What are UK ventilation requirements by sector?

Part F minimums: offices 6 ACH, retail 8, restaurants 10, gyms 12, commercial kitchens 12+. Higher figures apply to smoking areas and treatment rooms.

What is MVHR and when do I need it?

MVHR is mechanical ventilation with heat recovery that brings in fresh air while reusing warmth from the air being extracted so your space stays comfortable without wasting energy. You typically need it in well sealed offices gyms and refurbishments where opening windows is not enough to meet recommended air changes per hour and where running costs matter.

Can ventilation and air conditioning share ductwork?

Yes on VRV/VRF systems with dedicated fresh-air units, no on split systems. Sharing ducts on splits recirculates contaminants and breaches Part F.

Commercial ventilation guides

Building Regs Part F, ACH requirements by sector and MVHR integration.

Key facts

Offices need 6 ACH; commercial kitchens 12+.
MVHR recovers ~90% of extracted heat.
Part F non-compliance blocks Building Control sign-off.

AccuTemp designs and installs commercial ventilation systems to keep air fresh and temperatures consistent in offices shops and other busy spaces. We regularly work with MVHR units VAM and Lossnay systems plus AHUs with supply fans and heat recovery ventilation chosen to meet recommended air changes per hour for each site.

Guides in ventilation

UK ventilation requirements by sector
Offices 6 ACH, retail 8, restaurants 10, gyms 12, kitchens 12+ — what Part F requires.

Common questions about ventilation

What are UK ventilation requirements by sector?: Part F minimums: offices 6 ACH, retail 8, restaurants 10, gyms 12, commercial kitchens 12+. Higher figures apply to smoking areas and treatment rooms.
What is MVHR and when do I need it?: MVHR is mechanical ventilation with heat recovery that brings in fresh air while reusing warmth from the air being extracted so your space stays comfortable without wasting energy. You typically need it in well sealed offices gyms and refurbishments where opening windows is not enough to meet recommended air changes per hour and where running costs matter.
Can ventilation and air conditioning share ductwork?: Yes on VRV/VRF systems with dedicated fresh-air units, no on split systems. Sharing ducts on splits recirculates contaminants and breaches Part F.