Why do I need Trickle Vents?

 

What are Building Regulations?

Building Regulations provide practical guidance on building and are formulated for specific purposes including health and safety, energy conservation, and provision for disabled person. Local councils or schemes such as the Fenestration Self Assessment Scheme (FENSA) are tasked by Government to ensure people comply with the law and Building Regulations show how this can be achieved.

Why use Trickle Vents?

The Building Regulations state “there should be adequate means of ventilation provided for people in a building” because poor ventilation effects our health.

Microscopic organisms, like house dust mites and fungi, thrive due to the moisture produced inside a home. Indoor air is also contaminated by chemicals discharged from the building itself and from the items we use within it, such as computers carpets, furnishings, etc. In large quantities these pollutants can present a health concern and can cause or aggravate allergies, depression, and lung or heart conditions.

In the past, adequate natural ventilation was provided by chimneys and gaps in the building structure for example cracks around windows and door frames.

Modern living and improvements such as well sealed windows may increase indoor pollutant levels.

To combat this, trickle ventilators are a safe and energy efficient way of providing fresh air.

What is a Trickle Vent?

A trickle Vent is a device usually fitted at the top of a window that allows fresh air to circulate naturally trough a room, and allow polluted air out. They are controllable, to give the option of having them open or closed. When used correctly, trickle vents do not contribute excessively to heat loss. Trickle vents also work in conjunction with mechanical extract fans when more immediate ventilation is required. The vents are either fitted to the windows frame (slot vents) or sometimes between the glass and the windows frame (glazed-in-vent).

Why not open a window instead?

Night-vent or night-latch position – where the window is held slightly ajar by the handle – are a security risk. Windows should be fully closed when a house is unoccupied. Trickle vents are a secure form of ventilation and can left open even when you are on holiday.

The Building Regulations in England & Wales for Ventilation changed in April 2006
Not only are homes becoming better built to save energy, They must also be better ventilated to protect our health. The revised Regulations mean that in most circumstances, new windows will have to be supplied with trickle vents fitted.

 

Source: www.glasstecwindows.co.uk