6

VENTILATION

THE REQUIREMENTS This section of this Complying Document/Complimentary Guide? deals with the requirements of Part F: Ventilation of Schedule 1 to, and regulations 16C, 20AA and 20C (in so far as it relates to fixed systems for mechanical ventilation. It also deals with regulations 12AA and 12C (in so far as it relates to fixed systems for mechanical ventilation) of the Approved Inspectors Regulations, as amended. REQUIREMENT LIMITS ON APPLICATION

Means of ventilation F1(1). There shall be adequate means of ventilation provided for people in the building. F1(2). Fixed systems for mechanical ventilation and any associated controls must be commissioned by testing and adjusting as necessary to secure that the objectives referred to in sub-paragraph (1) is met.

Requirement F1 does not apply to a building or space within a building. a. into which people do not normally go: or b. which is used solely for storage: or c. which is a garage used solely in connection with a single dwelling

Repeat the Requirements as given in Approved Document F ? Or ? The Requirements in the Building Regulations 2000 with respect to Information about ventilation, Mechanical ventilation air flow rate testing and Commissioning shall be in accordance with that given in Section 2: The Requirements of Approved Document F.

6 6.1 6.1.1

VENTILATION PROVISION FOR VENTILATION F1 All habitable rooms, kitchens, utility rooms, sanitary accommodation and bathrooms located in a dwelling above the level of a basement should follow the ventilation provisions of Approved Document F. Note Ventilation requirements for basements are likely to be covered in the new edition of Approved Document F (to be published in 2005). In the interim the additional provisions of 6.1.2 to 6.1.4 should be considered but it should be noted that research is being undertaken in respect of ventilation and this may result in higher levels of ventilation being recommended than indicated in this Section.

Delete existing 6.1.2 6.1.4 GP and replace as below 6.1.2 F1 The ventilation strategy adopted in Approved Document F is to provide: Extract ventilation from rooms where most water vapour and/or pollutants are released, e.g. due to activities such as cooking, bathing or photocopying. This is to minimise their spread to the rest of the building. This extract may be either intermittent or continuous. Whole building/dwelling ventilation to provide fresh air to the building and to dilute and disperse residual water vapour and pollutants not dealt with by extract ventilation as well as removing water vapour and other pollutants which are released throughout the building (e.g. by building materials, furnishings, activities and the presence of occupants). Whole building/dwelling ventilation provides nominally continuous air exchange. The ventilation rate may be reduced or ceased when the building is not occupied. It may be necessary to purge the air when the building is re-occupied. to aid removal of high concentrations of pollutants and water vapour released from occasional activities such as painting and decorating or accidental releases such as smoke from burnt food or spillage of water. Purge ventilation is intermittent, i.e. required only when such occasional activities occur. Purge ventilation provisions may also be used to improve thermal comfort, although this is not controlled under the Building Regulations. The three main ways of complying with the ventilation requirements of the Building Regulations are: a. providing ventilation rates set out in paragraph 5.5 to 5.7; or b. following the systems guidance set out for dwellings with basements in paragraphs 5.11 to 5.13; or c. using other ventilation systems provided it can be demonstrated to the Building Control Body that they satisfy the Requirement e.g. by showing that they meet the moisture and air quality criteria set out in Appendix A. of Approved Document F. Where option a. (ref paragraph 5.5) In 6.1.3 is adopted the extract ventilation rates for dwellings with basements should be not less that specified in Approved Document F (Table 5.1a) Where option a. (ref paragraph 5.6) in 6.1.3 is adopted the whole dwelling ventilation rates for dwellings with basements should be not less that specified in Approved Document F (Tables 5.1b) Where option a. (ref paragraph 5.7) in 6.1.2 is adopted Purge ventilation provision is required in each habitable room, including habitable rooms in the basement, and should be capable of extracting a minimum number of air changes per hour (ach) per room directly to outside as defined in Approved Document F. Normally, openable windows or doors can provide this function, otherwise a mechanical extract system should be provided. In other rooms (e.g. kitchens and bathrooms) the mechanical or passive stack extract provisions should be sufficient, although passive stack ventilation will take longer to purge the room..

