IAQ
A guide to legislation in the UK T
Ventilation specialist and MD of Airfl ow, Alan Siggins, explains the current legislation to UK Indoor Air Quality standards.
he UK is already showing the fi rst signs of winter. As temperatures drop, people naturally spend more time inside. However, this shift comes with a potential health
concern - indoor air can become up to fi ve times more polluted than outside. What’s more, indoor air pollution is often unnoticed until it impacts health. Unsurprisingly, with this increased risk to public health from poor air quality, there have been amendments to existing legislation in the UK, as well as new rules and regulations to familiarise yourself with. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of the air within
What are the standards for indoor air quality? In the UK, there isn’t an overarching legislation currently in place.
and around buildings, relating to the health and comfort of the people living there. Poor indoor air quality can be detrimental to the health of occupants, both in the short-term and long-term. It can cause respiratory issues, headaches, and even decreased cognitive function. To maintain good indoor air quality, properties should be assessed for problems like damp and mould, volatile organic compounds and by-products from combustion. Solutions should also be investigated, including air fi ltration, proper ventilation and measures to reduce or eliminate pollutant sources. What are the standards for indoor air quality? In the UK,
there isn’t an overarching legislation currently in place. That said, there are a number of diff erent standards and guidelines that encourage compliance with indoor air quality regulations. UK building regulations: approved document F: These 2021 amended regulations mandate higher ventilation rates and mechanical ventilation for airtight new homes to improve indoor air quality.
WHO Indoor air quality guidelines: These protect public health from a number of chemicals found in indoor air that can have negative health eff ects in homes if found in large quantities, or for long periods. Three main groups of indoor pollutants are identifi ed, including biological indoor pollutants (dampness and mould), chemical pollutants, and pollutants from the combustion of indoor fuels. NICE Indoor air quality at home guidance: These guidelines focus on indoor air quality in homes. They off er advice on how to achieve good air quality in homes and include recommendations for architects, designers, builders, and developers to follow to comply with building standards. Awaab’s Law and Social Housing (Regulation) Act: This legislation was driven by the death of 2-year-old Awaab Ishak from exposure to mould in his home. It aims to enforce more stringent and timely action for landlords to ensure safe living conditions and better regulation of social housing. Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill: Also known as Ella’s Law, named after Ella Adoo Kissi Debrah, the fi rst person in England to have
14 October 2024 •
www.acr-news.com
air pollution named as the cause of death. This is a proposed legislation in the UK that aims to make it a legal human right to breathe clean air and bring air quality in every community to minimum WHO standards. British Standards Institute: BS40102 (part one) is the fi rst British Standard for health and well-being in buildings, developed by the British Standards Institute. It off ers a framework for evaluating, tracking, and documenting indoor environmental quality (IEQ) across non-residential buildings. It includes evaluation and rating methodologies for various factors impacting IEQ, including air quality, lighting, thermal comfort and acoustics. The Future Homes and Building Standard: the UK government has pledged to implement new standards, guidelines and regulations that will require all newly constructed homes from 2025 onward to generate 75-80% fewer carbon emissions compared to homes built according to the current regulations. How to improve indoor air quality:
Increase ventilation: Proper ventilation is crucial for improving indoor air quality. Consider mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems during construction or renovation. These solutions provide continuous fi ltered fresh air while recovering heat to improve energy effi ciency. Controlling the source of pollutants: Identify and reduce sources of indoor pollutants, such as combustion appliances, building materials, and cleaning products. Air purifi cation: This helps remove particulate pollutants, gases and odours. Consider installing whole-home air purifi cation systems for enhanced fi ltration. Cleaning and maintenance: Regularly clean or replace fi lters, vents, and ductwork to prevent recirculation of dust and pollutants, and upgrade older ventilation equipment. Check if recirculation is effi cient: Ensure any air ventilation systems are not recirculating stale indoor air excessively by checking the outdoor air intake, fi lter condition, and overall airfl ow balance through testing and balancing.
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