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MARCH 08 - MINIMALIST APPROACH TO ACHIEVING FRESH URBAN LIVING

When Hillstone Developments began redeveloping a site right in the centre of Oldham, it found a minimalist approach solved issues for both construction and occupancy.

The “Victory”, a six-storey block of 32 contemporary apartments, in Union Street, is sandwiched between busy through routes, posing potential problems to ensure compliance with Building Regulations, particularly Approved Document Part F, and yet which did not impact adversely on construction time and techniques. The solution, developed with Passivent Ltd, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of natural ventilation systems, has been the installation of  ‘whole-house’ ventilation in each apartment consisting of a mechanical extract ventilation (MEV) system and Fresh 90dB acoustic through-wall ventilators.

David Jones, construction director at Hillstone, explained, “The changes to Part F meant that, if we went the conventional intermittent fan ventilation route, we would have at least two wall penetrations in EVERY room in every apartment, which would not only affect the internal and external aesthetics, and residents’ enjoyment of their new home, but would add to material and labour costs. Using Passivent’s MEV fan per flat system coupled with a Fresh through wall ventilator, we reduce the number of wall penetrations by half. We also achieve a better internal environment as the homes are continuously ventilated, have reduced external noise penetrating inside and better particulate filtration cutting ingress of dusts. The ventilation also requires minimal electricity to run- only the low wattage fan consumes energy- helping cut running costs for the occupants!”

Passivent MEV ‘whole house; systems create planned air routes through each home with the Fresh 90dB providing air inlets in the ‘dry’ living rooms and bedrooms, drawing fresh air into the apartment. Used, moisture laden air is extracted from the ‘wet’ kitchens and bathrooms through humidity sensitive extracts. The extracts are connected by ducting to a constantly running, low energy extract fan- the only element of the system to require an electrical connection, gently ventilating the whole flat without draughts and automatically boosting without any occupier input when conditions demand.

The Fresh 90dB non mechanical ventilator requires no electrical connection to function, harnessing natural variations between external and internal air pressure and temperature to draw a gentle, controllable flow of fresh air into the home, reducing risk of condensation. Its acoustic attenuation cuts the amount of external noise penetrating the building, whilst the integral external grille provides protection against the ingress of insects and the elements.

Passivent is the only natural ventilation supplier to offer independent BBA certification across its range, proven in use for over 20 years. In addition to a comprehensive range of assisted and natural ventilation solutions, and the Fresh range of through wall ventilators, it provides a comprehensive range of background ventilation options, with or without acoustic options.

Passivent is part of the Building Product Design Group, which specialises in developing innovative yet practical ventilation and roofing products in line with changing market requirements.

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