6.1.3

F1

6.1.4

F1

6.1.5

F1

6.1.6

F1

6.1.7

F1

(Note: The provisions for Purge Ventilation in basements is the same requirement as is needed at ground and upper floors within a dwelling). The ventilation systems described in Approved Document F and referred to within this section of this Complying Document/Complimentary Guide? are shown in Diagram 6.1

System 1: Background ventilators and intermittent extract fans

System 2: Passive stack ventilation (PSV)

System 3: Continuous mechanical extract (MEV) Figure 6.1 Ventilation systems 6.1.8 F1

System 4: Continuous mechanical supply and extract with heat recovery (MVHR)

Background ventilators and intermittent extract fans rates for dwellings with basements should be not less that specified in Approved Document F (Tables 5.2a ,5.2b,5.2c and 5.2d), which and which may be further modified as indicated in 6.1.7 and 6.1.8 in this Complying Document/Complimentary Guide. For a dwelling which includes a basement that is connected to the rest of the dwelling above ground by a large permanent opening (e.g. and open stairwell), the whole of the dwelling including the basement should be ventilated in accordance with paragraph 5.8 of Approved Document F(for dwellings without a basement) and treated as a multi storey dwelling. If the basement has only one single exposed facade, ventilation systems 3 and 4 are preferred, following guidance in paragraph 5.8 of Approved Document F. If systems 1 and 2 are to be used, seek expert advice. See Figure 6.2.

6.1.9

F1

Figure 6.2 Basement with large permanent opening to above ground dwelling 6.1.10 F1 For a dwelling which includes a basement that is not connected to the rest of the dwelling above ground by a large permanent opening : a. the part of the dwelling above ground should be considered separately and ventilated in accordance with paragraph 5.8 of Approved Document F. If the part of the dwelling above ground has no bedrooms , assume it has one bedroom for the purpose of determining ventilation provisions; and b. the basement should be treated separately as a single-storey dwelling above ground level in accordance with paragraph 5.8 of Approved Document F. If the basement has no bedrooms, assume it has one bedroom for the purpose of determining ventilation provisions. The guidance on natural ventilation given in the Approved Document F may not be appropriate for this situation and expert advice should be sought. See Figure 6.3

Figure 6.3 Basement without large permanent opening to above ground dwelling 6.1.11 F1 A dwelling which comprises only a basement (Earth sheltered house)should be treated as a single-storey dwelling above ground in accordance with paragraph 5.8 of Approved Document F. The guidance on natural ventilation given in the Approved Document F may not be appropriate for this situation and expert advice should be sought. See Figure 6.4.

Figure 6.4 A dwellings comprising only a basement (Earth sheltered house) 6.1.12 F1 Where a basement is single sided background ventilators should be provided in the exposed face, at both high and low positions Where a habitable room has a depth greater than 6 m ventilation will need to be provided by other means (e.g. stack ventilation or mechanical extract (Figure 6.2). Habitable rooms should preferably be located on the exposed face and where this is not possible stack ventilation and/or mechanical ventilation should be provided.
Passivestackor Mechanicalventilation (groundorupperlevel)

Inasinglesided basementventilation shouldbeprovidedat highandlowpositions If greater than6m

Ventilationducts

Orwherethedepthonplanisgreaterthan6m ventilationwillneedtobeprovidedbyothermeans e.g.Passivestackormechanicalventilationasshown

Figure 6.5 2 Ventilation to a single sided basement

6.1.13

F1

The additional 10,000mm2 required in respect to where a basement is not connected to the rest of the dwelling above ground by a large permanent opening or where the dwelling comprises only a basement should be preferably shared between several rooms. Note: A further 10,000 mm2 is required where there are more than 5 bedrooms in the dwelling.

6.1.14

F1

Approved Document F encourages the provision of cross ventilation in order maximize the air flow through the dwelling. It will be best to provide approximately equal areas of background ventilation on opposite (or on adjoining sides) of the basement. This can be achieved by installing ventilation ducts, mechanical ventilation, or a passive stack ventilation system. Where the internal area is subdivided by internal walls and doors (Figure 6.1) a 7,600 mm2 gap (10mm on a 760mm wide door) should be provided between the finished floor surface and the underside of internal doors (or equivalent opening) in order to ensure good transfer of air throughout the basement. This is the same requirement as required in the dwelling above the basement.
Basement ventilatorsto be provided on opposite (or adjacent) walls in order to encourage cross ventilation

Where internal area is subdivided by internal walls and doors a gap (see 6.1.1) should be provided between underisde of door and floor finish.

Figure 6.6 1 Cross ventilation to a basement storey 6.1.15 F1 The provisions for whole house and purge ventilation are not required under Part F of the Regulations where a basement is to be used for non-habitable use e.g. storage, heating plant and similar. This is termed a cellar and may or may not be provide with widows. However, it will be beneficial to provide means for ventilation in order to control the effects of condensation or water vapour and will be needed to comply with other parts of the regulation e.g. Air supply for heating appliance. Consideration should also be given to possible future changes of use. This may lead to provision of full ventilation within the basement in accordance with Approved Document F.