Ventilation test certificates ensure compliance with building regulations and testing ensures the practical performance of ventilation systems.
Part F of the Building Regulations 2010 brought in the requirement to vent test the practical performance of ventilation systems in dwellings. Ventilation test certificates ensure compliance and the effective performance of vent systems.
Given that HA Acoustics offer both sound insulation testing and air tightness testing, we’re well placed whilst on-site to also offer vent testing, enabling our customers one-stop shop service, reduced costs and increased efficiency for all their building compliance testing requirements.
Our technicians and consultants are experienced vent testers, who hold valid domestic ventilation testing tickets.
With HA Acoustics experts, your home or premises couldn’t be in safer hands to get a ventilation test certificate or simply to ensure the proper performance of your ventilation systems.
For more information contact HA Acoustics now for professional advice and to find out more about ventilation test certificates and vent testing services for your dwellings. Call us on 01245 206 250 (Chelmsford) or 0203 371 9801 (London) or 01752 426 118 (Plymouth).
Air flow test for VAV ( Variable Air Volume) and calculating air change rate.Residential Types of Ventilation Systems
There are 4 different types recognised in Building Regulations Part F. Testing and/or commissioning has to be carried out on Types 1, 3 and 4. The Types are:
- Type 1: Intermittent extract fans with background ventilators – This is what is found in most houses – Extractor fans in kitchens, toilets and bathrooms and trickle ventilators on the windows.
- Type 2: Passive Stack Ventilation – Within the UK housing market, this type is quite rare. It is a system which uses a combination of cross ventilation, buoyancy (warm air rising) and the venture tube effect to enable ventilation. This type of system can have issues dependent on internal environments and the external weather conditions.
- Type 3: Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) – This system can either be a whole dwelling system, or alternatively a localised system for specific rooms. Often installed where there is a high external noise climate. In the case of a whole dwelling system, multiple ducts can be run from a constantly running unit to wet rooms such as kitchen, WC, ensuites, bathrooms and utility rooms. This enables the system to continuously extract stale or humid air. Most systems also have a boost setting, so that when the rooms are in use e.g. an occupant is showering the system will extract a larger volume of air.
- Type 4: Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) – This is similar system to Type 3, except that it also supplies fresh air to all non-wet rooms, such as bedrooms, dining room, living room and study. It’s another system utilised where there is a high external noise climate and enables good control whilst enabling the property to be thermally efficient. The heat from what is termed the foul, stale or moist extracted air is converted in the central unit, to heat the fresh air being drawn into the property, before being supplied to the dwellings rooms.
Why do properties need ventilation testing?
Ventilation is important for dwellings to maintain healthy and to maintain the health of its occupants.
A property without ventilation is highly likely to have problems with condensation, which in turn can lead to mould spores and damp. In addition pollutants within the home can cause poor indoor air quality, which in turn may cause headaches and aggravate allergies. Therefore a ventilation system is important to ensure a good supply of air to keep a home healthy. This is why the Building Regulations 2010 requires ventilation testing and certification enabling the Building Control Officer to sign off on Part F. For more information contact HA Acoustics on 01245206250 or via email info@HA-acoustics.co.uk.
Ventilation Test Certificates – how does my build pass a ventilation test ?
System 1 (bathroom and kitchen extractor fans with background ventilation) is the most common system, frustratingly the fans don’t always do what they say on the box.
The fans are tested in a laboratory setting which doesn’t account for back-draft from wind and no resistance from lengthy ductwork. This means that where the fan can offer around 25m/s a fan due to high winds onto the external façade or due to ductwork being flexible and kinked.
Based on our experience of vent testing, we’ve put together some tips to help pass the vent testing compliance test for System 1 fans.
- Install fans that offer high capacity (>30l/s)
- Locate the fans as close to the external wall as possible.
- Try not to install fans to the ceiling, the wall enables better air flow.
- When using ducting, seek to use rigid or semi-rigid ducting.
- Keep ducting lengths as short as possible, with as few bends as possible this will reduce friction and enable the fan to move air with greater flow.
- Try not to use flexible ducting, where you do ensure there is no excess and keep it as taught as possible.
If you’re looking for ventilation test certificates or a vent test for System 1 fans, contact the experts at HA Acoustics today by phoning 0203 371 9801.
Based on our experience of vent testing, we’ve put together some tips to help pass the vent testing compliance test for System 3 and 4 fans. They tend to be more efficient as they are on a constant run system.
- When using ducting, seek to use rigid or semi-rigid ducting.
- Keep ducting lengths as short as possible, with as few bends as possible this will reduce friction and enable the fan to move air with greater flow.
- Try not to use flexible ducting, where you do ensure there is no excess and keep it as taught as possible.
If you’re looking for ventilation test certificates or a vent test for System 3 and 4 fans, contact the experts at HA Acoustics today by phoning 0203 371 9801.
Technician use hand-held anemometer measuring air flowing measurement, wind speed and pressure. Modern equipment
