Breathing City: Future Urban Ventilation Network

Lead Research Organisation: University of Leeds
Department Name: Civil Engineering

Abstract

Poor air quality is widely recognised to affect human health and wellbeing. Cumulative exposure to pollutants throughout the life course is a determinant for numerous long term health conditions including dementia, heart disease and diabetes, Short term high exposures are shown to exacerbate conditions such as asthma and COPD, increase risks of heart attacks and stroke and influence respiratory infections. The very young, very old and those with pre-existing conditions are most at risk and inequality further increases this; the poorest in society often live in the lowest quality housing in the most polluted areas. Human exposure to air pollutants occurs in both indoor and outdoor environments. Urban air pollution results from a combination of local outdoor sources (e.g. transport, combustion, industry) and regional and large scale atmospheric transport of pollutants. We spend up to 90% of our time indoors and indoor air quality is therefore a significant part of human exposure. Indoor air quality is influenced by the climate, weather and air quality in the external environment in addition to local indoor sources (e.g. microorganisms, chemicals cleaning and personal care, cooking, industry processes, emissions from building materials, heating and mechanical systems) and the building design and operation.

In all cases it is the airflows within and between indoor and outdoor locations that enables the transport of pollutants and ultimately determines human exposures. Understanding airflows is therefore at the heart developing effective mitigating actions, particularly in cases where there is limited ability to remove a pollutant source. Being able to predict the influence of airflows enables understanding of how pollutants are likely to move within and between buildings in a city, both under normal day-to-day conditions and in response to emergencies such as heatwaves or wildfires. With the right computational and measurement tools it is then possible to change the design or management of city neighbourhoods enabling better urban flows to reduce exposure to pollutants and also to innovate new ventilation solutions to control the indoor environment in buildings. While there are a number of approaches that already enable assessment of urban flows and indoor flows, these aspects are not currently considered together in an integrated way or focused on optimising environments for health.

The Future Urban Ventilation Network (FUVN) aims to address this by defining a new holistic methodology - the Breathing City. This will define a new integrated assessment approach that considers coupled indoor-outdoor flows together to minimise exposure for people within a neighbourhood who are most at risk from the effects of poor air quality. The network will bring together people from a range of disciplines and areas of application with a common interest in improving urban and indoor airflows to improve health. Through small scale research and workshop activities we will advance the understanding of the fluid dynamics that determines the physics of this indoor-outdoor exchange. The network will develop a research programme to address technical gaps in modelling and measuring pollutant transport and how we can use this to determine long and short term exposures to a range of pollutants. We will work collaboratively with industry, policy makers and the public to understand how this approach could change city planning, building design guidance and community actions to enable health based future urban ventilation design and to "design out" health risks for people who are most vulnerable.

Planned Impact

The FUVN network is expected to benefit multiple people and organisations both during the funding and through subsequent research and networking activities. Network members and their organisations will be the initial beneficiaries with impacts on industry, public sector and academic research and policy makers through the network events and small scale research activities. These impacts are likely to range from knowledge exchange and improved understanding through to direct influences on strategy and innovation in organisations through the outcomes from workshops and small scale research activities. Beyond the duration of funding we expect that the network will act as an enabler for larger scale research and innovation projects linking members in academia with industry and public sector partners. The range of organisations who may benefit ranges from SMEs to large multinational companies and includes public health and NHS bodies, architecture, urban design and city planning, building design and construction, organisations developing sensors and smart technologies, the ventilation industry, organisations who maintain and manage buildings, and professional and policy facing bodies who are responsible for guidance, standards and regulation. Beneficiaries also include the researchers within the network, particularly early career researchers and PhD students.

The network is expected to influence aspects of air quality explored by other networks funded through the same grant call as well as projects across the UKRI Clean Air Programme. The FUVN network focuses on enabling approaches which could have substantial benefit to assessment of sensor data, chemistry, fate of specific pollutants, exposure and health risks, as well as to facilitate assessment of specific environments. Likewise the knowledge generated through these other networks and projects will benefit the FUVN Breathing City approach. By working closely with the other networks and Clean Air Champions we will identify opportunities for collaboration and co-benefits. The FUVN approach aligns to the Clean Air Framework development and could directly support the models that sit within this structure; our partnership with the Met Office will support this impact.

