Part F of the UK Building Regulations focuses on ventilation requirements in buildings, addressing both dwellings (Part F1) and non-dwellings (Part F2). These regulations aim to ensure health, safety, welfare, and energy efficiency. Part F1 outlines standards for residential ventilation, emphasising indoor air quality and moisture prevention. Part F2 extends these standards to non-residential buildings, covering areas like extraction rates, ventilation strategies, and energy efficiency. Regular updates and amendments occur, so consulting the official government website or local building authorities is crucial for compliance with the latest regulations.

Bathroom electrical appliances, including extractor fans and lighting, receive an IP or Ingress Potential rating indicating their suitability for specific zones. The IP rating consists of two digits following 'IP,' where the first digit denotes protection from solid objects. However, our focus is on the second digit, representing protection from water and moisture. A higher second digit implies increased protection against water ingress. An IP rating of IPX4 or higher is safe for installation in zone 1 of a bathroom on mains voltage when installed on an RCD or RCBO protected circuit.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the cleanliness and healthiness of the air inside a building. It involves factors like airborne pollutants (dust, pollen, mould spores, VOCs), temperature, and humidity. Maintaining IAQ is crucial for occupant well-being and comfort. Key aspects include proper ventilation to exchange indoor air, control moisture, and enhance oxygen supply. Ventilation systems, including fans and filters, play a vital role in improving IAQ and involve effective ventilation strategies for minimising pollutant sources. Regular monitoring is essential for a healthier indoor environment.

Firstly, keep your windows closed, this may seem counterintuitive when you’re standing in a room full of steam. However, an open window in midwinter is one of the main contributors to condensation, mould, and damp problems in UK homes. This is because when the cold air from outside mixes with the warm humid air from the shower it forces the moisture to condense faster forming into larger droplets of water. Keeping the windows closed helps to keep the room warmer and reduces the speed at which water molecules in the air condense making them easier to extract. Additionally, the cold air cools the tiles and other surfaces in the bathroom which adds to the speed at which the moisture condenses.

Wipe down excess water after showering. All that water collected on the wall tiles, shower screens, mirrors, windows and shower trays has to go somewhere. Yes, some of it will go down the plug hole, but most of it will evaporate and add to humidity issues or soak into surfaces causing further damp and structural issues.

So, invest a few pounds in a shower squeegee and spend a couple of minutes getting rid of that excess water. This not only effectively removes all water droplets it will leave your glass and tiles looking squeaky clean!

A Humidistat is a device that measures the relative humidity (RH) of the air. It is utilised in ventilation systems to control fans based on humidity conditions. The humidistat monitors humidity levels, activating the fan when the preset threshold is reached and deactivating it when humidity falls below the set level. Commonly integrated into extractor fans, especially in humid-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens, humidistats help manage moisture, prevent issues like mould, and contribute to indoor air quality. They can be integrated into fan units or installed separately, depending on the ventilation system design.