Legislation Overview
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, and as a result the latest edition of Building Regulations Documents Part L and Part F, effective 6th April 2006, are recognising the need for a healthier working environment in both new and refurbished commercial buildings.

The 'Buildings other than Dwellings' section of Part F highlights the requirements of mechanical ventilation, specifying the fresh air ventilation rate for air supply to offices (10 l/s per person) and specific extract ventilation rates for rooms including those with photocopiers and printers, food preparation and sanitary areas linking with specific ventilation requirements for applications such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).

The need for effective ventilation is linked to the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive to provide energy certification and measure the energy performance of commercial buildings in terms of Carbon Dioxide emissions using the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM). These are incorporated in Document L (L2 for non-dwellings) - Conservation of Fuel and Power, which states 'Reasonable provision shall be made for the conservation of fuel and power in buildings by:’ … 'providing and commissioning energy efficient fixed building services with effective controls'.

The support documents also define limiting Specific Fan Powers (W/l/s) for a range of mechanical ventilation systems: central mechanical ventilation including heating, cooling and heat recovery; central mechanical ventilation with heating and cooling; All other central systems; local ventilation units within the local area (window/wall/roof units, serving one room/area) and local ventilation units remote from the area such as ceiling void or roof mounted units (serving one room/area).

Additionally, Article 9 of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requires the regular inspection and performance assessment of air conditioning systems and air handling systems >12kW requiring easy access and maintenance scheduling.

Growing Investment
Government funding, renewed private investment and landmark projects such as the London 2012 Olympics are creating exciting times for the industry. In Education, the government backed SureStart schemes will create a new network of early learning, health and family services for thousands of children under the age of 4, living mainly in disadvantaged areas. Whilst Building Schools for the future sees the update and refurbishment of the country’s estate of secondary schools.

New guidance such as Building Bulletin 101 provide recommendations on ventilating schools to prescribed carbon dioxide levels including the use of mechanical ventilation for 'deeper design spaces' and specialist applications such as kitchens, showers, toilets, computer rooms, 'enclosed classrooms', fitness rooms and swimming pools.

The health sector is benefiting from investment including the Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) to improve the NHS primary care facilities, providing a network of new and refurbished healthcare centres across the country, whilst the Procure 21 schemes are working to modernise the hospital estates in line with government targets.

The hospitality market is absorbing the forthcoming smoking ban, which will undoubtedly provide opportunities for the refurbishment and modernisation of bars and restaurants, giving a customer friendly environment. On the health theme, health clubs and leisure facilities are springing up all over the country - with the largest development of all being the Olympics, with projects so large they will absorb resource from well outside of London itself. Added to that, refurbishment of office facilities to provide a healthier working environment, railway stations and airports to give customers a more comfortable journey and the development of retail parks and government buildings.

It all adds up to a deep and diverse requirement for modern, cost effective and energy efficient air management solutions to provide indoor air quality to meet the needs of the marketplace and the requirements of legislation.