The Building Regulations 2010

F
Ventilation

APPROVED DOCUMENT

Volume 1: Dwellings
Requirement F1: Means of ventilation
Regulations: 39, 42 and 44

2021 edition – for use in England

2021 edition
This approved document supports Part F of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010.
This approved document takes effect on 15 June 2022 for use in England. It does not apply to work
subject to a building notice, full plans application or initial notice submitted before that date,
provided the work for each building is started before 15 June 2023. Full detail of the transitional
arrangements can be found in Circular Letter 01/2021 published on [Link].
Introduction

What is an approved document?

Approved documents are approved by the Secretary of State and give practical guidance on common
building situations about how to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 for England.
Different approved documents give guidance on each of the technical parts of the regulations.
These are all listed in the back of the approved documents. In addition to guidance, some approved
documents include provisions that must be followed exactly, as required by regulations or where
methods of test or calculation are approved by the Secretary of State.
Each approved document covers the requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 relating to
a different aspect of building work. Building work must also comply with all other applicable
requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 and all other applicable legislation.

How is construction regulated in England?

Most building work being carried out in England must comply with the
Building Regulations 2010. The Building Regulations are made under
powers in the Building Act 1984.
Building Regulations protect the health and safety of people in and
around buildings, they also provide for energy and water conservation
and access to and use of buildings.
The Manual to the Building Regulations (references to this in the
introduction are taken from the first edition) gives an overview of the
building regulatory system in England. You can access the most recent
version of the manual at: [Link]/guidance/building-regulations-
and-approved-documents-index.

How do you comply with the Building Regulations?

Building work must meet all relevant requirements of the Building Regulations. To comply with
the Building Regulations, it is necessary both to follow the correct procedures and meet technical
performance requirements.
The approved documents set out what, in ordinary circumstances, may be accepted as one way to
comply with the Building Regulations. Note, however, that:
• Complying with the guidance in the approved documents does not guarantee that building work
complies with the requirements of the regulations – the approved documents cannot cover all
circumstances. Those responsible for building work must consider whether following the guidance
in the approved documents is likely to meet the requirements in the particular circumstances of
their case.
• There may be other ways to comply with the requirements than those described in an approved
document. If those responsible for meeting the requirements prefer to meet a requirement in
some other way than described in an approved document, they should seek to agree this with the
relevant building control body at an early stage.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition i

 Those responsible for building work include agents, designers, builders, installers and the building
owner. For further information, see Chapter 7 in Volume 1 and paragraphs A26, B2 and F2 in Volume 2
of the Manual to the Building Regulations.
The Building Regulations can be contravened by not following the correct procedures or not meeting
the technical performance requirements. If the building owner or those responsible for the works
contravene the Building Regulations, the local authority may prosecute them in the magistrates’ court.
For further information on enforcement and sanctions in the existing system, see Chapter B in Volume
2 of the Manual to the Building Regulations.

What do the Building Regulations cover?

‘Building work’ is a legal term for work covered by the Building Regulations. Where a building is not
exempt, the Building Regulations apply to all types of building work as defined in regulation 3 of the
Building Regulations. For further information, what constitutes building work is covered in Chapter A,
Volume 2 of the Manual to the Building Regulations.
The Building Regulations contain sections dealing with definitions, procedures and the expected
technical performance of building work. For example, the Building Regulations:
a. define what types of building, plumbing and heating work is classed as building work in
regulation 3 (for further information see paragraphs A14 to A16 in Volume 2 of the Manual to the
Building Regulations).
b. specify types of building that are exempt from the Building Regulations (for further information
see Table A1 and paragraph A11 in Volume 2 of the Manual to the Building Regulations).
c. set out the notification procedures to follow when undertaking building work (for further
information see Figure 2.1 in Volume 1 of the Manual to the Building Regulations).
d. set out the technical requirements (see Table 7.1 in Volume 1 of the Manual to the Building
Regulations) with which the individual aspects of building design and construction must comply
in the interests of the health and safety of building users, of energy efficiency (for further
information see paragraphs A12(d)–(f), A14(f)–(h), A22, A23, B2(c) and F24 in Volume 2 of the
Manual to the Building Regulations), and of access to and use of buildings.
e. set out the standards for building materials and workmanship in carrying out building work
(for further information see Chapter 7 in Volume 1, and paragraphs F8 to F11 in Volume 2 of the
Manual to the Building Regulations).

When must a building control body be notified?

It is often necessary to notify a building control body of planned building work. To help ensure that
work complies with the Building Regulations, those responsible for building work may need to use
one of the two types of building control body listed below:
a. a local authority building control body (for further information see Chapter B in Volume 2 of the
Manual to the Building Regulations)
b. an approved inspector (for further information see Chapter E in Volume 2 of the Manual to the
Building Regulations).

ii Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

 If building work consists only of installing certain types of services or fittings (e.g. fuel-burning
appliances or replacement windows) and the building owner employs an installer that is registered
with a relevant competent person scheme designated in the regulations, a building control body does
not need to be notified.
For further information about competent person schemes, see Chapter 5 in Volume 1 and Chapter C
in Volume 2 of the Manual to the Building Regulations.

How to use this approved document

Each approved document contains:
• general guidance on the performance expected of materials and building work in order to comply
with each of the requirements of the Building Regulations, and
• practical examples and solutions on how to achieve compliance for some of the more common
building situations.
They may not provide appropriate guidance if the case is unusual in terms of its design, setting, use,
scale or technology. Non-standard conditions may include any of the following:
• difficult ground conditions
• buildings with unusual occupancies or high levels of complexity
• very large or very tall buildings
• large timber buildings
• some buildings that incorporate modern construction methods.
Anyone using the approved documents should have sufficient knowledge and skills to understand
the guidance and correctly apply it to the building work. This is important because simply following
the guidance does not guarantee that your building work will comply with the legal requirements
of the Building Regulations. Each approved document contains legal requirements (which you must
follow) and guidance (which you may or may not choose to follow). The text in a box with a green
background at the beginning of each section of an approved document is taken from the Building
Regulations. This text sets out the legal requirements.
The explanation which follows the legal requirements is guidance (see Diagram i below). The guidance
then explains one or more ways to demonstrate how building work can be shown to comply with the
legal requirements in common circumstances. The terms in green lettering in an approved document
are key terms, listed and explained in the appendix to that approved document. Guidance in the
approved documents addresses most, but not all, situations that building owners will face. Situations
may arise that are not covered. You or your advisers will need to carefully consider whether following
the guidance will mean that the requirements of the Building Regulations will be met.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition iii

 B2
Requirement B2: Internal fire spread (linings)

This section deals with the following requirement from Part B of Schedule 1 to the Building
Regulations 2010.

Requirement
Requirement Limits on application
Internal fire spread (linings)
B2. (1) To inhibit the spread of fire within the building,
the internal linings shall—
(a) adequately resist the spread of flame over
their surfaces; and ➊
(b) have, if ignited, either a rate of heat release
or a rate of fire growth, which is reasonable in
the circumstances.
(2) In this paragraph “internal linings” means the
materials or products used in lining any partition,
wall, ceiling or other internal structure.

Intention
In the Secretary of State’s view, requirement B2 is met by achieving a restricted spread of flame
over internal linings. The building fabric should make a limited contribution to fire growth,
including a low rate of heat release.
It is particularly important in circulation spaces, where linings may offer the main means by which
fire spreads and where rapid spread is most likely to prevent occupants from escaping.
Requirement B2 does not include guidance on the following.
➋
a. Generation of smoke and fumes.
b. The upper surfaces of floors and stairs.
c. Furniture and fittings.

Key

➊ The law: extract from the Building Regulations 2010.

➋ Statutory guidance.
Diagram i The relationship between regulations and guidance in the approved documents

For further information about the use of technical guidance, see Chapter 7 in Volume 1 and Chapter F
in Volume 2 of the Manual to the Building Regulations.

Where to get further help

If you are unsure whether you have the knowledge and skills to apply the guidance correctly, or if you
do not understand the technical guidance or other information in this approved document or the
additional detailed technical references to which it directs you, you should seek further help. Some
sources of help are listed below.
a. Your building control body may be able to help in many cases.
b. If you are registered with a competent person scheme, the scheme operator should be in a
position to help.
c. Suitably qualified and experienced construction professionals should also be engaged where necessary.

iv Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

Contents

Introduction i
What is an approved document? i
How is construction regulated in England? i
How do you comply with the Building Regulations? i
What do the Building Regulations cover? ii
When must a building control body be notified? ii
How to use this approved document iii
Where to get further help iv

Section 0: Introduction 1
Summary 1
Application 1
Selected key interactions with other parts of the Building Regulations 3

Requirement F1(1): Means of ventilation 5

Intention 5

Section 1: Ventilation provision 6

General 6
Noise 6
Access for maintenance 7
The ventilation strategy in this approved document 7
Performance-based guidance 7
Equivalent area of ventilators 8
Extract ventilation 8
Whole dwelling ventilation 10
Purge ventilation 11
Performance testing 11
Control of ventilation 12
Ventilation systems for dwellings with basements 12
Ventilation of a habitable room through another room 13
System-specific guidance 14
Installation of ventilation systems 17

Section 2: Minimising the ingress of external pollutants 19

Control of ventilation intakes 20
Location of exhaust outlets 20

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Section 3: Work on existing dwellings 21
General 21
Installing energy efficiency measures 22
Replacing windows  24
Addition of a habitable room (not including a conservatory) to an existing dwelling  25
Addition of a conservatory to an existing building  26
Addition of a wet room to an existing dwelling  26
Refurbishing a kitchen or bathroom in an existing dwelling  27

Requirement F1(2) and regulations 39, 42 and 44 28

Intention 30

Section 4: Commissioning and providing information 31

Air flow rate testing and commissioning of ventilation systems 31
Inspection standards 31
Air flow rate testing 33
Operating and maintenance instructions 34

Appendix A: Key terms 36

Appendix B: Performance-based ventilation 39
Introduction 39
Performance criteria for dwellings 39
Assumptions used in applying performance criteria for dwellings in Section 1 40

Appendix C: Completion checklist and commissioning sheet 42

Checking design air flow rates against measured air flow rates 42
Demonstrating compliance 42
Part 1 – System details and declarations 43
Part 2a – Installation details 44
Part 2b – Inspection of installation 45
Part 3 – Commissioning details 46

Appendix D: Checklist for ventilation provision in existing dwellings 47

Appendix E: Standards referred to 49
Appendix F: Documents referred to 50
Legislation 50
Other documents 50

vi Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

Section 0: Introduction

Summary
0.1 This approved document is Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings. It gives guidance on how
to comply with Part F of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations. For guidance relating to non-
domestic buildings, use Approved Document F, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings.
0.2 This approved document contains the following sections:

Approved document section Related Building Regulations requirements

Section 0: Introduction n/a
Section 1: Ventilation provision Requirement F1(1)
Section 2: Minimising the ingress of external pollutants
Section 3: Work on existing dwellings
Section 4: Commissioning and providing information Requirement F1(2) and regulations 39, 42 and 44
Appendix A: Key terms n/a
Appendix B: Performance-based ventilation n/a
Appendix C: Completion checklist and commissioning n/a
sheet
Appendix D: Checklist for ventilation provision in existing n/a
dwellings
Appendix E: Standards referred to n/a
Appendix F: Documents referred to n/a

Application
0.3 The guidance in Approved Document F, Volume 1 applies only to dwellings.
For blocks of flats with shared communal rooms, Approved Document F, Volume 2: Buildings other
than dwellings should be consulted.
NOTE: Dwellings are self-contained units. Rooms for residential purposes and buildings that contain
only rooms for residential purposes are not dwellings and are covered by Approved Document F,
Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings.

Exemptions
0.4 Certain types of building are exempt from the Part F requirements of the Building Regulations.
These are outlined in paragraphs A7 to A13 of the Manual to the Building Regulations.

Historic and traditional buildings

0.5 Work to the following types of dwellings may not need to comply fully with the ventilation
standards in this approved document.
a. Those listed in accordance with section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation
Areas) Act 1990.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition 1

 b. Those in a conservation area designated in accordance with section 69 of the Planning (Listed
Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
c. Other historic buildings with a vapour-permeable construction that both absorbs moisture and
readily allows moisture to evaporate. These include those built with wattle and daub, cob or
stone and constructions using lime render or mortar.
0.6 Work to a building in paragraph 0.5 should comply with the ventilation standards in this approved
document where reasonably practicable. The work should not result in either of the following
outcomes.
a. Unacceptably affect the significance of the listed building, conservation area or scheduled
monument.
b. Increase the risk of long-term deterioration of the building fabric or fittings.
0.7 New extensions to historic and traditional dwellings should comply with all ventilation standards
in this approved document unless there is a need to match the external appearance or character of
the extension to that of the host building.
0.8 The local authority’s conservation officer should be consulted when undertaking work to a building
in paragraphs 0.5a or 0.5b.

Emergency repairs
0.9 For emergency repairs, if it is not possible to notify the building control body in advance, the
building control body should be notified as soon as possible. If the installer is registered with a
competent person scheme, see Chapter 5 in Volume 1 and Chapter C in Volume 2 of the Manual to
the Building Regulations.

Minor works
0.10 Minor works must comply with the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations, but
the building control body does not need to be notified.
For mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning systems, minor works include any of the following.
a. Replacing parts.
b. Adding an output or control device if testing and adjusting the system would not affect its
energy efficiency or would not be possible.
c. Providing a self-contained mechanical ventilation or air-conditioning appliance when all the
following apply.
i. Any electrical work is exempt from a requirement to give advance notice to a building
control body.
ii. Testing and adjusting the system would not affect its energy efficiency or would not be
possible.
iii. The appliance is not installed in a room that contains an open-flued combustion appliance.

Live/work units
0.11 A unit that contains both living accommodation and space for commercial purposes (e.g. for a
workshop or office) should be treated as a dwelling if the commercial part can be reverted to
domestic use.

2 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

0.12 The commercial part of the building can be reverted to domestic use if all of the following apply.
a. There is direct access between the commercial space and the living accommodation.
b. The commercial space and living accommodation are within the same thermal envelope.
c. The living accommodation comprises a substantial proportion of the total area of the unit. What
constitutes a ‘substantial proportion’ should be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the building
control body.
NOTE: A large non-domestic building that contains a small flat for a manager is not treated as
a dwelling. A dwelling that contains a room used as an office or utility space is still treated as a
dwelling.

Mixed-use developments
0.13 When constructing a dwelling as part of a larger building that contains other types of
accommodation, sometimes called a mixed-use development, refer to the two volumes of
Approved Document F as follows.
a. For guidance on each individual dwelling, use this approved document: Approved Document F,
Volume 1: Dwellings.
b. For guidance on the non-dwelling parts of the building, such as shared communal rooms and
commercial or retail space, use Approved Document F, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings.

Selected key interactions with other parts of the Building

Regulations
0.14 The approved documents set out what, in ordinary circumstances, may be accepted as one way
to comply with the Building Regulations. Those designing or undertaking building work remain
responsible for assessing, on a case-by-case basis, whether specific circumstances require additional
or alternative measures to comply with the regulatory requirements. There are interactions
between many of the requirements of the Building Regulations. Guidance on some key interactions
is given below.

Interaction with Part B

0.15 The requirements of Part B apply if, for example, ducts pass through any of the following.
a. A fire resisting structure.
b. A fire compartment.
c. A protected stairway.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition 3

0.16 This approved document gives guidance on window openings for ventilation. In addition, Approved
Document B gives guidance on the size of escape windows. The larger of the window openings
specified in Approved Document B or Approved Document F should be applied in all cases.

Interaction with Part J

0.17 Ventilation fans might cause combustion gases to spill from open-flued appliances. These
combustion gases might fill the room instead of going up the flue or chimney, even if the
combustion appliance and fan are in separate rooms.
0.18 The guidance in Approved Document J should be followed when installing and testing ventilation
appliances. Combustion appliances must operate safely whether or not fans are running.

Interaction with Part L

0.19 Energy efficiency should be considered when specifying ventilation systems. Energy efficiency,
including the control of infiltration, is dealt with under Part L of the Building Regulations.

Interaction with Part K and Part M

0.20 Manual controls, where provided for a ventilation device, should be within reasonable reach of the
occupants. Follow the guidance in Approved Documents K and M.

Interaction with Part O

0.21 This document sets minimum standards for purge ventilation for rapidly diluting indoor air
pollutants and extracting water vapour where necessary in habitable rooms in dwellings. For
domestic-type buildings, Part O may require a higher standard than the guidance given in this
document for purge ventilation to remove excess heat. In this case, the higher of the two standards
should be followed.

4 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

 F1(1)
Requirement F1(1): Means of ventilation

This section deals with the requirements of Part F1(1) of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010.

Requirement
Requirement Limits on application
Means of ventilation Requirement F1 does not apply to a building or
space within a building:
F1. (1) There shall be adequate means of ventilation
provided for people in the building. a. into which people do not normally go;
b. which is used solely for storage; or
c. which is a garage used solely in connection with
a single dwelling.

Intention
In the Secretary of State’s view, requirement F1(1) is met if the dwelling has a means of ventilation that
achieves all of the following.
a. Extracts water vapour and indoor air pollutants from areas where they are produced in
significant quantities (e.g. kitchens, utility rooms and bathrooms) before they spread through the
building, following the guidance on extract ventilation in paragraphs 1.17 to 1.22.
b. Supplies a minimum level of outdoor air for occupants’ health, following the guidance for whole
dwelling ventilation in paragraphs 1.23 to 1.25.
c. Rapidly dilutes indoor air pollutants, and disperses water vapour when necessary in habitable
rooms, following the guidance for purge ventilation in paragraphs 1.26 to 1.31.
d. Minimises the entry of external air pollutants, following the guidance in Section 2.
e. Achieves all of the following, as far as is reasonably practicable.
i. Produces low levels of noise, following the guidance in paragraphs 1.5 to 1.7.
ii. Offers easy access for maintenance, following the guidance in paragraph 1.8.
iii. Provides protection from cold draughts.
In the Secretary of State’s view, requirement F1(1) is met for work on an existing dwelling by following
the guidance in Section 3.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition 5

 F1(1)
Section 1: Ventilation provision

General
1.1 The aim of requirement F1(1) is to protect the health of occupants of the building by providing
adequate ventilation. Without adequate ventilation, mould and internal air pollution might become
hazardous to health.
NOTE: The guidance in this approved document is not designed to deal with the products of
tobacco smoking or vaping.
1.2 The building should provide the ventilation rates given in this section.
1.3 Other ventilation solutions may be used, if it can be shown to the building control body that they
satisfy requirement F1(1).
1.4 The ventilation rates set out in this approved document have been designed to meet the indoor
pollutant levels in Appendix B where the outside air is of reasonable quality. In areas where the
outside air is not of reasonable quality, Section 2 provides guidance on limiting the entry of
external air pollutants.

Noise
1.5 Mechanical ventilation systems, including both continuous and intermittent mechanical ventilation,
should be designed and installed to minimise noise. This includes doing all of the following.
a. Correctly sizing and jointing ducts.
b. Ensuring that equipment is appropriately and securely fixed, such as using resilient mountings
where noise carried by the structure of the building could be a problem.
c. Selecting appropriate equipment, including following paragraph 1.6.
1.6 For mechanical ventilation systems, fan units should be appropriately sized so that fans operating
in normal background ventilation mode are not overly noisy. This might require fans to be sized so
that they do not operate near maximum capacity when in normal background ventilation mode.
1.7 Account should be taken of outside noise when considering whether openable windows are
appropriate for purge ventilation.
NOTE: Although there is no requirement to undertake noise testing, achieving the levels in the
following guidance would ensure good acoustic conditions. The average A-weighted sound pressure
level for a ventilator operating under normal conditions and not at boost rates should not exceed
both of the following.
a. 30dB LAeq,T* for noise-sensitive rooms (e.g. bedrooms and living rooms) when a continuous
mechanical ventilation system is running on its minimum low rate.
b. 45dB LAeq,T* in less noise-sensitive rooms (e.g. kitchens and bathrooms) when a continuous
operation system is running at the minimum high rate or an intermittent operation system is
running.

