the instrument. The user should ensure that all other auxiliary
apparatus, drawing power from the host, does not overload the power supply.
A damaged mains cord should be replaced by the user.
The air receiver and controller operate on a 24v DC supply, managed by a power supply unit built into the air
receiver body that accepts a 110/230v universal input. The power to the controller is delivered via power over
ethernet (PoE). A relay within the air receiver assembly separately diverts the mains 110/230v supply directly to
the compressor via the ‘power out’ port on the air receiver top plate. In order for the system to safely operate
at either a 110 or 230 voltage, the compressor pump motor must be rated to the correct corresponding input
voltage. A 230v compressor is supplied with a Pulse 2.0 system as standard but a 110v version of the same
compressor is also available upon request.
3.4 Connections
Interconnection to other equipment via the externally accessible ports or wireless connectivity on the
instrument must only be made as follows:
Power Supply Input and compressor power output: As described in Section 3.3
USB: A storage device can be used to export test data as per the export protocol detailed in Section 8.3.1. It is
strongly suggested that any storage device connected to the Pulse Control Unit is scanned for viruses or,
preferably, formatted before use. The Pulse control software may not have sufficient malware protection to
prevent the software being altered or deleted by any malware present on an inputted USB device, requiring the
unit to be returned to the service provider for repair.
Ethernet: To connect from an air receiver to the controller and/or from an air receiver to an additional auxiliary
air receiver. All described in section 7.3.

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4Technical Information
4.1 Technical Specification
Pulse 2.0
Maximum Operating Pressure
10 Bar / 145 Psi / 1,000 kPa
Operating Voltage
220-240V 50Hz (110v available)
Max Power Consumption
569W, 2.63A (compressor)
Min Operating Temperature
4°C (frost free)
Max Operating Temperature
40°C
Outlet Filtration
5μm (particulate)
Communications
2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, BLE
Storage
8GB (up to 20,000 test files)
External Dimensions
Air receiver: Ø 386 x 900 (H) mm
Controller: 305 (L) x 270 (W) x 144 (H) mm
Compressor: 350 (L) x 150 (W) x 370 (H) mm
Weight
Air receiver: 14.0kg
Controller: 3.0kg
Compressor: 16.0kg
Ancillaries Supplied
1x 3m IEC to mains plug cable;
1x 2m IEC compressor power cable;
1x 2m air delivery hose;
1x 4m Controller CAT5e data cable
System Outputs
Air Leakage rate (m³/h)
Air Leakage per hour, Q (m³/h)
Air changes per hour Q (h¯1)
Effective Leakage area (m²)
Air Permeability (m³/m²h)
Achieved Pressure Range (Pa)
4.2 Equipment
The Pulse device comprises the following fundamental components which are supplied by BTS.
4.2.1 Pulse Air Receiver
The Pulse Air Receiver contains:
39.8 litre air receiver tank and connections
Air nozzle silencer for main air release
Analogue pressure gauge
Charge port for compressor connection
Drain valve port (in the base of the unit)
Absolute pressure and temperature sensor
Interface panel
Control PCB
Connections are labelled below:

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4.2.2 Pulse Control Box
The Pulse Control Box contains:
Control panel touch screen
Control electronics including control PCB
Enclosure pressure and temperature sensing equipment
Power Indicator LED
Power over Ethernet and USB ports
The diagram shows the components in place:
Room Temperature Sensor
Room Pressure Sensor
User Touchscreen
USB Port
Power Indicator LED
RJ45Power over Ethernet
EIC Power out to compressor
(110/230v)
EIC Power in (240v)
Air Exhaust Nozzle
Tank pressure gauge
RJ45 data connection port for auxiliary Air
Receiver
Compressed air in charge port
RJ45 Power over Ethernet port for Control
Unit

