BEO Science — ATTMA Accredited Training Provider
ATTMA PH+ for Passive House
& Low Energy Buildings
The only fully online course covering ATTMA TSL4 — the technical standard for airtightness testing in Passive House and low energy buildings. Master the volume calculations that trip up even experienced testers. Complete in your own time, from anywhere.
Who This Course Is For
Two pathways. One course.
Whether you're a registered tester adding the PH endorsement to your ATTMA profile, or a Passive House professional who wants to understand exactly what high-performance testing involves — this course is built for you.
ATTMA L1 / L2 Testers
- Add the PH ✓ tick to your ATTMA registration
- Test Passive House and low energy buildings with confidence
- Understand volume methodology before it becomes a problem on site
- Meet TSL4 requirements fully and report correctly for certification
PH Designers & Consultants
- Understand what you're specifying when you require a TSL4 test
- Know why test results sometimes don't align with your PHPP figures — and how to prevent it
- Be a more informed client when briefing and engaging a tester
- Earn CPD points in a directly relevant specialism
The Technical Challenge
Why TSL4 is different — and harder
Standard airtightness testing follows a familiar process: set up equipment, pressurise the building, record the result. ATTMA TSL4 — the standard for Passive House and low energy buildings — requires all of that, and then considerably more.
The Core Problem
Volume calculation errors are the most common reason a Passive House airtightness test fails to support certification.
In standard residential testing, building volume is straightforward. In Passive House testing, the internal treated volume (V) is a precisely defined quantity — and it must match the figure in the project's PHPP. If it doesn't, the test result is unreliable. Whether the building passes or fails certification can depend entirely on whether your volume is right.
This is the gap the ATTMA PH+ course closes.
Where volume calculations go wrong
- 01 Gross vs net internal volume — using floor area × storey height instead of the correct net internal volume that excludes structure, partitions, and built-in elements. These figures are not interchangeable, and the difference matters.
- 02 Misalignment with PHPP — your site measurement must reconcile with the designer's PHPP internal volume. When it doesn't, the source of the discrepancy needs to be identified before the test result can be used for certification.
- 03 Non-standard geometry — vaulted ceilings, mezzanines, split levels, and stairwells all require careful volume attribution. There's a correct method, and a common wrong one.
- 04 Attached structures and the pressure boundary — garages, utility rooms, and sunspaces may be inside or outside the pressure boundary. Getting this wrong changes the volume, changes the test result, and can invalidate the certification.
- 05 Reporting gaps — even a correctly conducted test can fail to support certification if the test report doesn't present volume, method, and results in the form the certifier requires. Knowing what to report — and how — is part of the job.
Course Content
What you'll cover
ATTMA TSL4 and the Passive House Standard
The relationship between TSL4, ISO 9972, and Passive House certification. How PH airtightness targets work, what they mean in practice, and how they differ from standard regulatory testing.
Internal Treated Volume — Theory and Measurement
The correct methodology for calculating internal volume under TSL4 and ISO 9972. How to measure on site. How to reconcile your figure with the PHPP. Where errors occur and how to prevent them.
Non-Standard Geometry and Attached Structures
Volume attribution in complex buildings. Pressure boundary decisions for garages, utility rooms, sunspaces, and linked structures. Worked examples across common building configurations.
Conducting and Reporting the TSL4 Test
Test setup, equipment, procedure, and the specific reporting requirements for Passive House certification. What the certifier needs from your report — and what will cause it to be returned.
Assessment
Knowledge assessment covering the full TSL4 scope. On passing, your CPD certificate is issued and — if you hold ATTMA membership — the PH ✓ endorsement is added to your ATTMA profile.
Delivery
Online. Self-paced. No fixed dates.
Complete in your own time, from anywhere
The course is fully online and self-paced. There are no scheduled cohorts, no travel requirements, and no waiting for the next intake. Work through the modules when it suits you — across a week, or across a month. Return to sections as needed. Complete the assessment when you're ready.
The course is available to participants in New Zealand and internationally.
Course Comparison
Which BEO course do you need?
BEO delivers three ATTMA courses covering different technical standards and building types. Here's how they compare.
| ATTMA L1 | ATTMA L2 | ATTMA PH+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | TSL1 — Simple Buildings | TSL2 — Non-Simple Buildings | TSL4 — Passivhaus & Low Energy |
| Building type | Standard dwellings and simple buildings | Large and complex buildings | Passive House, low energy, high-performance |
| Key skill | Test procedure and standard reporting | Multi-point testing, complex envelope assessment | Internal treated volume methodology and PH-specific reporting |
| Delivery | In-person — theory, workshop, exam (NZ) | In-person (NZ) | Online, fully self-paced |
| Credential | ATTMA L1 registration | ATTMA L2 registration | PH ✓ added to existing ATTMA profile |
| Who starts here | Those entering airtightness testing for the first time | Existing L1 testers moving to larger buildings | Existing L1/L2 testers; PH designers and consultants |
| Available | Auckland · Wellington · Christchurch · Queenstown | New Zealand | Anywhere — NZ and internationally |
Not yet a registered ATTMA tester? The ATTMA L1 course is the starting point, delivered in person across NZ. Already registered and testing larger buildings? The L2 course extends your scope to non-simple buildings. You can add the PH+ at any point — as a registered tester to unlock the endorsement, or as a Passive House professional for CPD credit.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need to hold ATTMA L1 to enrol?
No. ATTMA membership is not a prerequisite for enrolment. The course is open to anyone. However, you have to apply to have the PH ✓ endorsement added to your ATTMA profile is only unlocked for registered ATTMA members. If you're a Passive House designer or consultant taking the course for professional knowledge, you'll receive a CPD certificate on passing the assessment.
How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced with no time limit. Most students complete across several sessions over one to two weeks, depending on existing familiarity with airtightness testing and Passive House methodology.
Is this available outside New Zealand?
Yes. The course is fully online and open to participants internationally. ATTMA operates globally, and the TSL4 standard applies wherever Passive House certification is being pursued. The PH ✓ endorsement is administered through your ATTMA profile regardless of where you're based.
What is the difference between this course and the ATTMA L1?
The L1 course covers standard residential and simple building testing under TSL1, and is delivered in person across New Zealand. The PH+ course covers the specialist requirements of ATTMA TSL4 — Passivhaus and low energy building testing — with a particular focus on internal treated volume methodology, pressure boundary decisions, and Passive House certification reporting. It is delivered entirely online. The two courses address different technical standards and are not interchangeable.
What do I receive on completing the course?
On passing the assessment you receive a CPD certificate confirming completion. If you are a registered ATTMA member, you can apply to have the PH ✓ endorsement added to your ATTMA profile, confirming your scope extends to Passivhaus and low energy building testing under TSL4.
I'm a Passive House certifier — is this course relevant to me?
Yes. Understanding the TSL4 test process in detail — particularly volume methodology and the common sources of error — is directly useful when reviewing test reports submitted for certification. The course gives you a tester's-eye view of where errors originate.