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Eco-ventilation health scare prompts regulation change
29 May 2009
Government to issue guidance in Part F as draft BRE study finds widespread failure to maintain filters
The government is to consult on new building regulations following concerns that ventilation systems required by the new wave of energy-efficient homes could damage the health of residents.
The government is so concerned over the installation and maintenance of the systems it will include guidance in a consultation on changes to Part F of the Building Regulations, due in the next few weeks.
In addition, it has co-sponsored a report with the National House Building Council to investigate the scale of the problem. The draft report by the BRE’s Dr Michael Swainson and seen by Building, found that filters were not being replaced when worn out, which could lead to a build-up of humidity, carbon dioxide
and other pollutants, as well as driving up energy use. It also says this could increase the risk of cancer in the homes of smokers.
Mechanical ventilation systems are required in energy-efficient airtight homes to make sure that fresh air can circulate and that pollutants and humidity are extracted from the house. However, like a hoover, if the filter is not replaced the system stops working.
The systems are virtually unavoidable if a home is to meet level four of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which all new homes in the social sector must meet by 2010.
Particular problems occur if extract fans in bathrooms and kitchens are not properly installed because raised humidity can encourage mould spores, leading to breathing problems, particularly for asthma sufferers.
The BRE’s report said: “There is no market for replacement filters, with several manufacturers reporting no filter sales at all. Even basic maintenance is not undertaken.”
Swainson has written an addition to Part F for the communities department, which he said would be in the upcoming consultation.
Kelly Butler, director of The Electric Heating and Ventilation Association, said: “The design’s fine, the product’s great off the bench and then it all goes wrong on site.”
Readers' comments
Always the problem; making sure the client knows how to use the system properly to actually return the energy and cost benefits!
The article is a little unbalanced with an attention grabbing headline. The lack of maintenance and occupant interference is an issue that has always affected ventilation products.
Responsible manufacturers of MVHR products have been running free training courses on all aspects of correct product choice, system design, installation and maintenance.
No doubt that maintenance is an issue but this can be resolved by putting mechanisms into place at a very early stage.
Surprise. What did anyone expect of an idea as obviously foolish as increasing air tightness in residential buildings?
Odd article in its emphasis ,what mostly suffers is the efficiency of the system. Seems to me we need to realise as we design houses that hardly need heating, which could save a lot of lives, we should concentrate on maintaining the equipment they do need such as the ventilation system as much as the boiler. We still have windows which we can still open when its stuffy or indeed if we still smoke inside.
"It also says this could increase the risk of cancer in the homes of smokers". You don't say. Do you really need buildings to be so air-tight that your ears pop when someone attempts to open the door? No-one wants to live in a Dutch cow shed, but equally, no-one should be living in tupper-ware-like sealed container either. Ones step too far and all that - I think an air-tightness of 3 is just fine, thanks.
I rest my case. Why do we try to reproduce mechanically what nature has been doing for millennia. Even the Victorians knew that you have to work with nature not against it. The BRE needs to accept that there are natural levels beyond which it is dangerous to proceed in controlling the environment within buildings; after that we have to look for other means and accept the balance of nature.
The human body needs a level of fresh air around it to naturally perspire and breathe and yes people are fallible even lazy. We are too reliant upon forced control systems and have forgotten how to work with nature in the race for the zero carbon building. Nature produces carbon as does every living thing on the basis that we are carbon-based life forms. What we need to do is strike a balance.
Oh and before someone accuses me of being a woolly-jumpered, sandal-wearing, tree hugger, I've worked in construction, largely on the client's side, having to consider the occupants and facilities management of building for over 35 years.
About time! Hats off to NHBC and Dr Swainson for producing a draft report that actually takes into account the "real world". If Part F relates to the occupants health, then why isn't ventilation a controlled service? Ventilation systems should be designed, installed, and maintained by professionals. We should not cut corners with peoples' health.
At last, some common sense! This is great news for the industry. Well done to Dr Swainson and NHBC!
Why would any responsible manufacturer expect to make money from selling an expensive ventilation system that will only work effectively for a short time?
The box shifting mentality must come to an end and hopefully this type of report will put an end to the cowboys in our industry. Ventilation is absolutely vital for health, so the systems should be installed properly and should work effectively over the long term with minimal maintenance.
Well done!
Open the windows, turn down the heating and take a hot water bottle to bed in the winter and you will be much healthier without harming the planet.
Home ventilation systems need to be designed to be completely maintenance free. There is no expectation of maintaining home ventilation by occupants, and nor should there need to be. Systems which require maintenance are not fit for this purpose.
Dr Swainson and NHBC are absolutely right, I have been in the ventilation industry for 20 years and have come across some appauling installations. The system is only as good as the installer, so its about time it becomes regulated and we can stop the cowboys fitting a vital part of a sustainable home.