Ventilation system reviews urged amidst MEES compliance concerns

Recent research indicates that a large percentage of UK office buildings do not comply with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) legislation. The study, conducted by property consultancy Carter Jonas, found that only 31.6% of office stock meets the proposed MEES standard of EPC band C or better, required by 2027. Furthermore, only 8.3% of office stock is in EPC band B, the minimum MEES requirement by 2030.

With the tightening of MEES regulations, a substantial proportion of office buildings could be unlettable by 2027 unless necessary upgrades are carried out.

David Millward, group product manager at Elta Fans, suggests that building owners and facilities managers should review ventilation systems to ensure compliance with MEES and Part F of the Building Regulations. He emphasises the importance of continuous monitoring of indoor air quality, particularly in populated spaces like offices.

Commenting on MEES, David Millward said:

“We encourage building owners and facilities managers to collaborate with ventilation experts, to pinpoint areas where energy efficiency improvements can be made. As MEES regulations continue to evolve, the need for proactive action becomes increasingly evident. Taking these steps now secures the long-term sustainability and marketability of non-residential properties while providing more comfortable and energy-efficient spaces for tenants.”

To meet the impending legislative requirements of MEES, it is essential to also align operations with other regulations such as Part F of the Building Regulations, which governs ventilation, stresses David. One uplift that came during the uplift of the regulations last year is that it is now required for CO2 monitors to be installed to measure air quality in new build office spaces.

“To maintain optimal indoor air quality and comply with Part F, continuous monitoring is essential,” said David. “Although CO2 monitoring is mandated only for new builds, we encourage its wider use for its benefits in defining air quality strategies. Our partnership with Airthings allows managers to track key indoor air quality parameters. This approach promotes health, productivity, and compliance with environmental standards, contributing to safer, healthier, and more sustainable indoor environments.”

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