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Easter Closure

Our office is closed Easter Monday & Tuesday, re-opening Wednesday 3rd April. All online orders placed after 12.00pm on 29th March will be despatched when the office re-opens.

Meeting Building Control Ventilation Requirements for New Build Homes

Date: 11 March 2021


Meeting Building Control Ventilation Requirements for New Build Homes

To meet building control regulations, adequate ventilation is required for every new build home.

The type of ventilation used is determined by several factors including:

•    Airtightness level
•    Lifestyle of the house occupants
•    Overall house construction type 
•    Budget

With these factors in mind, it is important to talk to a ventilation expert and get advice on the best method of ventilation for your home. Contact our Team or continue reading for more information.

Why is it so important?

Today, new homes are typically being built as airtight as possible through double or triple glazed windows, sealed doors and high levels of  all-round insulation, all contributing towards enhanced u-values. This increase in energy efficiency and airtightness means there is little or no natural ventilation and so a planned ventilation approach is critical to avoid poor indoor air quality. 

Poor indoor ventilation causes streaming windows, musty odours, dampness, condensation, mould growth and excessive carbon dioxide in the home. Poor indoor air quality also has a negative effect on asthma or allergy sufferers.

So, what ventilation options are available for my new build? 

In Northern Ireland (NI), ventilation (meeting Part K Building Regulations) in domestic houses is provided by:

In Republic of Ireland (ROI), ventilation (meeting Part F & Part L compliance) in domestic houses is provided by: 

There are many energy saving features in mechanical ventilation systems. All mechanical ventilation systems provided by BEAM conform to the Building Regulations Northern Ireland part K and Republic of Ireland Regulations parts F & L.

Our team of Beam Technical Experts can take you through your options and advise you on the best choice for your new build. To discuss your options, call us on 02879632424 or fill in our contact form.

System 4: Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) 

What Is Mechancial Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)?Schematic of how MVHR works

An MVHR System is considered the most energy efficient method of ventilating an airtight dwelling.

It provides continuous extraction of stale moist air and supplies constant clean, fresh filtered air into the home, while recovering the majority of the heat from the extracted air.

The system comprises of a low energy heat recovery ventilation unit (located in the roofspace/utility/platroom or garage) and a series of rigid ducting. 
 

How does Mechancial Ventilation with Heat Recovery work?

MVHR stage 1 timeline of how it works

Is MVHR the best method of ventilation for my new build home?

This whole home ventilation system is the most popular method of ventilation for new homes and for many it is considered essential for an airtight or highly insulated home. Learn more about the benefits of Heat Recovery Ventilation or submit our contact form to request your free quote. 


System 3: Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV)

What Is Mechancial Extract Ventilation (MEV)?
MEV schematic of how air flows
An MEV system comprises of a low energy, high performance fan which is usually installed in a roof space or cupboard. A network of ducting to all wetrooms and discreet extract ceiling valves are in each wetroom to remove moisture-laiden air. 

How does Mechancial Extract Ventilation work (MEV)?

The low energy unit runs continuously in trickle mode to provide continuous background extraction of stale moist air from wet rooms. e.g. Kitchens and bathrooms. 

With its automatic demand-controlled operation, the system will automatically boost when higher levels of humidity are detected (i.e. when showering) and will then return to trickle fan speed when humidity levels drop. 

The system eliminates the need for noisy extractor fans which create multiple breakout points in the building, creating draughts, air leakage and heat loss.


Is MEV the best method of ventilation for my new build home?

This system is primarily for use in dwellings up to up to 300m2/3200sq.ft with six wetrooms or fewer. As this is an extraction system, you will also need an additional form of ventilation so air can come into the home. 

There are 2 options for this:

  1. A flow of fresh air from outside can be supplied by a Positive Input Ventilation unit/s
  2. Window trickle vents to match the boost extract from the MEV fan. 

Overall, the combination of this system with a Positive Input Ventilalation System (PIV) is a very good option for new build homes if Mechancial Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) is not an option, i.e due to budget restraints. You will still enjoy clean, fresh filtered air in your home but will not have the heat recovery element that MVHR provides.

Fill in our contact form for more information or to request your free quote. 


Alternative Ventilation: Positive Input Ventilation - PIV

What Is Positive Input Ventilation?Positive Input Ventilation schematic

A PIV System is an energy efficient compact ventilation unit that is designed to gently ventilate the home continuously from a central position on the landing or the central hallway. It is usually fitted in the roofspace.


How does Positive Input Ventilation work?

The units draw fresh air into the dwelling and filters it before being gently delivered into the property. 

Moisture-laden air is diluted, displaced, and replaced with subtle fresh filtered air, forcing contaminants out of the property through leakages or extract points in wetrooms (if applicable). 


Is PIV the best method of ventilation for my new build home?

This system is the ideal solution for condensation and mould issues in existing homes with poor ventilation.
It is sometimes the chosen method of ventilation for new build homes alongside the Mechanical Extract Ventilation System mentioned above, or extractor fans. 

To ensure minimum whole dwelling ventilation rate is reached, multiple PIVs are required when a house is greater than 130m2 / 1400sq.ft. (approx). 

System 2 :  Passive Stack 

What Is Passive Stack?
Passive-Stack schematic
A duct system comprising of grilles connected to near vertical ducts to ridge or roof terminals​ with 125mm ceiling vent in each bathroom connected to a roof vent​.

Is this the correct method of ventilation for my new build home?

This method can be used in residential homes but is considered more applicable for commercial buildings.

System 1 :  Basic Background Ventilation

What Is Background Ventilation?

Background ventilation includes natural leakages, window trickle vents and extractor fans.

How does Background Ventilation work?

This is traditional basic ventilation whereby air flows in and out of the home via trickle vents in the windows and extractor fans which are fitted in all wet rooms (kitchens, bathroom, utility) and ducted directly to outside via holes in the wall. 

Is background ventilation the correct method for my new build home?

This method of ventilation has become less popular in recent years as window trickle vents and bathroom extractor fans are often counter-productive to the quest for an airtight home.

Get in touch

Hopefully you now have a better idea of the method of ventilation you would like for your new home. For more information and to discuss the option that suits your new home and budget, get in touch with our ventilation experts today.