FUVN is expected to benefit the wider public and community groups. Community science activities will raise understanding of ventilation and air quality among those involved in the small-scale research programme, while dissemination of network outcomes in a format that is accessible to the public could have a national impact on awareness of effective ventilation for health.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Title Festival of the Mind 
Description Breathing City's Dr Abigail Hathway from the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering at the University of Sheffield has worked with artist Sian Williams to create a short video about ventilation for Sheffield's Festival of the Mind. Festival of the Mind takes place across Sheffield from 15 - 25 September 2022 and sees the brightest minds from the University of Sheffield collaborate with the city's cultural and creative industries, to help bring their research to life in exciting, entertaining and innovative ways. Free exhibitions, films, performances, workshops and talks across 3 venues exploring University of Sheffield research that is helping tackle some of the biggest issues impacting society and the planet. 
Type Of Art Artistic/Creative Exhibition 
Year Produced 2022 
Impact Continue collaboration between FUVN and sian that will lead to future exhibitions 
URL https://breathingcity.org/festival-of-the-mind/
 
Description We have contributed to policy, practice and public awareness and knowledge of ventilation and solutions to mitigating poor indoor air quality through a number of routes. We were instrumental in establishing World Ventilation Day, a new annual day on 8th November, launched in 2022, that promotes the importance of ventilation for healthy and sustainable buildings. This had an international reach with very significant social media coverage, a number of events and engagement from professional bodies around the world and UK government departments. In 2023 BESA formally supported the event organisation and we have a steering group from multiple organisations including CIBSE, IMechE, REHVA and others. We have authored a substantial chapter within the Chief Medical Officers Annual report on Air Quality in 2022 which sets out solutions for tackling poor indoor air and provides a significant resource for policy makers. We have also played a key role throughout the pandemic and beyond in providing effective advice on mitigating the transmission of COVID-19 with a number of organisations and government departments. Through engagement with the Royal Academy of Engineering have prepared key policy facing reports to support action in government departments around improving infection resilience in buildings including two reports on infection resilient environments (2021 and 2022), an interactive ventilation graphic (2023), plus further ongoing work on the interface between safety, health and sustainability in buildings. We have provided aural and written evidence to a number of parliamentary inquires on indoor air quality and building performance. Work on ventilation in small businesses has enabled significant engagement and new guidance for Environmental Health Officers.
First Year Of Impact 2020
Impact Types Societal

Policy & public services

 
Description Advisory group - cabinet office ventilation
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description CMO report
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chief-medical-officers-annual-report-2022-air-pollution
 
Description EAC inquiry on air quality
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/121572/html/
 
Description Expert Panel Member, Cabinet Office Technical Advisory Panel to UK Government Departments
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
Impact Ventilation Technical Advisory Panel Terms of Reference 1. These Terms of Reference set out the purpose, coordination and operation of the Ventilation Technical Advisory Panel recommended by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser. 2. This Panel aims to enhance XHMG understanding of and expertise on implementing ventilation as part of infection-resilient environments - providing ideas, critique and insight on departmental ventilation plans covering relevant settings / sectors. The emphasis is on implementation rather than theory. Aims and objectives 3. The Panel aims to provide a forum to: a. Support departments to operationalise and implement government and industry advice and guidance on ventilation - addressing the more specific technical and practical recommendations to reduce airborne transmission risk; b. Build greater understanding of the challenges of improving ventilation across departments and settings, and the potential solutions. c. Provide friendly, critical challenges to departmental implementation plans at an earlier or more advanced stage. Governance and membership 4. The first three meetings will be Chaired by John Fitzpatrick, Director of the Education and Wider Public Services directorate in the Cabinet Office Covid-19 Task Force and are likely to be on a monthly basis. The group will then be reviewed after the first three meetings have taken place. 5. The Group includes representatives from a range of appropriate technical specialisms, including academia, engineering, building safety, air quality and infection control. 6. Draft policy papers, guidance or reports are shared with members for the sole purpose of obtaining expert challenge, review or advice. They may not represent Government policy or the Government's final conclusions on any matter. Draft papers shared with Panel members must not be disclosed further without specific permission being granted. Ventilation group meetings will be held at the classification [OFFICIAL SENSITIVE]. 7. Virtual Technical Advisory Panel members may speak to the media in their individual capacity as experts but the content of Virtual Technical Advisory Panel meetings and papers or correspondence shall remain confidential. 8. The role of the Virtual Technical Advisory Panel Secretariat is to support the Virtual Technical Advisory Panel in providing technical advice. This will include coordinating the Virtual Technical Advisory Panel work programme, managing membership and recording
 
