Guidelines on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in schools, Building Bulletin 101

Overview

We are consulting on “Guidelines on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in schools", Building Bulletin (BB101). This will replace the 2006 edition of BB101.

The departmental guidance given in BB101 describes how to meet the requirements of the regulations which apply to ventilation in schools including the Building Regulations, Health and Safety legislation including the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations.

Guidance is given on how to design ventilation in schools.

Minimum comfort criteria are given to avoid problems of cold drafts and summertime overheating.

The revision includes the latest guidelines on indoor air quality and the reduction of pollutants.

Why your views matter

We would like feedback from school client bodies and designers on the proposed new guidelines for schools. The proposed draft has been produced in consultation with a representative industry steering group, however we are aware that not all stakeholders can be represented on this group.

We are also carrying out a Business Engagement. This has already started and will continue during the consultation period. The Business Engagement includes the production of an assessment of the impact on business including schools in the private sector. We have produced the Business Engagement Assessment (BEA) in accordance with guidelines from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. This includes a calculation of the Estimated Annual Net Cost to Business (EANCB). The BEA and EANCB calculation are available for download with the draft BB101. There is one question on the BEA and we will continue to engage with business during the consulation period.  

What happens next

An editorial review committee whose members will include EFA, and a small group chosen from the larger BB101 Advisory Group will consider the responses and revise the publication as necessary before final publication.

A government response to the consultation will be published at the same time as the final version of BB101 is published. 

The final Business Engagement Assessment will be available at the same time as the government response and findings from the BEA will be included in the response.