Venting extractor fan

Jaynorth_2

Hi,

My bathroom fitter has vented my extractor fan into the chimney in the loft space and I am concerned that this is wrong and could cause damp issues - am I correct in thinking this? I also thought that it was against building regulations but am not sure.

Could anyone please shed some light on this for me please.

dampdaveski

Jay,
Yes it is and yes it will!
An extractor fan should be fitted to vent directly outside with a sleeve through the wall, or to a roof vent, any duct runs over 1.5m should be in rigid ducting
The only way you would get away with it in a chimney stack would be to fit ducting up to a cowl on the top of the stack (not flexi duct) AND to fit a condensation trap in the ductwork

Jaynorth_2

Ok thanks for the confirmation. So essentially I have a cowboy who is trying to cut corners - why is it so difficult to get decent tradesmen.

dampdaveski

he might not be a cowboy Jay, just misinformed and untrained in the black art of installing domestic ventilation systems (a bathroom extractor most definitely comes under this category).
It's his next step after being informed of his error that will define whether he is a cowboy!
Good luck with it though

Jaynorth_2

dampdaveski wrote: »

he might not be a cowboy Jay, just misinformed and untrained in the black art of installing domestic ventilation systems (a bathroom extractor most definitely comes under this category).
It's his next step after being informed of his error that will define whether he is a cowboy!
Good luck with it though

Dave, I am inclined to think the worst because we initially agreed for him to ventilate it through the soffit and he only informed me that it was through the chimney after I asked about it and he usually runs most things by me before he does it like where a switch should be placed etc...

He gave the impression that it was exiting through the chimney stack and because the fan is in the corner of the loft he probably thought I would not bother to go up and have a look.

dampdaveski

ah!
guess he's not a fan of lying on his belly fighting with the soffit kit he forget to purchase to do the job properly -.-

muckybutt

Just another point - I hope the chimney isn't used by a boiler or an open fire ? If so this intrusion into the chimney is highly dangerous and potentially life threatening.