6 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

 F1(1)
* The noise index LAeq,T is used in BS 8233, where T is the duration of the measurement. If the noise from the
sound source is steady (i.e. fluctuating by up to 3dB), a measuring time of 1 minute will be adequate and the
LAeq, 1 min level will be similar to the dB(A) level used elsewhere. lf the noise from the sound source fluctuates
more than this, a longer measuring time (T) may be required, but the higher portion of the fluctuating level
should be considered, and the sound may attract more attention due to the changes in level.
NOTE: Methods for measuring the sound power level produced by the fan unit of decentralised
extract ventilation, centralised extract ventilation and balanced mechanical ventilation with heat
recovery systems are described in BS EN 13141.

Access for maintenance

1.8 Reasonable access should be provided for maintaining ventilation systems, including all of the following.
a. Providing access to replace filters, fans and coils.
b. Providing access points for cleaning ductwork.
c. Providing access for the general maintenance of the plant.

The ventilation strategy in this approved document

1.9 The ventilation strategy in this approved document relies on a combination of all of the following.
a. Extract ventilation from rooms where water vapour or pollutants are likely to be released
(e.g. bathrooms and kitchens), to minimise their spread to the rest of the building. Ventilation
fans may be either intermittent operation or continuous operation.
b. Whole dwelling ventilation to provide fresh air to the building and to dilute, disperse and
remove water vapour and pollutants not removed by extract ventilation.
c. Purge ventilation to remove high concentrations of pollutants and water vapour. Purge
ventilation is used intermittently and required only for pollutants produced by occasional
activities (e.g. fumes from painting).
1.10 Ventilation may be delivered through natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation or a combination
of both.
1.11 The ventilation systems in this approved document are examples of systems that comply with
Part F of the Building Regulations. Other ventilation systems may be acceptable if they can be
shown to meet an equal level of performance.

Performance-based guidance
1.12 Performance criteria for acceptable levels of moisture and pollutants are given in Appendix B.
Ventilation rates designed to meet the performance criteria are given in Tables 1.1 to 1.3.
1.13 Ventilator sizes for the whole dwelling are also provided in Table 1.7 to help designers comply with
Part F of the Building Regulations in common situations.
1.14 Some ventilation system designs can, in certain circumstances, result in lower ventilation rates
than those stated in Table 1.1 and Table 1.2 (e.g. systems with automatic controls). Where lower
ventilation rates are proposed, expert advice should be obtained to demonstrate that the solution
meets the performance standards in Appendix B.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition 7

 F1(1)
Equivalent area of ventilators
1.15 The size of background ventilators (including trickle ventilators) is given in this approved document
as an equivalent area in mm2, not as a free area. BS EN 13141-1 includes a method of measuring the
equivalent area of background ventilator openings.
1.16 Background ventilators should have the equivalent area marked where it will be easy to see from
inside the dwelling when installed, to aid verification by building control bodies.

Extract ventilation
1.17 Extract ventilation to the outside should be provided in all of the following spaces.
a. Kitchens.
b. Utility rooms.
c. Bathrooms.
d. Sanitary accommodation.
1.18 Extract ventilation can be intermittent or continuous.
1.19 Minimum extract ventilation rates in litres per second (l/s) for intermittent operation extract
systems are given in Table 1.1. Minimum extract ventilation rates for continuous operation extract
systems are given in Table 1.2.
1.20 Extract ventilation terminals and fans, not including cooker extract hoods, should be installed to
comply with both of the following conditions.
a. As high as is practicable in the room.
b. A maximum of 400mm below the ceiling.
1.21 Where a cooker hood is used to extract to the outside, the height of the extract hood above the
hob surface should be either as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions or, if no specification is
available, between 650mm and 750mm.

Table 1.1 Minimum extract ventilation rates for intermittent extract systems
Room Intermittent extract rate (l/s)
Kitchen (cooker hood extracting to the outside) (1)
30
Kitchen (no cooker hood or cooker hood does not extract to the outside)(2) 60
Utility room 30
Bathroom 15
Sanitary accommodation (3)
6
NOTES:
1. See Diagram 1.1.
2. See Diagram 1.2.
3. As an alternative for sanitary accommodation, the purge ventilation guidance may be used.

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 F1(1)
Outside

30 litres per second

NOTE:
1. The cooker hood should span at least the full width of the cooker.

Diagram 1.1 Minimum kitchen extract ventilation rate in cases where a cooker hood extracts
to the outside(1)

60 litres Outside
per second

NOTE:
1. The diagram includes a recirculating cooker hood for illustration. A recirculating cooker hood on its own does not provide a means of
ventilation that complies with Part F of the Building Regulations.

Diagram 1.2 Minimum ventilation rate for kitchen extract where a cooker hood does not
extract to the outside(1)

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 F1(1)
1.22 Minimum extract ventilation rates for continuous extract systems are specified in Table 1.2. A
continuous rate is given for the general operation of the fan and a high rate for when additional
extraction is required.

Table 1.2 Minimum extract ventilation rates for continuous extract systems(1)
Room High rate (l/s) Continuous rate
Kitchen 13 The sum of all extract ventilation
in the dwelling on its continuous
rate should be at least the whole
Utility room 8 dwelling ventilation rate given in
Table 1.3
Bathroom 8
Sanitary accommodation 6
NOTE:
1. If the continuous rate of ventilation provided in a room is equal to or higher than the minimum high rate specified
in the table, no extra ventilation is needed.

Whole dwelling ventilation

1.23 Supply air for the dwelling should be delivered through one of the following means.
a. Continuous supply fans.
b. Background ventilators.
1.24 The minimum whole dwelling ventilation rate for the supply of air to the habitable rooms in a
dwelling should meet both of the following conditions.
a. A minimum rate of 0.3 litres per second per m2 of internal floor area (this includes all floors, e.g.
for a two-storey building, add the ground-floor and first-floor areas).
b. A minimum rate determined by the number of bedrooms, as specified in Table 1.3.

Table 1.3 Minimum whole dwelling ventilation rates determined by the number of bedrooms
Number of bedrooms(1)(2) Minimum ventilation rate by number of bedrooms (l/s)
1 19
2 25
3 31
4 37
5 43
NOTES:
1. If the dwelling only has one habitable room, a minimum ventilation rate of 13l/s should be used.
2. For each additional bedroom, add 6l/s to the values in Table 1.3.

1.25 Internal doors should allow air to flow through the dwelling by providing a minimum free area
equivalent to a 10mm undercut in a 760mm wide door. Doors should be undercut to achieve one of
the following.
a. If the floor finish is fitted: 10mm above the floor finish.
b. If the floor finish is not fitted: 20mm above the floor surface.

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 F1(1)
Purge ventilation
1.26 A system for purge ventilation should be provided in each habitable room.
1.27 Purge ventilation should be capable of extracting at least four air changes per hour per room
directly to the outside.
NOTE: In order to demonstrate compliance with Part O of the Building Regulations it is likely that
higher purge ventilation rates than those given in paragraph 1.29 will be required.
1.28 Purge ventilation should be delivered through one of the following means.
a. Openings (e.g. windows or doors).
b. A mechanical extract ventilation system.
1.29 Where purge ventilation is delivered through openings in a habitable room, the minimum opening
areas in Table 1.4 should be achieved. The values in Table 1.4 are based on BS 5925, which assumes
all of the following.
a. Single-sided ventilation.
b. An urban environment.
c. A wind speed of 2.1 metres per second (m/s).
d. A temperature difference of 3°C between the air inside and outside the building.
1.30 Depending on the dwelling design or the external climate, it may be possible in certain
circumstances to achieve four air changes per hour with smaller openings. If smaller openings than
those given in Table 1.4 are specified, expert advice should be sought to ensure that the design
complies with requirement F1(1).

Table 1.4 Purge ventilation openings

Opening type Minimum total area of openings
Hinged or pivot windows with an opening angle of 15 to 30 degrees 1/10 of the floor area of the room
Hinged or pivot windows with an opening angle of greater than or 1/20 of the floor area of the room
equal to 30 degrees
Opening sash windows
External doors

1.31 Hinged or pivot windows with an opening angle of less than 15 degrees are not suitable for purge
ventilation.

Performance testing
1.32 The air flow resistance of all components should be considered when specifying ventilation
systems. The complete assembly, as installed, should be designed to meet the performance
standards of this approved document. The performance of the separate components should be
measured according to the relevant parts of BS EN 13141 and other relevant standards. The relevant
test standards for common equipment types are given in Table 1.5.

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Table 1.5 Performance testing standards
Equipment type Test standard
Intermittent extract fans BS EN 13141-4
Cooker hoods BS EN 13141-3
Background ventilators without humidity control BS EN 13141-1, clauses 5.1 and 5.2
Background ventilators should meet the performance
standards for both of the following:
a. air flow from outside to inside the dwelling
b. air flow from inside the dwelling to outside
Continuous mechanical extract ventilation systems BS EN 13141-6
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery BS EN 13141-7
BS EN 13141-8 – for internal and external leakage and
for mixing, the unit should meet at least Class U4 of the
standard

Control of ventilation
1.33 Ventilation should be controllable. Controls may be either manual (i.e. operated by the occupant)
or automatic.
1.34 Background ventilators should be at least 1700mm above floor level, to reduce cold draughts, but
still be easy for the occupant to reach.
NOTE: Background ventilators are intended to normally be left open.
1.35 Continuously running fans should be set up to operate without occupant intervention but may
have manual or automatic controls for selecting the high rate of operation. Any manual high rate
controls should be provided locally to the spaces being served, e.g. bathrooms and kitchens.
Automatic controls might include sensors for humidity, occupancy/usage and pollutant release.
1.36 Controls based on humidity sensors may be installed in moisture-generating rooms (e.g. kitchen or
bathroom) but should not be used for sanitary accommodation, where odour is the main pollutant.
1.37 Other types of automatic controls might be suitable. Where present, automatic controls should
operate according to the need for ventilation in the space. Background ventilators with automatic
controls should also have manual override.
NOTE: Where a combustion appliance is installed, any automatic controls must also ensure that
the ventilation provided meets the requirements of Part J of the Building Regulations.

Ventilation systems for dwellings with basements

1.38 In addition to paragraphs 1.12 to 1.37, the performance required for ventilation systems for dwellings
with basements would be achieved by following the guidance in paragraphs 1.39 to 1.41.
1.39 A dwelling that includes a basement connected to the above ground parts of the dwelling by a
large permanent opening (e.g. an open stairway), may be treated as a multi-storey dwelling when
following the guidance in this approved document for dwellings without basements.
NOTE: If a basement has only one exposed façade, the guidance for natural ventilation given in this
approved document would not be appropriate. In such cases, expert advice should be sought.

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1.40 A dwelling with a basement that is not connected to the rest of the dwelling above ground level
by a large permanent opening should be considered as follows.
a. The part of the dwelling above ground level should be considered separately.
b. The basement should be treated separately as a single-storey dwelling above ground level.
c. If the basement has no bedrooms, it should be treated as having one bedroom when calculating
the ventilation required for the purposes of meeting the ventilation standards.
1.41 A dwelling that is only a basement should be treated as a single-storey dwelling above ground
level. In such circumstances, the guidance for dwellings without basements should be followed.
The guidance on natural ventilation, however, is not appropriate for a dwelling that is only a
basement.

Ventilation of a habitable room through another room

1.42 If a habitable room does not contain windows that can be opened (e.g. an internal room), the
requirement to provide adequate ventilation can be met using paragraphs 1.43 and 1.44. This
guidance can be used if the room is ventilated through either of the following.
a. Another habitable room.
b. A conservatory.
1.43 The habitable room or conservatory should have openings to the outside to provide both of the
following.
a. Purge ventilation with a minimum total area given in paragraph 1.29, based on the combined floor
area of the habitable rooms (or the habitable room and the conservatory).
b. Background ventilation of at least 10,000mm2 equivalent area.
1.44 Between the two rooms there should be a permanent opening with a minimum area of 1/20 of the
combined floor area of the two rooms (see Diagram 1.3).

Permanent opening based on

1/20 of the combined floor area

Purge ventilation opening,

see paragraphs 1.26 to 1.31 10,000mm2 background ventilator

Diagram 1.3 Two habitable rooms treated as one room for ventilation purposes

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System-specific guidance
1.45 Paragraphs 1.46 to 1.73 give guidance for the types of ventilation system listed in Table 1.6.

Table 1.6 Types of ventilation system

System type Dwellings covered by the guidance
Natural ventilation (paragraphs 1.47 to 1.59) Less airtight dwellings
Continuous mechanical extract ventilation (paragraphs 1.60 to 1.66) All dwellings
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (paragraphs 1.67 to 1.73) All dwellings

NOTE: For situations outside the scope of Table 1.6, expert advice should be sought for the design,
sizing and position of ventilators to provide effective ventilation.
NOTE: As defined in Appendix A, less airtight dwellings are dwellings which have one of the
following.
a. A design air permeability higher than 5m3/(h·m2) at 50Pa.
b. An as-built air permeability higher than 3m3/(h·m2) at 50Pa.
1.46 Where a dwelling has natural ventilation and a measured air permeability that differs from the design
air permeability, so that it is defined as a highly airtight dwelling, one of the following applies.
a. Expert advice should be sought.
b. A continuous mechanical extract ventilation system should be installed by following the
guidance in paragraphs 1.60 to 1.66.
NOTE: Continuous mechanical extract ventilation systems are available as decentralised options.
An intermittent extract fan may be replaced with a decentralised continuous mechanical extract
ventilation system fan.

Natural ventilation with background ventilators and intermittent extract fans

(guidance suitable only for less airtight dwellings)
Intermittent extract
1.47 Intermittent extract fans should be fitted in all wet rooms. For kitchens, utility rooms, bathrooms
and sanitary accommodation, the extract rates in Table 1.1 can be met using an intermittent extract
fan.
1.48 If a wet room has no external walls, the intermittent extract fan should extract at four air changes
per hour to meet the purge ventilation standards in paragraphs 1.26 to 1.31.
1.49 For sanitary accommodation, extract rates can be met using windows by following the purge
ventilation guidance in paragraphs 1.26 to 1.31.
1.50 Any automatic controls (e.g. humidity control) for intermittent extract should have a manual
override to allow the occupant to turn the extract ventilation on or off.
1.51 In a room with no openable window, an intermittent extract fan should be provided with controls
which continue to operate the fan for at least 15 minutes after the room is vacated.
Background ventilators
1.52 All rooms with external walls should have background ventilators. If a habitable room has no
external walls, paragraphs 1.42 to 1.44 should be followed.

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NOTE: A window with a night latch position is not adequate for background ventilation, due to the
following.
a. The risk of draughts.
b. Security issues.
c. The difficulty of measuring the equivalent area.
1.53 If the dwelling has more than one exposed façade, the area of background ventilators on each
façade should be similar, to allow cross-ventilation.
1.54 If an exposed façade is close to an area of sustained and loud noise (e.g. a main road), then a noise
attenuating background ventilator should be fitted.
1.55 If fans and background ventilators are fitted in the same room, they should be at least 500mm
apart.
1.56 The minimum total area of background ventilators in each room should follow the guidance in
Table 1.7.
1.57 The total number of ventilators installed in the dwelling’s habitable rooms and kitchens should be
at least the following.
a. Four ventilators if the dwelling has one bedroom.
b. Five ventilators if the dwelling has more than one bedroom.
1.58 If the dwelling has a kitchen and living room which are not separate rooms, at least three
ventilators of the same area as for other habitable rooms in Table 1.7 should be provided in the
open-plan space.

Table 1.7 Minimum equivalent area of background ventilators for natural ventilation(1)
Room Minimum equivalent area of Minimum equivalent area of
background ventilators for dwellings background ventilators for single-
with multiple floors storey dwellings
Habitable rooms(2)(3) 8000mm2 10,000mm2
Kitchen(2)(3) 8000mm2 10,000mm2
Utility room No minimum No minimum
Bathroom(4) 4000mm2 4000mm2
Sanitary accommodation No minimum No minimum
NOTES:
1. The use of this table is not appropriate in any of the following situations and expert advice should be sought.
• If the dwelling has only one exposed façade.
• If the dwelling has at least 70% of its openings on the same façade.
• If a kitchen has no windows or external façade through which a ventilator can be installed.
2. Where a kitchen and living room accommodation are not separate rooms (i.e. open plan), no fewer than three
ventilators of the same equivalent area as for other habitable rooms should be provided within the open-plan
space.
3. The total number of ventilators installed in a dwelling’s habitable rooms and kitchens should be no fewer than
five, except in one-bedroom properties, where there should be no fewer than four.
4. If a bathroom has no window or external façade through which a ventilator can be installed, the minimum equiva-
lent area specified should be added to the ventilator sizes specified in other rooms.

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Purge ventilation
1.59 For purge ventilation, follow paragraphs 1.26 to 1.31.

Continuous mechanical extract ventilation

1.60 A continuous mechanical extract ventilation system could consist of one of the following.
a. A central extract system.
b. Individual room extract fans.
c. A combination of a central extract system and individual room extract fans.
1.61 If an exhaust air terminal is located on a façade that is exposed to the prevailing wind, measures
should be taken to minimise likely wind effects. Solutions could include the following.
a. Ducting to another façade.
b. Use of constant volume flow rate units.
c. Seeking expert advice.
Ventilation rates
1.62 The total combined rate of continuous mechanical extract ventilation in the dwelling should be at
least the whole dwelling ventilation rate in Table 1.3.
1.63 Each wet room should have a minimum continuous mechanical extract ventilation high rate as given
in Table 1.2.
Background ventilators for continuous mechanical extract ventilation
1.64 Where continuous mechanical extract ventilation is used, background ventilators should satisfy all
of the following conditions.
a. Not be in wet rooms.
b. Provide a minimum equivalent area of 4000mm2 for each habitable room in the dwelling.
c. Provide a minimum total number of ventilators that is the same as the number of bedrooms plus
two ventilators (i.e. a one-bedroom dwelling should have three background ventilators, a two-
bedroom dwelling should have four background ventilators, etc.).
1.65 If a habitable room has no external walls, paragraphs 1.42 to 1.44 should be followed.
Purge ventilation
1.66 For purge ventilation, follow paragraphs 1.26 to 1.31.

Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery

Ventilation rates
1.67 For dwellings using mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, each habitable room should have
mechanical supply ventilation. The total supply air flow should be distributed proportionately to
the volume of each habitable room.
1.68 Mechanical supply terminals should be located and directed to avoid draughts.
1.69 The minimum total continuous rate of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is the whole
dwelling ventilation rate in Table 1.3.

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1.70 For dwellings using mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, each wet room should have a
minimum continuous mechanical extract ventilation high rate as given in Table 1.2.
1.71 Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems should be designed to avoid the moist air from
the wet rooms recirculating to the habitable rooms.
Background ventilators
1.72 To avoid unintended air pathways, background ventilators should not be installed with mechanical
ventilation with heat recovery.
Purge ventilation
1.73 For purge ventilation follow paragraphs 1.26 to 1.31.
NOTE: The efficiency of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems should improve as the
dwelling becomes more airtight.

Installation of ventilation systems

1.74 Ventilation systems should be installed to meet both of the following conditions.
a. Comply with the guidance in this approved document.
b. Not compromise the performance of the system.
1.75 Adequate space should be available for access to maintain ventilation equipment.
1.76 Rigid ducts should be used wherever possible.
1.77 Flexible ductwork, where installed, should meet all of the following conditions.
a. Only used for final connections.
b. Lengths should be a maximum of 1.5m.
c. Meet the standards of BSRIA’s BG 43/2013.
1.78 Any flexible ducts should be installed so that the full internal diameter is maintained and flow
resistance is minimised. This is achieved by taking both of the following actions.
a. Pulling the duct taut.
b. Ensuring that ductwork does not pass through orifices with a smaller diameter than the duct itself.
1.79 Ductwork installations should be designed and installed to minimise the overall pressure losses
within the system by taking all of the following steps.
a. Minimising the overall length of duct.
b. Minimising the number of bends required.
c. Installing appropriately sized ducts for the air flow rate.
1.80 Each air terminal should have a free area of at least 90% of the free area of its associated duct.