Description Health and Social Care Committee Evidence
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/118251/html/
 
Description Indoor Air Quality at home: Quality Standards Advisory Committee, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Public Health Advisory Committee on Indoor Air Quality
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact Many people know about the health risks caused by outdoor air pollution. But how often do we think about the effects of the air we breathe at home? Air pollutants in the home range from mould spores caused by dampness to toxic fumes from gas cookers, open fires, candles or wood burners. They also include allergens from house dust mites and vapours from household sprays, cleaning materials, paintwork and furnishings. Poor air quality at home can lead to discomfort like a tickly throat, blocked nose or watery eyes, but it can also trigger illnesses like asthma, allergies or a heart condition. People who spend more time at home, for example young children and frail older people, are particularly vulnerable. But others are at risk too, including pregnant women and their unborn babies, people with a heart or lung condition, and people living in poor quality housing. We want this guideline to help everyone to live in homes with the best possible air quality by making sure: every local authority has a plan for improving the air in people's homes local authorities raise awareness about poor air quality at home among professionals who can help tackle the problem, and the public professionals like housing officers, healthcare staff and social workers know how to spot people at risk from poor air quality - and how to help them get a housing assessment or home inspection people know what practical steps can improve the air at home, like using an extractor fan when cooking architects, designers, builders and contractors comply with building standards when working on both new and existing homes, and follow manufacturers' instructions on how to use paints, adhesives, solvents and other materials that can pollute indoor air property managers and landlords meet their responsibilities to help prevent problems from indoor air pollution for their tenants.
URL https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng149/informationforpublic
 
Description Infection Resilient Environments Pt 2
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://nepc.raeng.org.uk/infection-resilient-environments
 
Description Infection resilient environments
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://raeng.org.uk/news/time-for-a-major-upgrade-of-buildings-to-create-healthier-indoor-environme...
 
Description Invited member UK Government Advisory group: Government's review of guidance available to the housing sector on the health effects of damp and mould. Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
Impact Everyone has the right to a warm, secure and decent home and to be treated with dignity and fairness. Yet many people in England are living in a home with damp and mould, which may put their health at risk. Estimates of the number of homes in England with damp and mould range from 4% to 27% of homes, or 962,000 to 6.5 million households.[footnote 1] [footnote 2] The reported figure varies due to differences in how damp and mould is measured and how it is reported. People living in private or social rented housing are more likely to live in a home with damp and mould than are owner occupiers.[footnote 1] [footnote 2] In December 2020, 2-year-old Awaab Ishak died from a severe respiratory infection caused by prolonged exposure to damp and mould in his home. This guidance has been produced in response to concerns raised by the Coroner following an inquest into Awaab's death. In particular, it addresses the concern that 'there was no evidence that up-to-date relevant health information pertaining to the risks of damp and mould was easily accessible to the housing sector'. This guidance highlights the serious risks that damp and mould can pose to tenants' health, the imperative to respond quickly, and the practical steps that should be taken both to address damp and mould and prevent them. More specifically, the guidance: provides an overview of the potential physical and mental health effects of living in a home with damp and mould summarises the groups that are particularly vulnerable to more severe health impacts sets out relevant regulation and the legal responsibilities of landlords in relation to damp and mould in homes in England makes recommendations as to what landlords should consider when responding to reports of damp and mould makes recommendations as to what landlords can do to reduce the likelihood of damp and mould developing in homes The use of this guidance will help to improve standards in rented homes and prevent harm to tenants. This guidance was developed by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in partnership with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). It was developed with an advisory group of experts in housing, health and damp and mould, along with engagement with a wider group of experts and representative organisations. For further details see Annex A: how the guidance was developed. This guidance is part of a suite of work government is undertaking to secure better standards in rented accommodation. As forthcoming legislation and standards are introduced, this guidance will be updated.
URL https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/damp-and-mould-understanding-and-addressing-the-health-ri...
 
