Updated Building Regulations

Approved Document F – Ventilation

At SJB we always strive to give our customers the best and most update-to-date information.

On June 15th 2022, the government will be updating their building regulation documentation which will have an impact on installations going forward.

The following details are an overview of the changes being made to the building regulations on June 15th 2022.

What do the changes mean?

The changes to Approved Document F require the majority of replacement windows & doors to be fitted with trickle vents.

What is a Trickle Vent?

A trickle vent is a device that allows fresh air to circulate naturally through your room and allow polluted air to escape. It creates a s mall hole in a window or door to provided permanent ventilation even when they are closed. There are designed to improve the quality of air in a room.

Over the years, homes have become better insulated and windows and doors have improved so that homes are no longer naturally ventilated as they have been in past decades. This mean pollution can build up inside a home, as can condensation and mould as a result.

When do the changes come into effect?

The changes to Approved Document F come into effect from 15th June 2022. Any window and door installation taking place from that date onwards MUST comply with the new building regulations.

It is important to note that the date on which the contract was signed has no bearing on the registration of the work with Fensa. If the installation takes place from the 15th June 2022 onwards it will be expected to comply with new building regulations.

What if I don’t want Trickle Vents?

The new building regulations state Trickle Vents will be required by law in the majority of situations. There are exemptions to the rule (eg listed buildings and conservations area) and these should be discussed with your Approved Installer.

If your property does not fall under one of the stated exemptions, then your approved installer will talk you through what will be required to be fitted to your replacement windows and doors.

What do the government say?

The government have produced the following guide on ventilation in homes and what the new building regulations require – Gov.uk – Existing Home Ventilation Guide.

We would recommend all homeowners read this guide and speak to their Approved installer to discuss the changes in more detail.

With regards to existing windows with trickle vents already in place, there is no discernible difference to the current regulations, that is:

• The replacement vents cannot be smaller than the ones in the window that is being replaced
• If the size of the trickle vent in the windows being replaced is not known, then the replacement trickle vent should be sized as such:

1. Habitable Rooms and Kitchens – Equivalent Area of 8000mm²
2. Bathrooms (with or without a toilet) – Equivalent Area 4000mm²

• They must be controllable

1. When replacing existing windows that do not currently have trickle ventilators the base position is that: Trickle ventilators should be installed as below:

• Habitable Rooms and Kitchens – *equivalent area of 8000mm²
• Bathrooms (with or without a toilet) – *equivalent area 4000mm²

If the property has “continuous mechanical extract ventilation”

1. Trickle ventilators with a minimum *equivalent area of 4000mm² should be installed in any replacement windows which are not in wet rooms (e.g. bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms)

If it can be demonstrated that they comply with the requirements, “other ventilation provisions” may be used.

*If it is not technically feasible to adopt the minimum equivalent areas set out then trickle vents with the closest possible equivalent area should be used.

Please see the diagrams below to give you a better understanding where the trickle vents can be located.

Flush Vent in Frame option

• Not suitable for sash windows installed from the interior against the exterior brickwork.
• Suitable for sash windows installed from the exterior between brickwork.