Part F
Ventilation testing
Airflow measurement of extract fans and ventilation systems, with commissioning records for building control.
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Testing & commissioning
Background ventilation checks
A qualified tester checks trickle vents and other background ventilators against the equivalent areas in your ventilation design and Approved Document F, and records what is installed for the completion checklist.
When you need it
Approved Document F sizes background ventilators by equivalent area in square millimetres, not free area, and says the equivalent area should be marked where it can be seen from inside. The area needed depends on the ventilation system and the room, so installed vents are checked against the design.
When windows are replaced in an existing home, Approved Document F says ventilation should be no worse than before, and new trickle vents should not be smaller than the originals. The Approved Document F completion checklist records the background ventilators installed in each room.
What is included
Included
- Review of the ventilation design and the equivalent areas required
- Room-by-room check of installed ventilators and their marked equivalent areas
- Check that ventilators open, close and are positioned as the guidance describes
- Schedule of results against the design, ready for the completion checklist
Priced separately
- Supplying or fitting extra ventilators
- Airflow testing of extract fans, which is a separate test
- Ventilation design or redesign
Your written quotation confirms the exact scope, what is included and any limits for your building.
What you receive
A room-by-room schedule comparing installed background ventilators with the design, noting any shortfalls, for building control and the owner.
Sent as a PDF. We can send it to your building control body or agent on request.
Our reports and testing support the compliance process. Approval and completion decisions remain with your building control body: the local authority, a registered building control approver, or the Building Safety Regulator for higher-risk buildings.
How to prepare
- Ventilation design or the ventilation details from the SAP
- Window and trickle vent specification
- Plans showing room uses
- Windows and ventilators fitted
- Access to every room
Send what you have. Missing details will not stop an enquiry; we will tell you anything still needed.
How it works
Tell usChoose the service or describe the job.
Written quotationScope, deliverables and price, confirmed in writing.
We manage the workArranged and coordinated by RegulaBuild. Technical work is carried out by appropriately qualified professionals.
Your reportThe output named in your quotation, with any follow-up.
Questions
What is equivalent area?
A measure of a vent’s airflow performance, found by a standard test. Approved Document F uses equivalent area rather than the visible free area.
Do replacement windows need trickle vents?
Approved Document F says ventilation should be no worse than before the work. If the old windows had trickle vents, the new ones should have vents at least as large; if they did not, the guidance still expects background ventilators of a set size in most cases.
Often booked with
Combine them in one quote request
Part F
Ventilation design
Ventilation strategies and system design to meet Part F before work starts.
Design and approvalsView service
Part F
MVHR commissioning and balancing
Setting up and balancing whole-house heat recovery systems to the design flow rates.
TestingView service
Where we work
Background ventilation checks across England
Request a quote
Discuss background ventilation checks
Start with this service and add anything else you need. If you are unsure, say so and we will advise.