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Independent tests cast doubt on claimed performance of some trickle vents

Concerned that Greenwood Airvac’s claims for the Equivalent Area (EA) and acoustic performance of some of its ventilation products may be inaccurate, Titon decided to submit Greenwood’s 5000EA ventilator and canopy (as well as Greenwood’s 5000EAW.AC2 and 2500AW.AC2 acoustic variants) and Titon’s own Trimvent Select, SF Xtra and SFX Sound Attenuator trickle vents for independent testing. These tests revealed a significant difference between performance data declared by Greenwood and the actual figures achieved during independent testing.

The independent EA testing, which measures airflow through the product, was conducted by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and the acoustic testing by SRL Technical Services Ltd. The EA tests were carried out in accordance with UK Approved Document F (ADF) 2010 and the Scottish Technical Handbook 3.14.6 using the recognised test method to BS:EN 13141-1 clause 4. The independent testing substantiated the claimed performance data of the Titon Trimvent Select, SF Xtra and SFX Sound Attenuator trickle vents.

Greenwood’s 5000EA vent, known as Pyramid, and canopy is marketed in the UK as delivering 5000mm2 EA, yet the independent tests revealed the actual figure to be just over 4000mm2 EA. Similarly, the acoustic variant, 5000EAW.AC2, known as Pyracoust, only achieved 3634m2 EA. In addition, when these Greenwood products were tested for sound attenuation, the results show less attenuation than generally claimed.

No other products within the Greenwood portfolio were tested, as Titon’s research had only deemed that the products mentioned required further investigation.

Commenting on the testing, Tyson Anderson, Sales & Marketing Director at Titon said: “Titon prides itself on the accuracy of its stated products performance and test results and believes that the market benefits from factually accurate data derived from recognised test procedures. This data will help manufacturers and specifiers ensure compliance with Building Regulations and that the provision for ventilation in a dwelling is correct for its occupants’ health and wellbeing. All our test reports are available for reference and can be explained if required.”

For more information about Titon, please visit: www.titon.co.uk.
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Titon Sonairs bring the sound of silence to Kingstone Grange

575 Sonair acoustic (sound attenuating) filtered air supply units from Titon have been installed across an array of properties at Kingstone Grange in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Previously the site of Kingstone School, the new development consists of 115 three and four-bedroom townhouses, semi-detached and detached homes. The Titon products were fitted by Doncaster-based contractors South Electrical, adhering to the specification provided by Taylor Wimpey.

Richard South, Managing Director at South Electrical, said: “Titon’s Sonair is compact and easy to install, while it adheres to necessary building and sound attenuation requirements. The units have been designed to let air into a property for ventilation while shielding occupants from unwanted outside noise. This means no unwanted noise from the road outside can be heard inside the houses.”

Commenting on how the products came to be specified, Mark Lyon, Senior Commercial Manager at Taylor Wimpey, added: “We have fitted Titon ventilation units on other developments previously, with no issues. For the Kingstone project, we opted for the Sonair products as they met all the requirements outlined in the noise impact assessment, which took into account the level of traffic noise, as well as ambient sound from other nearby sources. The mechanical input ventilators also ensure the properties comply with the indoor ambient noise levels as recommended in BS 8233 (Residential).”

Sonair is a low energy, wall-mounted input fan featuring touch control with an LCD display. It has been designed for use in buildings where noise or air pollution presents a problem. The units are mechanical input ventilators that can also provide background ventilation as an alternative to trickle vents. Independently tested by the BRE, Sonair offers exceptional sound attenuation up to 56dB, while units are effective in reducing pollutants in the home and improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), reducing the risk of Toxic Home Syndrome.

 

All Sonair acoustic ventilation units come with a G3 filter as standard, which captures 50‐70% of particles larger than 10μm under normal dust load conditions. If dust loads are moderate to high, the optional F6 filter captures 99% of all dust particles including pollen, spores, cement dust and excreta of the house dust mite – making it ideal for occupants with allergies or asthma.

Kingstone Grange is located in the heart of Yorkshire, just a few minutes from the centre of Barnsley. The development has been designed with a mix of properties from two to four bedrooms to suit all needs.

