Part F testing reveals catalogue of horrors
A very high proportion of ventilation systems tested for compliance with Part F of the Building Regulations are failing to meet the requirements, according to Alan Gilbert, instrument rental manager for BSRIA Instrument Solutions. He says that he is ‘horrified’ by the failure rated for the Building Regulation criteria. 95% of systems tested failed to meet the requirements.
Although it is early days for the latest changes to Part F, analysis of 40 buildings tested for airflow performance, many failed on multiple factors. They were complete systems, post commissioning, and the reasons for failure were often very basic.
The most common shortcoming (82%) was incorrectly fitted ductwork — kinked, bent or with poor joints. Ductwork was missing from two systems and completely blocked with cavity fill in another.
There were not enough fans in 25% of buildings, and fans were not big enough in a further 15%. There was no boost function in 7.5%. BSRIA suggests that these findings show either ignorance of the changes to Building Regulations or a total disregard for them.
The wrong data to calculate minimum air-volume flow rates was used in 7.5% of buildings.
BSRIA Instrument Solutions is extremely concerned by the low compliance levels for the changes in Part F and the apparent lack of knowledge of the requirements that causes them. The organisation has called for builders of all types and sizes to pay serious regard to the new requirements so as to save themselves money and prevent what could turn into a real fiasco for the industry.
