Regulation Requirements and Other Performance Considerations

General:
The intention of the Building Regulations, is that ventilation is provided in all dwellings which will, under normal conditions, restrict the accumulation of moisture that could lead to mould growth and prevent the build up of pollutants that may he hazardous to health.

Ventilation:
Approved Document F1: 1995 and Approved Document K: 1997 recognise Passive Stack Ventilation, as provided in accordance with BRE information paper 13/94, as an effective alternative to traditional methods of ventilation which offers additional energy efficiency benefits.
Mechanically Assisted Ventilation Systems comply with the regulation requirements for 'alternative approaches' as detailed in BS5250 2002 'Code of Practice for the Control of Condensation in Building' and BRE Digest 398 'Continuous Mechanical Ventilation in Dwellings'.
Approved Document F1: 1995 also states that "In order to encourage its use, the ventilation should not affect necessary security or comfort to a significant effect " further endorsing the major benefits of Passive Stack and Mechanically Assisted ventilation systems.

Design:
When considering the requirements of Approved Documents, it can be seen that a number of factors will influence any selected method of ventilation, particularly:

• Design of dwelling,
• Position and volume of 'wet' rooms,

• Geographic and environmental (isolated/ enclosed) location.
  

These factors will influence the system design required to meet the regulations and will affect:

• The number and position of extract ducts,
• The requirements for air inlet ducts,
• The size and location of extract ducting.

Fire:
Ventilation systems are subject to regulations concerning the spread of fire as laid down in the Building Regulations 2000 Approved Document B. Ducting passing through a fire resistant wall or floor must provide fire protection to prevent the spread of fire within a dwelling. Ducting in three storey dwellings must additionally he constructed from fire resistant materials.

Sound:
In areas where external noise may provide a nuisance, specialist acoustic ducting is available and should be used to prevent sound transmission into the dwelling.

Insulation:
Any ducting running through cold roof spaces should be insulated to reduce the risk of condensation.

Energy Rating:
In addition to Government commitments to reduce energy consumption in order to satisfy international ecology agreements, achieving a high energy rating is becoming a valuable selling tool for ecology and economy conscious buyers.
Any method of ventilation will have an impact on energy rating. However, PSV and MAV systems have the minimum possible adverse effect on energy ratings. The systems minimise heat loss due to draughts, and PSV does not add to the energy consumption of the property. Mechanically Assisted Ventilation systems use slow running fan units which have a low energy consumption. Both systems have a less detrimental effect on energy ratings than other methods of ventilation.

Design Service:
In order to simplify the specifying process, Ubbink offer a Quality Air Movement Design Service. On receipt of architectural drawings and location details, ventilation experts will design suitable Passive Stack or Mechanically Assisted Ventilation systems for individual dwellings or projects. Where whole house ventilation systems are not suitable, Ubbink will advise on alternative systems that will meet the requirements.

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