PARTNER FOCUS
Why indoor air quality matters
Matthew Nudd, UK Partnership Manager at Eurovent Certifi cation, will be part of a panel discussing ‘Whole-life cost & business case for better ventilation’ at the World Ventil8 Day Exchange in London on Thursday 5 November. In the run-up to the big day, we caught up with him to discuss the importance of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and the real cost of underperforming ventilation systems.
'A well- designed building envelope,
combined with appropriate fi ltration and air distribution, can reduce the amount of particulate matter entering occupied spaces while still supplying the fresh air needed for good IAQ.'
Why does IAQ matter? In the UK, indoor air quality has moved from a niche concern
to a mainstream building performance issue. From homes and classrooms to offi ces, healthcare spaces, and public buildings, there is growing recognition that the air inside buildings can have a signifi cant impact on health, well-being, comfort, and productivity. Concern over poor air quality is backed by evidence linking
exposure to pollution with a wide range of health risks. The Royal College of Physicians’ report, ‘Every breath we take: The lifelong impact of air pollution ‘, highlighted the importance of understanding exposure to both outdoor and indoor pollutants, including the risks posed in homes, schools and workplaces.
While outdoor pollution remains a major public health concern, indoor environments deserve equal attention. People spend much of their time indoors, where pollutants can come from cooking, combustion appliances, cleaning products, furnishings, building materials, moisture, mould and outdoor air entering the building. This makes ventilation a vital part of any strategy to improve IAQ.
How does ventilation fi t into the UK regulatory landscape? Across the UK, ventilation requirements are set through separate building-regulation systems, with guidance provided by Approved Documents (England/Wales) and Technical Booklets/Handbooks (NI/Scotland). Specifi ers, contractors, and building owners must follow the requirements and guidance applicable in the relevant nation and as of the project’s approval or commencement date.
In England, Part F of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 sets the ventilation requirement, supported by Approved Document F, Volume 1 for dwellings and Volume 2 for buildings
14 October 2026 •
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other than dwellings. In Scotland, Standard 3.14 of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 requires ventilation to be provided so that indoor air quality is not a threat to the building or occupants’ health, with guidance in the applicable domestic or non-domestic Technical Handbook. In Wales, Part F of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 is supported by Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings and Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings (Welsh Government editions). The applicable edition depends on the project date and transitional arrangements. In Northern Ireland, Technical Booklet K provides guidance on Part K (Ventilation) of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, covering ventilation in dwellings and non-domestic buildings, as well as replacement windows and car parks. Although the documents diff er by nation, there is an
overarching alignment: ventilation must support acceptable indoor air quality while working alongside energy effi ciency, airtightness, moisture control and occupant comfort. This makes correct product selection, system design, commissioning and maintenance essential across the whole UK market.
What are the main ventilation considerations? Ventilation technology can help provide a controlled supply of fresh air while extracting stale, humid or polluted indoor air. Depending on the building and application, solutions may include Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR),
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