Purposes of Ventilation

Ventilation is required for one or more of the following purposes – (a) provision of outside air for breathing; (b) dilution and removal of airborne pollutants, including odours; (c) control of excess humidity (arising from water vapour in the indoor air); and (d) provision of air for fuel burning appliances (which is controlled under Part L of the Building Regulations). Airborne pollutants and water vapour include those released from materials and products used in the construction, decoration and furnishing of a building, and as a result of the activities of the building's occupants. The numerical performance standards are given in Appendix A. Further information about control of emissions from construction products is available in BRE Digest 464.