The revision of ventilation regulations for England and Wales

This paper describes in detail draft Government guidance on the ventilation of buildings in England and Wales. This guidance is fundamentally based on indoor air quality criteria so as to limit the build-up of moisture and other pollutants which would otherwise affect the occupants health. The guidance provides the building designer with a choice of three approaches. The first approach is to meet specified performance criteria. These are typically levels of air pollutants that should not be exceeded. The second approach is to provide minimum air supply and extract rates that will be sufficient to meet the performance criteria in normal circumstances. The final approach is to adopt one of the described ventilation systems in the building, that will provide the recommended supply and extract rates. All three approaches directly link together, such that whichever approach is taken, they should provide a similar level of performance. This combination of approaches aids flexibility and is intended to encourage innovation within the building industry.