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4.3 Compressor unit
The compressor is used to pressurise the air receiver, to a maximum pressure
of 10bar by medium of a charging hose. Charing of the air receiver may take
place on site within the building or enclosure under test, onsite but outside the
space to be tested (e.g. to minimise disruption or the time in the property) or
if air receivers are suitably secured, it is also possible to charge air receivers in
transit via a suitably configured compressor.
First, ensure the electrical supply voltage matches the Pulse compressor
operating voltage.
With power supplied, the primary intended mode of operation is for the compressor to be switched on at the
pressure switch (red dial) and then for the compressor power input to be regulated by the controller software
via a relay in the air receiver. This allows a user to set a desired target pressure and the system will then
automatically cut out when this pressure is reached. The alternative is to set the
software at the maximum 10bar pressure and then to use the manual pressure
switch dial to turn the compressor on and off as required.
The compressor and hose supplied by BTS has been selected for its minimal
maintenance requirements, low charge time, low noise and high durability, we
therefore recommend using this compressor with the Pulse unit. However, if
compressors not supplied by Build Test Solutions are used to charge the
instrument it is imperative that the compressor is approved and configured for
charging to no greater than 10Bar and that the correct couplings necessary for
connection to the Pulse unit are used (Prevost S1 series euro connectors). It’s also
recommended that the air pumped into the Pulse unit is pre-dried as far as practicable to reduce the risk of the
solenoid valve freezing during multistep Pulse testing and to generally minimise migration of moisture into the
air receiver side of the system.
4.4 Other equipment
There are other pieces of optional ancillary equipment which may be necessary for air tightness testing regimes:
A laser distance meter or other relevant tool for measuring building geometry
An anemometer for measuring wind speed to assess external test conditions
Camera for making records of testing and site conditions
Personal protective clothing (PPE) as stipulated by your employer, client or a risk assessment.
These items are not included as standard with the Pulse unit but can be purchased off-the-shelf.

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5Service & Maintenance Requirements
The Pulse unit requires regular maintenance and calibration to ensure correct measurement. The following
service schedule should be maintained for all testing. A fully serviced Pulse unit is mandatory for regulatory
testing and where testing results are intended to be used to demonstrate improvements which may be later
monetised or promoted.
Please contact BTS Ltd directly to discuss your intended use of the system and the associated servicing,
calibration, user training and test regime requirements.
5.1 User Maintenance and Inspection
To assure that all testing is carried out safely and accurately, and to ensure that your Pulse unit maintains its
performance for as long as possible, please follow the schedule below:
Action
How Often
Notes
Guidance
Drain Main
Tank
Weekly
When filling the main tank,
moisture from the air will collect in
the tank, this needs to be removed
weekly to ensure optimum
performance and accuracy.
Trigger the ‘drain air receivers’ setting
while the tank is pressurised at around
2-5Bar. Note the drain is in the base of
the unit and a pool of moisture may be
released so take care if draining on
carpets or wooden floors.
Hose,
connectors
and cables
check
Weekly
Check all hoses, data cables,
connectors and electrical cables for
security, damage or wear and
replace if damaged.
This is to ensure safe and efficient
operation but also poor data
connections can lead to missing data
packets and unnecessary failed tests.
System
airtightness
test
Annually
Ensuring there are no leaks in your
system will ensure fast charging
and maximised testing accuracy.
Charge the tank to 10bar, leave the full
system (air receiver and compressor)
pressurised for 2-3hours, observe any
pressure changes with the live feed of
the tank pressure on the screen. Report
leaks to service provider.
Self-
calibration
checks
6 monthly
Ensuring the system is providing
results in line with a correctly
calibrated system.
Using a self-calibration known-opening
panel, carry out testing as per
description in Appendix A –Annual Self
Calibration Check
5.2 Expert Servicing and Calibration
It is the responsibility of users to service and report servicing to any authorised regulatory body for which system
calibration is a requirement.
Regulatory bodies may prescribe their own calibration requirements, otherwise, BTS recommends the following
expert/third-party calibration.
Component
Description
Range
Accuracy
Calibration
standard
required
Calibration
Frequency
Full System
Full system test in a
fully characterised
enclosure
±25 Pa
±5%
Calibration
checked as a
whole system,
traceable to
national
standards.1
Individual sensors
calibrated to
UKAS.2
24 Months
Air receiver
temperature
sensor
Measuring
temperature inside
the receiver (i.e.
inside the pressurised
air tank)
-40to
60
± 0.5 °C
24 Months
Air receiver
pressure sensor
Measuring pressure
inside the receiver
1-11 bar
(Absolute)
±0.1 bar
24 Months

