Bathroom Extractor Question

ilovefairies

hello,
we are having an extractor fan fitted into an existing airbrick that is high up in the wall in our bathroom, and i had a couple of questions.
is it ok to fit a fan into the airbrick space? any special requirements?
also, when using these - do you also need to have the window open at the same time as they are operating, or is it best to keep the window shut and just use the fan?
sorry to be dim - not had one in the house before!

thanks in advance

dampdaveski

Hi Fairies,
No problem fitting an extractor fan into an existing air brick opening as long as the outlet pipe is fitted tight up against the air brick fitted in your outside wall, this is usually 100mm round plastic pipe.
the space between the pipe at the back of the fan and the air brick should be filled in, preferably with brick / sand, cement, this will reduce the chance of condensation forming inside the cavity.

Best way to use a bathroom extractor is to have it on whilst using the shower / bath. Once finished open the window and keep the bathroom door closed (don't forget to close the window after half an hour or so)
the idea of this is to get as much of the saturated air out of the house as quickly as possible and to reduce the chance of this wet air migrating into the rest of your house

Hope that all makes sense
DD

greyteam1959

Get one with an adjustable timer on so that it runs on after the fan or light has been switched off.

HTH

phill99

Putting I into the air brick space is fine, providing they use a liner.

I find it best to use the extractor with the door shut and the window slightly open to allow cool dry air to replace the warm moist air in the room. This allows condensation to disperse pretty quickly.

ColinHBH

Easy question first. Leave the window shut and let the fan extract. the regulations state extract rate of 15 litres per second. Dependant on the size and quality it should be sufficient to extract without the use of natural ventilation.

Secondly there is no issue fitting in an existing airbrick depending on where the airbrick is located in the bathroom.

There is, however, a recommended zone for installing extract fans, a specification on the type and location of the electric wiring to the fan, usually a fused spare is needed. The extent of the zones in a bath or shower room can be limited by floors, ceilings and walls. For more detailed information see BS 7671 diagrams 701.1 & 701.2. Any electrical equipment installed on the surface of floors, ceilings and walls that limit a zone is subject to the requirements of that zone.

RCDs are required for all circuits in locations that contain a bath or shower.
If in doubt check th 17th edition IEE Wiring Regulations. Although they are very complex to understand. A good electrician will be up to speed with these regulations.

Hope this explains it!

ilovefairies

thank you all for your quick helpful replies!

an electrician is fitting the fan - just wanted to check regarding the airbrick situation!

does the whole area around the liner inside the airbrick space need to be filled with cement or whatever? (hope that makes sense!):)

dampdaveski

ilovefairies wrote: »

thank you all for your quick helpful replies!

an electrician is fitting the fan - just wanted to check regarding the airbrick situation!

does the whole area around the liner inside the airbrick space need to be filled with cement or whatever? (hope that makes sense!):)

it ought to be, I would consider it good practice to do so

Mojisola

We've got one that turns on when the humidity reaches a certain point and have found that works well for us.

Ours was installed where the old airbrick was.