Property Care Association launches ventilation training programme

The Property Care Association has announced the launch of a new training programme, ‘Evaluating Ventilation in existing buildings’ to give professionals the skills and confidence to make informed evaluations of the ventilation in homes.

The one-day course will provide attendees with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and understand background infiltration and fixed ventilation, as well as the evaluation of the effectiveness of ventilation systems 1-4 as defined in approved document F of the building regulations. Students will also be taught how to use their informed site observations to assess the risk and understand the implications of moisture-related problems.

With condensation and mould now the most common forms of dampness in buildings, it is vital to ensure homes have adequate provisions for air exchange. Steve Hodgson, chief executive of the Property Care Association, (PCA) explains: “It is becoming essential for anyone that inspects buildings to understand the significant role that ventilation plays in delivering comfortable, healthy and safe homes. This new training course delivers the knowledge that surveyors must now have.”

The first course is set to be held on 31st July at the PCA’s training centre in Huntingdon, at a special rate of £100 plus VAT, (normal rate £185 plus VAT) – you can find out more here.

The issue of effective ventilation is a major focus of the PCA. As well as the International Residential Ventilation & Preservation of Buildings Conference, and the trade body’s training programme, other initiatives from the PCA include the development of a Residential Ventilation Group (RVG), the publication of a ‘Code of Practice for the Investigation and Provision of Ventilation in Existing Dwellings’ and a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University College London Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (UCL IEDE).

The PCA has also produced a video offering a comprehensive overview of the issues faced, you can view it here.