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1.81 Duct connections should be both mechanically secured and adequately sealed to prevent leaks.
Rigid connectors and jubilee clips should be used for flexible ducting to ensure a good seal.
1.82 The installer should make a visual inspection to confirm both of the following.
a. There are no obvious defects.
b. All packaging has been removed.
1.83 Mechanical ventilation systems must be commissioned in accordance with an approved procedure.
Appendix C of this approved document includes a completion checklist and commissioning sheet,
which the system installer should complete to demonstrate compliance. See Section 4 of this
approved document.

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Section 2: Minimising the ingress of external
pollutants

2.1 Ventilation systems should be designed to minimise the intake of external air pollutants following
paragraphs 2.2 to 2.9 if either of the following applies.
a. The pollutant values in the location of the dwelling exceed any of the limits in Table 2.1. This
may have been determined through an air quality assessment. Where modelling or monitoring
data is required, expert advice should be sought.
b. The dwelling is located near to any of the following sources of significant local pollution.
i. Road traffic, including traffic junctions and underground car parks.
ii. Combustion plant (such as heating appliances) running on conventional fuels, most
commonly natural gas.
iii. Other combustion processes (for example, waste incineration, thermal oxidation abatement
systems).
iv. Discharges from industrial processes.
v. Fugitive (i.e. not effectively controlled) discharges from industrial processes and other
sources.
vi. Exhaust discharges from building ventilation systems.
vii. Construction and demolition sites, which are a source of particles and vaporous discharges.
viii. Other significant sources of local air pollution which may be detrimental to health.

Table 2.1 Limit values from Schedule 2 to the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010
Pollutant Exposure limit Exposure time
Carbon monoxide 10mg/m3 8-hour average
Sulphur dioxide 350μg/m3 1-hour average
125μg/m3 1-day average
Nitrogen dioxide 200μg/m3 1-hour average
40μg/m 3
1-year average
Benzene 5μg/m3 1-year average
Lead 0.5μg/m3 1-year average
PM2.5 25μg/m3 1-year average
PM10 50μg/m3 1-day average
40μg/m3 1-year average

NOTE: This section only gives guidance for typical situations. Expert advice may also be able to
provide additional guidance on the suitability of other technologies to minimise the intake of
external air pollutants, including filtration.

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Control of ventilation intakes
2.2 Ventilation intakes should be located away from the direct impact of the sources of local pollution.
NOTE: CIBSE’s TM64 and TM40 give further guidance.
2.3 Where urban traffic is a source of pollution, the air intakes for dwellings next to busy urban roads
should be both of the following.
a. As high as possible.
b. Located on the less polluted side of the building.
Mechanical ventilation may be the most practical way of achieving this requirement.
2.4 If practicable, ventilation intakes should not be located in courtyards or enclosed urban spaces
where air pollutants are discharged. If this is unavoidable, intakes should be located to meet both
of the following conditions.
a. As far as possible from the source of pollutants.
b. In an open or well-ventilated area.
2.5 In areas where wind often comes from opposing directions (e.g. a valley), the air intakes should
point in the opposite direction to the exhaust outlets.
2.6 Where sources of pollution vary with the time of day, such as urban road traffic, it may be
acceptable, for time-limited periods, to take one of the following actions.
a. Reduce the flow of external air into ventilation intakes.
b. Close ventilation intakes when the concentrations of external pollutants are highest.
NOTE: In these circumstances, expert advice should be sought.

Location of exhaust outlets

2.7 Exhaust outlets should be located so that both of the following are achieved.
a. Re-entry of exhaust air into a building, or entry into nearby buildings, is minimised.
b. There is no harmful effect on the surrounding area.
2.8 Where there is a prevailing wind direction, exhaust outlets should be downwind of intakes.
2.9 Exhaust outlets should not discharge into any of the following.
a. Courtyards.
b. Enclosures.
c. Architectural screens.
NOTE: Chapter 13 of McGraw Hill’s Indoor Air Quality Handbook provides further guidance.

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Section 3: Work on existing dwellings

General
3.1 When building work in an existing dwelling includes work on ventilation, for example:
a. adding a habitable room
b. adding a wet room
c. replacing part of the ventilation system, including extract fans
the work should meet the relevant standards in this approved document.
3.2 When other building work is carried out that will affect the ventilation of the existing dwelling, for
example:
a. replacing a window or door
b. doing energy efficiency work
the ventilation of the dwelling should either:
a. meet the standards in the relevant approved document
b. not be less satisfactory than before the work was carried out.
NOTE: Ventilation through infiltration should be considered to be part of the ventilation provision
of a dwelling. Reducing infiltration might reduce the indoor air quality of the dwelling below the
standards given in Appendix B.
3.3 For common types of work, the requirements of paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 may be demonstrated by
following the guidance detailed below.
a. For installing energy efficiency measures excluding window replacement, paragraphs 3.6 to 3.13.
b. For installing energy efficiency measures including window replacement, paragraphs 3.6 to 3.13
and 3.14 to 3.16.
c. For replacing windows only, paragraphs 3.14 to 3.16.
d. For the addition of a habitable room, paragraphs 3.17 to 3.20.
e. For the addition of a conservatory, paragraphs 3.21 to 3.24.
f. For the addition of a wet room, paragraphs 3.25 to 3.29.
g. For refurbishing a kitchen or bathroom, paragraphs 3.30 to 3.32.
h. For work done to improve the ventilation of the dwelling that was not triggered by the building
work in (a) to (g), Section 1 should be followed.
3.4 Other ventilation solutions than those detailed here may be used, as long as it can be
demonstrated to a building control body that they comply with the requirements of paragraphs 3.1
and 3.2.

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3.5 When a building undergoes a material change of use, Part F of Schedule 1 to the Building
Regulations applies to the building or part of the building that has changed use. Guidance in
Section 1 should be followed.
NOTE: Ventilation equipment is considered to be a ‘controlled service or fitting’ and providing or
extending this equipment in or in connection with a building is considered to be building work.
NOTE: Some building work does not need to be notified to the local authority. Details of such
work are set out in the Manual to the Building Regulations.

Installing energy efficiency measures

3.6 Many existing dwellings are ventilated through infiltration rather than purposeful ventilation.
Energy efficiency measures carried out on existing dwellings might reduce infiltration and cause the
dwelling to become under-ventilated.
Building work should not reduce the ventilation provision of the dwelling unless it can be
demonstrated that the ventilation provision after the work is carried out meets the minimum
standards of requirement F1(1).
3.7 When carrying out energy efficiency measures to an existing dwelling, an assessment should
determine what, if any, additional ventilation provision is needed, based on the estimated impact
of the work. The assessment should be carried out by one of the following means.
a. Applying the simplified method in paragraphs 3.8 to 3.13.
b. Seeking expert advice, which may include carrying out an air permeability test that follows the
procedures given in Approved Document L, Volume 1: Dwellings.
NOTE: Following BSI PAS 2035 is considered to be an adequate means of demonstrating
compliance with paragraph 3.6.

Simplified method
NOTE: The simplified method set out in paragraphs 3.8 to 3.13 is designed to apply to an existing
dwelling that is assumed to have adequate means of ventilation through a combination of purpose-
provided ventilation and infiltration. If the property differs significantly from this assumption, the
requirements of paragraph 3.6 must still be met. This should be demonstrated through seeking expert
advice or using another suitable method.
3.8 When carrying out energy efficiency measures on an existing dwelling, Table 3.1 should be used
to calculate the number of major and minor energy efficiency measures involved. This calculation
should include all of the following.
a. Energy efficiency measures fitted since the original dwelling was constructed, to consider
accumulation of measures.
b. Energy efficiency measures planned.
NOTE: Where specific energy efficiency measures are not included in Table 3.1, the most similar
category should be chosen instead.
3.9 Diagram 3.1 should then be used to determine the category that the works result in.

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Table 3.1 Energy efficiency measures
Category of measure
Roof insulation
a. Renewing loft insulation, including effective edge sealing at junctions and penetrations Minor
b. Loft conversions or works that include changing a cold loft (insulation at ceiling level) to Minor
a warm loft (insulation at roof level)
Wall insulation
c. Installing cavity wall insulation to any external wall Minor
d. Installing external or internal wall insulation to less than or equal to 50% of the external Minor
wall area
e. Installing external or internal wall insulation to more than 50% of the external wall area Major
Replacement of windows and doors (1)

f. Replacing less than or equal to 30% of the total existing windows or door units Minor
g. Replacing more than 30% of the total existing windows or door units Major
Draught-proofing (other than openings)(2)
h. Replacing a loft hatch with a sealed/insulated unit Minor
i. Sealing around structural or service penetrations through walls, floors or ceiling/roof Minor
j. Sealing and/or insulating a suspended ground floor Major
k. Removing chimney or providing another means of sealing over chimney, internally or Major
externally
NOTES:
1. If the energy efficiency works involve only replacing windows, then the guidance in paragraphs 3.14 to 3.16 may be
followed as an alternative means of demonstrating compliance.
2. Draught-proofing measures might not, on their own, constitute building work. This work may be controllable
under the Building Regulations if carried out as part of other building work.

Number of minor measures

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
0 Category A
1
Number Category B
of major 2
measures
3
Category C
4

Diagram 3.1 Chart for categorising impact on ventilation when carrying out works in existing
dwellings

3.10 If the method in Diagram 3.1 results in the work being categorised as Category A, it is likely that the
energy efficiency measures have not reduced the ventilation provision of the dwelling below the
requirements of F1(1) so no further ventilation provision is necessary.

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3.11 If the method in Diagram 3.1 results in the work being categorised as Category B, it is likely that
the ventilation provision of the dwelling has been reduced below the requirements of F1(1). Further
ventilation provision should be provided by one of the following means.
a. Natural ventilation, by following the system-specific guidance in paragraphs 1.47 to 1.59. It is
assumed that any existing purpose-built ventilators are in working order and that the equivalent
area has not been compromised.
b. Continuous mechanical extract ventilation, by following the system-specific guidance in
paragraphs 1.60 to 1.66.
c. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, by following the system-specific guidance in
paragraphs 1.67 to 1.73. To avoid unintended air pathways, existing background ventilators should
be covered or sealed shut.
3.12 If the method in Diagram 3.1 results in the work being categorised as Category C, it is likely that the
ventilation provision of the dwelling has been reduced significantly below the requirements of F1(1).
Further ventilation should be provided by one of the following means.
a. Natural ventilation, by following expert advice for the design, sizing and positioning of
ventilators to ensure adequate ventilation provision.
b. Continuous mechanical extract ventilation, by following the system-specific guidance in
paragraphs 1.60 to 1.66.
c. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, by following the system-specific guidance in
paragraphs 1.67 to 1.73. To avoid unintended air pathways, existing background ventilators should
be covered or sealed shut.
3.13 Appendix D provides a checklist for determining the ventilation provision in an existing dwelling.
It may be used before energy efficiency measures are carried out to establish whether an existing
dwelling complies with the requirement for adequate means of ventilation.

Replacing windows
Existing windows with background ventilators
3.14 If the existing windows have background ventilators, the replacement windows should include
background ventilators. The new background ventilators should comply with both of the following
conditions.
a. Not be smaller than the background ventilators in the original window.
b. Be controllable either automatically or by the occupant.
If the size of the background ventilators in the existing window is not known, the ventilator sizes in
paragraph 3.15 may be applied.

Existing windows without background ventilators

3.15 Replacing the windows is likely to increase the airtightness of the dwelling. If ventilation is not
provided via a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system, then increasing the airtightness of
the building may reduce beneficial ventilation in the building. In these circumstances, it is necessary
to ensure that the ventilation provision in the dwelling is no worse than it was before the work was
carried out. This may be demonstrated in any of the following ways.

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a. Incorporating background ventilators in the replacement windows equivalent to the following.
i. Habitable rooms – minimum 8000mm2 equivalent area.
ii. Kitchen – minimum 8000mm2 equivalent area.
iii. Bathroom (with or without a toilet) – minimum 4000mm2 equivalent area.
b. If the dwelling will have continuous mechanical extract ventilation, installing background
ventilators in any replacement windows which are not in wet rooms, with a minimum equivalent
area of 4000mm2 in each habitable room.
c. Other ventilation provisions, if it can be demonstrated to a building control body that they
comply with the requirements of paragraph 3.2.
NOTE: If it is not technically feasible to adopt the minimum equivalent areas set out in paragraph
3.15, the background ventilators should have equivalent areas as close to the minimum value as is
feasible.
3.16 When windows are replaced as part of the work connected with a material change of use, Section 1
of this approved document should be followed in addition to paragraphs 3.14 and 3.15.

Addition of a habitable room (not including a conservatory)

to an existing dwelling
3.17 The requirement for adequate ventilation can be met if background ventilators are used as follows.
a. If the additional room is connected to an existing habitable room which now has no windows
opening to the outside, paragraphs 1.42 to 1.44 should be followed
b. If the additional room is connected to an existing habitable room that still has windows opening
to the outside, the following conditions apply.
i. If the existing habitable room has a total background ventilator equivalent area of less
than 5000mm2, paragraphs 1.42 to 1.44 should be followed.
ii. If the existing habitable room has a total background ventilator equivalent area of at
least 5000mm2, both of the following should be provided.
· Background ventilators of at least 12,000mm2 equivalent area between the two rooms.
· Background ventilators of at least 12,000mm2 equivalent area between the additional
room and the outside.
3.18 As an alternative to paragraph 3.17, to ventilate the additional habitable room, one of the following
methods could be used.
a. A single-room heat recovery ventilator. The supply rate to the additional room should be
determined as follows.
i. Establish the whole dwelling ventilation rate from Table 1.3.
ii. Calculate the room supply rate required from the following equation.

(whole dwelling ventilation rate × Room volume)

(Total volume of all habitable rooms)

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b. If the dwelling already has mechanical ventilation, the centralised system could be extended
into the additional room.
3.19 For purge ventilation in a new habitable room in a dwelling, paragraphs 1.26 to 1.31 should be
followed.
3.20 For a new habitable room in a dwelling, ventilation location should follow paragraphs 1.9 to 1.31,
performance testing should follow paragraph 1.32 and controls should follow paragraphs 1.33 to 1.37.

Addition of a conservatory to an existing building

3.21 The guidance in this section applies to conservatories with a floor area that exceeds 30m2.
Conservatories with a floor area that does not exceed 30m2 are exempt from the Part F
requirements.
3.22 The general ventilation rate for a new conservatory and, if necessary, adjoining rooms could be
achieved using background ventilators. The guidance in paragraphs 1.42 to 1.44 should be followed
regardless of the ventilation provisions in the existing room adjacent to the conservatory.
3.23 For purge ventilation in a new conservatory, paragraphs 1.26 to 1.31 should be followed.
3.24 For a new conservatory, performance testing should follow paragraph 1.32 and controls should
follow paragraphs 1.33 to 1.37.

Addition of a wet room to an existing dwelling

3.25 When a wet room is added to an existing dwelling, whole dwelling ventilation should be
extended and extract ventilation should be provided by one of the following means.
a. Intermittent extract, as specified in Table 1.1, and a background ventilator of at
least 5000mm2 equivalent area.
b. Continuous extract, as specified in Table 1.2.
c. Single-room heat recovery ventilator, as detailed in paragraph 3.26.
3.26 If a continuously running single-room heat recovery ventilator is used in a wet room, it should
use the minimum high rate given in Table 1.2 and 50% of this value as the continuous rate. A
background ventilator is not required in the same room as the single-room heat recovery ventilator.
3.27 Internal doors should allow air to move within the dwelling by providing a free area equivalent to a
10mm undercut in a 760mm wide door. Doors should be undercut to achieve one of the following.
a. If the floor finish is fitted: 10mm above the floor finish.
b. If the floor finish is not fitted: 20mm above the floor surface.
3.28 For purge ventilation in a new wet room, paragraphs 1.26 to 1.31 apply.
3.29 For a new wet room, ventilation location should follow paragraphs 1.9 to 1.31, performance testing
should follow paragraph 1.32 and controls should follow paragraphs 1.33 to 1.37.

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 F1(1)
Refurbishing a kitchen or bathroom in an existing dwelling
NOTE: If a combustion appliance is installed in a kitchen or bathroom where building work is
carried out, Part J of the Building Regulations must be considered.
3.30 Where building work is carried out in a kitchen or bathroom, any existing fans (including cooker
hoods, where they extract to the outside) should be retained or replaced. Appropriate checks
should be made to determine whether any retained ventilation devices are working correctly.
3.31 If there is no ventilation system in the original room, it is not necessary to provide one in the
refurbished room. However, additional ventilation may be necessary if refurbishment work is likely
to make the building less compliant with the ventilation requirements of the Building Regulations
than it was before the work was carried out. The guidance in paragraphs 3.6 to 3.13 should be
followed for refurbishment that includes energy efficiency measures and paragraphs 3.14 to 3.16
should be followed for window replacements.
3.32 If an extractor fan or cooker hood is replaced and it uses the existing cabling, this does not need to
be notified to a building control body (see section 1(a) of Schedule 4 to the Building Regulations).

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F1(2), R39, R42, R44
Requirement F1(2) and regulations 39, 42 and 44

This section deals with the requirements of Part F1(2) of Schedule 1 and regulations 39, 42 and 44 of
the Building Regulations 2010.

Requirement
Requirement Limits on application
F1. (2) Fixed systems for mechanical ventilation and Requirement F1 does not apply to a building or
any associated controls must be commissioned space within a building:
by testing and adjusting as necessary to secure
a. into which people do not normally go;
that the objective referred to in sub-paragraph
(1) is met. b. which is used solely for storage; or
c. which is a garage used solely in connection with
a single dwelling.

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 F1(2), R39, R42, R44
Regulations
Information about ventilation
39. (1) This regulation applies where paragraph F1(1) of Schedule 1 imposes a requirement in relation to building
work.
(2) The person carrying out the work shall not later than five days after the work has been completed
give sufficient information to the owner about the building’s ventilation system and its maintenance
requirements so that the ventilation system can be operated in such a manner as to provide adequate
means of ventilation.
Mechanical ventilation air flow rate testing
42. (1) This regulation applies where paragraph F1(1) of Schedule 1 imposes a requirement in relation to the creation
of a new dwelling by building work.
(2) The person carrying out the work shall, for the purpose of ensuring compliance with paragraph F1(1) of
Schedule 1—
(a) ensure that testing of the mechanical ventilation air flow rate is carried out in accordance with a
procedure approved by the Secretary of State; and
(b) give notice of the results of the testing to the local authority.
(3) The notice referred to in paragraph (2)(b) shall—
(a) record the results and the data upon which they are based in a manner approved by the Secretary of
State; and
(b) be given to the local authority not later than five days after the final test is carried out.
Commissioning
44. (1) This regulation applies to building work in relation to which paragraph F1(2) of Schedule 1 imposes
a requirement, but does not apply to the provision or extension of any fixed system for mechanical
ventilation or any associated controls where testing and adjustment is not possible.
(2) This regulation also applies to building work in relation to which paragraph L1(b) of Schedule 1 imposes a
requirement, but does not apply to the provision or extension of any fixed building service where testing
and adjustment is not possible or would not affect the energy efficiency of that fixed building service.
(3) Where this regulation applies the person carrying out the work shall, for the purpose of ensuring
compliance with paragraph F1(2) or L1(b) of Schedule 1, give to the local authority a notice confirming that
the fixed building services have been commissioned in accordance with a procedure approved by the
Secretary of State.
(4) The notice shall be given to the local authority—
(a) not later than the date on which the notice required by regulation 16(4) is required to be given; or
(b) where that regulation does not apply, not more than 30 days after completion of the work.

NOTE: Where the building control body is an approved inspector, see regulation 20 of the Building
(Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 2010 (as amended).

