BSRIA has published the New Domestic Ventilation Systems Guide - A guide to measuring airflow rates (BG46/2013).
The UK construction industry has significant room for improvement with delivering good quality domestic ventilation systems. In a workshop in 2012 hosted by the Modern Built Environment Knowledge Transfer Network (MBE KTN) with the National Measurement Network and the Technology Strategy Board, the measurement of ventilation performance was quoted as the most significant gap and deficiency in building performance measurement.

Written in association with the MBE KTN, the new guide aims to help resolve some of these difficulties by improving the standard of domestic ventilation installations. In particular, it responds to a requirement in the Building Regulations for mechanical ventilation air flow testing, by making sure that the methods used for measuring airflow rates are fit for purpose.

In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the use of mechanical ventilation systems in properties alongside improvements in dwelling airtightness.

Changes to the Building Regulations have imposed increasingly demanding targets on energy consumption and CO2 emissions and stricter requirements for building airtightness and ventilations system performance. There is also increasing awareness of the important role that indoor air quality plays in the comfort and health of any building's users.

BSRIA says the new guide can help with getting the design, installation, inspection, testing and handover of these systems correct in order to balance the energy efficiency, environmental impact and occupant wellbeing.

Chapters cover: types of ventilation systems; performance requirements; design and installation; airflow measurement - conditional and unconditional; and testing and commissioning.

Hard copies of the guide are now available for purchase at £20 or £10 to BSRIA members. Pdf versions are free to download for both BSRIA members and non-members.

For more information visit www.bsria.co.uk