For more information about Titon, please visit: www.titon.co.uk.
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Titon launches its new auramode®

Titon’s new auramode® is a simple and sophisticated LCD display for programming, commissioning and occupancy control for Titon’s high quality range of Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery units (MVHR).

The auramode® functions include straightforward speed control at the click of a button with three or four-speed options, alongside an auto-timed speed mode. The fourth speed (high flow) has been added to assist with purge flow ventilation requirements. Seven-day programming is also available, with a total of eight different settings per day, while an adjustable indicator notifies users when MVHR filters require changing.

Furthermore, the auramode® provides internal MVHR humidity set point adjustment, while a ‘boost inhibit’ function linked to time speeds helps avoid night-time boosting – either via switch inputs or humidity. Once the auramode® has been successfully programmed, end users can leave their MVHR systems running without the need for any additional controller adjustments.

Commenting on the control, Paul Cowell, Senior Technical Manager at Titon, said: “The auramode® provides end users with exceptional levels of control over their Titon MVHR units. The new control has a user-friendly interface, while its functionality ensures a ventilation system is operating efficiently, maintaining high levels of indoor air quality and comfort.”

The auramode® programmer is 86mm wide x 86mm high x 16mm deep and is supplied with a 14m connection cable and a one-year guarantee. The low voltage LCD display is back lit, with adjustable light and contrast settings. Plus, it is a multi-language controller, allowing it to be set in a choice of 12 languages, including German, Spanish and Russian.

For more information about Titon and its range of ventilation systems, please visit www.titon.co.uk.
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Breathe Easy?

An overwhelming body of recent research has stated in no uncertain terms the negative impact that poor indoor air quality is having on the nation’s health. Respiratory illness is on the rise and over a third of home are at risk of pollution. Jenny Smith, Marketing Manager at British fan manufacturer Vent-Axia, talks us through the latest research and what can be done to alleviate the problem.

The Royal College of Physicians have just published the report “Every breath we take: the lifelong impact of air pollution” which starkly sets out the dangerous impact air pollution is currently having on our health. It states that around 40,000 people are dying in the UK every year due to air pollution, costing more than £20 billion a year. Exposure to indoor air pollutants such as radon and second-hand smoke further add to these figures. The report looks at how factors such as kitchen products, faulty boilers, open fires, fly sprays and air fresheners all impact on indoor air quality. And with health problems such as cancer, asthma, stroke and heart disease, diabetes, obesity and dementia all linked to poor air quality, it is clear that this needs to be urgently addressed in every household.

This new report has brought indoor air quality (IAQ) to the fore once again and backs up the findings of other recent research. The new BEAMA survey “My Health My Home” has revealed that over one third of UK homes are at an elevated or severe risk of having polluted indoor air and follows on from IAQ research by a leading academic at The University of Reading. Professor Hazim Awbi’s report, “The Future of Indoor Air Quality in UK Homes and its Impact on Health”, states the health risks associated with poorly ventilated homes in no uncertain terms.

One of the revelations in this report is that, as new and refurbished homes become ever more air tight to meet the Government’s carbon emission targets for 2050, the number of people suffering with asthma could increase by 80% from current levels. It also states that current building regulations could increase indoor pollutant levels equivalent to the upper end of (and in some cases well above) World Health Organisation recommended limits.

The report suggests that there should be a legal requirement for new homes, and guidance for retrofitted homes, to have an air exchange rate of at least 0.5/hour, to help protect human health. It states that the most cost-effective solution for achieving this exchange rate, whilst still satisfying energy efficiency requirements, is the standardised fitting of effective continuous mechanical ventilation, preferably with heat recovery (MVHR).

Designed to work with the natural air infiltration, continuous ventilation systems control the air path through the home. As a result, they prevent the migration of damaging humidity and pollutants, providing near silent energy efficient ventilation. For new build homes there are continuous whole house Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) solutions which combine supply and extract ventilation in one unit. For refurbishments, there are continuous Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV) systems which extract stale air from the home, improving the air quality and preventing the migration of damaging humidity and pollutants. These energy efficient systems are also available with heat recovery. In addition, there are also dMEV single room heat recovery units available. Ideal for existing dwellings, they are low energy and low cost.

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