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What is Decentralised Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (dMVHR)?
Last Updated: 22 August 2025Decentralised Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (dMVHR) is a ventilation system designed to provide continuous fresh air supply and extract stale air from individual rooms or zones within a building. Unlike centralised systems, dMVHR operates without extensive ductwork, making it ideal for retrofits, extensions, or smaller residential properties. It incorporates heat recovery technology to transfer...
What is Decentralised Heat Recovery Ventilation (DHRV)?
Last Updated: 22 August 2025Decentralised Heat Recovery Ventilation (DHRV) is a mechanical ventilation system designed to provide continuous fresh air supply and extract stale air from individual rooms or zones within a building. Unlike centralised systems, DHRV operates on a room-by-room basis, using compact units installed in external walls or ceilings. These units recover heat from the outgoing air...
What is a Degree Day?
Last Updated: 22 August 2025A Degree Day is a measure used to quantify the demand for energy required to heat or cool a building. It is calculated by comparing the average outdoor temperature to a base temperature (typically 15.5°C in the UK for heating). For example, if the average outdoor temperature on a given day is 10°C, the Degree...
What is an Emergency Repair?
Last Updated: 22 August 2025Emergency Repair refers to urgent, immediate fixes carried out to address critical health and safety risks in residential or commercial buildings. These repairs are essential to mitigate hazards that could cause harm to occupants or damage to the property. Examples include addressing gas leaks, electrical faults, structural instability, or severe water leaks. In the UK...
What are Decibels (dB)?
Last Updated: 22 August 2025Decibels (dB) are a logarithmic unit used to measure the intensity of sound. Unlike linear scales, the decibel scale reflects the way human hearing perceives changes in sound intensity. Specifically, a 10 dB increase represents a doubling of perceived loudness, while a 10 dB decrease halves it. This logarithmic relationship means that small changes in...
What is a Decentralised Heat Recovery Unit (dHRU)?
Last Updated: 22 August 2025A Decentralised Heat Recovery Unit (dHRU) is a mechanical ventilation system designed to recover heat from stale, outgoing air and transfer it to fresh, incoming air without the need for extensive ductwork. It is typically installed in individual rooms or specific zones within a building, making it an ideal solution for retrofitting or extending existing...
What are the minimum dimensions for background ventilators in bedrooms under Part F?
Last Updated: 16 September 2025Under Part F of the Building Regulations in the UK, bedrooms must have background ventilators with a minimum equivalent area of 8,000 mm² per room. This ensures adequate airflow and helps maintain indoor air quality by reducing condensation and dampness. Understanding Part F and Ventilation Requirements Part F of the Building Regulations in the UK...
What Are the Consequences of Non-Compliance with Minimum Extract Rates as Stipulated by Building Regulations?
Last Updated: 21 August 2025Non-compliance with minimum extract rates in UK building regulations can lead to poor indoor air quality, increased condensation, mould growth, and potential legal penalties. It may also result in health risks for occupants, structural damage to properties, and difficulties in selling or renting non-compliant buildings. Understanding Minimum Extract Rates Minimum extract rates are essential components...
What is the minimum ventilation rate needed for a bathroom?
Last Updated: 21 August 2025In the UK, the minimum ventilation rates for bathrooms are specified in the Building Regulations Approved Document F. For bathrooms with a bath or shower, the minimum extract ventilation rate is 15 litres per second (54 m³ per hour) for intermittent extract fans, or 8 litres per second (29 m³ per hour) for continuous mechanical...
What is the minimum ventilation rate needed for a kitchen?
Last Updated: 21 August 2025In the UK, kitchen ventilation rates are primarily governed by Approved Document F (Ventilation) of the Building Regulations, with the 2021 edition being the most current. These regulations aim to ensure adequate ventilation to prevent condensation, mould, and the build-up of indoor air pollutants, particularly from cooking. Understanding Kitchen Ventilation Requirements in the UK Kitchens...