What is Ventilation Testing?
In 2010, Ventilation testing was introduced into Part F of the Building Regulations to ensure that all new dwellings are assessed for their practical performance of ventilation. Ventilation refers to the removal of indoor air from a building and its replacement with fresh outdoor air for one or more of the following reasons:
a) To ensure there is adequate provision of outdoor air for breathing
b) To allow the dilution of airborne pollutants, including odours
c) To control excess humidity (and prevent the build-up of mould)
d) To allow the provision of air for fuel-burning appliances
The key aim of the requirement of Part F is that a ventilation system, under normal conditions, is capable of limiting any airborne particles or pollutants within a building that could be hazardous to people’s health. Pollutants can vary depending on the purpose for which the building is being used. Industrial and commercial dwellings may have a far wider range of pollutants than say, those that are only used for domestic purposes.
How ventilation is tested
Part F of the Building Regulations requires that MHVR Systems (Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery), MEVs (Mechanical Extract Ventilation) and intermittent extractor fans undergo a flow rate test to ensure they are working efficiently. Evidence of this test must be passed to the Building Control Body (BCB) as part of their sign-off procedure.
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.
Our service
C80 Solutions offers a nationwide ventilation testing service, which can be undertaken at the same time as air tightness and sound testing to save you both time and money. All of our ventilation tests are carried out by BPEC qualified engineers using UKAS calibrated equipment.