Part F set for overhaul for better ventilation

BRE has been awarded the contract to provide the necessary expert technical and administrative support to the ODPM working group responsible for the revision process.

The group will include members of the Buildings Regulations advisory committee and government officials. It will consider changes and additions to Approved Document F, which gives technical guidance to the construction industry on meeting the requirements of Part F. A key part of the process will be a public consultation on any proposed revisions and an investigation of their impacts on small businesses. Dr David Ross, who leads the BRE team says: "We are looking to integrate recent research and feedback from the public and industry to provide healthier buildings for the occupants and easier-to-follow guidance for the industry."

BRE has also recently taken delivery of a London Underground tube carriage as part of a project looking into the thermal environment in underground trains and stations. After a series of surveys and interviews, BRE will refine the results in the controlled conditions of the carriage.

A special hvac system is being designed and constructed so that the impact of temperature, humidity and air movement with different numbers of passengers can be tested. The findings will help London Underground to better manage the temperatures in their trains, tunnel and stations.