Fresh air
The term ‘fresh air’ is commonly used to refer to air that is outside (or from outside) a building or enclosed space, as opposed to that which is inside. In order to ensure a good supply of fresh air, buildings need to be properly ventilated. Sometimes air that is not fresh is referred to as 'stale air'.
The provision of fresh air in a building is important to occupants’ wellbeing and has several benefits, including:
- Increasing oxygen availability and removing carbon dioxide.
- Maintaining a comfortable temperature.
- Enabling optimum brain functioning, increasing energy levels and improving concentration.
- Diluting and removing odours.
- Helping to moderate internal humidity.
- Reducing the accumulation of moisture, bacteria, dust, smoke and other contaminants.
Insufficient fresh air can result in occupants feeling tired, experiencing headaches, irritated eyes, and so on.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require that an employer does what is needed to make sure that every enclosed workplace is ventilated by a sufficient quantity of fresh or purified air. It states that the fresh air supply rate should not normally fall below 5-8 litres per second, per occupant. The appropriate rate should be decided by several factors, such as the amount of floor space per occupant, the work activity, possible sources of airborne hazards, and so on.
For more information see: Ventilation.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Air.
- Air conditioning.
- Air quality.
- Air Quality Taskforce.
- At a glance - Indoor air quality.
- Bringing a breath of fresh air to the design of indoor environments.
- Building related illness.
- Clean indoor air for healthy living - New air filter standards.
- Human comfort in buildings.
- Indoor air quality.
- Sick building syndrome.
- Re-circulation air.
- Stale air.
- Thermal comfort.
- Ventilation.
Featured articles and news
Licensing construction in the UK
As the latest report and proposal to licence builders reaches Parliament.
Building Safety Alliance golden thread guidance
Extensive excel checklist of information with guidance document freely accessible.
Fair Payment Code and other payment initiatives
For fair and late payments, need to work together to add value.
Pre-planning delivery programmes and delay penalties
Proposed for housebuilders in government reform: Speeding Up Build Out.
High street health: converting a building for healthcare uses
The benefits of health centres acting as new anchor sites in the high street.
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.