Part F
Part F of the Building Regulations 2010 states that 'there shall be adequate means of ventilation provided for people in the building'.Appropriate ventilation helps to dilute and remove air pollutants as well as reduce humidity/condensation. In short, ventilation provides fresh, clean air - reducing health risks to people and protecting the building fabric from damage.
Types of ventilation systems within Part F
Under Part F, a number of variables are used to calculate the background ventilation required for a building based on its design and occupancy.
There are four ventilation systems within Part F:
1. Intermittent extract fans and background ventilators.
2. Passive stack ventilation and background ventilators.
3. Continuous mechanical extract and background ventilators
4. Continuous mechanical supply & extract with heat recovery..
October 2010 changes to Part F
As part of the Government's ongoing commitment to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, buildings must now be more airtight and more energy efficient than in the past. Increased air tightness requires better ventilation in order to maintain satisfactory levels of moisture and indoor air quality for human comfort and health.
The latest revisions to Part F of the Building Regulations, covering ventilation, came into force on 1st October 2010 - replacing the 2006 edition. The key changes were -
- All fixed mechanical ventilation systems must be commissioned and notified to the relevant Building Control Body
- Air flow rates for mechanical ventilation systems, whether whole house or extract fans/cooker hoods, installed in new dwellings are to be measured on site
- Sufficient information about the system and its maintenance requirements is to be given to the customer in order to ensure correct operation
- Ventilation provisions have been increased for new dwellings with tighter air permeability
- The stack diameter of passive stack ventilators has been increased for all room types
- Ventilation guidance for kitchen or bathroom refurbishments has been clarified
- A new Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide with detailed guidelines for all major ventilation systems has been produced
For more information on Part F download the Approved Document F - Ventilation (2010 Edition)
The importance of compliance
Contravention of any part of the building regulations may lead to prosecution in the form of a £5,000 fine, plus an additional £50 for every day until the building contraventions are rectified.
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