Kair Ventilation

Condensation control
 Introduction to
Kair Ventilation Ltd
• Established 1997
• Wide range of products
• Solve every conceivable damp problem
• Member of BWPDA, PCA, Green Organisation
• Three associated companies
– Kair Ventilation Limited
– Kiltox Contracts Limited
– i-sells.co.uk

(National Damp Advisory Centre)

 Kiltox Contracts
& i-sells.co.uk
• Kiltox Contracts Limited
– Established 30 years
– Damp proofing
– Waterproof tanking
– Building refurbishment
– Timber remedial treatments
– Electrical contracting
– National Damp Advisory Service
• i-sells.co.uk
– Online store
– Over 10,000 specialist products
– UK’s widest selection of ducting
Condensation
&
Mould Growth
 Condensation
• Water enters buildings in a number of
ways causing:
– Superficial damage
– Structural damage
• Condensation is one of the most common
causes
– Unpleasant
– Uncomfortable
– Unhealthy
» Mould growth
• Over 50% of buildings in the UK are
affected
Largest single complaint received by local
authorities in last 25 years!
 Condensation
• The Problem
– A problem of today
– Heating
– Ventilating
– Insulating
– Household income related
– Nationwide
 What is Condensation?
• Air contains water vapour
– The capacity to do so is directly related to
temperature
– Warm air holds more water vapour than cold air
• Air is saturated when it cannot hold any
more water at the existing temperature
– Relative Humidity = 100%
• Dew Point
– The temperature of the air falls until saturation
point occurs
• Any Further Fall in Temperature Will
Result in Water Vapour Being Forced to
Condense
 Surface Condensation
• Warm air comes into contact with a
cold surface
• Air cooled below saturation point
• Condensed water appears as water
droplets or film on non-absorbent
surfaces
– Windows
– Tiles etc.
Interstitial Condensation
• Condensation can occur within the fabric
of the building
• Internal air permeates through the
structure because of greater pressure
• More water vapour = more pressure
– Vapour Pressure
• Most building materials are permeable
• Water cools below its dew point within
the fabric of the building
• It can go undetected for long periods
– Serious structural damage
– Render ineffective any insulation
Conditions for Condensation
• Mainly a winter problem
• Water vapour is produced from a
number of activities
• Water vapour can rise from damp
ground
• Severity depends on type and
nature of construction
 Causes of Condensation
• Modern living standards
• Domestic activities
• Ventilation
• Unoccupied dwellings
• Economic pressure
• Under-use heating systems
• Unused rooms not heated
• Seal drafts
• Change in building design
• Open fire places removed
• Double glazing
• Insulation
• Elimination or overhanging eaves
 Mould Growth
• Mould will appear on any damp
surfaces
– Plaster
– Wallpaper
– Timber
• Mould is associated with
condensation problems
• Mould is Unacceptable
– Appearance
– Health hazard
 What Are Moulds?
• Simple fungi
• Spores
• Reproduction
– Asexual & sexual
• Three principle features
• Simple food requirements
• Produce vast number of spores
• Grow very quickly under suitable conditions
• Main requirement for development and
growth? Moisture!
• Hydrophilic fungi
Mould
Health Hazards of Toxic Mould
• A paper in the British Medical
Journal, Vol. 298, as far back as June
1989, stressed the higher incidence
of ill health in damp buildings with
accompanying mould growth and it
is now accepted that air pollution is
a major reason for the huge
increase in asthma sufferers of
whom children and the elderly are
often the most vulnerable.
Health Hazards of Toxic Mould
• According to the World Health Organization,
“Every year, indoor air pollution is responsible
for the death of 1.6 million people – that’s one
death every 20 seconds.” 

Chemicals used for cleaning, cooking, doing

laundry; products such as hair spray, nail polish,
paint; petting the family dog; materials used in
the construction process of the home contribute
to air pollution indoors. As homes become more
energy efficient, hazardous chemicals remain
trapped in the home with no means to escape. 
Health Hazards of Toxic Mould
• Fungal Exposure
– Certain types of moulds produce
secondary metabolites called
MYCOTOXINS
– MYCOTOXINS can destroy your health!
– It’s impossible to know how much
damage they cause until it is too late!
Health Hazards of Toxic Mould
Chronic Bronchitis
Learning Disabilities
Mental Deficiencies
Heart Problems
Cancer
Chronic Fatigue
Lupus
Fibromyalgia
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Bleeding Lungs
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Dermatitis
Recurring Cold and Flu-like Symptoms
Burning Sore Throat
Headaches
Diarrhoea
Impaired or Altered Immune Function.
Condensation & Mould Growth
Asthma & Upper Respiratory Problems
• The UK has by far the highest prevalence of
asthma in the world. (Howieson)

• Increasing levels of insulation, double-glazing

and the sealing of open chimneys dramatically
reduce domestic ventilation rates, which in turn
produce warm, humid and polluted indoor
environments.

