extractor fan isolator switch

[JohnW2]

My BCO has demanded a fan if the bathroom is new, regardless of a window, and said a fan is not needed if the bathroom has a window and it is old (for example refurbished as part of more general work). To me, it sounds like a very grey and discretionary area. Especially paragraph 3.31

Indeed. You are quote the 2021 amendment to Approved Document F. Whilst not 'mandatory', it is not unreasonable for BCOs to use that document as a guide to their personal interpretation of the (extremely vague) actual regulations/law.

However, as you imply (and illustrate) even this guidance is very vague. In particular, as you quote, it includes "... additional ventilation may be necessary if refurbishment work is likely to make the building less compliant with the ventilation requirements of the Building Regulations than it was before the work was carried out." - hence still leaving an unstaisfactory amount of subjective discretion between BCOs, hence undoubtedly different decisions about the same situation by different BCOs.

I do not find this a particularly satisfactory situation.

 

[akist]

And why do we need a utility room fan, come what may? We do not cook in the utility and we have window and door.

 

[Murdochcat]

And why do we need a utility room fan, come what may? We do not cook in the utility and we have window and door.

I think that’s more to do with most utilities having washing machines and tumble dryers and if no ventilation is provided then there is the potential for damp , mould and health issues to be created.

The BCO’s around here are fairly consistent

Extension or new builds- extractors required in cloakrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, shower rooms, ensuites, wet rooms and utilities. Never been asked about isolation switches.

The consistency is clear, and to add extractors at the point of build is easy

 

[EFLImpudence]

The BCO’s around here are fairly consistent

It is possible to be consistently wrong.

 

[akist]

If I am not mistaken there is no requirement for having fans permanently operating. I could have vents over all windows and keep them shut, and could have extractor fans in utility rooms, kitchen, bathrooms and keep them all switched off.

 

[SUNRAY]

If I am not mistaken there is no requirement for having fans permanently operating. I could have vents over all windows and keep them shut, and could have extractor fans in utility rooms, kitchen, bathrooms and keep them all switched off.

You could.
And if you are a rental tenant you complain to the council and/or EHO and/or the local paper blaming the landlord for the bad black mould conditions you have to live in,

 

[EFLImpudence]

If I am not mistaken there is no requirement for having fans permanently operating.

Of course not.

I could have vents over all windows and keep them shut, and could have extractor fans in utility rooms, kitchen, bathrooms and keep them all switched off.

Or you could have none of those things and no problems in the building.