Ventilation requirements in large garages - A couple of Q's

[fisha]

I am planning on doing some work to a byre which is attached to the side of our farmhouse. At the moment, there is a single door + 2 windows facing onto the driveway running upto it. The plan is to change that to a larger barn door setup which would be wide enough to get a vehicle through into the garage space on the odd occasion I would want to do some repair work on it ( but not engine-running repair work)

As I'm specifying vehicle storage, I have to meet specific ventilation requirements ( which is fair enough ). The trouble is that whilst I'll only ever get 1 car into the space of the byre due to its layout and other stuff in the space, the overall footprint of the byre is >60sqm ... which in Scotland puts it into non-domestic building regs.

The non-domestic regs say that for natural ventilation, I'd basically need wall openings of approaching 4sqm ... I might as well leave not fit doors, and leave the place open. For mechanical ventilation, I'd need 6 changes of air per hour... again, acheivable without too much fuss.

My questions are ...

- Does ventilation have to apply 24/7 ? or does it only apply when the space is acutally being used such as me simply leaving the barn doors fully open when I'm in it? ( which would give a ventilation area approaching 6sqm ) then closing them when not. ( the design of the doors would leave significant gaps (3" etc ) top and bottom for trickle air flow when the place is closed up )

- Similarly, does mechanical ventilation have to work 24/7 ? of can it be selectively switched on when I'm in the space. I dont really want to have 400W of extractor fans running 24/7 killing the leccy bill.


I knowthat Scottish regs apply to me, but I'm just looking for general principles of whether it needs to be constant ventilation, or when space in use ventilation.

Thanks

 

[KenGMac]

fisha, Good evening.

Can I suggest a call to your local building Control office.

As with most interpretations the requirements will vary place to place and indeed within one area of a town.

Given you are applying for Vehicle Storage, with limited engine emissions. you could possibly emphasise storage rather than a working repair shop.

As an aside have you considered the Fire Risk of your proposed storage area?

Ken.

 

[fisha]

Lol, funny you should mention the fire aspect ...

I'll give the office a call tomorrow.

thanks!

 

[kylegordon]

Lol, funny you should mention the fire aspect ...

I'll give the office a call tomorrow.

thanks!

How did you get on with this? I've just found myself in the same boat, with 68sqm, and a need to put a 3.4sqm worth of holes in the wall for natural ventilation, or 6ACH mechanical ventilation.

I'm leaning towards mechanical ventilation, but just assumed I could run it when the building is occupied.

Am also in Scotland, in the countryside, fields all around me.