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Component
Description
Range
Accuracy
Calibration
standard
required
Calibration
Frequency
(i.e. inside the
pressurised air tank)
Results and the
date of last
service and
calibration check
should be
recorded and
reported with the
test results.
Room pressure
transducer
(Control module)
Measuring the
pressure difference
between building
pressure and
reference tank
pressure i.e. ΔP
±25 Pa
Full scale
error ±0.5%,
measureme
nt error ±1%
24 Months
Room
temperature
sensor
Measuring the
ambient temperature
in the room
0-40
± 0.5 °C
24 Months
Reference
system check
Differential pressure sensor component that ensures accurate and
reliable measurement of absolute room pressure. System isolated and
pressure leak checked as part of bi-annual service.
24 Months
Software
updates
Software system updates issued by BTS to all Pulse customers. Adding
features and new functionality.
As issued
Pressure system
service
The Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) defined system inspection and
testing criteria. Air receiver, compressor and ancillaries.
24 Months
For further details please contact BTS Ltd direct.
5.3 Cleaning the Air Receiver unit.
DO NOT allow any water to ingress beyond the fabric exterior. Remove any dust or dirt from the fabric using a
damp cloth that has previously been dipped in mild soap and water. Wring out thoroughly to remove excess
water before use.
DO NOT use solvents, cleaning fluids or abrasives. These materials could damage the unit and any exposed
contacts.
5.4 Cleaning of the touch screen
To avoid scratches, use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the screen. If dirt is persistent, dampen the cloth
with water or a lens cleaner, DO NOT apply liquids directly to surface.

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6Scope of Use
Key applications for the Pulse technology includes:
Establishing the air permeability of existing domestic and non-domestic buildings to quantify energy
losses and to identify ventilation risks.
To demonstrate the improvements achieved with the installation of measures that improve air
tightness.
Pre-compliance quality assurance checks on new build commercial and domestic properties.
Testing the integrity of other enclosures where air tightness may be critical such as containment labs,
clean rooms, gaseous fire suppression rooms and refrigeration chambers.
6.1 Pulse Property Size Limitations
Much like other air permeability testing methods, only a guideline can be offered as to the suitability of Pulse
for a given application. Due to varying levels and leakage characteristics of buildings, results may not be
obtainable even for properties within the following guidelines. To ensure successful testing, it is recommended
that users oversize the Pulse unit to be used.
Build Test Solutions maintain a publically accessible Pulse system sizing guide available online here:
https://www.pulseairtest.com/sizing-guide.html
Above: Example screenshot of the online Pulse system sizing tool. Available at www.pulseairtest.com/sizing-
guide.
6.1.1 Estimate Pulse Unit Needed by Calculation
The Pulse air receiver delivers a flow rate of 322 m3/hr @ 4Pa with system capacity simply increasing by this
same amount for each additional air receiver added:
Size of Air Receiver,
Charged to 10Bar
Flowrate @4Pa
(m3/hr)
Single 40L Pulse Air
Receiver Unit
323
One Additional Air
Receiver (80L total)
646
Two Additional Air
Receivers (120L total)
969

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The flowrate needed for any 4Pa Air Change per Hour (ACH4) and Building Volume (V) can be found by the
following calculation:
   
The flowrate needed for any 4Pa Air Permeability (AP4) and Building Envelope Area (AE) can be found by the
following calculation:
  
 
For example, a property which just exceeds the minimum regulatory backstop (AP50 = 7, AP4≈1.3), 3-bedroom
house with an envelope area of 230m3requires a flow rate of
󰇛󰇜     
In this case a single standard 40L air receiver unit will be applicable, but an experienced tester may bring an
additional Air Receiver to ensure a successful test e.g. if the property is more found to be bigger or leakier than
expected.
6.1.2 Conversion of 50Pa figures to 4Pa
The UK Building Regulations and Pulse Online currently uses the following conversion formula derived by
calculating the ratio of the measured air permeability at 4Pa (AP4) from the Pulse test to the measured air
permeability at 50Pa (AP50) from a fan test across a large sample with a wide range of leakage rates.
AP50 = AP4 x 0.9241 x 5.2540
An alternative method of comparison would be to use the air flow exponent (n) and air flow coefficient from a
blower door fan test and extrapolate down to 4Pa using the Power Law.
It should be noted in all cases however that the performance of a building at 4Pa does not correlate directly with
its performance at 50Pa: The conversion required is specific to the building and the types of leakage occurring.
Air leakage pathways vary based on the air flow and pressure exerted on them and the mounting of a blower
door fan itself can cause for variations; the mounting method tending to introduce additional leakage in the case
of high performing air tight doors and reducing leakage where the door is otherwise poorly fitting or
incorporating a letterbox or similar.
This relationship is separately being research further by Build Test Solutions the University of Nottingham and
others.
7Operation
7.1 Assembly and First Use
No first-use assembly is required for the Pulse unit to be operational. The equipment supplied fully assembled,
tested and ready to operate.
It is recommended that a test release of the instrument, following the guidelines in this section, is carried out to
ensure the unit is in working order before use in the field.
7.2 Transport
The Pulse unit is designed for portability, allowing for its use in almost any location. However, is a measurement
instrument and consideration should be given to sensitive nature of the on-board sensors which may be affected
by large impacts. For this reason, it is recommended that the Pulse unit is handled with due care.

