extractor fans a must?

[sima24]

Hi can someone please clear up for me wheather extractor fans are a must on domestic rewires. Some people say you dont have to but some say you do. I always fit them as standard but current builder dosnt want them. Thanks.

 

[Adam W]

Exactly. Rewires and new builds are 2 different kettles of fish.

Only because somebody wrote in a book that if there wasn't a fan there before you don't need to put one in. If you would need to put a fan in a new room with the same properties, why not fit one retrospectively? I expect years ago emergency lighting wasn't required, but that's no reason not to install them in old buildings.

 

[ian.settle1]

Only because somebody wrote in a book that if there wasn't a fan there before you don't need to put one in. If you would need to put a fan in a new room with the same properties, why not fit one retrospectively? I expect years ago emergency lighting wasn't required, but that's no reason not to install them in old buildings.

If I was you I wouldn't say anymore as you are only digging a deeper hole with your comments where some people on here are concerned.

 

[JulianC]

Only because somebody wrote in a book that if there wasn't a fan there before you don't need to put one in. If you would need to put a fan in a new room with the same properties, why not fit one retrospectively? I expect years ago emergency lighting wasn't required, but that's no reason not to install them in old buildings.

Having to fit a fan (as per the original question) and wanting to fit a fan (as is your wont) are two different things.

 

[Adam W]

Having to fit a fan (as per the original question) and wanting to fit a fan (as is your wont) are two different things.

This is what I'm saying - if you need a fan you need a fan, regardless of when the building was first wired. If the room suffers from damp you could install an extractor fan to combat that. If you don't put one in because the regs say you don't have to because it's a rewire, then the customer turns round in 6 months and complains the room is damp, is it really a defence to say "well the regs say you don't need one" and walk away? That doesn't help the customer at all; yes they could then get an extractor fan as an optional addition, but it probably would have been much easier to install it at the time of the rewire, before the decorating was done.

 

[telectrix]

exactly. the need for a fan should be determined by whether or not one is needed in the particular situation, not by some suit making up a fit it all regulation.

 

[Adam W]

exactly. the need for a fan should be determined by whether or not one is needed in the particular situation, not by some suit making up a fit it all regulation.

... But what if the builder and the customer say they don't want them?

 

[mark-9696]

I've just done a installation condition report on an installation that is less than 2 years old in a new build. (Change of tennent). I was shocked to find there was no extraction in the bathroom or kitchen. Would not be so bad if we had warm dry weather more often. Yes there were windows in both locactions but who wants to have to open the windows when it is chucking it down, windy and cold???? Just makes no sense to me. More to the point there was no installation paper work either.

 

[JulianC]

... But what if the builder and the customer say they don't want them?

Their choice. Not your problem.

 

[JulianC]

I've just done a installation condition report on an installation that is less than 2 years old in a new build. (Change of tennent). I was shocked to find there was no extraction in the bathroom or kitchen. Would not be so bad if we had warm dry weather more often. Yes there were windows in both locactions but who wants to have to open the windows when it is chucking it down, windy and cold???? Just makes no sense to me. More to the point there was no installation paper work either.

Any vents in the ceiling? Property may have utilised other methods of ventilation, such as passive stack (no fans anywhere) or centralised MEV (one big fan in a loft space), both of which will involve ducts to terminals in the ceilings of wet areas

 

[Adam W]

I've just done a installation condition report on an installation that is less than 2 years old in a new build. (Change of tennent). I was shocked to find there was no extraction in the bathroom or kitchen. Would not be so bad if we had warm dry weather more often. Yes there were windows in both locactions but who wants to have to open the windows when it is chucking it down, windy and cold???? Just makes no sense to me. More to the point there was no installation paper work either.

I think a lot of customers don't understand the need for extractor fans - they think opening the kitchen window will suck all the cooking smells straight out, rather than blowing them back into the house.
Again with bathroom fans - if you have them switched separately with a switch marked 'fan' they'll wonder why you've got a fan in the bathroom and nowhere else, switch it on in the summer expecting it to blow air around the bathroom to cool them down, declare it doesn't work and never try switching it on again. Then they'll start complaining of damp.

Ask the customer if they want to pay £250 for fans and they'll probably elect to open the windows instead.
£250 for a couple of fans? You can get a desk fan from Argos for about a tenner.

 

[Octopus]

I recently had to install an extractor in a utility because the building inspector said he wouldn't do a completion cert without one. They had a door and a high level "dormer" type window which you couldn't reach.

 

[Adam W]

I've just done a installation condition report on an installation that is less than 2 years old in a new build. (Change of tennent). I was shocked to find there was no extraction in the bathroom or kitchen. Would not be so bad if we had warm dry weather more often. Yes there were windows in both locactions but who wants to have to open the windows when it is chucking it down, windy and cold???? Just makes no sense to me. More to the point there was no installation paper work either.

Was the previous tenant moving out because the house was damp and smelt of chips?

 

[Johnuk]

on sites ive been on the building inspector now wants them in down stairs toilets even if there is a window

 

[mark-9696]

Hi Peeps, Thank you all for your responses. There is a working fan in the roof space (activated by a switch outside the bathroom) and vent ports in all rooms but not extraction. It is only effective in 1 bedroom. There is also a switch in the kitchen with no power supply to it. I would guess this would operate the fan for down stairs. I also thought that ventilation was a buildings requirement. The house is on a new estate and only 2 years old. To date I can see no evedence of damp so I am guessing the move was not as a result of that.