ATTMA’s own, Sean Maxwell, examines the evolution of ventilation in Australian multi-residential buildings, emphasizing the principle of “build tight and ventilate right.” in the December 2024 edition of Ecolibrium Magazine.
Sean highlights that increasing airtightness in apartments, without effective ventilation, elevates risks of condensation, mould, and adverse health effects. The 2022 National Construction Code (NCC) mandates continuous ventilation for apartments with an air permeability below 5 m³/hr.m² at 50 Pa. However, a 2024 study by CSIRO and ATTMA found that 39% of apartments met this airtightness criterion, yet only a small fraction, primarily in the ACT and Victoria, had implemented continuous ventilation systems.
Sean argues that the NCC’s optional testing and reporting allow ventilation issues to persist. He advocates for mandatory continuous mechanical ventilation and compulsory airtightness testing in all apartments. He suggests that while any mechanical ventilation is beneficial, systems that are distributed, balanced, filtered, and incorporate heat recovery are superior. Additionally, he calls for better control over sources of supply air.
Drawing from personal experiences in Sydney apartments, Sean illustrates the inadequacy of relying solely on natural ventilation methods, such as air leakage and openable windows, to manage indoor moisture. He recounts living in a leaky apartment with persistent mould issues and contrasts this with a more airtight apartment equipped with a continuous exhaust ventilation system, which effectively reduced condensation.
He also discusses the challenges of simple continuous exhaust systems, including uneven distribution of ventilation in multi-story buildings, maintenance concerns, and the quality of makeup air entering through building cavities. Sean references ASHRAE 62.2-2022, which requires verification of airtightness and measures to reduce air transfer from undesirable locations, underscoring the importance of controlling makeup air sources to ensure indoor air quality.
In conclusion, Sean calls for a reassessment of current ventilation standards and practices in Australia, advocating for mandatory continuous mechanical ventilation and airtightness testing to ensure healthier living environments in increasingly airtight multi-residential buildings.
You find the whole article here: https://theecolibrium.com/2024/12/18/australian-ventilation-the-next-chapter/