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When transporting in a vehicle, it is advised that precautions are made to ensure the unit cannot move around
within the vehicle, by strapping or otherwise.
When manually handling the instrument, please ensure you have received the correct manual handling training
and, if necessary procured the necessary lift aids as per your personal requirements or risk assessment.
7.3 Initial Setup
When used correctly, Pulse creates an instantaneous pressure difference across the entire space; however, it is
possible to cause testing inaccuracies unless the Pulse is positioned such that the unit has free airflow to the
whole space. It is advised that the nozzle has at least 1 metre clearance around it to allow for unhindered air
dispersal and the air receiver is placed centrally in the building or enclosure under test.
The Pulse control system should also be positioned as far away from the main unit as possible to prevent the air
release from affecting the sensors contained within it. A 4m control cable is provided to allow for this, and it is
advised that, where possible, the unit should be positioned around a corner, or behind objects, to ensure the
best results. Some operators may also choose to stand between the main case and the control case during
testing to prevent the air flow from directly impacting the control system. Like the air receiver, it is also
important that the controller is not too close to walls, where air waves can reverberate off the surface and effect
the sensor pressure readings. Here we advise 0.5m clear air around the controller where possible.
The Pulse control system should also be positioned so that the temperature sensor (labelled in section 4.2.1) is
not in direct sunlight to ensure a correct reading of room temperature is taken.
7.4 Charging the Air Receivers
The Pulse unit has a quick-connect charge port coupling fitted as per the diagram in Section 4.2.1.
To begin charging, connect your compressor to the main air receiver charge port via the quick-connect
connections using the supplied air hose and switch the compressor on.

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Compressor charge hose connection to air receiver
Compressor charge hose with push-fit fittings
NOTE: FOR THIRD PARTY SUPPLIED COMPRESSORS, ENSURE YOUR COMPRESSOR IS SET TO CHARGE TO 9-
10BAR TO ENSURE THE TANK’S SAFETY VALVE IS NOT TRIGGERED.
When the air receiver has reached fully-charged, the compressor will switch off automatically. This should take
approximately 8 minutes for a single standard 40L air receiver to fully charge from empty to its max 10 bar
capacity. Please note: For testing with lower tank pressures, the user can set the pressure from within the
software options and the system will switch off the compressor once the desired pressure is reached.
7.5 Test Preparation
Prior to testing, normally while the air receiver(s) are charging, the following actions should be carried out.
Open all interior doors and openings to allow for flow of air between the spaces to be tested.
Close or seal up any purpose provided ventilation as per the testing protocols being followed (e.g. CIBSE
TM23 2021, ATTMA TSL1, ISO 9972).
Inform current building occupants of the imminent testing. You may also wish to warn them of the noise
made during testing as some occupants may find this disconcerting if they are not warned. In occupied
premises where pets are present, it is advised for them to be kept away from the air release to avoid distress.
You may wish to place signs on external doors to ensure nobody enters during testing, which in turn could
render a test as void.
Input all the required test details and building parameters as per control system instructions in section 8.
7.6 Launching the Pulse test
It is strongly recommended that records are kept of each test to allow for reporting or compliance needs. The
following information is likely to be useful when keeping records:
Tester ID number
Test time
Weather conditions on site
Test location (i.e. address)
Notable site conditions and building information
Sealing protocol followed
The Pulse control system has the capability to record this information, but you may choose to make additional
records as deemed appropriate.
When launching a test, first ensure the air receivers are charged to sufficiently high pressure by observation of
the on-screen tank pressure feeds, or by observation of the mechanical tank pressure gauge in the top of the air
receiver. (This can be pre-set in the control software).

