BEAMA is launching a White Paper on ventilation aimed at delivering Better Ventilation, Better Homes, Better Health.
In response to the growing concern around poor indoor air quality (IAQ) and its impact on human health, BEAMA is publishing a raft of policy solutions to current issues facing the industry in recognition of the ever-expanding role that ventilation plays in combating poor IAQ.
Poor indoor air quality is responsible for thousands of deaths a year and millions of pounds worth of healthcare costs. It is linked to a range of serious health diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and mental health conditions. In the shorter term it reduces cognitive ability and exacerbates allergic and asthmatic symptoms.
As successive Governments strive towards zero carbon homes, the installation of energy efficiency measures and the building of modern airtight homes has not been met with an equal consideration of the need for corresponding ventilation improvements – meaning that pollutants are becoming trapped inside homes putting householders’ health at risk.
The White Paper identifies two main issues facing the industry: the lack of a joined-up approach towards energy efficiency and ventilation, and poor-quality installations which are ‘plaguing the industry’. The Paper calls for compulsory assessments of ventilation provision following the installation of energy efficiency measures and asks Government to make it compulsory that ‘all ventilation installations are undertaken by an installer who is a member of a MHCLG recognised and registered competent persons scheme’.
The White Paper details four overarching steps that Government should take, and outlines how these can be achieved, in improving ventilation and indoor air quality in UK homes:
- Improve the focus on Indoor Air Quality in the Building Regulations
- Improve compliance with the current Building Regulations
- Avoid problems of poor air quality following refurbishment
- Make IAQ a Government priority
Commenting in the White Paper, BEAMA’s CEO Howard Porter said:
“As the industry body representing the UK’s leading ventilation providers, we are determined that we will do all we can to ensure that the ventilation market works properly and share our decades worth of experience in order to come up with solutions to the problems that face both the industry, and the country at large.
We know that leadership for making ventilation the effective solution to indoor air quality needs to come from us, and we are ready for that challenge.”
To download a copy of the White Paper please click the below link
