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Silence is golden W


Lee Page, sales director at S&P UK Ventilation Systems discusses the benefits of near silent, non-intrusive ventilation


hen the first national lockdown


jolted the nation, many of us found peace and solitude in the comfort of mother nature. The great English countryside was a bastion of calm in a time of crisis: birdsongs, streams and a gentle


breeze was the pandemic’s original soundtrack. Fast forward two years, and a quiet revolution that – just like remote working and digitalisation – was seeded long before COVID is now sprouting in many sectors and environments. When we talk to consulting engineers, the two biggest factors are always legislation and noise. Whether it’s a commercial building or a residential property, no-one wants to hear the ventilation whirring away in the background because as soon as you hear it, you can’t un-hear it! That can become a big problem. Noise pollution affects your concentration,


productivity and wellbeing. We’ve probably all been working from home in some way over the past two years and have most likely had to put up with noisy neighbours mowing the lawn or loud traffic impinging your sense of equilibrium. If you have a loud ventilation system, there is a possibility that this can lead to people switching it off just to get rid of the noise. But you are no longer getting rid of the polluted air. You’re affecting your health and those around you. In addition, over time, you are at serious risk of building up mould and damaging the fabric of the structure of the building.


Loud ventilation has always been a topic of debate and a key design consideration for as long as I can remember but the pandemic has created a much greater awareness over the need to have quieter ventilation installed and maintained effectively. This goes for outside as well as inside.


Silence is bliss


The majority of S&P UK’s range of over 10,000 products and accessories are quiet by design – an ethos which has evolved over time by rigorously following countless layers of updated legislation and recommendations, and by listening to industry and business leaders. There’s such a wide product choice now. Heat


recovery units, air handling units, and in-line duct fans typically feature among quieter ranges for domestic and commercial settings. The benefits of near-silent, non-intrusive ventilation


are clear: healthier spaces to live and work, improved Indoor Air Quality – the HVAC buzzword of our times – higher productivity, motivated staff who feel attracted to come back to your post-Covid modernised office, it’s more welcoming for clients and visitors, and you’ll also benefit from greater energy-efficiency when it’s needed most.”


This zeitgeist of inaudible, unobtrusive ventilation


pairs up naturally with the ‘wellness movement’ taking hold of the built environment. It is seen as the next big thing in construction, surpassed only by sustainability and high performance. Sound is one of 10 categories under the International WELL Building Standard: a new rating system designed to improve health and wellness in buildings.


Fans


Fact Box


• 82% of UK residents want quieter household appliances


• Washing machines (45%), vacuum cleaners (43%) and hairdryers (23%) topped the poll of noisy appliances


• 52% of UK residents would factor noise into employment decisions


• 63% of 18-34s are willing to pay more for quieter products


“The places where humans are most susceptible


to distraction [are] areas where privacy, focus, rest and recovery are intended,” it notes, along with research showing negative impacts in healthcare and education settings as well as workplaces and cultural attractions. “The Sound concept in WELL v2 addresses this


concern by providing options for project teams to explore noise control and intentional acoustic design – ranging from general sound mapping and planning to HVAC and facade design,” it adds.


The new ‘seal of approval’


S&P UK has recently launched its new Silent Dual extraction fan – thought to be the first of its kind to have two built-in sensors (PIR motion and humidity) along with demand controlled ventilation. It is designed for simple wall or ceiling mounting as part of new installations or fan upgrades. The fan has been certified by Quiet Mark, an


organisation that provides industry standard certifications for the quietest domestic appliances. “We’ve seen a very significant uplift in the number and range of products being submitted for certification,” says Poppy Szkiler, CEO and co-founder of Quiet Mark. Working in association with the UK Noise Abatement Society charitable foundation, founded by Poppy’s grandfather John Connell in 1959, Quiet Mark’s international award program recognises excellence in low-noise products, technology and solutions to unwanted noise. Since March 2020, the number of products Quiet Mark has certified has tripled to reach over 1,000, spread over 60 categories. “A rising tide of manufactures are seeking to inform their customers that theirs are among the quietest, most pleasant sounding on the market,” Poppy added. “With the subsequent rise in time spent at home working, schooling and relaxing, people have become even more aware of the unwanted noises in their home and their increased need for quiet, to improve their productivity, wellbeing and mental health.”


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