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Use the control system to set up the test and input testing parameters. Section 8 provides comprehensive
guidance on using the control system. When “start test” shows on the screen, the test is ready to launch.
PLEASE NOTE: Testing without inputting building envelope area and volume will mean test results will not be
provided on-screen and will require calculation later. Free online Pulse software is available to all Pulse
customers for this.
Advise occupants that the test is about to start and that there will be some noise and a gush of air. Ask that
movement to be kept to a minimum during the test, which will take a total of 15 seconds for a 3-step test.
Upon pressing the button to launch the test, a 5-second countdown commences, during which, the operator
should step away from the unit.
IMPORTANT: THE USER AND OCCUPANTS SHOULD NOT MOVE DURING THE TEST: Highly accurate air pressure
readings are taken throughout the test (not just during the air Pulse), movement may cause air flow or changes
to the building envelope (e.g. stepping on a suspended floor may flex it) which could affect the test. The user
should also ensure they do not touch, hold or move close to the pressure sensor outlet.
The Pulse test cycle itself then commences, with three main phases for a standard 2 step test:
2 second background pressure sampling –during which there is no air released, the device takes air
pressure readings.
1.5 second release of air, during which time a noise and draught will be felt.
A further 1.5 second background pressure sampling –during which time the system records external
and internal air pressure.
A second 1.5 second release of air, this time a lesser velocity than the previous.
A final 2.5 second period of background pressure sampling. Again, no air is released but important
background pressure readings are being taken.
For a three step test, an additional release of air and 1.5 second background pressure sampling phase will be
observed.
The test is complete with results and feedback now presented on the screen.
7.7 Step tests
Pulse can enact between 1 and 3 air releases (steps) in one test. The three steps release differing amounts of air
as the tank is drained from one step to the next. This allows for a wider spread of data to be gathered over a
range of induced pressure differences, thus more reliable results.
Selecting how many steps to include in the test will depend upon the tank size and building volume/leakiness
(see section 6.1). If the Pulse unit is oversized for the property, a 3-step Pulse is advised, if the Pulse is
comfortably within range, a 2-step Pulse is advised, if the Pulse system to hand is at its limit for testing, a single-
step Pulse should be used.
For very air tight properties, it is necessary to increase the valve open duration from 1.5 seconds to 4.0 seconds
under the advanced settings page of the main settings menu. Corresponding offset timings may also need to be
adjusted, although this can be done retrospectively on the Pulse Online dashboard.
7.8 Results
The screen will display the test results:
ALR –Air leakage rate (m3/h)
Air Leakage per hour, Q (m3/hr)
ACH –Air changes per hour (h-1)
ELA –Effective Leakage area (m2)

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AP –Air Permeability (m3/m2h)
Achieved Pressure Range (Pa)
A test ID will also be displayed, this should be noted for records.
At the end of the test the results are automatically captured in the unit’s memory. These may be exported as .csv
or .Pat file (depending on the version of Pulse unit and software you are running) by plugging in a USB and
following export guidelines in section 8.3.
Alongside all results, feedback on the quality of the test is also presented. This feedback is informed by a number
of test quality indicators and includes the following advice:
Feedback
Comment
Valid test
A high quality successful test, proceed accordingly
Warning:
Low
achieved
pressure
A test status warning is given where the achieved pressure range does not span 4Pa. The
warning will state 'low pressure' if the maximum of the range is below 4Pa and 'high pressure'
if the minimum of the range is above 4Pa. This does not invalidate the test but means that the
result at 4Pa has had to be inferred based on the available data. This is then reflected in the
calculation uncertainty. Where these instances occur, the closer the achieved pressure range is
to 4Pa, the better.
A low achieved pressure is as a result of the building under test being either too big and or too
leaky for the Pulse equipment in use. To increase the achieved pressure, the air receiver should
be charged to a higher starting pressure and if this was already the case, an additional air
receiver should be added in order to increase the total air flow release.
Warning:
High
achieved
pressure
A test status warning is given where the achieved pressure range does not span 4Pa. The
warning will state 'low pressure' if the maximum of the range is below 4Pa and 'high pressure'
if the minimum of the range is above 4Pa. This does not invalidate the test but means that the
result at 4Pa has had to be inferred based on the available data. This is then reflected in the
calculation uncertainty. Where these instances occur, the closer the achieved pressure range is
to 4Pa, the better.
A high achieved pressure is as a result of the Pulse equipment releasing too much air into the
building under test for its given size and/or leakiness. In these instances the operative could use
fewer air receivers and/or carry out the test from a lower air receiver charge level i.e. fewer
bars.
Invalid r²
Threshold
The correlation coefficient, or r², is indicative of the accuracy with which a curve fitting
equation can be applied to a set of results. With high frequency 50Hz data collection, 25
reference points are collected per step and it is recommended that an overall r² value of
greater than 0.96 is required for a test to be deemed valid. Where all combinations of the test
steps are analysed yet none are able to achieve the minimum 0.96 threshold, the test is
flagged as invalid. The quality of the data points and trendline can be viewed in the 'Air Flow'
chart of the View Test page of Pulse Online, with poor r² tests typically presenting a distorted
series of data points.
These distortions will typically be as a result of either:
Adverse environmental conditions e.g. strong gusting winds;
Poor test conditions e.g. a loose or moving element of the building fabric that is
constantly moving and changing or reacting to the Pulse of air inconsistently;
Sub-standard test setup e.g. distorted air flow and reverberations as a result of the air
receiver or controller being too close to a wall or window.

