Changes to Approved Document F of the Building Regulations requiring trickle vents in the majority of replacement windows and doors came into effect in Wales on 23 November 2022, according to FENSA, the window and door installation certification body. The same changes came into effect in England on the 15th of June 20221.
Approved Document F covers background ventilation, and FENSA states that adequate ventilation needs to be provided to prevent excess condensation build up which could damage the structure of a property1. The changes require the majority of replacement windows and doors to be fitted with trickle vents. A trickle vent is described as a device that allows fresh air to circulate naturally through a room and allow polluted air out, creating a small permanent opening in a window or door even when it is closed1.
"The changes to Approved Document F come into effect from the 15 th of June 2022 in England and the 23rd of November 2022 in Wales."
FENSA states that any window and door installation taking place from the relevant date onwards must comply with the new building regulations, and that the date on which the contract was signed has no bearing on the registration of the work with FENSA. If the installation takes place from the 15th of June 2022 onwards it will be expected to comply with the new building regulations1. Responsibility for ensuring replacement windows and doors comply with the Approved Document rests with the window installation company, FENSA states1.
Exemptions exist, for example listed buildings and conservation areas, and FENSA states these should be discussed with a FENSA Approved Installer. FENSA also states that disclaimers and indemnity policies are not valid and will not be taken into consideration by LABC (Local Authority Building Control)1.
| Nation | Date Approved Document F changes took effect |
|---|---|
| England | 15th of June 2022 |
| Wales | 23rd of November 2022 |
Why it matters for households
Trickle vents provide permanent background ventilation in a home that has been made more airtight by insulation and improved windows and doors. FENSA states that over the years homes have become better insulated and windows and doors have improved so that homes are no longer naturally ventilated as they have been in past decades, meaning pollutants, condensation and mould can build up inside1. For a household in Wales, a replacement window or door installed from 23 November 2022 onwards is expected to include this ventilation, which affects how the home manages moisture and indoor air without relying on windows being opened. The rules apply to the majority of replacements, with exemptions for listed buildings and conservation areas1. Further detail on trickle vents when replacing windows and on where Welsh rules differ sits alongside the wider Part F ventilation requirements.
What happens next
FENSA states that it will be the responsibility of the window installation company to ensure replacement windows and doors comply with the Approved Document, and directs households to speak to a FENSA Approved Installer about the changes and what they mean for the property1. No further dates for Wales have been reported.
Sources1 cited
- Building Regulations | What is Approved Document F?, fensa.org.uk