Natural Ventilation - Intermittent Ventilation

A range of fans installed in properties' wet rooms i.e, bathroom & kitchen designed to work intermittently as and when the situation requires. The fan turns on when the humidistat is triggered or the light switch is turned on. These types of fans are ideal for everyday use. They are great for basic ventilation needs and also where a lower-cost option is needed.

Bathroom ventilation performs multiple duties in a home - From removing moisture to eliminating bathroom odours, it is a system that draws out stale, impure and humid air out of the bathroom thereby improving the quality of indoor air.

Without a bathroom vent fan, bathrooms are susceptible to excessive moisture build-up that increases the chances of damaging bathroom walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as bathroom fixtures. Warm, humid air, caused by running hot water for baths and showers, is a perfect environment for mould, mildew and microorganism growth. High moisture in rooms can also break down interior room materials such as wall board, wall paint, and trim, not to mention the entry door. For a safe, healthy bathroom ensure there is appropriate ventilation.

When choosing ventilation, it is important to think about the legislation surrounding bathroom installation and the safety of the residents. Fans need to be installed in accordance with the latest IEE Wiring Regulations 18th Edition (BS7671:2008). Part 7 (Special Locations).

IEE regulations specify the installation of fans within bathrooms and showers by identifying a series of zones:

• Zone 0 is inside the bath or on the floor of the shower.
• Zone 1 is the area above the bath or shower, up to a height of 2.25m from the floor.
• Zone 2 is the area up to 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and up to a height of 2.25m from the floor.

This can be interpreted in multiple ways but Vent-Axia and the wider installation community would recommend use of at least IPX5 fans for typical Zone 1 or 2 installations due to the potential use of the shower (presently or in the future) which could be considered a water jet.

For social housing, we would advise the use of IPX7 (SELV) products which reduce the voltage to 12V for additional safety. This is to protect the residents from harm should they attempt to access the product in a wet zone, fulfilling housing providers' duty of care.

What is Kitchen Ventilation?

A kitchen ventilation system treats the air from the kitchens. It addresses the problems of HOGS – heat, grease, odours, smoke and steam not found in most other ventilation systems. Cooking contributes to increased humidity, risk of fire, temperature and unpleasant smells. It is important to select reliable kitchen fans that will not fail in high temperatures.