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F1(2), R39, R42, R44
Intention
In the Secretary of State’s view, requirement F1(2) and regulation 44 are met if building work that
involves installing a mechanical ventilation system, for a new or an existing dwelling, follows the
guidance in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.12 to achieve all of the following.
a. All fixed mechanical ventilation systems for which testing and adjustment is possible are tested
and commissioned.
b. Commissioning results show that systems are operating as required to achieve adequate
ventilation, including achieving the flow rates specified in this approved document.
c. Commissioning results show that controls are operating as required to achieve adequate
ventilation.
d. The person carrying out the work gives notice to the building control body that commissioning
has been carried out following the procedure given in this document.
In the Secretary of State’s view, when building work that affects ventilation is carried out, the
requirements of regulation 39 are met if the installer provides clear and simple written guidance for
the building owner on how to operate and maintain the ventilation system. The written guidance
should be as described in the following paragraphs.
a. For new dwellings, paragraphs 4.13 to 4.19.
b. In existing dwellings, paragraphs 4.13 to 4.17 and 4.20.
In the Secretary of State’s view, when a new dwelling is created by building work, the requirements of
regulation 42 are met if the installer complies with both of the following.
a. Measures and records the mechanical ventilation flow rates by following the guidance in
paragraphs 4.9 and 4.10.
b. Gives notice of ventilation flow rates to the building control body not later than five days after
the final test.

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Section 4: Commissioning and providing
information

Air flow rate testing and commissioning of ventilation

systems
4.1 Mechanical ventilation systems must be commissioned to provide adequate ventilation. A
commissioning notice must be given to the building control body.
4.2 Air flow rates for mechanical ventilation in new dwellings must be measured. A notice of the
measured air flow rates must be given to the building control body.
NOTE: Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 apply to intermittent extract as well as continuous mechanical
ventilation systems.
4.3 The person responsible for commissioning should complete air flow measurement test and
commissioning sheets including, as a minimum, all information in Part 3 of the example sheet given
in Appendix C.
NOTE: When mechanical ventilation is commissioned, the use of fuel and power should also be
considered in accordance with Part L of the Building Regulations (L1(b) of Schedule 1). Installers
may provide notice of commissioning to cover Part F (F1(2) of Schedule 1) and Part L in the same
document.

Inspection standards
4.4 Ventilation systems should be inspected and tested in accordance with paragraphs 4.5 to 4.12.

Background ventilators and intermittent extract ventilation

4.5 For background ventilators, all of the following measures should be undertaken and the results
recorded using the checklist in Appendix C.
a. The minimum equivalent area for background ventilators from Table 1.7 should be identified and
recorded.
b. The actual equivalent area and location of installed background ventilators should be recorded.
c. Checks should be made to determine that the background ventilator controls work and that
they open and close correctly.
d. The quality of the installation of the ventilator product should be checked to ensure it is
correctly mounted within the wall or window aperture.
4.6 For intermittent extract fans, the installer should carry out checks to establish the following.
a. That the fans operate correctly.
b. That the fans respond correctly to the controls provided with the installation.
c. That any run-on timers are set to at least 15 minutes.

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Ducted systems
4.7 For all ductwork and terminals, the following checks should be made and the results recorded in
the checklist in Appendix C.
a. That the system has been installed to achieve both of the following.
i. The design criteria.
ii. A standard that will not reduce its performance.
b. That the number, size and location of the air terminals provide effective air distribution in the
space.
c. That all ductwork and terminals are in good condition with no obvious defects that will affect
the performance of the system.
d. That the air flow direction is correct at each room terminal.
e. That there are no abnormal noises from the ventilation system, including in all of the following
situations.
i. On start-up.
ii. When running in background ventilation mode.
iii. When running at the high rate.
4.8 For continuous mechanical ventilation systems, such as continuous mechanical extract ventilation
or mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, the system should be balanced to achieve design air
flow rates at each room terminal. The fan manufacturer’s instructions should be followed when
balancing the system. If specific details are not available from the manufacturer, the relevant set of
instructions from sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) below should be followed.
a. For adjustable terminals with a fixed (stepped) speed fan, the following apply.
i. The fan speed should be set to achieve the desired continuous flow rate.
ii. The index terminal flow rate should be set with the terminal fully open and all other
terminals should be adjusted to achieve the required flows at each terminal.
iii. If the total flow rate cannot be achieved through all the terminals, then the fan speed
should be increased.
iv. If all the terminals have to be set to a significantly closed position to achieve the required
air flow rate, then the fan speed should be reduced and the terminals rebalanced.
b. For adjustable terminals with a controllable speed fan, the following apply.
i. The fan should be set at a speed that will approximately achieve the desired continuous
flow rate.
ii. The index terminal flow rate should be set with the terminal fully open and all other
terminals should be adjusted to achieve the required flows at each terminal.
iii. If the index terminal has to be set to a significantly closed position to achieve the required
air flow rate, then the fan speed should be reduced and the terminals rebalanced.
c. For fixed terminals with flow adjustment by duct damper or a similar device at the fan unit, the
guidance in sub-paragraphs (a) or (b) above should be followed, depending on the type of fan
speed control.

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d. For adjustable terminals with a fixed-volume flow fan, the following apply.
i. The fan speed should be set to achieve the desired continuous flow rate.
ii. The index terminal flow rate should be set with the terminal fully open and all other
terminals should be adjusted to achieve the required flow rates at each terminal.
NOTE: Adjusting the terminals only balances the flow. Total flow rate is governed by the fan
control setting. Care should be taken not to close the terminals too far, because the fan unit
will always maintain a constant volumetric flow rate. Closing the terminals will require the fan
to work harder to achieve a given air flow rate.
e. For fixed terminals with automatic flow adjustment at the fan unit, the fan speed should be set
to achieve the desired continuous flow rate. The flows are balanced by automatic devices within
the fan unit, so cannot be adjusted.

Air flow rate testing

4.9 The air flow rate of all mechanical ventilation fans should be tested. This includes any of the
following.
a. Intermittent extract fans.
b. Cooker hoods.
c. Continuous extract fans and/or terminals.
d. Continuous supply fans and/or terminals.
4.10 A calibrated air flow device with a proprietary hood should be used to measure the air flow rates
at each room terminal following the procedure detailed below.
a. The design air flow rates should be determined in accordance with Table 1.2.
b. Both of the following should be confirmed.
i. All intended background ventilators or other air transfer devices are open.
ii. All internal and external doors and windows are closed.
c. Air flow measurements should be performed using an air flow device that complies with all of
the following.
i. Has a proprietary hood attachment.
ii. Has an accuracy of ±5%.
iii. Has been calibrated within the last 12 months at a calibration centre accredited by the
United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
d. The air flow for each extract/supply fan or terminal should be recorded in litres per second (l/s)
on the commissioning sheet (see Part 3 of Appendix C).
NOTE: In exceptional circumstances, the configuration of some fan units may prevent air flow rates
from being measured. If so, evidence should be provided to assure the building control body that
the flow rate can be determined by following the manufacturer’s guidance.

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Controls
4.11 The correct operation of each control function should be tested where it is practical. Ventilation
controls should be inspected to ensure that the following have been achieved.
a. All local controls have been installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
b. All local controls are adequately labelled to clearly indicate their function.
c. If sensors have been installed separately from the fan unit, that the manufacturer’s installation
instructions were followed.
d. Where control of the fan is automated, that the controls are configured to ensure that
automatic controls do not disturb occupants; for example, by sudden changes in fan speed.
4.12 If manual controls are provided, clear and detailed instructions should be given to the occupier as
part of the information package described in paragraphs 4.13 to 4.17.

Operating and maintenance instructions

4.13 Sufficient information about the ventilation system and its maintenance requirements must be
given to the building owner to allow the system to be operated effectively. This should include
both design flow rates and maintenance requirements. The information should be provided in a
clear manner, for a non-technical audience.
4.14 A copy of the completed commissioning sheet in Appendix C should be given to the owner of the
dwelling.
4.15 The operation and maintenance information should contain specific instructions for the end user
on how and when to use the ventilation system, including information on the intended uses for the
available fan settings. Information should also be provided to suggest when, and how, the system
components should be cleaned and maintained.
4.16 The following information should be provided where relevant.
a. Manufacturer’s contact details.
b. That background ventilators allow fresh air into the home and should be left open.
c. The location of automatic controls and how to set them.
d. The location of manual controls for the on/off and high rate settings for a mechanical
ventilation system and how to use them.
e. How cleaning and maintenance of the system and its components should be carried out. This
includes the location and specification of filters and how to assess when to replace filters.
f. How to access ducts for cleaning, how to undertake cleaning of plant and ducts and the
intervals at which cleaning should be undertaken.
g. The location of sensors and how to recalibrate them.
h. Design flow rates.

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4.17 The operation and maintenance information should also contain relevant manufacturers’ literature,
including the following, where relevant.
a. Component specifications.
b. Installation guidance.
c. Operating instructions.
d. Maintenance schedules.
e. Guarantees.
f. Registration card.
g. Spare parts lists.
h. Instructions for obtaining spare parts.

Home User Guide for new dwellings

4.18 A Home User Guide should be provided for a new dwelling as described in Section 9 of Approved
Document L, Volume 1: Dwellings. It should contain a section on ‘Ventilation’ that provides non-
technical advice on the ventilation systems provided within the new dwelling.
4.19 The Home User Guide is in addition to the operating and maintenance instructions. It is intended
to be a non-technical overview for the occupiers, and should include some basic details on the
operation and maintenance of the system. The operating and maintenance instructions provide
further details as required.
NOTE: Information about overheating and the conservation of fuel and power are required
under different regulations and guidance is given in Approved Documents O (Overheating) and L
(Conservation of fuel and power). Where the system provides more than one function, the owner
should be informed of each separate function.

Additional information for work in existing dwellings

4.20 When new ventilation is installed in an existing dwelling, information about it should be provided
to the building owner in accordance with paragraphs 4.13 to 4.17.
Example text on the purpose of ventilation and the standards for existing dwellings can be viewed
at [Link] However, there is no
requirement to follow the layout, format or text used in the example.

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 A
Appendix A: Key terms

Except for the items marked * (which are from the Continuous mechanical extract ventilation
Building Regulations 2010), these definitions apply Mechanically driven ventilation that continuously
only to Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings. extracts indoor air and discharges it to the outside.
Air permeability The measure of airtightness of Continuous operation Uninterrupted running of a
the building fabric. It is defined as the air leakage mechanical ventilation device, such as continuous
rate per hour per m2 of envelope area at the test mechanical extract ventilation or mechanical
reference pressure differential of 50Pa or 4Pa. ventilation with heat recovery. The air flow rate
Airtightness The resistance of the building provided by mechanical ventilation need not be
envelope to infiltration when ventilators are closed. constant but may be varied, under either manual or
The greater the airtightness at a given pressure automatic control, in response to the demand for
difference across the envelope, the lower the the removal of pollutants or water vapour.
infiltration. Dwelling A self-contained unit designed to
Automatic controls A system whereby a ventilation accommodate a single household.  
device is adjusted by a mechanical or electronic Equivalent area A measure of the aerodynamic
controller that responds to a relevant stimulus. That performance of a ventilator. It is the area of a sharp-
stimulus usually relates to the humidity of the air in edged circular orifice through which air would pass
a room, pollutant levels, occupancy of the space or at the same volume flow rate, under an identical
pressure difference across the device. applied pressure difference, as through the opening
Background ventilator A small ventilation opening under consideration. The equivalent area of a
designed to provide controllable whole dwelling background ventilator is determined at 1Pa pressure
ventilation. difference in accordance with Table 1.7.

Basement (in relation to a dwelling) A dwelling or a Expert advice Advice from a suitably qualified
usable part of a dwelling (i.e. a habitable room) that competent person. Examples from the ventilation
is partly or entirely below ground level. Note that industry of a person competent to give expert
a cellar is distinct from a basement, in that a cellar advice include a chartered or professional engineer,
is used only for storage, heating plant or purposes a building services specialist, a specialist ventilation
other than habitation. manufacturer or members of professional trade
bodies.
Bathroom A room that contains a bath or
shower and which can also include sanitary Extract ventilation The removal of air directly
accommodation. from an internal space or spaces to the outside.
Extract ventilation may be by natural means or by
Building control body A local authority or an mechanical means (e.g. by an extract fan or a central
approved inspector. system).
Free area The geometric open area of a ventilator.
Habitable room A room used for dwelling
purposes but which is not solely a kitchen,
utility room, bathroom, cellar or sanitary
accommodation.

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 A
Heat recovery Applied to mechanical supply f. the building is not a building described in
and extract systems or a single room ventilator, classes 1 to 6 in Schedule 2, where previously it
extract air is passed over a heat exchanger and the was;
recovered heat is put into the supply air. g. the building, which contains at least one
dwelling, contains a greater or lesser number of
Highly airtight dwellings Dwellings that achieve
dwellings than it did previously;
one of the following.
h. the building contains a room for residential
a. A design air permeability lower than 5m3/(h·m2)
purposes, where previously it did not;
at 50Pa.
i. the building, which contains at least one room
b. An as-built air permeability lower than 3m3/
for residential purposes, contains a greater
(h·m2) at 50Pa.
or lesser number of such rooms than it did
Infiltration The uncontrolled exchange of air previously;
between the inside and outside of a building,
j. the building is used as a shop, where it
through gaps and cracks.
previously was not; or
Intermittent operation When a mechanical
k. the building is a building described in regulation
ventilator does not run all the time, usually running
7(4)(a), where previously it was not.
only when there is a particular need to remove
pollutants or water vapour (e.g. during cooking Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery A
or bathing). Intermittent operation may be under mechanically driven ventilation system that both
either manual or automatic control. continuously supplies outdoor air to the inside of
the dwelling and continuously extracts indoor air
Less airtight dwellings Those dwellings that are not
and discharges it to the outside. For the purposes
highly airtight dwellings.
of this approved document, the guidance for
Manual controls A system whereby a ventilation mechanical ventilation with heat recovery applies
device is opened and closed, or switched on to centralised or decentralised supply and extract
and off, or its performance is adjusted by the systems, with or without heat recovery.
occupants of a room or building (see automatic
Natural ventilation Ventilation provided by thermal,
controls).
wind or diffusion effects through doors, windows
*Material change of use Defined in regulation 5 as: or other intentional openings without the use of
Where there is a change in the purposes for which mechanically driven equipment. For the purposes
or the circumstances in which a building is used, of this approved document, natural ventilation
so that after that change: refers to a ventilation strategy using background
a. the building is used as a dwelling, where ventilators and intermittent extract ventilation.
previously it was not; Permanent opening An opening between rooms or
b. the building contains a flat, where previously it floors that has no means of closing it, e.g. an open
did not; stairwell or two rooms that have been joined by
removing part of a wall.
c. the building is used as an hotel or a boarding
house, where previously it was not; Purge ventilation Manually controlled ventilation
of rooms or spaces at a relatively high rate to
d. the building is used as an institution, where rapidly dilute pollutants and/or disperse water
previously it was not; vapour. Purge ventilation may be provided by
e. the building is used as a public building, where natural means (e.g. an openable window) or
previously it was not; mechanical means (e.g. a fan).

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 A
Purpose-provided ventilation That part of the Ventilation The supply and removal of air (by
ventilation of a building provided by ventilation natural and/or mechanical means) to and from a
devices designed into the building (e.g. background space or spaces in a building. It normally comprises
ventilators, extract fans, mechanical ventilation or a combination of purpose-provided ventilation and
air-conditioning systems). infiltration.
*Room for residential purposes Defined in Wet room A room used for domestic activities
regulation 2(1) as a room, or a suite of rooms, (such as cooking, clothes washing and bathing) that
which is not a dwelling-house or a flat and which produce significant amounts of airborne moisture,
is used by one or more persons to live and sleep e.g. a kitchen, utility room or bathroom. For the
and includes a room in a hostel, an hotel, a purposes of Part F of the Building Regulations,
boarding house, a hall of residence or a residential sanitary accommodation is also regarded as a wet
home, but does not include a room in a hospital, room.
or other similar establishment, used for patient Whole dwelling ventilation (general ventilation)
accommodation. Nominally continuous ventilation of rooms or
Sanitary accommodation A space containing one spaces at a relatively low rate to dilute and remove
or more flush toilets (WCs) or urinals. Sanitary pollutants and water vapour not removed by
accommodation containing one or more cubicles extract ventilation, purge ventilation or infiltration,
counts as one space if there is free circulation of air as well as to supply outdoor air into the dwelling.
throughout the space.
Shared communal rooms Rooms in buildings
containing dwellings, which provide facilities for the
residents. For example, a laundry room, occupied
lobby or gym. This does not include areas used
solely or principally for circulation in buildings
containing dwellings, including corridors or lift
lobbies.
Surface water activity A measure of the availability
of water to micro-organisms. Surface water
activity is determined from the ratio of the vapour
pressure of the water in the substrate to the vapour
pressure of pure water at the same temperature
and pressure. This ratio, in steady-state conditions,
is numerically equal to the equilibrium relative
humidity of the air, except that the latter is
commonly expressed as a percentage.
Thermal envelope The combination of thermal
elements of a building which enclose a particular
conditioned indoor space or group of indoor
spaces.
Utility room A room containing a sink or other
feature or equipment that may reasonably be
expected to produce significant quantities of water
vapour.

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 B
Appendix B: Performance-based ventilation

Introduction
B1 This appendix sets out the levels of moisture and other pollutants that the provisions in this
approved document are designed to control. The provisions are designed to control all of the
following.
a. Moisture levels, as described in paragraph B2.
b. Indoor air pollutants, as described in paragraph B4.
c. Bio-effluents, as described in paragraph B6.
NOTE: The guidance in this approved document may not be adequate to address pollutants from
flueless combustion space heaters. This approved document does not address the airborne spread
of infection and does not directly address contamination from outdoor sources.
NOTE: A strategy for achieving good indoor air quality includes reducing the release of water
vapour and air pollutants. This approved document does not provide guidance on such strategies.

Performance criteria for dwellings

B2 The performance criterion for moisture is that there should be no visible mould on the inner
surfaces of the external walls of a properly heated dwelling with typical moisture generation.
B3 Mould can grow whether the dwelling is occupied or unoccupied, so the performance criterion for
humidity (given in Table B3) should be met at all times, regardless of whether there are occupants.
The other pollutants listed in Table B1 are only of concern when the dwelling is occupied.
NOTE: The moisture criteria to avoid house dust mite allergens are more complex and demanding
than those to avoid mould. This approved document does not give guidance on the control of
house dust mite allergens.
B4 The performance criteria for indoor air pollutants are given in Table B1. These are based on the
World Health Organization’s Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Selected Pollutants (2010) and Public
Health England’s Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for Selected Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in
the UK (2019).

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 B
Table B1 Indoor air pollutants guidance values(1)(2)
Pollutant Exposure limit Exposure time
Carbon monoxide (CO) 100mg/m3 15-minute average
30mg/m 3
1-hour average
10mg/m3 8-hour average
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 200μg/m3 1-hour average
40μg/m3 1-year average
Formaldehyde (CH2O) 100μg/m3 30-minute average
10μg/m 3
1-year average
TVOC(3) 300μg/m3 8-hour average
NOTES:
1. No safe levels can be recommended for benzene or trichloroethylene so they have not been considered in the
definition of ventilation rates in dwellings. The best strategy for reducing their concentration indoors may be to
control them at source.
2. Even if the designer and builder choose to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) levels in dwellings by
controlling them at source, the ventilation requirements must still be met.
3. The total volatile organic compound (TVOC) metric is representative of all airborne indoor air VOC
concentrations and should not be used as a direct indicator of health. The simplified metric is used as an indicator
for the purpose of ventilation control strategies. As an alternative to the TVOC limit, individual VOC limits may
be used where justified in accordance with the guidance in paragraph B5.

B5 As an alternative to using TVOC, the individual VOCs may be applied where their use is supported
by robust independent evidence. Public Health England’s Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for Selected
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the UK should be used. Testing against these metrics is likely
to be more complex than testing against TVOC.
B6 Control of bio-effluents (body odours) for people who have been exposed to the environment
for a period of time will be achieved by an air supply rate of 4 litres per second per person
(BS EN 16798-1).

Assumptions used in applying performance criteria for

dwellings in Section 1
General
B7 Where the guidance for less airtight dwellings is followed, dwellings are assumed to have an
infiltration rate of 0.15 air changes per hour.
B8 Where the guidance for highly airtight dwellings is followed, dwellings are assumed to have an
infiltration rate of 0 air changes per hour.
B9 Ventilation effectiveness is assumed to be 1.0 – that is, it is assumed that supply air is fully mixed
with room air.
CIBSE’s Guide A Environmental Design provides further information on ventilation effectiveness.

