Does a utility room need an extractor fan? Building Inspector got it wrong!?

[Tomsbuild29]

Hi everyone, 

 

We're found ourselves in a bit of a predicament. We have had the garage converted into a utility room and toilet.

 

We originally designed the rooms with extractor fans but the first building inspector said we dont need them because it's only a small room with openable windows. 

 

The second building inspector has come round now it's finished and said we need ventilation. This would be annoying to put in as the rooms are complete and decorated. 

 

Does anyone know the regs regarding utility rooms? Would it make a difference if we didn't put a tumble dryer in their? (Ps. The room only has a washing machine at present). 

 

Thanks in advance, 

Tom

[ProDave]

Where are you?  Which country?  You definitely need one if in Scotland?

[nod]

You do need an extractor in a utility room As far as BC are concerned 

 

[JohnMo]

15 minutes ago, Tomsbuild29 said:

utility room and toilet

Would say you need them in both rooms. Building regs give minimum flow rates required in every part of the UK.

 

That or nice mouldy windows etc in a few months of use.

[Big Jimbo]

Yep,i believe you need them in both.

[Blooda]

Yes you need them.

 

Don’t forget the utility extract | LABC

 

You might get away if you do not have a sink in the utility room. 

 

What do your approved drawing say? or did you use Building Notice.

 

[Mr Punter]

Yes, 100% need an extract.

 

You could use a dmev type.  The Greenwood CV2GIP seems popular on here.  It can be set up for bathrooms or kitchens and has humidistat and timer fan boost.

[bmj1]

Super interesting. We didn't put one in our utility room - I actually bought one intending to drill it in later.

 

Despite having 2 washing machines and a dryer in there, and a drying rack, the humidity has stayed consistently strong at 50%, there's clearly enough ventilation that it isn't required.

 

I'd be tempted to monitor humidity (link) - and depending on how it is looking - decide if you actually need to add it in.

 

Obviously - all assuming you can get it through your building control.

[Tomsbuild29]

50 minutes ago, Blooda said:

Yes you need them.

 

Don’t forget the utility extract | LABC

 

You might get away if you do not have a sink in the utility room. 

 

What do your approved drawing say? or did you use Building Notice.

 

Yes we don't have a sink. The plan was for a washing machine and tumble dryer. 

 

17 minutes ago, bmj1 said:

Super interesting. We didn't put one in our utility room - I actually bought one intending to drill it in later.

 

Despite having 2 washing machines and a dryer in there, and a drying rack, the humidity has stayed consistently strong at 50%, there's clearly enough ventilation that it isn't required.

 

I'd be tempted to monitor humidity (link) - and depending on how it is looking - decide if you actually need to add it in.

 

Obviously - all assuming you can get it through your building control.

 

We originally designed the utility extractor to be controlled of a humidistat but scrapped that when told it wasn't needed. I really can't imagine the room getting too humid at all. Did you have any issues with getting it throught building control? 

 

 

1 hour ago, ProDave said:

Where are you?  Which country?  You definitely need one if in Scotland?

Southampton.

 

 

1 hour ago, nod said:

You do need an extractor in a utility room As far as BC are concerned 

 

What about if its just a room with a washing machine? Doesn't need to be called a utility room haha 

 

50 minutes ago, Blooda said:

Yes you need them.

 

Don’t forget the utility extract | LABC

 

You might get away if you do not have a sink in the utility room. 

 

What do your approved drawing say? or did you use Building Notice.

 

We didn't have approved drawings. It didn't warrant drawings as should have been straightforward project. 

[marshian]

1 hour ago, JohnMo said:

Would say you need them in both rooms. Building regs give minimum flow rates required in every part of the UK.

 

That or nice mouldy windows etc in a few months of use.

 

My utility room has no extraction - it has an opening window (no trickle vent) that is never opened, there is a sink with H&C taps, freezer, fridge, washing machine, old school tumble dryer that is vented straight out thro the wall

 

It's been like that for 34 years we have lived here - tumble drier was purchased in the 1980's

 

We have zero mould, damp or any humidity issues so based on your statement I must be incredibly fortunate to have escaped this situation.

 

[Nickfromwales]

Some properties are leakier / more adverse so no 2 jobs can be compared in the real world.

 

If your current BCO says fit fans you’ll be fitting fans, that’s that really.

 

Yes, you can crack the window and never actually use the cloakroom fan, but if you drop the kids off at the pool you’ll want that being extracted, not wafted back through the house because the draught is incoming vs outgoing. 
 

I bought Icon fans with actuated shutters and they’re brilliant in winter for staving off the Baltic cold infiltration the previous open fan provided. Get some of those as if you decide to not use them you won’t suffer the draughts.