Quality Assurance in Building Ventilation Systems

Due to the EPBD (2010/31/EU) and the related Dutch regulation there's a strong focus on energy savings and efficiency in buildings for many years now. At the same time awareness is growing on all levels that building energy efficiency should not result in a reduction in (thermal) comfort and indoor air quality. Ventilation systems in buildings play an important role for obtaining good IAQ. Indeed, good working ventilation systems should be normative in relation to upcoming NZEB. Recent in situ research (e.g. MonICAIR see earlier AIVC conferences 2014/2015) shows that Dutch legislation and related ventilation standards and guidelines are not futureproof when it comes to achieving the desired IAQ in residential areas in homes. The Dutch National Standards Body (NEN) is currently working together with the market on a completely new generic standard (NEN 1087) for determination of the ventilation capacity of buildings. This standard will be connected to new Building Code, which under construction in the Netherlands and turns into effect for all buildings in 2017/2018 at latest. The Dutch government is also working on a new legislation system which is focusing on guaranteed building quality at the end of a building project. This will result in an "as built dossier" which proves the actual build quality (including the building services and energy performance) to the client. So in the future, only having the technical knowledge and skills will not be sufficient. It can be expected that qualification and certification schemes will become much more important. It offers the ability to demonstrate actual build quality, also with regard to the buildings services like ventilation systems.