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Social housing
Breaking the mould
The impact of Awaab’s Law
With Awaab’s law still relatively new, it is vital that the ventilation industry get up to speed on requirements for social housing. Here, Lee Aris, national sales manager at Elta Trade discusses what the law means for ventilation professionals working on social housing projects
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egulatory landscapes tend to move slowly with updates made in half-steps, easing those impacted into the new framework of
requirements. Occasionally, events prompt much faster changes, as is the case with Awaab’s Law, put in place in response to the tragic death due to mould exposure of two-year-old Awaab Ishak. Earlier this year, a consultation proposed a
14-day time limit, meaning that landlords and social housing providers will have just two weeks to make appropriate repairs on any reported
hazards. A report from the Health and Social Care Committee issued around the same time as the consultation revealed that damp and mould are serious problems for approximately 88,000 social housing residencies, meaning a significant number of residents are at risk of associated health problems. For ventilation specialists, it is crucial to
be well-versed in the problems leading up to the implementation of Awaab’s Law and the regulations put in place to mitigate them.
When mould has set in, it can be almost impossible for landlords to eliminate it without making changes to how air can move through the space. Mould and damp are caused by a combination of temperature, moisture, and poor air movement. Without positive air flow, mould is practically certain to find a place where it can thrive. Dry air circulating throughout a building is
incredibly effective at preventing the build-up of mould, helping ensure that residents have safe and comfortable homes. Having mechanical ventilation systems installed means that dry air is continuously circulated throughout the building, which makes it far harder for mould to survive. To provide the correct levels of ventilation, it is important to know how to assess the building properly and calculate the required ventilation rate. Tools available on the Elta website can make it easier to work out what ventilation rate is needed and select the solution that meets the building’s need.
A breath of fresh air
The impact of proper ventilation in a home cannot be understated. The dangers of mould and damp on the health of vulnerable people such as Awaab Ishak must be countered with preventative action based on sound knowledge. As social housing landlords respond to the new requirements they need to meet, ventilation professionals and contractors can be an ally to them as they navigate the new, necessary and far more stringent rules placed upon them. By doing so, those who work with the ventilation
systems of social housing developments will not only be aiding landlords with compliance but putting measures in place that help protect some of society’s most vulnerable people. It is young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immunity who are most at risk and they are who ventilation specialists can act on behalf of to improve the buildings in which they live. Damp and mould can be difficult to deal with and the damage to property and people needs to be pro- actively mitigated so that costly and inconvenient repairs can be avoided along with any harm to building users. Elta Trade has the tools, solutions and expertise to help ventilation specialists and contractors understand how they can best provide high quality ventilation, meeting regulations and creating a comfortable and safe living environment for residents.
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