40 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

 B
B10 For the purposes of this approved document, for all dwellings (both new and existing, where Part
F applies), the moisture criteria are likely to be met if, during the colder months of the year, the
moving average surface water activity of the internal surfaces of external walls is always less than
the value in Table B2, evaluated over each moving average period.

Table B2 Surface water activity

Moving average period Surface water activity
1 month 0.75
1 week 0.85
1 day 0.95

B11 For new dwellings, for the purposes of this approved document, the moisture criteria in Table B2 is
likely to be met if, during the colder months of the year, the moving average relative humidity in a
room is always less than the value given in Table B3, evaluated over each moving average period.

Table B3 Indoor air relative humidity

Moving average period Indoor air relative humidity (%)
1 month 65
1 week 75
1 day 85

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition 41

 C
Appendix C: Completion checklist and
commissioning sheet

C1 This installation and commissioning checklist is divided into three parts, as follows.
a. Part 1 contains the particulars of the system, installation address and installer’s details.
b. Part 2a functions as an installation checklist.
c. Part 2b is a visual inspection, or pre-commissioning, checklist.
d. Part 3 is for recording air flow measurements from fans.

Checking design air flow rates against measured air

flow rates
C2 Measured air flow rates for all fans should be recorded on Part 3: Commissioning details, as part of
the commissioning procedures given in Section 4 of this approved document.
The measured values should be compared with their respective design values to determine the
following.
a. If the measured rate for each fan is equal to or greater than the design value, then the system
meets the design standard.
b. If any measured value is lower than the design value, an adjustment should be made to correct
the system. All air flows should then be remeasured. If necessary, further adjustments should be
made until all air flows match their design values.

Demonstrating compliance
C3 All three parts of the installation and commissioning checklist should be completed.
The relevant sections of Parts 2 and 3 should be signed by a person who is both competent to install
the system and responsible for installing and commissioning the system.
C4 The three-part form should be completed for each installation address. A copy should be
submitted to the building control body as evidence that the system has been correctly installed,
inspected and commissioned.

42 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

 C
Part 1 – System details and declarations
The installer should complete this section and include details of the commissioning engineer.
1.1 Installation address details
Dwelling name/number
Street
Town
County
Postcode
1.2 System details
System classification*
Enter ‘natural ventilation’, ‘mechanical extract ventilation’ or ‘as defined by Approved Document F’.
Manufacturer
Model numbers
Serial number (where available)
Location of fan units 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
1.3 Installation engineer’s details
Engineer’s name
Company
Address line 1
Address line 2
Postcode
Telephone number
1.4 Commissioning engineer’s details (if different to 1.3)
Engineer’s name
Company
Address line 1
Address line 2
Postcode
Telephone number
Email address
*NOTE: If a system has been installed that is not defined in Approved Document F, further installation checks and
commissioning procedures may be required. Seek guidance from the manufacturer for such systems.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition 43

 C
Part 2a – Installation details
The installer should complete this section before commissioning is carried out.
2a.1 Installation checklist – general (all systems) Tick as appropriate
Has the system been installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements? Yes No
Have paragraphs 1.12 to 1.83 been followed (if relevant)?
(1)
Yes No
If there are any
deviations from
paragraphs 1.12 to 1.83,
give details here
Description of installed
controls (e.g. timer,
central control,
humidistat, occupancy
sensor, thermal bypass,
if applicable, etc.)
Location of manual/
override controls
2a.2 Installation engineer’s declaration
Engineer’s signature
Registration number (if
applicable)
Date of inspection
NOTE:
1. All references to tables and paragraphs are to Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings.

44 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

 C
Part 2b – Inspection of installation
The commissioning engineer should complete this section before completing Part 3.
2b.1 Visual inspections – general (all systems)
What is the total installed equivalent area of background ventilators in the dwelling? mm2
What is the total floor area of the dwelling? m2
Does the total installed equivalent ventilator area meet the standards detailed in Table 1.7 Yes No
or paragraph 1.57(1), as appropriate?
Have all background ventilators been left in the open position? Yes No
Have the correct number and location of extract fans/terminals been installed to satisfy Yes No
the standards in Table 1.1 or Table 1.2, as appropriate?
Is the installation complete, with no obvious defects? Yes No
Do all internal doors have enough undercut to allow air transfer between rooms as Yes No
detailed in paragraph 1.25 (i.e. 10mm above the floor finish or 20mm above the floor
surface)?
Has all protection/packaging been removed (including from background ventilators), so Yes No
that the system is fully functional?
Are systems clean internally and externally? Yes No
Has the entire system been installed to allow access for routine maintenance and to Yes No
repair/replace components?
2b.2 Visual inspections – general (continuous mechanical extract ventilation and mechanical ventilation with heat
recovery systems only)
Have appropriate air terminal devices been installed to allow system balance? Yes No
Have the heat recovery unit and all ductwork been effectively insulated and sealed for all Yes No
heated and unheated spaces?
Is the condensate connection complete and does the condensate drain to an appropriate Yes No
location (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery only)?
Are filters installed? Yes No
For ducted systems, has the ductwork been installed so that air resistance and leakage is Yes No
kept to a minimum?
2b.3 Other inspections – general (all systems)
At initial start-up, was there any abnormal sound or vibration, or unusual smell? Yes No
During continuous operation, was there any excessive noise? Yes No
NOTE:
1. All references to tables and paragraphs are to Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition 45

 C
Part 3 – Commissioning details
The commissioning engineer should complete this section after completing Part 2b.
3.1 Commissioning equipment
Schedule of air flow measurement equipment used (model and serial number) Date of last UKAS calibration
1.
2.
3.
3.2 Air flow measurements – intermittent extract fans only
Fan reference (from section 1.2 above) Measured extract rate (l/s) Design extract rate (l/s)
Refer to Table 1.1(1)
Extract fan 1
Extract fan 2
Extract fan 3
Extract fan 4
For cooker hoods, only the highest setting needs to be recorded.
3.3  ir flow measurements (extract) – continuous mechanical extract ventilation and mechanical ventilation with
A
heat recovery only
Room reference Measured air flow – Design air flow – high Measured air flow – Design air flow –
(location of terminals) high rate (l/s) rate (l/s) continuous rate (l/s) continuous rate (l/s)
Refer to Table 1.2 Refer to Table 1.3
Kitchen
Bathroom
En suite
Utility
Other
Other
Other
3.4 Air flow measurements (supply) – mechanical ventilation with heat recovery only
Room reference Measured air flow – Design air flow – high Measured air flow – Design air flow –
(location of terminals) high rate (l/s) rate (l/s) continuous rate (l/s) continuous rate (l/s)
Refer to Table 1.2 Refer to Table 1.3
Living room 1
Living room 2
Dining room
Bedroom 1
Bedroom 2
Bedroom 3
Bedroom 4
Bedroom 5
Study
Other
3.5 Commissioning engineer’s declaration
Engineer’s signature
Registration number (if applicable)
Date of commissioning
NOTE:
1. All references to tables and paragraphs are to Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings.

46 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

 D
Appendix D: Checklist for ventilation
provision in existing dwellings

D1 The checklist in Table D1 may be used when installing energy efficiency measures in an existing
dwelling, following paragraphs 3.6 to 3.13.
D2 The checklist provides an aid to determining the ventilation provision in an existing dwelling. It may
be used before energy efficiency measures are implemented to help establish compliance with the
minimum standards of requirement F1(1) as described in paragraph 3.6. The relevant section of this
checklist should be selected depending on the ventilation strategy selected. If the answer to any
question is ‘No’, further ventilation provisions may need to be installed, as described in paragraphs
3.11 and 3.12.
NOTE: Although it may go beyond the standards of paragraph 3.6, following the checklist in
Table D1 is considered to be an adequate means of demonstrating compliance with the minimum
standards of requirement F1(1) as described in paragraph 3.6.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition 47

 D
Table D1 Checklist for ventilation provision in existing dwellings
Natural ventilation(1)
What is the total equivalent area of background ventilators currently in dwelling? mm2
Does each habitable room satisfy the minimum equivalent area standards in Table 1.7(2)? Yes No
Have all background ventilators been left in the open position? Yes No
Are fans and background ventilators in the same room at least 0.5m apart? Yes No
Are there working intermittent extract fans in all wet rooms? Yes No
Is there the correct number of intermittent extract fans to satisfy the standards in Table 1.1? Yes No
Does the location of fans satisfy the standards in paragraph 1.20? Yes No
Do all automatic controls have a manual override? Yes No
Does each room have a system for purge ventilation (e.g. windows)? Yes No
Do the openings in the rooms satisfy the minimum opening area standards in Table 1.4? Yes No
Do all internal doors have sufficient undercut to allow air transfer between rooms as detailed Yes No
in paragraph 1.25 (i.e. 10mm above the floor finish or 20mm above the floor surface)?
Continuous mechanical extract ventilation(1)
Does the system have a central extract fan, individual room extract fans, or both? Yes No
Does the total combined continuous rate of mechanical extract ventilation satisfy the Yes No
standards in Table 1.3?
Does each minimum mechanical extract ventilation high rate satisfy the standards in Table 1.2? Yes No
Is it certain that there are no background ventilators in wet rooms? Yes No
Do all habitable rooms have a minimum equivalent area of 5000mm ? 2
Yes No
Does each room have a system for purge ventilation (e.g. windows)? Yes No
Do the openings in the rooms satisfy the minimum opening area standards in Table 1.4? Yes No
Do all internal doors have sufficient undercut to allow air transfer between rooms as detailed Yes No
in paragraph 1.25 (i.e. 10mm above the floor finish or 20mm above the floor surface)?
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery(1)
Does each habitable room have mechanical supply ventilation? Yes No
Does the total continuous rate of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery satisfy the Yes No
standards in Table 1.3?
Does each minimum mechanical extract ventilation high rate satisfy the standards in Table 1.2? Yes No
Have all background ventilators been removed or sealed shut? Yes No
Does each room have a system for purge ventilation (e.g. windows)? Yes No
Do the openings in the rooms satisfy the minimum opening area standards in Table 1.4? Yes No
Do all internal doors have sufficient undercut to allow air transfer between rooms as detailed Yes No
in paragraph 1.25 (i.e. 10mm above the floor finish or 20mm above the floor surface)?
NOTES:
1. Make a visual check for mould or condensation. If either are present, install additional ventilation provisions or
seek specialist advice.
2. All references to tables and paragraphs are to Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings.

48 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

 E
Appendix E: Standards referred to

BS 5925 Code of practice for ventilation principles

and designing for natural ventilation [1991]
BS 8233 Guidance on sound insulation and noise
reduction for buildings [2014]
BS EN 13141 Ventilation for buildings. Performance
testing of components/products for residential
ventilation
BS EN 13141-1 Externally and internally mounted
air transfer devices [2019]
BS EN 13141-3 Range hoods for residential use
without fan [2017]
BS EN 13141-4 Aerodynamic, electrical power
and acoustic performance of unidirectional
ventilation units [2021]
BS EN 13141-6 Exhaust ventilation system
packages used in a single dwelling [2014]
BS EN 13141-7 Performance testing of ducted
mechanical supply and exhaust ventilation
units (including heat recovery) [2021]
BS EN 13141-8 Performance testing of
un-ducted mechanical supply and exhaust
ventilation units (including heat recovery) for
mechanical ventilation systems intended for a
single room [2014]
BS EN 16798-1 Energy performance of buildings.
Ventilation for buildings. Indoor environmental
input parameters for design and assessment of
energy performance of buildings addressing indoor
air quality, thermal environment, lighting and
acoustics. Module M1-6 [2019]
BSI PAS 2035 Retrofitting dwellings for improved
energy efficiency: specification and guidance [2019]

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition 49

 F
Appendix F: Documents referred to

Legislation Chartered Institution of Building Services

Engineers (CIBSE)
(available via [Link]) ([Link])
Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1001 Guide A Environmental Design [2015]
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act TM40 Health and Wellbeing in Building Services
1979, c. 46 [2020]
Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations TM64 Operational Performance: Indoor Air Quality
2010, SI 2010/2215 – Emissions Sources and Mitigation Measures [2020]
Explosives Regulations 2014, SI 2014/1638
McGraw-Hill Education
Nuclear Installations Act 1965, c. 57
([Link])
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas)
Act 1990, c. 9 John Spengler, John McCarthy and Jonathan Samet,
Indoor Air Quality Handbook [2001]
Other documents Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local
Government (MHCLG)
BSRIA
Manual to the Building Regulations: A Code of
([Link]) Practice for Use in England [2020]
BG 43 Flexible Ductwork: A Guide to Specification,
Public Health England (PHE)
Procurement, Installation and Maintenance [2013]
([Link]/phe)
Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for Selected Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the UK [2019]
World Health Organization (WHO)
([Link])
WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Selected
Pollutants [2010]

50 Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

The Building Regulations 2010

F
Ventilation

APPROVED DOCUMENT

Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings

Requirement F1: Means of ventilation
Regulations: 39 and 44

2021 edition – for use in England

2021 edition
This approved document supports Part F of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010.
This approved document takes effect on 15 June 2022 for use in England. It does not apply to work
subject to a building notice, full plans application or initial notice submitted before that date,
provided the work for each building is started before 15 June 2023. Full detail of the transitional
arrangements can be found in Circular Letter 01/2021 published on [Link].
Introduction

What is an approved document?

Approved documents are approved by the Secretary of State and give practical guidance on common
building situations about how to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 for England.
Different approved documents give guidance on each of the technical parts of the regulations.
These are all listed in the back of the approved documents. In addition to guidance, some approved
documents include provisions that must be followed exactly, as required by regulations or where
methods of test or calculation are approved by the Secretary of State.
Each approved document covers the requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 relating to
a different aspect of building work. Building work must also comply with all other applicable
requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 and all other applicable legislation.

How is construction regulated in England?

Most building work being carried out in England must comply with the
Building Regulations 2010. The Building Regulations are made under
powers in the Building Act 1984.
Building Regulations protect the health and safety of people in and
around buildings, they also provide for energy and water conservation
and access to and use of buildings.
The Manual to the Building Regulations (references to this in the
introduction are taken from the first edition) gives an overview of the
building regulatory system in England. You can access the most recent
version of the manual at: [Link]/guidance/building-regulations-
and-approved-documents-index.

How do you comply with the Building Regulations?

Building work must meet all relevant requirements of the Building Regulations. To comply with
the Building Regulations, it is necessary both to follow the correct procedures and meet technical
performance requirements.
The approved documents set out what, in ordinary circumstances, may be accepted as one way to
comply with the Building Regulations. Note, however, that:
• Complying with the guidance in the approved documents does not guarantee that building work
complies with the requirements of the regulations – the approved documents cannot cover all
circumstances. Those responsible for building work must consider whether following the guidance
in the approved documents is likely to meet the requirements in the particular circumstances of
their case.
• There may be other ways to comply with the requirements than those described in an approved
document. If those responsible for meeting the requirements prefer to meet a requirement in
some other way than described in an approved document, they should seek to agree this with the
relevant building control body at an early stage.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition i

 Those responsible for building work include agents, designers, builders, installers and the building
owner. For further information, see Chapter 7 in Volume 1 and paragraphs A26, B2 and F2 in Volume 2
of the Manual to the Building Regulations.
The Building Regulations can be contravened by not following the correct procedures or not meeting
the technical performance requirements. If the building owner or those responsible for the works
contravene the Building Regulations, the local authority may prosecute them in the magistrates’ court.
For further information on enforcement and sanctions in the existing system, see Chapter B in Volume
2 of the Manual to the Building Regulations.

What do the Building Regulations cover?

‘Building work’ is a legal term for work covered by the Building Regulations. Where a building is not
exempt, the Building Regulations apply to all types of building work as defined in regulation 3 of the
Building Regulations. For further information, what constitutes building work is covered in Chapter A,
Volume 2 of the Manual to the Building Regulations.
The Building Regulations contain sections dealing with definitions, procedures and the expected
technical performance of building work. For example, the Building Regulations:
a. define what types of building, plumbing and heating work is classed as building work in
regulation 3 (for further information see paragraphs A14 to A16 in Volume 2 of the Manual to the
Building Regulations).
b. specify types of building that are exempt from the Building Regulations (for further information
see Table A1 and paragraph A11 in Volume 2 of the Manual to the Building Regulations).
c. set out the notification procedures to follow when undertaking building work (for further
information see Figure 2.1 in Volume 1 of the Manual to the Building Regulations).
d. set out the technical requirements (see Table 7.1 in Volume 1 of the Manual to the Building
Regulations) with which the individual aspects of building design and construction must comply
in the interests of the health and safety of building users, of energy efficiency (for further
information see paragraphs A12(d)–(f), A14(f)–(h), A22, A23, B2(c) and F24 in Volume 2 of the
Manual to the Building Regulations), and of access to and use of buildings.
e. set out the standards for building materials and workmanship in carrying out building work
(for further information see Chapter 7 in Volume 1, and paragraphs F8 to F11 in Volume 2 of the
Manual to the Building Regulations).

When must a building control body be notified?

It is often necessary to notify a building control body of planned building work. To help ensure that
work complies with the Building Regulations, those responsible for building work may need to use
one of the two types of building control body listed below:
a. a local authority building control body (for further information see Chapter B in Volume 2 of the
Manual to the Building Regulations)
b. an approved inspector (for further information see Chapter E in Volume 2 of the Manual to the
Building Regulations).

ii Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

 If building work consists only of installing certain types of services or fittings (e.g. fuel-burning
appliances or replacement windows) and the building owner employs an installer that is registered
with a relevant competent person scheme designated in the regulations, a building control body does
not need to be notified.
For further information about competent person schemes, see Chapter 5 in Volume 1 and Chapter C
in Volume 2 of the Manual to the Building Regulations.

How to use this approved document

Each approved document contains:
• general guidance on the performance expected of materials and building work in order to comply
with each of the requirements of the Building Regulations, and
• practical examples and solutions on how to achieve compliance for some of the more common
building situations.
They may not provide appropriate guidance if the case is unusual in terms of its design, setting, use,
scale or technology. Non-standard conditions may include any of the following:
• difficult ground conditions
• buildings with unusual occupancies or high levels of complexity
• very large or very tall buildings
• large timber buildings
• some buildings that incorporate modern construction methods.
Anyone using the approved documents should have sufficient knowledge and skills to understand
the guidance and correctly apply it to the building work. This is important because simply following
the guidance does not guarantee that your building work will comply with the legal requirements
of the Building Regulations. Each approved document contains legal requirements (which you must
follow) and guidance (which you may or may not choose to follow). The text in a box with a green
background at the beginning of each section of an approved document is taken from the Building
Regulations. This text sets out the legal requirements.
The explanation which follows the legal requirements is guidance (see Diagram i below). The guidance
then explains one or more ways to demonstrate how building work can be shown to comply with the
legal requirements in common circumstances. The terms in green lettering in an approved document
are key terms, listed and explained in the appendix to that approved document. Guidance in the
approved documents addresses most, but not all, situations that building owners will face. Situations
may arise that are not covered. You or your advisers will need to carefully consider whether following
the guidance will mean that the requirements of the Building Regulations will be met.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition iii

 B2
Requirement B2: Internal fire spread (linings)

This section deals with the following requirement from Part B of Schedule 1 to the Building
Regulations 2010.

Requirement
Requirement Limits on application
Internal fire spread (linings)
B2. (1) To inhibit the spread of fire within the building,
the internal linings shall—
(a) adequately resist the spread of flame over
their surfaces; and ➊
(b) have, if ignited, either a rate of heat release
or a rate of fire growth, which is reasonable in
the circumstances.
(2) In this paragraph “internal linings” means the
materials or products used in lining any partition,
wall, ceiling or other internal structure.

