The Potential Impact of the New (UK) Building Regulations on the Provision of Natural Ventilation in Dwellings - A Case Study of Low Energy Social Housing

Abstract The UK Building Regulations regarding the provision of openings to promote natural ventilation of dwellings were modified in 2006 and, with the increased demand for sealing of structures to prevent the ingress of unwanted air, there is the possibility that under certain design conditions there would be insufficient provision of outside air in the absence of window opening or mechanical ventilation. This paper aims to demonstrate, through a case study of the design of low energy social housing in the North of England, how the current Building Regulations for the provision of natural ventilation will affect the likely supply of outside air for a range of building densities and orientations. The study has identified that, for a significant period of time, the supply of fresh outside air via the trickle ventilators will not provide a Category A perceived indoor air quality index. Buoyancy ventilation could help in this situation but on site investigations have highlighted how social tenants perceive the use of trickle ventilators and other aspects related to providing adequate fresh air which is worrying for designers of low energy buildings.

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