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Invalid
Exponent
(n)
Threshold
The air flow exponent, n, is used to describe the airflow regime through the gaps and holes in
the building fabric. Values must range between 0.5 and 1.0. An n value approaching 0.5
signifies turbulent flow, representing high flow through large apertures. An n value
approaching 1.0 will indicate a more laminar flow, characteristic of more air tight structures or
those with much smaller gaps and holes.
A test would fail on this criteria if the n exponent is outside of the 0.5 to 1.0 range. A value
that is below 0.5 would typically be caused by a building having a series of very large
openings. This could be as basic as there being an open window or chimney but it could also
simply mean that the building is just too leaky overall and outside of the operating range of
the Pulse equipment in hand.
It is very rare for an n exponent of more than 1.0 to be recorded but if it is, we advise
assessing the achieved pressure range, perhaps repositioning the equipment e.g. ensuring the
controller is not in the turbulent flow from the air receiver nozzle, then retesting.
Invalid
Steps
As with the test as a whole, individual steps have their own pass and fail criteria, however one
step failing doesn't mean that other steps have also failed. If a test presents an 'Invalid steps'
fail message, then this means that the final result calculation included at least one step which
failed. The reasons for why steps have failed will be displayed on the 'Parameters' tab when
viewing a test in Pulse Online.
7.9 After testing
When all testing is complete, we advise draining the air receiver prior to transport. Draining is best achieved by
draining the air receiver using the dedicated function on the control system (see section 8.3).
Switch-off the unit, unplug all wires and store.
Pulse is now ready for transport.

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8Control Box Menu Controls
8.1 Menu Map
The main menu screen appears as follows. Top right we see the number of connected air receivers, current date
and time and the real-time pressure in each air receiver presented in Bar.
8.2 Test
To carry out a Pulse test:
1. Select “Test” in the main menu.
2. Input:
a. Number of steps to be carried out in the test (1-3), see section 7.7 for guidance.
b. Input tester ID as per your organisation’s convention.
c. The air receivers successfully connected to the controller should display in the table in the
bottom half of the page. Here you can electronically set a target charge pressure override by
entering a new target pressure value and confirming this by pressing ‘Apply Pressure Override’.
The compressor will automatically cut out at this set target pressure.
Main Menu
Test Test Parameters Property Details Building Dimensions
/ Pulse Without
Parameters Launch Test
History
Export
Delete
Rerun Test
Show Results
Settings
Date& Time
Default Test
Parameters
Software
Check Sensors
Drain

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Click “Next”
3. Input:
d. Property ID as per your organisation’s convention.
e. Building Age (list of drop down options appear).
f. Building Type (list of drop down options appear).
g. Property Type (list of drop down options appear).
h. Building Construction (list of drop down options appear).
i. Notes –free text field for any additional notes you may wish to input.
Click “Next”
4. To carry out a test with building dimensions inputted (provides results on-the-spot), input the following
measurements:
j. Building Envelope Area (m2)
k. Building Volume (m3)
Click “Next”