Intention
In the Secretary of State’s view, requirement B2 is met by achieving a restricted spread of flame
over internal linings. The building fabric should make a limited contribution to fire growth,
including a low rate of heat release.
It is particularly important in circulation spaces, where linings may offer the main means by which
fire spreads and where rapid spread is most likely to prevent occupants from escaping.
Requirement B2 does not include guidance on the following.
➋
a. Generation of smoke and fumes.
b. The upper surfaces of floors and stairs.
c. Furniture and fittings.

Key

➊ The law: extract from the Building Regulations 2010.

➋ Statutory guidance.
Diagram i The relationship between regulations and guidance in the approved documents

For further information about the use of technical guidance, see Chapter 7 in Volume 1 and Chapter F
in Volume 2 of the Manual to the Building Regulations.

Where to get further help

If you are unsure whether you have the knowledge and skills to apply the guidance correctly, or if you
do not understand the technical guidance or other information in this approved document or the
additional detailed technical references to which it directs you, you should seek further help. Some
sources of help are listed below.
a. Your building control body may be able to help in many cases.
b. If you are registered with a competent person scheme, the scheme operator should be in a
position to help.
c. Suitably qualified and experienced construction professionals should also be engaged where necessary.

iv Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

Contents

Introduction i
What is an approved document? i
How is construction regulated in England? i
How do you comply with the Building Regulations? i
What do the Building Regulations cover? ii
When must a building control body be notified? ii
How to use this approved document iii
Where to get further help iv

Section 0: Introduction 1
Summary 1
Application 1
Selected key interactions with other parts of the Building Regulations 3

Requirement F1(1): Means of ventilation 5

Intention 5

Section 1: Ventilation provision 6

General 6
Noise 6
Access for maintenance 7
The ventilation strategy in this approved document 7
Performance-based guidance 7
Equivalent area of ventilators 8
Installation of ventilation systems 8
Indoor air quality monitoring 8
Ventilation for offices 9
Ventilation of car parks 11
Ventilation for buildings other than offices and car parks 12

Section 2: Minimising the ingress of external pollutants 15

Control of ventilation intakes 16
Location of exhaust outlets 17

Section 3: Work on existing buildings 18

General 18
Replacing windows 19

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition v

Requirement F1(2) and regulations 39 and 44 20
Intention 21

Section 4: Commissioning and providing information 22

Commissioning of ventilation systems 22
Operating and maintenance instructions 22

Appendix A: Key terms 24

Appendix B: Performance-based ventilation 27
Introduction 27
Performance criteria for buildings other than dwellings 27
Assumptions used in applying performance criteria for offices in Section 1 29
Extract ventilation 29

Appendix C: CO2 monitoring 30

Types of CO2 monitor to use 30
How to use a CO2 monitor 30
How the measurements can help you take action 31
Where CO2 monitors will be less effective 31

Appendix D: Standards referred to 32

Appendix E: Documents referred to 33
Legislation 33
Other documents 33

vi Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

Section 0: Introduction

Summary
0.1 This approved document is Approved Document F, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings.
It gives guidance on how to comply with Part F of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations. For
guidance relating to dwellings, use Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings.
0.2 This approved document contains the following sections:

Approved document section Related Building Regulations requirements

Section 0: Introduction n/a
Section 1: Ventilation provision Requirement F1(1)
Section 2: Minimising the ingress of external pollutants
Section 3: Work on existing buildings
Section 4: Commissioning and providing information Requirement F1(2) and regulations 39 and 44
Appendix A: Key terms n/a
Appendix B: Performance-based ventilation n/a
Appendix C: CO2 monitoring n/a
Appendix D: Standards referred to n/a
Appendix E: Documents referred to n/a

Application
0.3 The guidance in Approved Document F, Volume 2 applies only to buildings other than dwellings.
For blocks of flats with shared communal rooms, this approved document should be consulted for
those rooms.
NOTE: Rooms for residential purposes and buildings that contain only rooms for residential
purposes are not dwellings and are covered by the guidance in this approved document.

Exemptions
0.4 Certain types of building are exempt from the Part F requirements of the Building Regulations.
These are outlined in paragraphs A7 to A13 of the Manual to the Building Regulations.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition 1

Historic and traditional buildings
0.5 Work to the following types of buildings may not need to comply fully with the ventilation
standards in this approved document.
a. Those listed in accordance with section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation
Areas) Act 1990.
b. Those in a conservation area designated in accordance with section 69 of the Planning (Listed
Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
c. Other historic buildings with a vapour-permeable construction that both absorbs moisture and
readily allows moisture to evaporate. These include those built with wattle and daub, cob or
stone and constructions using lime render or mortar.
0.6 Work to a building in paragraph 0.5 should comply with the ventilation standards in this approved
document where reasonably practicable. The work should not result in either of the following
outcomes.
a. Unacceptably affect the significance of the listed building, conservation area or scheduled
monument.
b. Increase the risk of long-term deterioration of the building fabric or fittings.
0.7 New extensions to historic and traditional buildings should comply with all ventilation standards in
this approved document unless there is a need to match the external appearance or character of
the extension to that of the host building.
0.8 The local authority’s conservation officer should be consulted when undertaking work to a building
in paragraphs 0.5a or 0.5b.

Emergency repairs
0.9 For emergency repairs, if it is not possible to notify the building control body in advance, the
building control body should be notified as soon as possible. If the installer is registered with a
competent person scheme, see Chapter 5 in Volume 1 and Chapter C in Volume 2 of the Manual to
the Building Regulations.

Minor works
0.10 Minor works must comply with the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations, but the
building control body does not need to be notified.
For mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning systems, minor works include any of the following.
a. Replacing parts.
b. Adding an output or control device if testing and adjusting the system would not affect its
energy efficiency or would not be possible.
c. Providing a self-contained mechanical ventilation or air-conditioning appliance when all the
following apply.
i. Any electrical work is exempt from a requirement to give advance notice to a building
control body.
ii. Testing and adjusting the system would not affect its energy efficiency or would not be possible.
iii. The appliance is not installed in a room that contains an open-flued combustion appliance.  

2 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

Live/work units
0.11 A unit that contains both living accommodation and space for commercial purposes (e.g. for a
workshop or office) should be treated as a dwelling if the commercial part can be reverted to
domestic use.
0.12 The commercial part of the building can be reverted to domestic use if all of the following apply.
a. There is direct access between the commercial space and the living accommodation.
b. The commercial space and living accommodation are within the same thermal envelope.
c. The living accommodation comprises a substantial proportion of the total area of the unit. What
constitutes a ‘substantial proportion’ should be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the building
control body.
NOTE: A large non-domestic building that contains a small flat for a manager is not treated as
a dwelling. A dwelling that contains a room used as an office or utility space is still treated as a
dwelling.

Mixed-use developments
0.13 When constructing a dwelling as part of a larger building that contains other types of
accommodation, sometimes called a mixed-use development, refer to the two volumes of
Approved Document F as follows.
a. For guidance on each individual dwelling, use Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings.
b. For guidance on the non-dwelling parts of the building, such as shared communal rooms and
commercial or retail space, use this approved document: Approved Document F, Volume 2:
Buildings other than dwellings.

Selected key interactions with other parts of the Building

Regulations
0.14 The approved documents set out what, in ordinary circumstances, may be accepted as one way
to comply with the Building Regulations. Those designing or undertaking building work remain
responsible for assessing, on a case-by-case basis, whether specific circumstances require additional
or alternative measures to comply with the regulatory requirements. There are interactions
between many of the requirements of the Building Regulations. Guidance on some key interactions
is given below.

Interaction with Part B

0.15 The requirements of Part B apply if, for example, ducts pass through any of the following.
a. A fire resisting structure.
b. A fire compartment.
c. A protected stairway.
0.16 This approved document gives guidance on window openings for ventilation. In addition, Approved
Document B gives guidance on the size of escape windows. The larger of the window openings
specified in Approved Document B or Approved Document F should be applied in all cases.

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Interaction with Part J
0.17 Ventilation fans might cause combustion gases to spill from open-flued appliances. These
combustion gases might fill the room instead of going up the flue or chimney, even if the
combustion appliance and fan are in separate rooms.
0.18 The guidance in Approved Document J should be followed when installing and testing ventilation
appliances. Combustion appliances must operate safely whether or not fans are running.

Interaction with Part L

0.19 Energy efficiency should be considered when specifying ventilation systems. Energy efficiency,
including the control of infiltration, is dealt with under Part L of the Building Regulations.

Interaction with Part K and Part M

0.20 Manual controls, where provided for a ventilation device, should be within reasonable reach of the
occupants. Follow the guidance in Approved Documents K and M.

Interaction with Part O

0.21 This document sets minimum standards for purge ventilation for rapidly diluting indoor air
pollutants and extracting water vapour where necessary in habitable rooms in buildings other than
dwellings. For domestic-type buildings, Part O may require a higher standard than the guidance
given in this document for purge ventilation to remove excess heat. In this case, the higher of the
two standards should be followed.

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Requirement F1(1): Means of ventilation

This section deals with the requirements of Part F1(1) of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010.

Requirement
Requirement Limits on application
Means of ventilation Requirement F1 does not apply to a building or
space within a building:
F1. (1) There shall be adequate means of ventilation
provided for people in the building. a. into which people do not normally go;
b. which is used solely for storage; or
c. which is a garage used solely in connection with
a single dwelling.

Intention
In the Secretary of State’s view, requirement F1(1) is met in a new building other than a dwelling if it
has a means of ventilation that achieves all of the following.
a. Extracts water vapour and indoor air pollutants from areas where they are produced in
significant quantities before they spread through the building, following the guidance on extract
ventilation in Section 1 for the relevant building type.
b. Supplies a minimum level of outdoor air for occupants’ health, following the guidance for whole
building ventilation in Section 1 for the relevant building type.
c. Rapidly dilutes indoor air pollutants and disperses water vapour when necessary in occupiable
rooms and sanitary accommodation, following the guidance for purge ventilation in Section 1 for
the relevant building type.
d. Monitors air quality in specific types of occupiable rooms, following the guidance in paragraphs
1.21 to 1.23.
e. Minimises the entry of external pollutants, following the guidance in Section 2.
f. Achieves all of the following, as far as is reasonably practicable.
i. Produces low levels of noise, following the guidance in paragraphs 1.5 and 1.6.
ii. Offers easy access for maintenance, following the guidance in paragraph 1.7.
iii. Provides protection from rain.
iv. Provides protection from cold draughts.
v. Does not significantly risk occupants’ health.
In the Secretary of State’s view, requirement F1(1) is met for work on an existing building other than a
dwelling by following the guidance in Section 3.

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Section 1: Ventilation provision

General
1.1 The aim of requirement F1(1) is to protect the health of occupants of the building by providing
adequate ventilation. Without adequate ventilation, mould and internal air pollution may become
hazardous to health and the risk of transmission of airborne infection is increased.
NOTE: The guidance in this approved document is not designed to deal with the products of
tobacco smoking or vaping.
1.2 This approved document sets out guidance for ventilation provision in the following types and uses
of buildings and occupiable rooms.
a. Specific types of occupiable rooms – follow paragraphs 1.21 to 1.23.
b. Offices – follow paragraphs 1.24 to 1.37.
c. Car parks – follow paragraphs 1.38 to 1.40.
d. Building types other than offices or car parks – follow paragraph 1.41.
1.3 Other ventilation solutions may be used, if it can be shown to the building control body that they
satisfy requirement F1(1).
1.4 The guidance set out in this approved document has been designed to meet the indoor pollutant
levels in Appendix B where the outside air is of reasonable quality. In areas where the outside
air is not of reasonable quality, Section 2 provides guidance on limiting the entry of external air
pollutants.

Noise
1.5 Mechanical ventilation systems, including both continuous and intermittent mechanical ventilation,
should be designed and installed to minimise noise. This includes doing all of the following.
a. Correctly sizing and joining ducts.
b. Ensuring that equipment is appropriately and securely fixed, such as using resilient mountings
where noise carried by the structure of the building could be a problem.
c. Selecting appropriate equipment, including following paragraph 1.6.
1.6 For mechanical ventilation systems, fan units should be appropriately sized so that fans operating
in normal background ventilation mode are not overly noisy, taking into consideration the use and
likely background level of noise from other sources. This might require fans to be sized so that they
do not operate near maximum capacity when in normal background ventilation mode.

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Access for maintenance
1.7 Reasonable access should be provided for maintaining ventilation systems, including all of the
following.
a. Providing access to replace filters, fans and coils.
b. Providing access points for cleaning ductwork.
c. Providing access for the general maintenance of plant.

The ventilation strategy in this approved document

1.8 The ventilation strategy in this approved document relies on a combination of all of the following.
a. Extract ventilation from rooms where water vapour or pollutants are likely to be released (e.g.
bathrooms, sanitary accommodation and kitchens in buildings other than dwellings), to minimise
their spread to the rest of the building. Ventilation fans may be either intermittent operation or
continuous operation.
b. Whole building ventilation to provide fresh air to the building and to dilute, disperse and
remove water vapour and pollutants not removed by extract ventilation.
c. Purge ventilation to remove high concentrations of pollutants and water vapour. Purge
ventilation is used intermittently and required only for pollutants produced by occasional
activities (e.g. fumes from painting).
d. Monitoring of indoor air quality.
1.9 Ventilation may be delivered through natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation or a combination
of both.
1.10 Naturally ventilated buildings should follow additional guidance on ventilation in CIBSE’s AM10.
Mixed mode buildings should follow additional guidance on ventilation in CIBSE’s AM13.
1.11 The ventilation systems in this approved document are examples of systems that comply with Part
F of the Building Regulations. Other ventilation systems may be acceptable if they can be shown to
meet an equal level of performance.

Performance-based guidance
1.12 Performance criteria for acceptable levels of moisture and pollutants are given in Appendix B.
Ventilation rates designed to meet the performance criteria are given in this guidance or in the
documents referred to.
1.13 Some ventilation system designs can, in certain circumstances, result in lower ventilation rates
than those stated in this guidance or in the documents referred to (e.g. systems with automatic
controls). Where lower ventilation rates are proposed, expert advice should be obtained to
demonstrate that the solution meets the performance standards in Appendix B.

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Equivalent area of ventilators
1.14 The size of background ventilators (including trickle ventilators) is given in this approved document
as an equivalent area in mm2, not as a free area. BS EN 13141-1 includes a method of measuring the
equivalent area of background ventilator openings.
1.15 Background ventilators should have the equivalent area marked where it will be easy to see from
inside the building when installed, to aid verification by building control bodies.

Installation of ventilation systems

1.16 Ventilation systems should be installed to meet both of the following conditions.
a. Comply with the guidance in paragraphs 1.17 to 1.20.
b. Not compromise the performance of the system in use.
1.17 Rigid ducts should be used wherever possible. Where necessary, flexible ducts may be used for final
connections, but their lengths should be kept to a minimum. All flexible ductwork should meet the
standards of BSRIA’s BG 43/2013.
1.18 Ductwork installations should be designed and installed to minimise the overall pressure losses
within the system by taking all of the following steps.
a. Minimising the overall length of duct.
b. Minimising the number of bends required.
c. Installing appropriately sized ducts for the air flow rate.
1.19 Duct connections should be both mechanically secured and adequately sealed to prevent leaks.
Rigid connectors and jubilee clips should be used for flexible ducting to ensure a good seal.
1.20 Mechanical ventilation systems must be commissioned in accordance with an approved procedure.
See Section 4 of this approved document.

Indoor air quality monitoring

1.21 In new buildings, the following types of occupiable room, unless they are rooms of the size
described in paragraph 1.22, should have a means of monitoring the indoor air quality. This may be
achieved using CO2 monitors or other means of measuring indoor air quality.
a. Occupiable rooms in offices.
b. Occupiable rooms where singing, loud speech or aerobic exercise or other aerosol generating
activities are likely to take place. These may include rooms, for example, in gymnasiums, other
indoor sports venues, dance studios, theatres, concert halls, public houses, nightclubs, places of
assembly, as well as in other types of building.
c. Occupiable rooms where members of the public are likely to gather. These may include rooms,
for example, in public buildings, hotels, gymnasiums, indoor sports venues, dance studios,
theatres, concert halls, public houses, nightclubs, places of assembly, as well as in other types
of building.
d. Occupiable rooms which are maintained at both low temperatures and low levels of humidity.
These may include rooms used for chilled food processing and occupied cold stores.

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1.22 The guidance in paragraph 1.21 does not apply to the following sizes of room.
a. Small spaces up to 125m3 volume, or 50m2 floor area.
b. Large spaces over 800m3 in volume, or 320m2 floor area.
1.23 Where CO2 monitors are used, they should meet all of the following.
a. Be non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) type CO2 monitors.
b. Be mains powered.
c. Be placed at breathing height and away from windows, doors or ventilation openings where
practicable.
d. Be placed at least 500mm from people where practicable.
NOTE: Additional details on CO2 monitoring for indoor air quality can be found in Appendix C.

Ventilation for offices

Extract ventilation for offices
1.24 Extract ventilation should be provided in offices in all the following areas.
a. Sanitary accommodation.
b. Bathrooms.
c. Washrooms.
d. Food and beverage preparation areas.
e. Rooms that are designed to contain printers and photocopiers in substantial use (more than
30 minutes per hour).
NOTE: Rooms that are designed to contain printers and photocopiers in substantial use (more than
30 minutes per hour) should not be designed to be occupied.
1.25 For rooms designed to contain printers and photocopiers in substantial use (more than 30 minutes
per hour), both of the following should apply.
a. The air extract rate should be 20 litres per second per machine during use.
b. The whole building ventilation rate should be met.
1.26 Sanitary accommodation and bathrooms should have an intermittent air extract rate of both of the
following.
a. 15 litres per second per shower or bath.
b. 6 litres per second per WC pan or urinal.
1.27 Extract ventilators in sanitary accommodation should be capable of continuous operation if
required.

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1.28 Food and drink preparation areas should have an intermittent air extract rate of either of the
following.
a. If the area is only for using a microwave and preparing drinks: 15 litres per second.
b. If the area is for using a domestic-type hob or cooker, either of the following.
i. If the extract ventilator is adjacent to the hob/cooker: 30 litres per second.
ii. If the extract ventilator is remote from the hob/cooker: 60 litres per second.
NOTE: This guidance does not apply to commercial kitchens, which should follow the specific
guidance in Table 1.1.
1.29 Specialist buildings and spaces should follow the guidance in Table 1.1.
1.30 For naturally ventilated offices that do not use mechanical supply and extract ventilation, both of
the following should apply.
a. The locations of extract ventilators should be both of the following.
i. As high as practicable.
ii. A maximum of 400mm below the ceiling.
b. Where used, passive stack ventilation terminals should be located in the ceiling.
1.31 For a room with no openable window, the extract ventilation should operate both:
a. while the room is occupied
b. for a minimum of 15 minutes after occupants have left the room.

Whole building ventilation rates for offices

1.32 Outdoor air should be supplied for occupiable rooms in offices at whichever of the following will
provide the higher total rate.
a. 10 litres per second per person.
b. 1 litre per second per m2 floor area.
1.33 Common spaces in offices, including rooms or spaces used solely or mainly for circulation, such as
corridors and lift lobbies, should be provided with either of the following.
a. Natural ventilation by appropriately located ventilation opening(s) with a total opening area of
at least 1/50 of the floor area of the common space.
b. Mechanical ventilation installed to provide a supply of outdoor air of 0.5 litres per second per
m2 of floor area of the common space.
1.34 If there are significant levels of pollutants other than body effluents/odour, additional ventilation
may be required. The calculation method provided in CIBSE’s Guide A Environmental Design should
be followed to determine the whole building ventilation rate.

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Purge ventilation for offices
1.35 Each office should have the means to provide purge ventilation, to reduce pollutants before the
office space is occupied or after activities such as painting.
The purged air should both:
a. be taken directly to the outside
b. not be recirculated to any other part of the building.

Controls for offices

1.36 Controls should be provided for ventilators so that the ventilation in each room can be adjusted.
For mechanical supply and extract ventilation, either manual controls or automatic controls are
acceptable.

