Guiding the way on trickle vents

By Jon Vanstone, Chair of Certass Trade Association

I was interested to read last week’s comments from the National Federation of Glaziers and the Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) on Approved Document ADF1 (Ventilation).

At Certass Trade Association we are taking a very different approach to tackling the issues of ventilation and trickle vents than FENSA and GGF. Rather than simply seeking clarification from DLUHC, we have created guidance for members and submitted this to Government and others for review and comment.

By interpreting the information and reviewing that advice with relevant stakeholders, members can have the confidence to advise homeowners, make informed decisions around the need for better ventilation in their homes and understand when installing trickle vents is a requirement and when it is an option.

We need to remember, of course, that this new approved document looks at ventilation as regards the retrofitting of the whole building – it isn’t just about window replacements – so these new regulations will impact a number of different sectors and building products.

Government’s aims in this matter are clear. They know we generally have unhealthy living environments in UK homes, and they want to make them better for everyone. Why would we, as an industry, do anything but support this aim when the figures clearly point to poor ventilation being harmful to properties and their residents?

These discussions we are involved in are all about creating a fair outcome for everyone involved, so: Government improves the housing stock of the country, consumers get healthier homes to live in, and understand the impact of a lack of ventilation in the home, and installers aren’t forced to endanger their opportunities, but are given the tools and the evidence to support consumers in making the right decision on trickle vents for their homes.

Not every installation will need trickle vents, and it will often become a choice for the consumer, but we want to make sure that becomes an informed decision.

I do have some queries regarding Chris’ [Beedel, head of government advocacy & stakeholder relations, GGF] comments regarding the introduction of trickle vents increasing energy bills by an average of £378 per year and would be interested to see the calculations that led to this figure, as I can get nowhere near it.

Particularly as many of the arguments I see from installers are that trickle vents are a waste of time because homeowners keep them closed anyway.

There is a lot of lip service that comes around, especially when new building regulations are being discussed. Not every Government discussion requires a press release, and often, comments and releases that lack any real meaning only muddy the waters for the industry.

But we do need to work together if we want to affect Government’s position on issues that matter to us. That’s why regular contact with members is so important for Certass TA.

The message is simple right now. The pathway forward regarding trickle vents is still being discussed with Government.

We will release our guidance in the coming days to help our members and their customers work effectively within the regulated market. Whatever Government decide will be communicated to all relevant bodies and GGF is one of several who will receive this at the same time.