Equivalent area
Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide, 2010 Edition (with 2011 amendments), published by the Department for Communities and Local Government in July 2011, suggests that equivalent area is: ‘…a measure of the aerodynamic performance of a ventilator. It is the area of a sharp-edged circular orifice which air would pass through at the same volume flow rate, under an identical applied pressure difference, as the opening under consideration.’
Approved Document O: Overheating, published by HM Government in 2021, defines equivalent area as: ‘A measure of the aerodynamic performance of an opening. It is the area of a sharp-edged circular orifice through which air would pass at the same volume flow rate, under an identical applied pressure difference, as through the opening under consideration.’
The equivalent area of a background ventilator is determined at 1Pa pressure difference in accordance with Table 1.7 of Approved document F: Volume 1: Dwellings, 2021 edition.
See also: Effective area and Discharge coefficients, free, effective and equivalent areas
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Air change rates.
- Approved Document F.
- Background ventilator.
- Cross ventilation.
- Discharge coefficients, free, effective and equivalent areas
- Displacement ventilation.
- Effective area.
- Free area.
- Heat recovery ventilation.
- Mechanical ventilation.
- Natural ventilation.
- Stack effect.
- Thermal comfort.
- Underfloor air distribution.
- Ventilation.
- Whole building ventilation.
Discharge coefficients, free, effective and equivalent areas
Featured articles and news
Shortage of high-quality data threatening the AI boom
And other fundamental issues highlighted by the Open Data Institute.
Data centres top the list of growth opportunities
In robust, yet heterogenous world BACS market.
Increased funding for BSR announced
Within plans for next generation of new towns.
New Towns Taskforce interim policy statement
With initial reactions to the 6 month policy update.
Heritage, industry and slavery
Interpretation must tell the story accurately.
PM announces Building safety and fire move to MHCLG
Following recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry report.
Conserving the ruins of a great Elizabethan country house.
BSRIA European air conditioning market update 2024
Highs, lows and discrepancy rates in the annual demand.
50 years celebrating the ECA Apprenticeship Awards
As SMEs say the 10 years of the Apprenticeship Levy has failed them.
Nominations sought for CIOB awards
Celebrating construction excellence in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
EPC consultation in context: NCM, SAP, SBEM and HEM
One week to respond to the consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings framework.
CIAT Celebrates 60 years of Architectural Technology
Find out more #CIAT60 social media takeover.
The BPF urges Chancellor for additional BSR resources
To remove barriers and bottlenecks which delay projects.
Flexibility over requirements to boost apprentice numbers
English, maths and minimumun duration requirements reduced for a 10,000 gain.
A long term view on European heating markets
BSRIA HVAC 2032 Study.
Humidity resilience strategies for home design
Frequency of extreme humidity events is increasing.
National Apprenticeship Week 2025
Skills for life : 10-16 February