Recirculation of air within ventilation systems in offices

1.37 Ventilation systems that, under normal operation, recirculate air between more than one space,
room or zone should also be able to operate in a mode that reduces the risk of the transmission of
airborne infection. This can be achieved by one or more of the following.
a. Systems capable of providing 100% outdoor air to the levels specified in paragraphs 1.32 to 1.34
to all occupiable rooms and common spaces, without recirculating air.
b. Systems incorporating a UV-C germicidal irradiation system that is able to disinfect the air that is
being recirculated. This type of system is commonly located within the heating, ventilation and
air conditioning (HVAC) system or ductwork.
c. Systems designed so that they can incorporate HEPA filters, if required, which are able to provide
filtration of the recirculated air.
NOTE: For some system types some recirculation is necessary or desirable in normal operation. Use
of any full outdoor air mode, UV-C germicidal irradiation or HEPA filtration may not be necessary
under normal conditions of operation.

Ventilation of car parks

1.38 For car parks below ground level, enclosed car parks and multi-storey car parks, the ventilation rate
should be designed, and equipment installed, to limit carbon monoxide to both of the following.
a. Average concentration: a maximum of 30 parts per million over an eight-hour period.
b. Peak concentration, such as by ramps and exits: a maximum of 90 parts per million over a
15-minute period.
NOTE: Guidance on the ventilation of car parks to manage the risk of fire is given in Approved
Document B.

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1.39 As an alternative to paragraph 1.38, either of the following may be considered to provide adequate
ventilation.
a. If the car park has natural ventilation, openings at each car parking level should comply with
both of the following.
i. Have a minimum aggregate equivalent area of 1/20 of the floor area at that level.
ii. Have a minimum of 25% of the aggregate equivalent area on each of two opposing walls.
b. If the car park has mechanical ventilation, either of the following should apply.
i. All of the following.
• Permanent natural ventilation openings with a minimum equivalent area of 1/40 of the
floor area.
• A mechanical ventilation system capable of at least three air changes per hour.
• For exits and ramps, where cars queue inside the building, provision to ensure a local
ventilation rate of at least ten air changes per hour.
ii. Both of the following.
• For a car park in a basement, the provision of a mechanical ventilation system capable of at
least six air changes per hour.
• For exits and ramps, where cars queue inside the building, provision to ensure a local
ventilation rate of at least ten air changes per hour.
1.40 Further guidance can be found in the following documents.
a. The Association of Petroleum and Explosives Administrations’ Code of Practice for Ground Floor,
Multi Storey and Underground Car Parks.
b. CIBSE’s Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork.
c. The Health and Safety Executive’s publication EH40/2005 Workplace Exposure Limits.
d. ASHRAE’s ASHRAE Handbook – HVAC Applications, chapter 16 ‘Enclosed Vehicular Facilities’.

Ventilation for buildings other than offices and car parks

1.41 Adequate means of ventilation in buildings other than offices and car parks may be demonstrated
by meeting the relevant standards set out in CIBSE’s Guide A. Sources of further guidance, and
relevant regulations, are listed in Table 1.1.
NOTE: For residential non-domestic buildings within the scope of Part O of the Building
Regulations (overheating), higher purge ventilation rates may be required.

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Table 1.1 Ventilation for buildings other than offices and car parks
Building/space/ Regulations and guidance (also see CIBSE’s Guide A and Appendices D and E)
activity
Animal rooms CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)
Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Bred, Supplied or Used for Scientific Purposes
(Home Office, 2014)
Building services Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002
plant rooms Provision for emergency ventilation to control dispersal of contaminating gas releases (e.g.
refrigerant leak) is given in paragraphs 23 to 25 of HSE Guidance Note HSG 202 General Ventilation
in the Workplace – Guidance for Employers.
BS EN 378-3 Refrigerating systems and heat pumps. Safety and environmental requirements –
Installation site and personal protection
Follow manufacturers’ guidance for adequate provision of air for service equipment.
Catering and HSE Catering Information Sheet No. 10: Ventilation in catering kitchens (2017)
commercial BESA DW 172 Specification for Kitchen Ventilation Systems (2018)
kitchens
CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)
Cleanrooms CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)
Common Either:
spaces(1) a. natural ventilation by appropriately located ventilation opening(s) with a total opening area of
at least 1/50 of the floor area of the common space
b. mechanical ventilation installed to provide a supply of fresh air of 0.5 litres per second per m2
of floor area.
Data centres CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)
Dealing rooms CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)
Factories and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002
workshops Factories Act 1961
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
BESA TR 40 Guide to Good Practice for Local Exhaust Ventilation (2020)
CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)
NOTE: Requirements are often exceeded by other criteria, such as the ventilation requirements of
the particular manufacturing process.
Farms Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007
BS 5502 Buildings and structures for agriculture
Gymnasiums Sport England Design Guidance Note: Fitness and Exercise Spaces (2008)
Healthcare CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)
buildings: non- NHS Activity DataBase
surgical
Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 03-01 (Department of Health)
Health Building Notes (HBN) – various (Department of Health)
Hospitals CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)
NHS Activity DataBase
Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 03-01 (Department of Health)
Health Building Notes (HBN) – various (Department of Health)
Hotels CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)

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Table 1.1 Continued
Building/space/ Regulations and guidance (also see CIBSE’s Guide A and Appendices D and E)
activity
Industrial Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended Practice for Design (American Conference of
ventilation Government Industrial Hygienists, 2019)
Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended Practice for Operation and Maintenance
(American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists, 2020)
HSG 258 Controlling Airborne Contaminants at Work (HSE, 2017)
Museums, BS 4971 Conservation and care of archive and library collections
libraries and art BS EN 16893 Conservation of Cultural Heritage. Specifications for location, construction and
galleries modification of buildings or rooms intended for the storage or use of heritage collections
Places of CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)
assembly

Prison cells PSI 17/2012 Certified Prisoner Accommodation (Ministry of Justice, 2012)
Sanitary Same as for offices in paragraph 1.26: sanitary accommodation should have an intermittent air
accommodation extract rate of both of the following.
a. 15 litres per second per shower or bath.
b. 6 litres per second per WC pan or urinal.
Extract ventilators in sanitary accommodation should be capable of continuous operation if
required.
Schools and Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999
education Building Bulletin 101 Guidelines on Ventilation, Thermal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality in Schools
(ESFA, 2018)
Building Bulletin 101 can also be used as a guide to the ventilation required in other educational
buildings, such as further education establishments, where the accommodation is similar to that
in schools, e.g. sixth form accommodation. However, the standards may not be appropriate for
particular areas where more hazardous activities take place than are normally found in schools,
e.g. some practical and vocational activities that require containment or fume extraction.
Building Bulletin 101 can also be used for children’s centres and other early years settings, including
day nurseries, playgroups, etc.
Shops and CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)
general retail
premises
Sports centres CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)
and swimming Sport England Sports Halls Design and Layouts: Updated and Combined Guidance (2012)
pools
Supermarkets CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)
and food stores
Transportation CIBSE Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork (2016)
buildings and
facilities
NOTE:
1. Common spaces are as defined in Appendix A.

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Section 2: Minimising the ingress of external
pollutants

2.1 Ventilation systems should be designed to minimise the intake of external air pollutants following
paragraphs 2.2 to 2.6 if either of the following applies.
a. The pollutant values in the location of the building exceed any of the limits in Table 2.1. This may
have been determined through an air quality assessment. Where modelling or monitoring data is
required, expert advice should be sought.
b. The building is located near to any of the following sources of significant local pollution.
i. Road traffic, including traffic junctions and underground car parks.
ii. Combustion plant (such as heating appliances) running on conventional fuels, most
commonly natural gas.
iii. Other combustion processes (for example, waste incineration, thermal oxidation abatement
systems).
iv. Discharges from industrial processes.
v. Fugitive (i.e. not effectively controlled) discharges from industrial processes and other
sources.
vi. Exhaust discharges from building ventilation systems.
vii. Construction and demolition sites, which are a source of particles and vaporous discharges.
viii. Other significant sources of local air pollution which may be detrimental to health.

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Table 2.1 Limit values from Schedule 2 to the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010
Pollutant Exposure limit Exposure time
Carbon monoxide 10mg/m3 8-hour average
Sulphur dioxide 350μg/m3 1-hour average
125μg/m 3
1-day average
Nitrogen dioxide 200μg/m3 1-hour average
40μg/m 3
1-year average
Benzene 5μg/m3 1-year average
Lead 0.5mg/m 3
1-year average
PM2.5 25μg/m3 1-year average
PM10 50μg/m3 1-day average
40μg/m 3
1-year average

NOTE: This section only gives guidance for typical situations. Expert advice may also be able to
provide additional guidance on the suitability of other technologies to minimise the intake of
external air pollutants, including filtration.
NOTE: The Building Research Establishment’s Ventilation for Healthy Buildings: Reducing the Impact
of Urban Air Pollution provides guidance on minimising the ingress of external pollutants into non-
domestic urban buildings.

Control of ventilation intakes

2.2 Ventilation intakes should be located away from the direct impact of the sources of local pollution.
NOTE: CIBSE’s TM64 and TM40 give further guidance.
2.3 Where urban traffic is a source of pollution, the air intakes for buildings next to busy urban roads
should be both of the following.
a. As high as possible.
b. Located on the less polluted side of the building.
Mechanical ventilation may be the most practical way of achieving this requirement.
2.4 If practicable, ventilation intakes should not be located in courtyards or enclosed urban spaces
where air pollutants are discharged. If this is unavoidable, intakes should be located to meet both
of the following conditions.
a. As far as possible from the source of pollutants.
b. In an open or well-ventilated area.
2.5 In areas where wind often comes from opposing directions (e.g. a valley), the air intakes should
point in the opposite direction to the exhaust outlets.
2.6 Where sources of pollution vary with the time of day, such as urban road traffic, it may be
acceptable, for time-limited periods, to take one of the following actions.
a. Reduce the flow of external air into ventilation intakes.

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b. Close ventilation intakes when the concentrations of external pollutants are highest.
NOTE: In these circumstances, expert advice should be sought.

Location of exhaust outlets

2.7 Exhaust outlets should be located so that both of the following are achieved.
a. Re-entry of exhaust air into a building, or entry into nearby buildings, is minimised.
b. There is no harmful effect on the surrounding area.
2.8 Where there is a prevailing wind direction, exhaust outlets should be downwind of intakes.
2.9 Exhaust outlets should not discharge into any of the following.
a. Courtyards.
b. Enclosures.
c. Architectural screens.
NOTE: Chapter 13 of McGraw Hill’s Indoor Air Quality Handbook provides further guidance.

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Section 3: Work on existing buildings

General
3.1 When building work in an existing building includes work on ventilation, for example:
a. building an extension
b. adding a wet room
c. replacing part of the ventilation system
the work should meet the relevant standards in this approved document.
3.2 When other building work is carried out that will affect the ventilation of the existing building,
for example:
a. replacing windows or doors
b. doing energy efficiency work
the ventilation of the building should either:
a. meet the standards in the relevant approved document
b. not be less satisfactory than before the work was carried out.
NOTE: Ventilation through infiltration should be considered to be part of the ventilation provision
of a building. Reducing infiltration might reduce the indoor air quality of the building below the
standards given in Appendix B.
3.3 When a building undergoes a material change of use, Part F of Schedule 1 to the Building
Regulations applies to the building or part of the building that has changed use. Guidance in
Section 1 should be followed.
NOTE: Ventilation equipment is considered to be a ‘controlled service or fitting’ and providing or
extending this equipment in or in connection with a building is considered to be building work.
NOTE: Some building work does not need to be notified to the local authority. Details of such
work are set out in the Manual to the Building Regulations.
3.4 If work is carried out which increases the energy efficiency of a building, airtightness may be
increased. In these circumstances, any useful ventilation which was lost should be replaced in order
to maintain a healthy indoor environment. When carrying out work which is likely to increase the
airtightness of the building, it should be demonstrated to the building control body that the work
meets the requirements of Part F1(1), where it is an applicable requirement. Refer to paragraphs 3.1
and 3.2 for the relevant standards that should be met. For domestic-type installation of common
energy efficiency measures in existing buildings, Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings
contains guidance on meeting the requirements of Part F of the Building Regulations.

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Replacing windows
Existing windows with background ventilators
3.5 If the existing windows have background ventilators, the replacement windows should include
background ventilators. The new background ventilators should comply with the following
conditions.
a. Not be smaller than the background ventilators in the original window.
b. Be controllable either automatically or by the occupant.
If the size of the background ventilators in the existing window is not known, the ventilator sizes in
paragraph 3.6 may be applied.

Existing windows without background ventilators

3.6 Replacing the windows is likely to increase the airtightness of the building. If ventilation is not
provided via a mechanical ventilation system, then increasing the airtightness of the building may
reduce beneficial ventilation in the building. In these circumstances, it is necessary to ensure that
the ventilation provision in the building is no worse than it was before the work was carried out.
This may be demonstrated in any of the following ways.
a. Incorporating background ventilators in the replacement windows equivalent to the following.
i. Occupiable rooms.
· For floor areas up to 10m2 – minimum 2500mm2 equivalent area.
· For floor areas greater than 10m2 – minimum 250mm2 equivalent area per m2 of floor area.
ii. Domestic-type kitchen – minimum 8000mm2 equivalent area.
iii. Bathroom (with or without a toilet) and shower rooms – minimum 4000mm2 equivalent
area per bath or shower.
iv. Sanitary accommodation (and/or washing facilities) – minimum 2000mm2 equivalent area
per WC.
b. Other ventilation provisions, if it can be demonstrated to a building control body that they
comply with the requirements of paragraph 3.2.
NOTE: If it is not technically feasible to adopt the minimum equivalent areas set out in paragraph
3.6, the background ventilators should have equivalent areas as close to the minimum value as is
feasible.
NOTE: If an exposed façade is close to an area of sustained and loud noise (e.g. a main road), then a
noise attenuating background ventilator should be fitted.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition 19

F1(2), R39, R44
Requirement F1(2) and regulations 39 and 44

This section deals with the requirements of Part F1(2) of Schedule 1 and regulations 39 and 44 of the
Building Regulations 2010.

Requirement
Requirement Limits on application
F1. (2) Fixed systems for mechanical ventilation and any Requirement F1 does not apply to a building or
associated controls must be commissioned by space within a building:
testing and adjusting as necessary to secure that
a. into which people do not normally go;
the objective referred to in sub-paragraph (1) is
met. b. which is used solely for storage; or
c. which is a garage used solely in connection with
a single dwelling.

Regulations
Information about ventilation
39. (1) This regulation applies where paragraph F1(1) of Schedule 1 imposes a requirement in relation to building
work.
(2) The person carrying out the work shall not later than five days after the work has been completed
give sufficient information to the owner about the building’s ventilation system and its maintenance
requirements so that the ventilation system can be operated in such a manner as to provide adequate
means of ventilation.
Commissioning
44. (1) This regulation applies to building work in relation to which paragraph F1(2) of Schedule 1 imposes
a requirement, but does not apply to the provision or extension of any fixed system for mechanical
ventilation or any associated controls where testing and adjustment is not possible.
(2) This regulation also applies to building work in relation to which paragraph L1(b) of Schedule 1 imposes a
requirement, but does not apply to the provision or extension of any fixed building service where testing
and adjustment is not possible or would not affect the energy efficiency of that fixed building service.
(3) Where this regulation applies the person carrying out the work shall, for the purpose of ensuring
compliance with paragraph F1(2) or L1(b) of Schedule 1, give to the local authority a notice confirming that
the fixed building services have been commissioned in accordance with a procedure approved by the
Secretary of State.
(4) The notice shall be given to the local authority—
(a) not later than the date on which the notice required by regulation 16(4) is required to be given; or
(b) where that regulation does not apply, not more than 30 days after completion of the work.

NOTE: Where the building control body is an approved inspector, see regulation 20 of the Building
(Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 2010 (as amended).

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 F1(2), R39, R44
Intention
In the Secretary of State’s view, requirement F1(2) and regulation 44 are met if building work that
involves installing a mechanical ventilation system, for a new or an existing building, follows the
guidance in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.3 to achieve all of the following.
a. All fixed mechanical ventilation systems for which testing and adjustment is possible are tested
and commissioned.
b. Commissioning results show that systems are operating as required to achieve adequate
ventilation, including achieving the flow rates specified in this approved document.
c. Commissioning results show that controls are operating as required to achieve adequate
ventilation.
d. The person carrying out the work gives notice to the building control body and building owner
that commissioning has been carried out following the procedure given in this document.
In the Secretary of State’s view, when building work that affects ventilation is carried out, the
requirements of regulation 39 are met if the installer provides clear and simple written guidance
for the building owner on how to operate and maintain the ventilation system, as described in
paragraphs 4.4 to 4.9.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition 21

F1(2), R39, R44
Section 4: Commissioning and providing
information

Commissioning of ventilation systems

4.1 Mechanical ventilation systems must be commissioned to provide adequate ventilation. A
commissioning notice must be given to the building control body.
4.2 Commissioning should be carried out in accordance with CIBSE’s Commissioning Code M.
4.3 Ventilation ductwork commissioning should take account of guidance in BESA’s DW 144 for metal
ductwork, DW 154 for plastic ductwork and DW 143 for ductwork air leakage testing.
NOTE: When mechanical ventilation is commissioned, the use of fuel and power should also be
considered in accordance with Part L of the Building Regulations (L1(b) of Schedule 1). Installers
may provide notice of commissioning to cover Part F (F1(2) of Schedule 1) and Part L in the same
document.

Operating and maintenance instructions

4.4 Sufficient information about the ventilation system and its maintenance requirements must be
given to the building owner to allow the system to be operated effectively. This should include
both design flow rates and maintenance requirements.
4.5 For new and existing buildings other than dwellings, information should be provided in a new or
existing building log book. The log book should follow the guidance in CIBSE’s TM31. Guidance on
building log books is given in Approved Document L, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings.
4.6 A copy of the completed commissioning sheet should be given to the owner of the building.
4.7 The operation and maintenance information should contain specific instructions for the end user
on how and when to use the ventilation system, including information on the intended uses for the
available fan settings. Information should also be provided to suggest when, and how, the system
components should be cleaned and maintained.
4.8 The following information should be provided where relevant.
a. Manufacturer’s contact details.
b. That background ventilators allow fresh air into the building and should be left open.
c. The location of automatic controls and how to set them.
d. The location of manual controls for the on/off and high rate settings for a mechanical
ventilation system and how to use them.
e. How cleaning and maintenance of the system and its components should be carried out. This
includes the location and specification of filters and how to assess when to replace filters.
f. How to access ducts for cleaning, how to undertake cleaning of plant and ducts and the
intervals at which cleaning should be undertaken.

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 F1(2), R39, R44
g. The location of sensors and how to recalibrate them.
h. Design flow rates.
i. The use of and interpretation of results from CO2 or other air quality monitoring sensors.
j. Adjustment of outdoor air rate for recirculating systems.
k. Operation, maintenance and safety of any UV-C germicidal irradiation system installed.
4.9 The operation and maintenance information should also contain relevant manufacturers’ literature,
including the following, where relevant.
a. Component specifications.
b. Installation guidance.
c. Operating instructions.
d. Maintenance schedules.
e. Guarantees.
f. Registration card.
g. Spare part lists.
h. Instructions for obtaining spare parts.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition 23

 A
Appendix A: Key terms

Except for the items marked * (which are from the Continuous operation Uninterrupted running of a
Building Regulations 2010), these definitions apply mechanical ventilation device, such as mechanical
only to Approved Document F, Volume 2: Buildings extract ventilation or mechanical supply and
other than dwellings. extract ventilation. The air flow rate provided by
Air permeability The measure of airtightness of mechanical ventilation need not be constant but
the building fabric. It is defined as the air leakage may be varied, under either manual or automatic
rate per hour per m2 of envelope area at the test control, in response to the demand for removal of
reference pressure differential of 50Pa. pollutants or water vapour.

