If not you then who?
Simon Jones
Consultancy | Podcast | Speaker | Unlocking better ventilation and air quality. AMIEnvSc, AMIAQM
The recent residential retrofit standard issued by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors RICS underscores a pivotal aspect of home retrofitting that often goes unnoticed but is crucial for both the building's performance and the occupants' health: ventilation.
The RICS standard is not just another document in the vast sea of professional guidelines; it is a comprehensive framework aimed at ensuring that RICS members provide their clients with high-quality advice and support. It covers a broad spectrum of activities, including project management, surveys, assessments, design, and evaluation of retrofit projects.?
The Importance of Ventilation in Retrofitting
Ventilation is at the heart of retrofitting for a reason. Over the years, as buildings have become more energy-efficient through measures such as double glazing and loft insulation, their air permeability has decreased. This reduction in natural air infiltration can lead to poor indoor air quality if not properly managed with adequate ventilation systems. The RICS standard recognises this, highlighting the need for a detailed, risk-based assessment of existing buildings, including their current ventilation systems.
The document rightly points out that the mere existence of ventilation systems does not guarantee adequate air quality. Buildings that have undergone energy efficiency improvements without a corresponding upgrade in their ventilation systems often suffer from issues like condensation, mould growth, and an accumulation of pollutants. This can pose serious health risks to occupants and damage the building fabric over time.
Challenges and Conversations Around Ventilation Assessment
One of the intriguing aspects raised in the discussion of the RICS standard is whether retrofit assessors are expected to carry out ventilation performance assessments and, therefore, equipment to do so. This brings to light a broader issue within the retrofitting and building assessment industry: the gap between the necessity for thorough ventilation assessments and the practicality of conducting them.
The conversation around the assessment of ventilation systems is not new. However, the RICS document pushes this conversation forward by explicitly mentioning the need for assessing ventilation performance. This inclusion is a call to action for those in the retrofitting field to take ventilation seriously—not just as a checkbox in an assessment but as a critical factor in the health, efficiency, and sustainability of buildings.
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Navigating the Path Forward
The retrofitting industry stands at a crossroads, where the traditional methods of assessing buildings are being challenged by the need for more comprehensive evaluations that include performance. This shift is not merely about adopting new tools or techniques; it's about changing the mindset toward recognising the central role of ventilation in building health and occupant well-being.
To move forward, we must consider developing protocols that enable assessors to gauge ventilation performance accurately, even if they are not experts in the field. This could involve simpler, more accessible equipment or methods that can provide a reliable snapshot of a building's ventilation system's effectiveness. Moreover, as the conversation around building performance becomes more nuanced, there is a growing need for qualified assessors equipped with the right tools to conduct in-depth evaluations.
A Vision for the Future
As we look to the future, the focus on ventilation within the context of retrofitting offers a glimpse into a broader shift toward performance-based assessments. This approach not only promises to improve the quality of our living and working spaces but also challenges manufacturers and professionals in the building industry to meet higher standards of efficiency and efficacy.
The increasing emphasis on ventilation is a clear signal that the industry is moving toward a more informed, performance-driven approach to retrofitting. This transition, while challenging, holds the promise of creating healthier, more sustainable buildings that can stand the test of time and adapt to the changing needs of their occupants.
In conclusion, the conversation sparked by the RICS residential retrofit standard serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of ventilation in retrofit projects. As we navigate the complexities of building assessments and retrofitting, it is clear that a deeper understanding and consideration of ventilation performance are essential for achieving the dual goals of energy efficiency and healthy indoor environments. This paradigm shift toward prioritising ventilation is not just a technical challenge but a significant step forward in our ongoing journey to create better, more sustainable buildings for the future.
Supporting property developers, landlords and investors on their journey to decarbonise their portfolio and achieve compliance with regulations
11 个月It's not just a retrofit thing, it's a requirement of Building Regulations Part F to check the flow rates on intermittent extract fans on new builds, but from my experience rarely gets done. When they are tested and fail (i.e. don't perform as per the spec on the box), Developers/Contractors become confused without realising that the flow rate performance stated on the box is for a through wall straight duct and what they've installed is more often a flexible duct running a few meters.
Construction Professional
11 个月I agree. Ventilation is critical to the wellbeing of building users, contents, and the building itself yet it has too often been under considered. When a building is updated there is a terrific opportunity to remedy shortfalls. Sadly too many people look to do the minimum or less.
Co-Founder and CEO at Sensyqo Ltd - Environmental IoT for Smart and Healthy Buildings
11 个月It's not just ventilation that should be addressed. It's the humidity level that should be controlled too. If you put ventilation into mouldy house, the equipment will be covered in mould/bacteria biofilm relatively soon. And then ventilation/HVAC keep blowing mould spores into the building/house while people believe they are safe and protected.
MCIOB, AssocRICS - Technical Support & Repairs Manager at Mid Devon Housing
11 个月Some really good points there, Simon Jones, and I also think it's a really key point that the upskilling of independent and housing surveyors will identify the suppliers willing to put inferior products into the market or installers who know they've cut corners compromising the effectiveness of ventilation. I have a question though, for you, or anyone else who's had the opportunity to compare - what is the level of error between each of the measurement methods, including hoodless meters? Across our stock, as you know from our discussion, we tend to over spec extract fans to account for occupancy or use levels above the 'assumed levels' within regs, so we're not working to such tight margins - do you think there's any argument that if the hood type anemometers are cost-prohibitive, using at least use the most basic tools could be beneficial to give an indiction of whether the system is performing close to limits, given a known margin of error? We've found similar success with using Protimeter salts analysis kits vs aquarium testing sticks, and whilst I wouldn't rely on the aquarium sticks for court, I tend to test more for the cost of 7p a stick and therefore more likely to spot/rule out issues because I'm more likely to use it.
Owner, Abba Energy Ltd. Retrofit Coordination and Sustainable Design Consultancy. Call: 020 820 88333. abbaenergy.com
11 个月Yes, I am definitely going to catch this podcast, thank you Simon. I am also concerned about this RICS 'retrofit guidance'. It appears to attempt to undermine the critical knowledge and role of Retrofit Coordinator - barely mentioning the term and instead replacing it with the description 'lead professional'. My conclusion is that the RICS and its membership see the PAS2035 trained professional role of Retrofit Coordinator as a direct threat. But judging by the RICS reports I have seen on existing homes, RC training for RICS surveyors and the adopterd use of PAS2035 as a whole would be a significant step up in both important technical knowledge and the wholesale, lodged and overseen approach to dealing with domestic buildings. I believe that the RICS would do its members and the UK a favour by simply using PAS2035 as the sensible 'standard', rather than trying to turn a round wheel into a square one. Come on RICS - get your members trained as Level 5 Retrofit Coordinators - you (ought to) know it's the right thing to do and good grief we certainly need more RCs...