Build Comply
Ventilation
Domestic Ventilation Inspection, Commissioning and Air-flow Testing
Intermittent Extract Fans, Continuous Centralised and Decentralised Mechanical Extract Fans, MVHR Commissioning, Inspections and Air-flow Testing
Are you looking for Ventilation Testing?
Ventilation testing is a crucial requirement to ensure compliance with Part F of The Building Regulations. As homes become increasingly airtight to enhance energy efficiency, proper air flow is vital. Ventilation serves the primary purpose of replacing polluted or stagnant indoor air with fresh air. With improved construction standards, increased insulation, and reduced air leakage, pollutants can accumulate, posing potential harm to both the building and its occupants. Efficient ventilation systems are essential to reduce these pollutants, which can vary significantly in industrial and commercial properties compared to domestic ones.
In domestic settings, moisture is a significant pollutant, with the average family producing about 6 litres of moisture per day. This moisture promotes mould growth and can affect the health of occupants. Part F of the Building Regulations (2010) introduced the requirement to test the practical performance of ventilation systems in new dwellings.
Along with your Ventilation Testing we can provide a full suite of inspection and commissioning services. Design reviews coupled with tailored specifications can avoid unnecessary failures.
Learn more about Ventilation with our frequently asked questions answered in the below sections.
If your project requires Ventilation Testing to meet Compliance, Building Control request, New-Build or Retrofit, feel free to reach out to us at 01621 493594 or visiting our contact page. Building Compliance Testing commits to providing a quote within 24 hours. Upon acceptance we can dispatch a tester to your site within 48 hours for Ventilation Testing in London, Home Counties and East Anglia. Secure Expert Professional Ventilation Testing services today by booking with us.
Testing and Part F Compliant Report for as little as £145+VAT
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What is Ventilation Testing and Commissioning?
Ventilation testing and ventilation commissioning are actually two different things. ‘Testing’ refers to extractor fans, like you would find in a toilet, bathroom or kitchen. These are tested to see how much air they extract.
‘Commissioning’ refers to more complicated ventilation systems, such as Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR). These need to be balanced, to make sure the correct amount of air is either being extracted from or supplied to every room in the house.
Why do I need a Ventilation Test?
Building Regulations Part F state that all new builds now need their ventilation tested and/or commissioned. If a house does not have sufficient ventilation, it can cause major problems with mould, damp and condensation. A lot of people aren’t aware for example that trickle ventilators on windows are designed to be left open all the time, no matter what the temperature is outside.
Even if your house isn’t a new build, if you experience any of the above issues, we would recommend getting your extractor fans tested. We have found that many extractor fans don’t pull even nearly enough air out of a room. This is sometimes due to the extractors themselves but often also due to long and convoluted duct runs, adding pressure and inhibiting extraction.
What are the different types of Ventilation System?
There are 4 different types recognised in building regulations part F:
System Type 1 – Intermittent extract fans with background ventilators
This is what is found in most houses – Extractor fans in kitchens, toilets and bathrooms and trickle ventilators on the windows.
System Type 2 – Passive Stack Ventilation
This is very rarely seen. It is a system which uses a combination of cross ventilation, buoyancy (warm air rising) and the venturi effect to ventilate. It is rarely used because it’s very much weather dependant.
System Type 3 – Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV)
This can either be a whole house system or a localise system for specific rooms. Multiple ducts will run from a constantly running unit to wet rooms (kitchen, WC, bathroom) continuously extracting stale air. When these rooms are in use, the system will boost up to extract a larger volume of air
System Type 4 – Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR)
This is similar to Type 3, except that it also supplies fresh air to all non-wet rooms (bedrooms, dining room, living room). The heat from the stale extracted air is kept in the central unit and used to heat the fresh air from outside before it is supplied to the house.
How is a test conducted?
For Type 1, we use an anemometer (wind speed meter) to test the amount of air each extractor is extracting.
Type 2 is not tested. It should be noted that this system is no longer recognised under Part F of the Building Regulations.
For types 3 and 4, we use the same anemometer, but we can open and close vents, and turn the central units up and down until each vent is supplying or extracting the correct volume of air, as specified in Part F
At what stage do I need a Ventilation Test?
Generally, at the end of a build. Once your extractors are in, working and connected up to duct runs. We also need all windows and doors to be fitted and ‘closeable.’
Does every plot need testing?
Yes. The regulations came in in 2010, but we are still noticing that many building control officers aren’t asking for the test before giving sign-off. They should be, and it’s always a good idea to get every plot tested anyway.
How do I make sure I pass?
To give yourself the best chance of passing, research which fans/units give the best performance. When you have selected your equipment, do your best to keep duct runs as short as possible, with as few twists and turns as possible. Every turn and every inch of ducting creates resistance, reducing the effectiveness of the fan.
We recommend using semi-rigid ducting, as it holds its diameter whilst going through turns, reducing resistance.