Description Member, World Health Organisation High-Level Expert Group on COVID-19
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact HIGH-LEVEL EUROPEAN EXPERT GROUP PROPOSING A ROADMAP TOWARDS STABILIZATION OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE EUROPEAN REGION: With the current knowledge and understanding of the pandemic it is possible to lay out a strategic framework towards stabilization of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. We propose to define "stabilization" as "having passed the previous season without major disturbances of the health care system due to COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, as a reflection of a much less harming transmission to people." In its report last May, the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response has suggested that we should not stay in a reacting mode but consider strategies towards stabilization of the Covid pandemic. The strategic shift should start at regional level which may more easily transcend political, economical and geopolitical divides and federate pandemic stabilization efforts. The High-Level European Expert Group convened by the Regional Director indentified thirteen updated objectives as strategic directions towards COVID-19 stabilization in Europe with the twin purposes of providing aspirational targets for the region and concomitantly recommending a pragmatic approach based on the use of existing and new tools to come. These operational recommendations have been issued on September 05, 2021, and updated in October, November, and December 2021 based on evolving knowledge. This document may be revised and updated again in the upcoming weeks or months, while the High-Level European Expert Group continuously monitors new evidence. The present document acknowledges the five "key stabilizers" proposed by the Regional Director in the way it is now presenting its recommendations to the WHO Regional Office for Europe:
 
Description POSTnote 691: Urban outdoor air quality
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
Impact Air pollution is the greatest UK environmental public health threat. This POSTnote updates the 2014 POSTnote on ambient air quality (PN 458) and describes air pollutants, their health impacts and measures to mitigate poor air quality.
URL https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0691/
 
Description RAEng Infection Resilient Environments Pt 1
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to new or Improved professional practice
Impact Report had a rapid impact on COVID-19 response including improved guidance from HSE and BEIS for organisations, establishment of ventilation advisory groups and the commissioning of a follow on piece of work to assess research capability, social benefit, best practice.
URL https://www.raeng.org.uk/policy/policy-projects-and-issues/infection-resilient-environments
 
Description SLWG Scotland Healthcare
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Scottish Parliament Evidence
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/covid-19-recovery-committee-november-4-2021
 
Description WHO Europe High level group
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Workshop with >120 Environmental Health Officers from across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to disseminate small business ventilation guidance
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact Increased knowledge and understanding of small business ventilation guidance for EHO officers. Training/guidance now being included in UKHSA EHO training plans.
URL https://forms.gle/FyxwFeWtMm8Wx9TBA
 
Description Evaluating Options and Outcomes in The Retrofit of pre-1919 Glasgow Tenement Housing: A Demonstration Project.
Amount £250,000 (GBP)
Organisation Government of Scotland 
Department Scottish Funding Council
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2020 
End 10/2024
 
Description Glasgow Environmental Monitoring of Indoor and Outdoor Air (GEMINOA).
Amount £717,642 (GBP)
Funding ID HORIZON-CL5-2023-D4-01 
Organisation ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability 
Sector Public
Country Germany
Start 04/2023 
End 06/2025
 
Description Let's clear the air: Evaluating a behavioural intervention to reduce COVID transmission through effective ventilation in hospitality venues
Amount £33,078 (GBP)
Organisation Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2022 
End 03/2022
 
Description National Core Study: Covid Transmission, Theme 2, WP 2.3 - Environmental monitoring.
Amount £464,600 (GBP)
Organisation Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2020 
End 12/2023
 
Description National Core Study: Covid Transmission. Ventilation for Hospitality
Amount £171,867 (GBP)
Organisation Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2021 
End 03/2022
 
Description Ventilation for Hospitality
Amount £171,867 (GBP)
Organisation Sheffield City Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2022 
End 03/2023
 
Title FUVN Open Repository 
Description We have created a repository for research data sets that relate to indoor and urban airflow and air quality. The repository enables a link to data sets for researchers and a means of accessing a range of information from field experiments, laboratory & physical modelling and CFD studies. At March 2023 there have been 43 papers and their data linked to the repository 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Not aware of impacts yet 
URL https://sites.google.com/view/futureurbanventilationnetwork/open-repository
 