Airtightness The resistance of the building Dwelling A self-contained unit designed to

envelope to infiltration when ventilators are accommodate a single household.
closed. The greater the airtightness at a given Equivalent area A measure of the aerodynamic
pressure difference across the envelope, the lower performance of a ventilator. It is the area of a
the infiltration. sharp-edged circular orifice through which air
Automatic controls A system whereby a would pass at the same volume flow rate, under an
ventilation device is adjusted by a mechanical or identical applied pressure difference, as through
electronic controller that responds to a relevant the opening under consideration.
stimulus. That stimulus usually relates to the Expert advice Advice from a suitably qualified
humidity of the air in a room, pollutant levels, competent person. Examples from the ventilation
occupancy of the space or pressure difference industry of a person competent to give expert
across the device. advice include a chartered or professional
Background ventilator A small ventilation opening engineer, a building services specialist, a specialist
designed to provide controllable whole building ventilation manufacturer or members of
ventilation. professional trade bodies.

Bathroom A room that contains a bath or Extract ventilation The removal of air directly
shower and which can also include sanitary from an internal space or spaces to the outside.
accommodation. Extract ventilation may be by natural means or
by mechanical means (e.g. by an extract fan or a
Building control body A local authority or an central system).
approved inspector.
Free area The geometric open area of a ventilator.
Common space A space where large numbers of
people are expected to gather (e.g. a shopping mall Habitable room A room used for dwelling
or foyer of a cinema or theatre) or which is used purposes but which is not solely a kitchen, utility
mainly for circulation in buildings which do not room, bathroom, cellar or sanitary accommodation.
contain dwellings (e.g. a corridor or lift lobby in an Infiltration The uncontrolled exchange of air
office building). This does not include areas used between the inside and outside of a building,
solely or principally for circulation in buildings through gaps and cracks.
containing dwellings, including corridors or lift Intermittent operation When a mechanical
lobbies in blocks of flats. ventilator does not run all the time, usually running
only when there is a particular need to remove
pollutants or water vapour (e.g. during cooking
or bathing). Intermittent operation may be under
either manual control or automatic control.

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 A
Manual controls A system whereby a ventilation Natural ventilation Ventilation provided by
device is opened and closed, or switched on thermal, wind or diffusion effects through doors,
and off, or its performance is adjusted by the windows or other intentional openings without
occupants of a room or building (see automatic the use of mechanically driven equipment. For the
controls). purposes of this approved document, a natural
*Material change of use Defined in regulation 5 as: ventilation strategy may include decentralised
extract ventilation from rooms where water vapour
Where there is a change in the purposes for which or pollutants are likely to be released to minimise
or the circumstances in which a building is used, so their spread to the rest of the building.
that after that change:
Occupiable room A room in a building other
a. the building is used as a dwelling, where than a dwelling that is occupied by people,
previously it was not; such as an office, workroom, classroom or hotel
b. the building contains a flat, where previously it bedroom. The following are not occupiable rooms:
did not; bathrooms, sanitary accommodation, utility
rooms or rooms or spaces used solely or mainly
c. the building is used as an hotel or a boarding
for circulation, building services plant or storage
house, where previously it was not;
purposes.
d. the building is used as an institution, where
Passive stack ventilation (PSV) A ventilation
previously it was not;
system using ducts from terminals in the ceiling
e. the building is used as a public building, where of rooms to terminals on the roof that extract air
previously it was not; to the outside by a combination of the natural
f. the building is not a building described in stack effect and the pressure effects of wind
classes 1 to 6 in Schedule 2, where previously it passing over the roof of the building. (The stack
was; effect is the pressure differential between inside
and outside a building, caused by differences in
g. the building, which contains at least one the density of the air due to an indoor/outdoor
dwelling, contains a greater or lesser number of temperature difference.)
dwellings than it did previously;
Purge ventilation Manually controlled ventilation
h. the building contains a room for residential of rooms or spaces at a relatively high rate to
purposes, where previously it did not; rapidly dilute pollutants and/or disperse water
i. the building, which contains at least one room vapour. Purge ventilation may be provided by
for residential purposes, contains a greater natural means (e.g. an openable window) or
or lesser number of such rooms than it did mechanical means (e.g. a fan).
previously; Purpose-provided ventilation That part of the
j. the building is used as a shop, where it ventilation of a building provided by ventilation
previously was not; or devices designed into the building (e.g. background
ventilators, PSV, extract fans, mechanical
k. the building is a building described in regulation ventilation or air-conditioning systems).
7(4)(a), where previously it was not.
*Room for residential purposes Defined in
Mechanical supply and extract ventilation regulation 2(1) as a room, or a suite of rooms,
Any mechanically driven ventilation that both which is not a dwelling-house or a flat and which
continuously supplies outdoor air to the inside is used by one or more persons to live and sleep
of the building and continuously extracts indoor and includes a room in a hostel, an hotel, a
air and discharges it to the outside. This includes boarding house, a hall of residence or a residential
decentralised supply and extract ventilation, and home, but does not include a room in a hospital,
mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR, or other similar establishment, used for patient
a mechanical supply and extract ventilation system accommodation.
that includes a heat recovery mechanism).

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 A
Sanitary accommodation A space containing one Ventilation opening Any means of purpose-
or more flush toilets (WCs) or urinals. Sanitary provided ventilation (whether permanent or
accommodation containing one or more cubicles closable) that opens directly to external air, such
counts as one space if there is free circulation of as the openable parts of a window, a louvre or a
air throughout the space. background ventilator. It also includes any door
Shared communal rooms Rooms in buildings that opens directly to external air.
containing dwellings, which provide facilities Whole building ventilation (general ventilation)
for the residents, for example a laundry room, Nominally continuous ventilation of rooms or
occupied lobby or gym. This does not include spaces at a relatively low rate to dilute and remove
areas used solely or principally for circulation in pollutants and water vapour not removed by
buildings containing dwellings, including corridors extract ventilation, purge ventilation or infiltration,
or lift lobbies. as well as to supply outdoor air into the building.
Surface water activity A measure of the availability
of water to micro-organisms. Surface water
activity is determined from the ratio of the
vapour pressure of the water in the substrate to
the vapour pressure of pure water at the same
temperature and pressure. This ratio, in steady-
state conditions, is numerically equal to the
equilibrium relative humidity of the air, except that
the latter is commonly expressed as a percentage.
Thermal envelope The combination of thermal
elements of a building which enclose a particular
conditioned indoor space or groups of indoor
spaces.
Utility room A room containing a sink or other
feature or equipment that may reasonably be
expected to produce significant quantities of water
vapour.
Ventilation The supply and removal of air (by
natural and/or mechanical means) to and from a
space or spaces in a building. It normally comprises
a combination of purpose-provided ventilation and
infiltration.

26 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

 B
Appendix B: Performance-based ventilation

Introduction
B1 This appendix sets out the levels of moisture and other pollutants that the provisions in this
approved document are designed to control. The provisions are designed to control all of the
following.
a. Bio-effluents, as described in paragraph B2a.
b. Moisture levels, as described in paragraph B2b.
c. Indoor air pollutants, as described in paragraph B2d.
NOTE: The guidance in this approved document may not be adequate to address pollutants
from flueless combustion space heaters. This approved document does not directly address
contamination from outdoor sources.
NOTE: A strategy for achieving good indoor air quality includes reducing the release of water
vapour and air pollutants. This approved document does not provide guidance on such strategies.

Performance criteria for buildings other than dwellings

B2 The main guidance within this approved document focuses on offices. The main performance
criteria applied are as follows.
a. There should be a supply rate, in the absence of tobacco smoke or other excessive pollutants, of
10 litres per second per person. This will also satisfy the requirement of 8 litres per second per
person needed to control higher levels of bio-effluents.
b. There should be no visible mould on the inner surfaces of external walls of a properly heated
building with typical moisture generation.
c. Mould can grow whether the building is occupied or unoccupied, so the performance criteria
for surface water activity (as given in Table B2) should be met at all times, regardless of whether
there are occupants. The other pollutants listed in Table B1 are only of concern when the
building is occupied.
d. The performance criteria for indoor air pollutants are given in Table B1.

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 B
Table B1 Indoor air pollutants guidance values(1)(2)
Pollutant Exposure limit Exposure time Guidance
Carbon monoxide (CO) 100mg/m3 15-minute average WHO, 2010
30mg/m3 1-hour average WHO, 2010
35mg/m 3
8-hour average HSE, 2020
(occupational exposure)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 200μg/m3 1-hour average WHO, 2010
40μg/m3 1-year average WHO, 2010
Formaldehyde (CH2O) 100μg/m3 30-minute average WHO, 2010
10μg/m3 1-year average PHE, 2019
TVOC(3) 300μg/m3 8-hour average ECA, 1992/WHO, 2010
Ozone 100μg/m3 DETR, 1994
NOTES:
1. No safe levels can be recommended for benzene or trichloroethylene so they have not been considered in the
definition of ventilation rates in buildings. The best strategy for reducing their concentration indoors may be to
control them at source.
2. Even if the designer and builder choose to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) levels in buildings by
controlling them at source, the ventilation requirements must still be met.
3. The total volatile organic compound (TVOC) metric is representative of all airborne indoor air VOC
concentrations and should not be used as a direct indicator of health. The simplified metric is used as an indicator
for the purposes of ventilation control strategies. As an alternative to the TVOC limit, individual VOC limits may
be used where justified in accordance with the guidance in paragraph B3.

B3 As an alternative to using TVOC, the individual VOCs may be applied where their use is supported
by robust independent evidence. Public Health England’s Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for Selected
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the UK should be used. Testing against these metrics is likely
to be more complex than testing against TVOC.
Where the Health and Safety Executive gives guidance for specific situations, that guidance should be
followed in preference to the guidance given here.

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 B
Assumptions used in applying performance criteria for
offices in Section 1
General
B4 For the purposes of this approved document, for all offices (both new and existing, where Part
F applies), the moisture criteria are likely to be met if, during the colder months of the year, the
moving average surface water activity of the internal surfaces of external walls is always less than
the value in Table B2, evaluated over each moving average period.

Table B2 Surface water activity

Moving average period Surface water activity
1 month 0.75
1 week 0.85
1 day 0.95

Extract ventilation
B5 Office equipment can emit pollutants, including ozone and organic compounds. For example, a
study by Black and Wortham (1999) suggests the following emission rates for laser printers and dry
paper copiers assuming 30 minutes use in an hour.
a. 25mg/h for TVOC.
b. 3mg/h for ozone.
To meet the performance criteria for these pollutants requires an extract rate of 20 litres per second
per machine during use.
B6 For sanitary accommodation, the extract rates used for dwellings have been applied.
B7 For food and beverage preparation areas, the extract rates used for dwellings have been applied.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition 29

 C
Appendix C: CO2 monitoring

NOTE: The guidance in this appendix is based on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies
(SAGE) EMG/SPI-B advisory group paper Application of CO2 monitoring as an approach to managing
ventilation to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
People exhale carbon dioxide (CO2) when they breathe out. If there is a build-up of CO2 in an area it can
indicate that ventilation needs to be improved.
Checking levels of CO2 using a monitor can help to identify areas that are poorly ventilated.

Types of CO2 monitor to use

Many different types of CO2 monitor are available. The most appropriate portable devices for use in the
workplace are non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) CO2 monitors.

How to use a CO2 monitor

The level of CO2 in the air will vary within an indoor space. It is best to place CO2 monitors at head height
and away from windows, doors or air supply openings.
Monitors that are positioned too close to people may give a misleadingly high reading due to the CO2 in
exhaled breath. Monitors should therefore be positioned at least 500mm away from room occupants.
Measured levels of CO2 within a space can vary throughout the day due to changes in number of
occupants, activities being performed or ventilation rates in the space. The opening and closing of doors
and windows can also have an effect.
The amount of CO2 in the air is measured in parts per million (ppm). If measurements in an occupied space
seem very low (far below 400ppm) or very high (over 1500ppm), it is possible that the monitor is not in a
suitable location. The monitor may need to be moved to another position within the space, to get a more
accurate reading.
Instantaneous or ‘snapshot’ CO2 readings can be misleading, so several measurements should be taken
throughout the day. The frequency of measurements should be sufficient to ensure that changes in the
use of the room or space throughout the day are represented in the readings. Levels of CO2 may also vary
throughout the year, as outdoor temperatures, and therefore behaviour relating to opening windows and
doors, change.

How to get the most accurate readings

a. Check that monitors are within the recommended calibration period.
b. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, including allowing the appropriate warm-up time for the
device to stabilise
c. Know how to use the monitor correctly, including the time needed to provide a reading.
d. Take measurements at key times throughout the working day.
e. Record CO2 readings, number of occupants, the type of ventilation in use at the time and the date.
These will help you use the CO2 records to decide if an area is poorly ventilated.

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How the measurements can help you take action
CO2 measurements should be used as a broad guide to ventilation within a space, rather than treated as
‘safe thresholds’.
Outdoor levels are around 400ppm. A consistent indoor CO2 value of less than 800ppm is likely to
indicate that a space is well ventilated.
An average CO2 concentration of 1500ppm over the period when a space is occupied is an indicator of
poor ventilation. Action should be taken to improve ventilation if CO2 readings are consistently higher
than 1500ppm.
However, in locations where continuous talking or singing takes place, or there are high levels of physical
activity (such as dancing, playing sport or exercising), providing ventilation sufficient to keep CO2 levels
below 800ppm is recommended.

Where CO2 monitors will be less effective

CO2 monitors may not be suitable for use in areas that rely on air-cleaning units because these remove
contaminants from the air but do not remove CO2.
In large, open spaces and spaces with high ceilings, such as food production halls or warehouses, air may
not be fully mixed and the measurements made by CO2 monitors may not be representative.
CO2 monitors are of limited use in less populated areas.

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition 31

 D
Appendix D: Standards referred to

BS 4971 Conservation and care of archive and library

collections [2017]
BS 5502 Buildings and structures for agriculture.
Various relevant parts, including:
BS 5502-33 Guide to the control of odour
pollution [1991 + AMD 10014]
BS 5502-52 Code of practice for design of
alarm systems, emergency ventilation and
smoke ventilation for livestock housing
[1991 + AMD 10014]
BS EN 378-3 Refrigerating systems and heat
pumps. Safety and environmental requirements –
Installation site and personal protection
[2016 + A1: 2020]
BS EN 13141-1 Ventilation for buildings. Performance
testing of components/products for residential
ventilation. Externally and internally mounted air
transfer devices [2019]
BS EN 16893 Conservation of Cultural Heritage.
Specifications for location, construction and
modification of buildings or rooms intended for the
storage or use of heritage collections [2018]

32 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

 E
Appendix E: Documents referred to

Legislation American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and

Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
(available via [Link]) ([Link])
Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1001 ASHRAE Handbook – HVAC Applications [2019]
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act
Association of Petroleum and Explosives
1979, c. 46
Administrations (APEA)
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Regulations 2002, SI 2002/2677 ([Link])

Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Code of Practice for Ground Floor, Multi Storey and
Regulations 2002, SI 2002/2776 Underground Car Parks. Second Edition [1995]

Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999, Building and Engineering Services Association
SI 1999/2 (BESA)
Factories Act 1961, c. 34 ([Link])
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, c. 37 BESA DW 143 Guide to Good Practice – Ductwork
Air Leakage Testing [2013]
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas)
Act 1990, c. 9 BESA DW 144 Specification for Sheet Metal
Ductwork [2016]
Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations
2007, SI 2007/2078 BESA DW 154 Specification of Plastics Ductwork
[2000]
Other documents BESA DW 172 Specification for Kitchen Ventilation
Systems [2018]
American Conference of Government Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH) BESA TR 40 Guide to Good Practice for Local
Exhaust Ventilation [2020]
([Link])
Building Research Establishment (BRE)
Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended
Practice for Design. Thirtieth Edition [2019] ([Link])
Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended Ventilation for Healthy Buildings: Reducing the
Practice for Operation and Maintenance. Second Impact of Urban Air Pollution [2011]
Edition [2020]
Building Services Research and Information
Association (BSRIA)
([Link])
BG 43 Flexible Ductwork: A Guide to Specification,
Procurement, Installation and Maintenance [2013]

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition 33

 E
Chartered Institution of Building Services European Concerted Action (ECA) on Indoor Air
Engineers (CIBSE) and its Impact on Man
([Link]) Guidelines for Ventilation Requirements in Buildings.
AM10 Natural Ventilation in Non-domestic Buildings Working Group Report No. 11. EUR 14449 EN [1992]
[2005] Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
AM13 Mixed Mode Ventilation [2000] ([Link])
Commissioning Code M Commissioning HSE Catering Information Sheet No. 10, Ventilation
Management [2003] in catering kitchens [2017]
Guide A Environmental Design [2015] EH40/2005 Workplace Exposure Limits. Containing
Guide B2 Ventilation and Ductwork [2016] the list of workplace exposure limits for use with
the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
TM31 Building Log Book Toolkit [2006]
Regulations 2002 (as amended). Fourth Edition
TM40 Health and Wellbeing in Building Services [2020]
[2020]
HSG 258 Controlling Airborne Contaminants at
TM64 Operational Performance: Indoor Air Quality Work. A Guide to Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV).
– Emissions Sources and Mitigation Measures [2020] Third Edition [2017]
Department for Environment, Transport and the HSG 202 General Ventilation in the Workplace –
Regions (DETR) Guidance for Employers [2000]
Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards: Ozone [1994] Home Office
Department of Health Estates and Facilities Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of
Division (part of NHS Digital) Animals Bred, Supplied or Used for Scientific
Purposes [2014]. Available at: [Link]
HTM 03-01 Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare government/publications/code-of-practice-for-
Premises: Part A – Design and validation [2021] the-housing-and-care-of-animals-bred-supplied-or-
HTM 03-01 Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare used-for-scientific-purposes
Premises: Part B – Operational Management and
Performance Verification [2007] McGraw-Hill Education

Health Building Notes (various). Available at: ([Link])

[Link] John Spengler, John McCarthy and Jonathan Samet,
building-notes Indoor Air Quality Handbook [2001]
Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local
([Link]/esfa) Government (MHCLG)

Building Bulletin 101: Guidelines on Ventilation, Manual to the Building Regulations: A Code of
Thermal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality in Practice for Use in England [2020]
Schools [2018]. Available at: [Link] Ministry of Justice
government/publications/building-bulletin-101-
ventilation-for-school-buildings ([Link]/moj)
PSI 17/2012 Certified Prisoner Accommodation [2012]

34 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition Building Regulations 2010

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National Health Service Other publications
Activity DataBase. Available at: [Link] Black MS and Wortham AW. Emissions from Office
[Link]/government/uploads/ Equipment. Proceedings of the 8th International
system/uploads/attachment_data/file/148547/ Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate,
ADB_2012_Getting_Started_Guide.doc Indoor Air 99 [1999]
Public Health England (PHE)
([Link]/phe)
Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for Selected Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the UK [2019]
Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies
(SAGE)
EMG/SPI-B advisory group. Application of CO2
monitoring as an approach to managing ventilation
to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission [2021]
Sport England
([Link])
Sports Halls Design and Layouts: Updated and
combined guidance [2012]
Design Guidance Note: Fitness and Exercise Spaces.
Issue 002 [2008]
World Health Organization (WHO)
([Link])
WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality, Selected
Pollutants [2010]

Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document F Volume 2, 2021 edition 35

List of Approved Documents
The following documents have been published to give guidance on how to meet the Building
Regulations. You can find the date of the edition approved by the Secretary of State at [Link].
Approved Document A Approved Document L
Structure Conservation of fuel and power
Approved Document B Volume 1: Dwellings
Fire safety Approved Document L
Volume 1: Dwellings Conservation of fuel and power
Approved Document B Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings
Fire safety Approved Document M
Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings Access to and use of buildings
Approved Document C Volume 1: Dwellings
Site preparation and resistance to Approved Document M
contaminants and moisture Access to and use of buildings
Approved Document D Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings
Toxic substances Approved Document O
Approved Document E Overheating
Resistance to the passage of sound Approved Document P
Approved Document F Electrical safety – Dwellings
Ventilation Approved Document Q
Volume 1: Dwellings Security – Dwellings
Approved Document F Approved Document R
Ventilation Physical infrastructure for high-speed
Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings electronic communications networks
Approved Document G Approved Document S
Sanitation, hot water safety and water Infrastructure for the charging of
efficiency electric vehicles
Approved Document H Approved Document 7
Drainage and waste disposal Materials and workmanship
Approved Document J
Combustion appliances and fuel storage
systems
Approved Document K
Protection from falling, collision and impact