The global pandemic has revealed how vital a robust ventilation strategy really is to building design. The global pandemic has put air quality and the effect of microscopic particles under the spotlight. Covid will affect the future of architecture and the way we approach our living and working spaces.

Ventilation is a legal foundation set out in Part F of the Building Regulations; with coronavirus it has become fundamental to minimising the transmission of viral and microscopic particles in indoor spaces. It's been known for years the physiological impact of poor air quality, with asthma cases rising in children and lung and heart diseases directly attributable to polluted air. The fact this is usually a slow and undetectable trigger has meant it's easy to overlook.

Good ventilation is just one of the ways to reduce the concentration of the virus in the air, minimising the risk of airborne transmission. Ventilation provides good air quality into a building. Fresh outside air expels the polluted inside air using principles of supply, transfer and extraction.

Renson Fabrications’ Invisivent is a thermally broken tricklevent that is installed on top of the window frame, whether aluminium, timber or PVC. The almost invisible installation guarantees maximum light penetration as the glass size is not reduced. The Invisivent incorporates a self-regulating flap that ensures the supply of fresh air without draughts. The product range provides sound absorption up to 48dB, ideal for urban environments, and there is a weather-cap option to ensure no water-ingress in exposed locations.

The Invisivent is not just a window vent. It can be used in curtain wall facades too, incorporated via single unit solutions into the facade. The company's first major project of this kind was Providence Tower in east London. The Invisivent was located behind perforated facade panels, providing effective, sustainable, low energy, low cost ventilation with the acoustic attenuation so vital for the comfort and wellbeing of the occupants.

By creating single unit solutions, Renson provided safety by design, offsite manufacture of quality watertight, airtight solutions that enabled its construction partners to reduce installation time and complication on site. Renson also took on the responsibility for performance through rigorous testing and certification.

Renson has created a CPD that explores ventilation strategies in mid to high-rise residential apartments. It considers the psychological and physiological benefits of ventilation and includes advice on how to meet performance criteria and create an optimal balance between air quality, thermal, visual and acoustic comfort using natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), purge ventilation and external sun protection. These concepts also lend themselves to mixed-use, commercial, student accommodation, hotels and healthcare projects.

To book in for the ventilation CPD with Renson Fabrications click here or email cpd@rensonuk.net