Building Regulations Approved Document F: Ventilation (2010 Edition), stipulates the provision of adequate mechanical ventilation rates in non-habitable rooms such as toilets, bathrooms, shower rooms, kitchens, and utility rooms in domestic dwellings.

Naturally AIRFLOW fans exceed the requirements helping to combat the harmful effects of dampness and condensation, and by extracting airborne pollutants such as odours, cooking smells, humid and stale air, the potential hazards to the health of occupants and possible damage to the fabric of the building can be largely eliminated.

What the regulations say:

• Toilet/sanitary accommodation 6 l/sec (22 m3/hr)
• Bathroom/shower room 15 l/sec (54 m3/hr)
• Kitchen adjacent to hob 30 l/sec (108 m3/hr)
• Kitchen without cooker hood 60 l/sec (216 m3/hr)
• Utility room 30 l/sec (108 m3/hr)

Extra Safe

The Airflow range of SELV (safety extra low voltage) fans fully comply with the current IEE wiring regulations 17th edition) detailing special requirements for bathrooms. These well proven fans use a 12 volt electrical supply which means that the siting of extract fans is possible within permitted splash zones of those using washing facilities.

Note that it is now possible to install a 230 volt, IPX5 rated fan with a dedicated RCD in splash zones. Consult the IEE 17th edition wiring regulations for full details.

So, What Type of Fan?

Having considered the application of the ventilation required, it is important to select the correct type of fan to ensure that the requirement is met.

It is not sufficient to fit just any fan. It is important that the fan performs efficiently by extracting the minimum flow rate at the grille outlet as required by the latest Building Regulations. This is known as installed performance.

The number of bends and the length of duct attached to the fan will create resistance to flow that must be overcome to ensure adequate extraction.

You should first consider which type of fan will be best suited to provide quiet, efficient ventilation. This will be based on one of the following two general variants.

Airflow Centrifugal fans and Mixed Flow fans are quiet, powerful and suitable for wall and ceilings. They also work very efficiently against system resistance making them the perfect choice for ducted installations.

• iCON 30/60
• Loovent
• Roomvent
• Supervent
• Aventa
• Airovent

Airflow Axial fans are ideal for through the wall and window applications. Providing high performance with a slim profile, they are suitable for use with ducting up to a maximum 2.5m (11m*) in length.

• QuietAir* (only)
• iCON15
• Aura
• Maxivent