Trade body launches new ‘Ventilation Contractor membership to tackle excess moisture in buildings
Ventilation contractor membership applications are now being accepted for a new trade body group, set up to improve ventilation and air quality in UK homes.
The Property Care Association (PCA) has created the Residential Ventilation Group (RVG) to provide an increased focus on addressing the issue of excess atmospheric moisture in buildings which do not have adequate or effective ventilation.
Dave Cook, Chair of the RVG, said: “Moisture held in the air has always been of great importance to all surveyors.
“While the ventilation industry has moved a very long way to satisfy the needs of housebuilders, people that have mould problems in older houses and flats still struggle to find practitioners who can provide detailed diagnostic evaluation followed up with accurate advice on improving ventilation.
“Surveyors can provide advice on moisture production, heating and ventilation but usually the job of designing and specifying ventilation is passed to an electrician. Ultimately, PCA members understand the consequences of high humidity in homes, and deal with the consequences of poor air quality, condensation, dampness and mould, every day.
“As such, the PCA is well placed to create the new RVG and sector of membership to provide homeowners with a point of reference to find professionals who can understand the internal environment of their home and specify ventilation measures accordingly.”
Rigorous Application Process for Ventilation Contractors
To secure the Ventilation Contractor membership of the RVG group, applicants go through a similar rigorous application process as for other sectors of PCA to demonstrate their technical competence and service delivery.
More details can be found here
Two-day Residential Ventilation Conference
In line with the growing significance of the issue, the PCA is holding a unique two-day event later this year, which brings together a national and international perspective.
The trade body’s 2018 International Residential Ventilation & Preservation of Buildings Conference takes place on the 14th and 15th June at The Slate, University of Warwick, in Coventry. To accommodate the significant interest shown in the subject, the event has moved from the PCA’s traditional one day property care conference format to a two-day event this year.
Speakers and panellists include representatives from RICS, the University College London Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (UCL IEDE), UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings and Bangor University. Dr Fernanado Sarce-Thomann from Universidad Mayor, Chile, will give an international perspective on acceptable limits of moisture in homes.
The conference is open to both PCA members and non-members alike.
More details can be found here
Contributing Factors
According to the PCA, residential ventilation is critically important to tackle problems emerging in a new generation of humid homes, which the trade body’s members are increasingly encountering.
A number of factors are contributing to the rising trend, predominately linked with modern living – including increased levels of occupation and rising fuel costs, as well as a drive to make homes more energy efficient.
The trade body also cites efforts to reduce air leakage through draught proofing and retrofit insulation, as well as the changing climate patterns – featuring warmer, wetter weather – as being of significance.
More from the PCA
As well as the conference, the PCA has a range of initiatives to address the increase in excessive atmospheric moisture in buildings being reported in UK homes.
They include the publication of a ‘Code of Practice for the Investigation and Provision of Ventilation in Existing Dwellings’ and a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University College London Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (UCL IEDE).
The PCA has also produced a video offering a comprehensive overview of the issues faced.
Featuring interviews with academics at University College London Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (UCL IEDE), the short film is available to view here