Ventilation testing ensures air flow conforms with Part F of The Building Regulations. Compliance is becoming increasingly important as our homes become more airtight to improve energy efficiency, which can compromise air flow.
The main purpose of ventilation is to remove polluted or stagnant air from within a room or building and replace it with fresh air. Improving the standard of construction, increasing insulation and reducing the air leakage creates a higher pollutant level within a property. The increased level of pollutants requires removal or potential harm can come to the building or the occupants. The easiest way of achieving a reduction in pollutants is with an efficient ventilation system.
Industrial and commercial dwellings may have a far wider range of pollutants than say, those that are only used for domestic purposes.
Moisture is the most significant pollutant in a domestic situation. The average family of five people produces approximately 6 litres of moisture per day (BS 5250:2011). Moisture promotes mould and can have a more unseen effect on the health of the occupants.
Part F of the Building Regulations (2010) introduced the requirement to test the practical performance of ventilation systems in new dwellings.
The Building Regulations outline that all residential new builds and some conversions need a ventilation test. Ventilation Testing is required to ensure developers are achieving the right balance between air tightness, energy efficiency and ventilation. Therefore, this will ensure a house is a healthy environment with plenty of fresh air.
Several additional building regulations exist that require consideration when undertaking ventilation work:
- Approved Document A: Structural Safety
- Approved Document B: Fire Safety
- Approved Document J: Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
- Approved Document L1A: Conservation of fuel and power – new dwellings
- Approved Document M: Access to and use of buildings
Types of Ventilation Systems
Before Testing a system, it is important to identify the type of system in situ. Principally there are four types of system:
- Intermittent Extract Fans and Background Ventilators
- Passive Stack Ventilation (PSV) *
- Continuous Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV)
- Continuous Balanced Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR)
The assessment of ventilation is undertaken using an anemometer which measures an air flow rate in l/s (litres per second). Different levels of flow rate are applied to different rooms according to their purpose and the equipment within them. A toilet, for example, requires an intermittent extract ventilation rate of 6 l/s, where as a kitchen without a cooker hood would require one at 60 l/s. An office room with a photocopier would require an extract rate of 20 l/s.
A certificate is produced providing the Air Flow Rate which can be submitted to building control which contributes to the overall building compliance process.
Ventilation Tests undertaken by The Building Compliance Team utilise UKAS calibrated equipment and are conducted by an engineer registered with a competent scheme. All The Building Compliance Team Ltd engineers’ have successfully completed the NICEIC Domestic Ventilation System Course and are registered with PEATA.
* Ventilation System 2 does not require testing.
