Whole building ventilation
Approved document F, Ventilation, suggests that ‘whole building ventilation’, or ‘general ventilation is:
‘…nominally continuous ventilation of rooms or spaces at a relatively low rate to dilute and remove pollutants and water vapour not removed by the operation of extract ventilation, purge ventilation or infiltration, as well as supplying outdoor air into the building. For an individual dwelling this is referred to as ‘whole dwelling ventilation’.’
Where:
- Extract ventilation is, ‘…. The removal of air directly from a space or spaces to the outside. Extract ventilation may be by natural means (e.g. by passive stack ventilation) or by mechanical means (e.g. by an extract fan or central system).’
- Purge ventilation is, ‘…manually controlled ventilation of rooms or spaces at a relatively high rate to rapidly dilute pollutants and/or water vapour. Purge ventilation may be provided by natural means (e.g. an openable window) or be mechanical means (e.g. a fan).’
- Infiltration is, ‘… the uncontrolled exchange of air between inside a buildings and outside through cracks, porosity and other unintentional openings in a building, caused by pressure difference effects of the wind and/or stack effect.
Whole building ventilation might be provided by background ventilators, as illustrated below.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Air conditioning.
- Air infiltration testing.
- Approved Document F.
- Background ventilator.
- Convection.
- Cross ventilation.
- Displacement ventilation.
- Domestic ventilation systems performance.
- Heat recovery ventilation.
- HVAC.
- Mechanical ventilation.
- Natural ventilation.
- Passive building design.
- Solar chimney.
- Stack effect.
- Ventilation.
- Ventilation and control of COVID-19 transmission.
Featured articles and news
Reasons for using MVHR systems
6 reasons for a whole-house approach to ventilation.
Supplementary Planning Documents, a reminder
As used by the City of London to introduce a Retrofit first policy.
Introducing a circular ecomony deposit return scheme
The government makes steps towards DRS scheme for plastic bottles and cans in England and Northern Ireland.
Join forces and share Building Safety knowledge in 2025
Why and how to contribute to the Building Safety Wiki.
Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regs
Approved amendment coming into effect 1 March 2025.
A new CIOB TIS on discharging CDM 2015 duties
Practical steps that can be undertaken in the Management of Contractors to discharge the relevant CDM 2015 duties.
Planning for homes by transport hubs
Next steps for infrastructure following the updated NPPF.
Access, history and Ty unnos.
The world’s first publicly funded civic park.
Exploring permitted development rights for change of use
Discussing lesser known classes M, N, P, PA and L.
CIOB Art of Building 2024 judges choice winner
Once Upon a Pass by Liam Man.
CIOB Art of Building 2024 public choice winner
Fresco School by Roman Robroek.
HE expands finance alliance to boost SME house building
Project follows on from Habiko public-private place making pension partnership for affordable housing delivery.
Licensing construction; looking back to look forward
Voluntary to required contractors (licensing) schemes.
A contractor discusses the Building Safety Act
A brief to the point look at changes that have occurred.
How orchards can influence planning and development.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.