Bathroom Extractor / Ventilation

[Glassman]

Bathroom guy says we won't need mechanical extractor. Builder bloke says we do.

Bathroom has bath and separate shower enclosure. We're relying on vented windows for exchange of air... should we be having an extractor fan?

[LeeME3]

How big is the room?

TBH I'd play safe and get one fitted, they're not exactly expensive.... and almost certainly cheaper than dealing with subsequent damp etc if it turns out you did need it!

[mechsympathy]

AFAIK it depends on whether it's an existing bathroom. If it's not you need an extractor.

[tonyvid]

Did you hear about the guy that used to like tractors but doesn't any more?



















He is an ex-tractor fan.

[Huff]

Building regs Approved Doc F (para 1.5) says you do.

It's be silly not to fit one while everything's apart though - it really will help control condensation in there. Cheap, too.

Edited by Huff on Tuesday 2nd September 16:59

[Glassman]

mechsympathy said:

AFAIK it depends on whether it's an existing bathroom. If it's not you need an extractor.

Always was a bathroom, but the separate toilet has been knocked through to make one large room. Measures about 11 x 12.

[ATTAK Z]

Huff is right - why not fit one with heat recovery - and help save the planet at the same time

[mechsympathy]

Glassman said:

Always was a bathroom, but the separate toilet has been knocked through to make one large room. Measures about 11 x 12.

Do you have building regs involved? They're the only ones that'll be bothered, and they're generally quite helpful if you ask them. They wanted an extractor in the new bathroom we'd converted from a bedroom and weren't bothered about the existing bathroom we refitted.

[cjs]

I've got one fitted in my bathroom, I never use it, I just open a window if it gets a bit steamy. It was cheap to fit, think the fan cost me £12 a few years back and it was easy to fit through the outside wall when the bathroom was done.

[V12Les]

As a builder/developer i'd say yes put one in, and not a cheap one. Why would'nt you?

[Glassman]

V12Les said:

As a builder/developer i'd say yes put one in, and not a cheap one. Why would'nt you?

Because bathroom supplier said no need. His fitter also said no need.

[V12Les]

Well i'll side with your builder guy, would'nt be an option in my eyes. Also it saves leaving the window open if your on your way out after a shower or anything else that begins with an S.

[B17NNS]

New bathrooms need extraction to comply with building regs. Re-fits of exisiting ones don't but it is nice to put in if the room is in bits anyway. If you can fit an in-line one (pretty much silent). Also think about control, do you want it to come on when you turn the light on? You can also get them with humidistats fitted so they come on automatically when you have a steamy shower or bath.

Shame you can't get them with stistats really for when the mrs goes and drops the kids off.

Edited by B17NNS on Tuesday 2nd September 18:01

[Glassman]

B17NNS said:

New bathrooms need extraction to comply with building regs. Re-fits of exisiting ones don't but it is nice to put in.

This is a refit of pre-existing.

My builder mate suggested fitting extractor in the ceiling and out through the roof.

[Busamav]

Glassman said:

mechsympathy said:

AFAIK it depends on whether it's an existing bathroom. If it's not you need an extractor.

Always was a bathroom, but the separate toilet has been knocked through to make one large room. Measures about 11 x 12.

Then by rights , you need a 15 litres / sec extract fan ducted to fresh air .

If you didnt apply for building regs for the works it will never get picked up , but i would recomend you install one

along with a trickle vent providing 10,000mm2 of free ventilation

[B17NNS]

Glassman said:

My builder mate suggested fitting extractor in the ceiling and out through the roof.

Out through the soffit is easier if you have access but you can probably get a matching vent tile for your roof if you want to go that way. The other way would be a core drill through an external wall.

You need a proper spark to wire up anything in the bathroom as I'm sure you are aware (part P) and it will need isolation outside the room.

In answer to your original question technically no it is not required for a re-fit but I would put one in if I were you. If building control are involved (maybe removal of wall?) ask them what they would like to see. I find them to be very helpful knowledgable chaps and good people to have on your side.

[Glassman]

Busamav said:

If you didnt apply for building regs for the works it will never get picked up

Refitting an old bathroom??

Mind you, I never thought I'd need permission for the decking...

[ATTAK Z]

Glassman said:

Busamav said:

If you didnt apply for building regs for the works it will never get picked up

Refitting an old bathroom??

Mind you, I never thought I'd need permission for the decking...

The decking was about Planning Approval, this Building Regs - totally different

[Glassman]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Because the bathroom supplier talked me out of it.

Bathroom fitter also said it wasn't an issue if we didn't have one.

[Busamav]

ATTAK Z said:

Glassman said:

Busamav said:

If you didnt apply for building regs for the works it will never get picked up

Refitting an old bathroom??

Mind you, I never thought I'd need permission for the decking...

The decking was about Planning Approval, this Building Regs - totally different

absolutely , who said different ?