Busting the myths of Trickle Vents
"RISA has reported instances of signed disclaimers being provided as a means of avoiding fitting trickle vents.
But it’s very clear that these disclaimers are not valid. When the regulations came into force, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said:
“A disclaimer signed by the homeowner stating that they do not wish to have background ventilators or that they will be installed in future is not a suitable way of complying with the Building Regulations. Work must comply with the Building Regulations and competent person schemes must monitor their registrants and take action against any registrant who is found to have carried out non-compliant work.”
The Department also adds: “Purchasing an indemnity policy is also not a suitable alternative to meeting the requirements of the Building Regulations in full.”
To reiterate, disclaimers and indemnity policies are not a valid way to provide compliance. If they are used, installations will be non-compliant and installers put their businesses at real risk if they use them.
This isn’t alarmist by any means. In the past, non-compliance might have been seen as a risk worth taking. That’s no longer the case. Local Authority Building Control (LABC) requires confirmation that each building complies, so there’s nowhere to hide.
Concerns around trickle vents typically fall into two categories: the effect on U values (and therefore compliance with Part L relating to thermal efficiency) and the aesthetics.
In terms of U values, it’s important to know that trickle vents have very little impact on them"
So with few exceptions, always discuss and ensure your home renovation is compliant
Take a look at Glazpart Link Vent MK II