The Domestic Ventilation 2010 manual, which forms part of BPEC’s Ventilation Installer training programme, has been revised with expert input from across the whole of the domestic ventilation industry, including Polypipe Ventilation who has overseen the project from start to finish.
The original Domestic Ventilation 2010 manual was written by Polypipe Ventilation in response to the revision to Part F of the Building Regulations and the creation of the Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide, introduced to address poor quality ventilation installation work in domestic properties. Under the regulations, buildings must now have their ventilation systems commissioned by a qualified installer and a commissioning report submitted to the Building Control Body.
However according to recent industry reports, since 2010 it appears that there has been little improvement in the quality of ventilation installations; the recent Zero Carbon Hub ‘MVHR in New Homes’ study clearly highlights the need for more robust training, particularly in regards to the design, installation and commissioning of continuous mechanical ventilation systems. Supporting this view further, the NHBC also created in January 2014 its own in depth guidance document; Chapter 3.2 to the 2013 NHBC Specification.
As part of the response from the heating and ventilation industry, the Domestic Ventilation 2010 manual has now undergone a complete revision to further improve the level of training by providing trainees with additional understanding of all aspects of continuous mechanical ventilation systems.
Polypipe Ventilation’s Technical Manager Jon Hill has been instrumental in driving the revisions and has acted as the key coordinator for the process, which has involved input and close support from other manufacturers and industry bodies BEAMA and the RVA.
The new guide, renamed Domestic Ventilation Installer, is more installer-focussed and includes practical installation advice and guidance. It also references recent BSRIA reports on air flow measurement deviation and limitations in the use of flexible ductwork.
Jon Hill, explains the importance of the revisions to this guide: “There continues to be widespread inconsistent installation practice found in Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) and Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) systems, which affect system efficiency – and thus indoor air quality. If developers are to avoid the heavy penalties which are applied to SAP calculations [the official method used to calculate the energy consumption in dwellings], they must use a trained contractor registered under a Competent Person Scheme to install these systems. The installation must meet the performance laid out in the original system design and an inspection checklist must be completed and submitted to building control”.
“As a company at the forefront in delivering energy-efficient ventilation solutions, Polypipe has been actively pushing for a greater understanding of installation requirements and techniques. We believe the revisions to BPEC’s Domestic Ventilation Installer, which place far greater emphasis on installation for whole house ventilation systems, are another step towards this.”
The Domestic Ventilation Installer manual will remain core to BPEC’s Ventilation Installer training programme, which has been recognised by the Government as a suitable academic qualification for relevant Competent Person Schemes. It combines theoretical training and practical exercises to provide delegates with the information and skills needed to install any of the common types of domestic ventilation systems in the UK safely and efficiently. The course also covers the inspection, test and commissioning of these systems as well as the provision of client operation and maintenance information. At the end of the course, there is a theory and practical assessment in which each candidate must pass.
In addition to being run by BPEC and other ventilation manufacturers including Polypipe Ventilation, the training course is also open to colleges across the UK. Polypipe Ventilation run the training course from two sites which are supported by comprehensive training installations, located in Aylesford and Doncaster.
