Social housing
Fresher air, healthier homes
Natasha King, product manager at Vent-Axia, explains how the amended versions of Approved Document Part F and Part L, affect social housing and what it means for M&E contractors specifying for social housing stock in the retrofit market
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n December 2021 amended versions of Approved Document Part F (Means of Ventilation) and Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power), were published
with Part F hailed as a vital step to improve indoor air quality. With a focus on both health and energy efficiency for the first time, this latest version of the Regulations is a welcome change since the COVID pandemic which showed the importance of healthy homes.
The social housing market has been set the
hard task of lowering carbon emissions to help the Government reach its carbon targets under the Future Homes Standard and on the road to Net Zero. Previously, when energy efficiency measures were added to housing stock there was no stipulation that ventilation should be added too. As we know from the Housing Ombudsman’s recent report ‘Spotlight on Damp and Mould: It’s Not Lifestyle’, mould is a huge problem in the sector and adding energy efficiency measures without considering ventilation, especially in properties where occupancy is an issue, has caused problems with condensation and mould in housing stock. Part F sets out significant ventilation changes
from previous versions with a key addition to the Building Regulations being a new sub section ‘Installing Energy Efficiency Measures’ in existing
properties. The regulations look to minimise entry of external pollutants and ensure humidity and pollutants are extracted effectively and efficiently. They also set minimum levels of fresh air which all add up to ensuring good occupant health. This is set to drive adoption of low carbon ventilation as an industry standard and will have a major positive impact on indoor air quality (IAQ) in homes. The new Energy Efficiency sub-section sets out that: “When carrying out energy efficiency
measures to an existing dwelling, an assessment should determine what, if any, additional ventilation provision is needed, based on the estimated impact of the work.” This side of energy efficiency improvements has been overlooked in the past but is vital. If ventilation is not considered, as buildings become more airtight to improve efficiency moisture is unable to escape resulting in condensation, mould and poor IAQ – which leads to ill health and damage to the fabric of homes. Therefore, this positive new
www.heatingandventilating.net
22 August 2022
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