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#67- Barry Cope: You Can't Manage What You Don't Measure: How Proper Ventilation Testing Could Save Lives
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The quality of air we breathe in our homes directly impacts our health, yet the ventilation systems responsible for delivering that air are failing at alarming rates. In this eye-opening conversation with Barry Cope, Group Managing Director of ATMA and SITMA, we delve into the troubling disconnect between air tightness testing (which has improved dramatically) and ventilation commissioning (which remains woefully inadequate).
Barry reveals the shocking truth that ventilation systems fail to meet even minimum performance standards, creating serious health risks for occupants. We explore the technical differences between testing methodologies and why accurate measurement matters—you wouldn't guess at electrical amperage or concrete composition, so why accept guesswork with something as vital as ventilation?
What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Barry's data-driven perspective. His organisation has collected over a billion data points on building performance, creating unprecedented insights into real-world system operation. This data revolution mirrors what's happening with environmental sensors being deployed in homes, leading us toward a future where ventilation systems automatically adjust based on air quality measurements rather than arbitrary timers.
The parallels to automotive safety standards are striking—just as we wouldn't accept cars with failing brakes, we shouldn't tolerate ventilation systems that don't deliver clean air. This isn't just about comfort; it's about preventing serious health conditions, including respiratory disease, cardiovascular problems, and even cognitive decline.
If you're building, renovating, or simply concerned about the air you breathe, this episode offers crucial knowledge about what's going wrong and how we can fix it. Listen now to understand why proper ventilation testing could literally save lives, and what changes are needed in regulations and industry practices to protect our health.
Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more. And the YouTube Channel
This Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.
21 Degrees
Aereco
Aico
Ultra Protect
InBiot
All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.
Chapters
1. Welcome and Introduction (00:00:00)
2. ATMA's Journey into Ventilation Testing (00:02:06)
3. The Shocking State of Ventilation Testing (00:08:49)
4. Unconditional vs Conditional Testing Methods (00:17:03)
5. Air Tightness and Ventilation: Inseparable Partners (00:29:05)
6. Data-Driven Ventilation: The Future of Measurement (00:38:25)
7. Automation and Edge Data in Modern Systems (00:54:31)
8. Retrofit Challenges and Regulatory Gaps (01:08:28)
9. Moral Responsibility in Ventilation Standards (01:14:21)
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