bradleypallister
What are VOCs?
Last Updated: 14 October 2025Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic (carbon-containing) chemical compounds that readily vaporise (i.e. transition into the gas phase) at normal indoor temperatures and pressures. Because of this volatility, they can emit from materials, products, or processes as gases into indoor air. Key characteristics / properties They tend to have low molecular weights and relatively high...
What is the Window Energy Rating?
Last Updated: 14 October 2025The Window Energy Rating (WER) is a standardized performance metric applied to a complete window assembly (frame + glazing + edge seals + ventilation leakage) that summarises its net energy performance, taking into account: Heat loss through conduction/convection (U-value) Solar heat gain through the glazing (g-value) Infiltration / air leakage through the window frame and...
What is Whole Dwelling Ventilation?
Last Updated: 14 October 2025The continuous or near-continuous provision of fresh air and removal of stale air throughout all habitable parts of a dwelling (and wet rooms), to dilute and remove moisture, pollutants, CO₂, odours, and other indoor emissions, while maintaining acceptable indoor air quality and controlling condensation risk. In modern, airtight dwellings (especially those built or retrofitted to...
What is Adventitious Ventilation?
Last Updated: 14 October 2025Adventitious ventilation refers to the uncontrolled ingress (or egress) of external air into (or from) a dwelling through unintended gaps, cracks, porous materials, and other non-designed openings in the building envelope—driven by wind pressures, the stack (buoyancy) effect, and pressure differentials. It is not manually controlled or deliberately provisioned. Explanation & Key Features Driving forces...
Is a gym a habitable room for Building Regs Part F?
Last Updated: 10 October 2025The Air Tightness Problem: Is Your Home Gym a ‘Habitable Room’ Under UK Part F? Your dedicated home gym or garage conversion represents a significant investment in your home and health. But in the drive for an airtight, energy-efficient space, one critical detail is often missed: ventilation compliance. The truth is, your gym will generate...
What is the minimum ventilation rates needed for a utility room?
Last Updated: 1 October 2025In the UK, the minimum ventilation rates for utility rooms are governed by the Building Regulations Part F. This document outlines the requirements for adequate ventilation to ensure good indoor air quality and to prevent issues such as condensation and mould growth. For utility rooms, the specific ventilation requirements are as follows: Intermittent Extract Ventilation:...
What is the minimum ventilation rate needed for a toilet?
Last Updated: 1 October 2025In the UK, the minimum ventilation rates for toilets are specified in the Building Regulations Approved Document F. Here are the key points: Intermittent Extract Ventilation: For toilets, the minimum extract ventilation rate is 6 litres per second (l/s) when using intermittent extract fans. Continuous Extract Ventilation: If continuous extract ventilation is used, the minimum...
What is a Habitable Room?
Last Updated: 26 October 2025Relevant Regulations: Building Regulations Approved Document F (Ventilation), Approved Document B (Fire Safety) A Habitable Room is a room intended and used for dwelling purposes, excluding those solely used as a kitchen, utility room, bathroom, cellar, or sanitary accommodation. Essentially, it is any room within a dwelling designed for activities such as living, sleeping, eating,...
What is the minimum ventilation rates needed for a living room / lounge?
Last Updated: 29 September 2025UK building regulations require living rooms to have a minimum whole-dwelling ventilation rate of 0.3 litres per second (l/s) per m² of floor area and a purge ventilation capacity equivalent to 1/20th of the room’s floor area via openable windows. For a typical 20m² lounge, this means 6 l/s of continuous fresh air and a...
Does PIV Make Your House Cold?
Last Updated: 29 September 2025Yes, a Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) system can make your house feel cooler because it draws in air from outside, often from unheated spaces like lofts. This can lower indoor temperatures during colder months. However, systems like FLUXO offer a superior alternative that maintains comfort while improving air quality. Understanding PIV Systems Positive Input Ventilation...