Locating ventilation inlets to reduce ingress of external pollutants into buildings: A new methodology IP 9 14
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
Locating ventilation inlets to reduce ingress of external pollutants into buildings: A new methodology (IP 9/14), was written by Hong Cheng, Vina Kukadia and David Hall. It was published by BRE on 27 June 2014.
Studies have shown that the general population spends 90% or more of their time indoors, and the most susceptible individuals, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions, spend almost all their time indoors. This means that the quality of indoor air is of great importance to health, comfort and wellbeing.
Effective ventilation to provide optimum indoor air quality relies on good outdoor air quality. In practice however, outdoor air may be contaminated by pollutants. A new methodology has been developed, using a Pollutant Ingress Index, to identify areas of a building where pollutant ingress is most likely and to determine the relative magnitude of this ingress.
This methodology will assist with:
- Placement of ventilation inlets so that pollution can be minimised.
- Carrying out more effective indoor air quality assessments to ensure successful planning applications.
- Developing strategies to protect building occupants from toxic contaminants releases, whether accidentally (such as from storage tanks and fires) or intentionally (such as from chemical, biological, radiological or explosive incidents).
The methodology is intended for use by professionals such; as architects, developers, planners and building services engineers, as well as regulatory authorities such as; environmental health, building control, planning officers and public health departments.
The contents of the 16-page Information Paper are:
- Introduction.
- Earlier BRE studies.
- Impact of outdoor pollutants on indoor environments.
- Methodology for determining the Pollutant Ingress Index.
- Wind tunnel studies.
- Application of the new methodology.
- Practical application of the Pollutant Ingress Index.
- Conclusions.
- References.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Air change rates.
- Air quality.
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- BREEAM Indoor air quality plan.
- BREEAM Indoor air quality Ventilation.
- BREEAM Indoor pollutants VOCs.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Cross ventilation.
- Displacement ventilation.
- Domestic ventilation systems performance.
- HVAC.
- Indoor air quality,
- Indoor air velocity.
- Mechanical ventilation.
- Natural ventilation.
- Sick building syndrome.
- Stack effect.
- Ventilation.
- Wellbeing.
- Whole building ventilation.
Featured articles and news
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation which closes 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.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.