• Such conditions prove ideal for the colonisation

and proliferation of the house dust mite.
 The House Dust Mite
• The mite family ‘Pyroglyphidae’ produce a large range of particularly
allergenic proteins, which have a direct causal and a dose-response
relationship with asthma. (Howieson)

• It is mainly their faecal matter that is responsible.

• The only regulating factor in their common habitats is the availability of

moisture.

• They have an ability to adapt and hibernate through non-optimum

conditions.

• Fossil studies show that mites have existed on Earth for over 400 million
years. There may be over 100 million different species of mites in
existence.

• ‘Dust mite’ is the generic term for all the species of mite commonly
found in homes. 13 species of mite have been found in house dust.
 Conclusions
• Condensation provides standing liquid water, which is a
potential breeding ground for harmful toxic moulds.
• Toxic moulds have been identified as a serious health
hazard
• Condensation can cause damage to building materials,
which requires expensive repair.
• Condensation is a symptom of an excessively humid
dwelling.
• Excess humidity encourages the proliferation of house
dust mites and the exacerbation of allergy symptoms.
• Effective ventilation dissipates moist air to the exterior of
the dwelling, reducing humidity and its resulting
problems.
• The benefits of this include better health and lower
building maintenance expenses.
• Effective heat recovery ventilation encompasses these
benefits, and adds energy efficiency, thus reducing
expenditure on energy.
Legislation
&
Regulations
Legislation & Regulations

Those who
Those who understand some of Those who do not
understand the the regulations understand the
regulations regulations

Those who are

a bit confused!

Those who Those who

think they didn’t know
understand there where
even though regulations
they didn’t and don’t
know there care that they
were don’t
regulations understand

Those who didn’t

know there where
regulations
Legislation & Regulations
– DETR - The Fitness standard - Housing Act 1985.)
– The Housing Health and Safety Ratings System
– N.H.S. ‘Health Strategy for London’
– The Decent Home Standard
– Home Energy Conservation Act 1995
– Building Regulation Part F – Means of Ventilation
(Latest Revision)
– Building Regulation Part L – Energy Efficiency
(Latest Revision)
– DETR Energy efficient Ventilation in Housing - Good
practice guide 268
– UK Fuel Poverty Strategy
– UK Energy White Paper 2003
Legislation & Regulations
– The Energy Act 2008
– The Climate Change Act 2008
– UK Low Carbon Transition Plan
– Code for Sustainable Homes
– Heat and Energy Saving Strategy 2009
– Community Energy Saving Programme
– Carbon Emissions Reduction Target Uplift,
May 2009
– www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/prog
ramme/programme-calendar.htm#2009
– www.number10.gov.uk/page16807
– www.communities.gov.uk/planningbuilding/t
heenvironment/
The Survey
 The Survey
• Equipment required for damp and
condensation surveying
• Essential
» Grid pad or pre-printed survey form with A4 size
grid
» Four colour or coloured pens
» Damp meter, preferably with probe and sonic
options
» Camera
• Useful but non-essential
» Digital humidity sensor
» Mirror
» Car mechanic stethoscope
» Compass
» Tape measure
» Binoculars/opera glasses
» Ladder or steps
 The Survey
• Diagnosing the cause of dampness
– General
– Moisture meter testing
– How to use a moisture meter
 The Survey
• Visual observation
– Rising damp
– Penetrating damp
– Cold bridging
– Lateral (penetrating) damp
 The Survey
• Establishing the problem
– Overview
– Seek information from the residents
– Include residents in the process
– Be careful about how much info you give out
• First Steps
– Show I.D.
– Explain why you are there
– Ask resident to point out problems and show
affected rooms
– Begin conversational questioning
 The Survey
• Questions to Ask
– How many occupants?
– How long have you lived here?
– Has occupancy increased during that time?
– When did the problem/s start to arise?
– Does it get better or worse during certain times of
the year?
– Do neighbours have the same problem?
– What do you do to limit the effects?
– Have you had damp surveys carried out before?
– Have any remedial works been carried out
previously?
– Are there any health problems?
Make a note of the answers but do not write down any conclusions at this stage
 The Survey
• Conducting the Survey
– Complete the Property Plan
– Carry out any required testing (damp meter)
for rising or penetrating dampness through
physical defect
– Check temperature and humidity, (humidity
sensor)
– Name the rooms
– For bathrooms and kitchens look for boxed-in
pipes and tap walls to identify partitioning
and dry lined sections.
 The Survey
• Conducting the Survey
– View from the exterior and mark the location
of; rain water goods, down spouts, overflows
etc.
– Look for exterior defects, such as missing
brick facing and pointing or damaged sills
– Identify any gas boiler flues
– If the survey is in an upper floor flat you may
need to use the (mirror and the binoculars) to
view properly.
– Take pictures of the faults and defects
(camera)
 The Survey
• Conducting the Survey
– If damp readings in the floors are found check
for buried pipes and possible leaks
(stethoscope)
– If there is a loft, access for viewing should be
gained (ladder, torch and mirror)
– Measure the total length, width and ceiling
height of the dwelling (tape measure) and
mark them on the plan.
– If there is existing ventilation (airbricks etc.)
mark the position
– Ask the occupants to activate any extractor
fans
You should now have a detailed plan of the dwelling and its condition,
enabling you to arrive at a conclusion as to what the problems are or why the
problems are arising. This in turn should now direct you to the solution and
the specification.
 The Report
• On Site Report
• Contains the grid on which the plan is
drawn
• Is a memory aid
• Contains information about the building
fabric and possible installation problems
• Contains humidity readings, weather
type, window type etc.
• Is a site and risk assessment for installers
• Is the template on which the official
report is based
 The Report
• Typed Report
• The official version of the problems,
findings & solutions
• Is a reminder of the obligations of the
landlord to their tenant (in the standard
template notes)
• Is a formal quotation, personal
protection and contains the terms and
conditions of the contract
• Landlords whether private, council or
housing association cannot raise orders
without one.
 Products
&
Specification
 Alternative Products…