Description FUVN-PROTECT 
Organisation Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Department HSE Science Division (HSE-SD)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Members of FUVN have collaborated with the PROTECT National Core Study on COVID-19 Transmission and the Environment. To date FUVN have organised an event for Environmental Health Officers that drew on outcomes from PROTECT funded work, and have shared outcomes on measuring ventilation and a ventilation survey with PROTECT.
Collaborator Contribution PROTECT have funded research to measure ventilation in a number of settings including hospitality settings which led to the EHO event. PROTECT funded a complementary ventilation survey to that carried out by FUVN.
Impact EHO ventilation event.
Start Year 2022
 
Description 2022 - Chair, Scottish Government Adaptations Advisory Committee 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact 2022 - Chair, Scottish Government Adaptations Advisory Committee
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description 2nd World Ventilation day 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Organisation and participation in the second World Ventilation Day, an international media and social media event raising awareness of the importance of ventilation. This built on the success of the 2022 event, with collaboration and funding from BESA supporting the organisation of the day. The event had international reach and was supported by professional bodies across the UK, Europe, USA and Australia.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.worldventil8day.com/
 
Description ASBP keynote Feb 2021 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Keynote presentation on ventilation and healthy buildings at the Association for Sustainable Building Products Annual Healthy Buildings Conference. Presentation raised awareness of the importance of considering health as well as sustainability in building ventilation.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Cabinet Office - Ventilation Technical Advisory Panel 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The Cabinet Office is convening a Ventilation Technical Advisory Panel to assist HMG / departments in developing appropriate sector plans on ventilation issues, following a recommendation made by Sir Patrick Vallance. The key aim is to enhance understanding of and expertise in implementing ventilation as part of an infection-resistant environment. This group provides expert advice to Government Departments on issues and policies related to ventilation and health
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022
 
Description Cross-government AQ working group 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Presentation of the FUVN/TAPAS indoor air observatory ideas to the cross-government Indoor Air Quality Working Group
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description EHO engagement 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Supporting Ventilation Improvements in Small Businesses: a workshop for Environmental Health Officers.
This workshop will include speakers from a range of UK research projects into COVID transmission reduction, with a particular focus on ventilation. Alongside the talks will be a series of discussions to inform the development of ventilation guidance for small businesses. Current research at the University of Sheffield has demonstrated that many small hospitality venues do not find current guidance useful for them. We are working with these venues to understand what they need, but would benefit from input from those on the ground who have experience of 100's of venues. This will enable guidance developed through our research to be appropriate pitched for small businesses, and for Environmental Health Officers to use to support them.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supporting-ventilation-improvements-in-small-businesses-tickets-41653...
 
Description Event: Career Paths in Air Quality 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact This is an event for early career researchers and professionals who work in air quality to share their projects, discover opportunities to collaborate, and find out more about career paths in air quality.

The half day event will open with a talk from Prof. Cath Noakes who will be highlighting some of the big-picture indoor/outdoor air quality challenges over the next 20 years. This will be followed by presentations from early career researchers/professionals in academia, the public sector, and industry, showcasing their work on both indoor and outdoor air quality.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://breathingcity.org/event-career-paths-in-air-quality/
 
Description FUVN-TAPAS IAQ Obs in Paris 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact In April, members of the TAPAS network, the FUVN network, the CSTB and the OQAI met to discuss national indoor air quality strategies in France and the UK. The meeting of these four initiatives, together with invited experts from academia, industry and government science organisations, happened over two days in Paris and involved a series of presentations and workshops. A key focus of the meeting was on "observing indoor air" - how we can develop coordinated approaches to capturing data on indoor air quality at scale and over long periods of time and how this can be used to understand health effects and support policy and practice. The knowledge sharing and informative discussions will shape both the French and UK networks' future indoor air quality studies and campaigns.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://breathingcity.org/a-meeting-of-air-quality-minds/
 
Description Futurebuild 2022 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Noakes was a member of a panel discussion on Infection Resilient Environments at the Futurebuild 2022 exhibition. Session promoted discussion with several representatives of companies and professional bodies.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description HEMAC-FUVN Ventilation Policy Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Policy workshop undertaken at Westminster with industry representatives and participation from BEIS and BRAC - workshop focused on expert advice to current Building Regulations consultation
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Healthy Building Competition 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Two of the grand challenges faced by architects and engineers this decade is in designing buildings and technology solutions that create healthy indoor environments and meet net zero targets. This competition invites applicants to propose an innovative building design or technology solution that addresses these two challenges together.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://breathingcity.org/2022-11-22-the-future-urban-ventilation-network-healthy-building-competiti...
 
