Damn Trickle Vents

An industry pet hate is the use of trickle vents. As sad as it may be, I've been having a look through the propsed changes to Part F in 2010. The big worry is that trickl vents are going to become mandatory, and we all know how much of a pain it is trying to sell trickle vents to customers. After looking at the wording of the proposed changes, it may not be as bad as we thought.

"1.51 Approved Document F 2006 states that it would be good practice to fit trickle ventilators (or equivalent) in all replacement windows. This is due to the concern that replacing an older window with a newer window with better seals will make the property more airtight and may result in under-ventilation. For 2010 we are minded to remove this statement and make fitting of trickle ventilators in replacement windows (or equivalent) the recommended approach. If the ongoing cost-benefit analysis does not support this proposed change, fitting trickle ventilators would remain as good practice."

We may still be able to get away without having to fit trickle vents, and they key to that is where it states: "make fitting of trickle ventilators in replacement windows (or equivalent) the recommended approach". The key word there is 'recommend', it doesn't say it will become mandatory or anything similar. It then goes on to explain that if the cost implications do not support the change then it will be shelved to the original wording from 2006. I think the cost argument and the energy efficiency argument is something the double glazing industry will be able to put forward very well.

It remains beyond me that the do-gooders who make these rule changes still think that trickle vents are a good idea!