• Mould Cleaning
• Anti Mould Paints
• Anti Mould Chemicals

Changing the internal decor will not reduce the humidity levels that
caused the fungus to grow.
 Alternative Products…

• Dry Lining
• Insulation
• ‘U’ Values will rise
• Won’t eradicate condensation
& mould
•Improves thermal values but is
permeable
• Interstitial condensation will
cause Dry lining to become
saturated

Conditions can develop behind the surfaces in which mildew, mould

and wood rotting fungi such as dry rot and wet rot can develop and
thrive.
 Alternative Products…

• Passive Ventilation
• Relatively expensive to install
• No energy efficiency benefits
• Can create draughts
• Reduces Internal Temperatures
• Creates Dew Point

Passive ventilation plays no part in the current Government policy of

reducing emissions through energy efficiency.
 Alternative Products…

• Dehumidifiers
• Should be plumbed in permanently
• Noisy & expensive to run
• Doesn’t bring in fresh air
• Ideally needs to run continuously
• Cannot deal with stagnant air pockets

The 24 hour capacity of a domestic unit is approximately 9 litres, well

below the average family unit moisture production rate of 10 to 14
litres a day.
 Alternative Products…

• Double Glazing
• Improves thermal barrier but…
• Internal Conditions still reach
dew point
•Mould still forms on Frames

Double glazing simply seals in the moisture; hence it is likely to make

condensation problems worse elsewhere.
 Alternative Products…

• Conventional Extractor Fans

• Generally sited in wet areas
• Air must be replaced at same rate as
extraction
• Most set to boost between 65% & 80%
R.H.

The biggest argument against conventional extract fans is that they

consume energy to exhaust energy in the form of heat.
 Alternative Products…

• Input Ventilators
• Frequently used in social housing
• Continuous supply of fresh air… 24 hrs per
day
• Creates constant air changes
• Can impact on heating costs
• Possible chill factor

The ‘chill factor’, particularly in damp, poorly heated dwellings may

force occupants on low incomes into fuel poverty.
 Products
• How does Heat Recovery Ventilation
Work?
Products & Specification
• Kair 150
(Loft Unit)

– Generally specified for private homeowners.

– Loft sited positive pressure system designed
to introduce fresh air at ceiling level in a
stairwell.
– Input air can be further tempered if there is
an airing cupboard on the landing.
– A whole house solution where there is
already working extract ventilation in kitchen
and bathrooms (if not use HRV150).
Products & Specification
• Kair HRVF 100

– Ducted system for small flats or larger

properties as part of a Hybrid installation with
HRV150.
– Four input / extract points only.
– Suitable for extracting from kitchen and
bathroom and supplying to one or two central
points.
– Alternatively extracting from three dry areas
(bedrooms) and supplying to one
Products & Specification
• Kair HRVW1500
(Akor)

– Whole house (two to three bedrooms) system

compact in size and can be dismantled for
small loft hatch access.
– Mainly new build or refurbishment
specification but can be retro fit for loft sited
installations.