Description IAQ observatory stakeholder workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Online stakeholder workshop held collaboratively with the TAPAS network to discuss the viability of a UK Indoor Air Quality Observatory. Key stakeholders were invited from across public policy, academia, funding bodies, and professional institutions. The workshop led to an agreed principles around an observatory and an outline of the next steps needed. This is detailed online, bringing together evidence from this workshop and other engagement activities https://breathingcity.org/observatory/
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://breathingcity.org/indoor-air-quality-observatory-stakeholder-engagement-workshop/
 
Description Inaugural World Ventilation Day 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact We are launching World Ventilation Day #WorldVentil8Day. The intention is to use the day to put a spotlight on ventilation, highlighting why ventilation is so important, how it can be done well and to champion the organisations and people who work together to deliver good ventilation for health and sustainability.

www.WorldVentil8Day.com

Our first World Ventilation Day theme is all about Celebrating Ventilation #CelebrateVentilate. We want to shout about everything that is good about ventilation, how we can help people to ventilate and clean the air in buildings better, and to recognise the people who work to improve health and wellbeing of people around the globe through better ventilation.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.worldventil8day.com/
 
Description Interview for BBC news and other media 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000sfk6
19/2/21
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Invited Expert member, BSi Development Group, BS 40102-1, Health and wellbeing, thermal comfort, indoor air quality and overheating in buildings - Part 1: Health and wellbeing in buildings 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The proposed standard is intended to be referred to, either normatively or informatively, by future editions of the two overarching retrofit standards PAS 2035 and PAS 2038.

It is proposed to develop a standard in two parts.

Part 1 Health and Wellbeing in Buildings

This part will give recommendations for the measuring, monitoring and reporting of the well-being and IEQ performance of an occupied building and the associated building services. It will provide an evaluation and rating system, the aim of which is to enhance indoor environmental quality (IEQ), to create healthier buildings and improve the well-being of building occupants; including but not limited to staff, visitors, tenants and customers. The IEQ performance score generated as an outcome of this evaluation will provide organizations with a benchmark score which can be used to identify areas of below par performance and enable improvements to be made accordingly.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022
URL https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/9021-05970#/section
 
Description Invited Expert member, BSi Development Group, BS 40102-1, Health and wellbeing, thermal comfort, indoor air quality and overheating in buildings - Part 1: Health and wellbeing in buildings 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited Expert member, BSi Development Group, BS 40102-1, Health and wellbeing, thermal comfort, indoor air quality and overheating in buildings - Part 1: Health and wellbeing in buildings
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description MAGIC Partners Meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Invited presentation to MAGIC Partners Meeting
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Member of World Health Organisation High-Level Expert Group on COVID-19 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact High-Level Expert Group on COVID-19 in the WHO European Region. The group has recently recommended to the Regional Director for WHO Europe to promote ventilation in close areas, and he decided to rank this proposal among the top 5 priorities for European governments in their willingness to move towards stabilization of the pandemic. The group requested some expert advice on this recommendation to make it the most pragmatic and operational.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022,2023
 
Description Participation in UK Government Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, Environment and Modelling sub group 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Providing expert advice to SAGE-EMG
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021,2022,2023
 
Description RAEng Ventilation Matters 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Co-development of an interactive web tool "Ventilation Matters" to demonstrate the application and importance of ventilation for healthy buildings. Part of Royal Academy of Engineering Infection Resilient Environment work (Noakes)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://breathingcity.org/new-interactive-infographic-ventilation-matters/
 
Description Scottish Government EESSH2 review group - Fabric and Hard to Treat 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The Scottish Government has launched a consultation to invite views on proposals for a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard, which will replace EESSH2. The consultation can be accessed here Consultation on a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard and it will be live until 8 March 2024.

We established the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH2) Review Group with the social housing sector to undertake a review of the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing post 2020, bringing it in line with the Scottish Government's net zero target, and our guiding principles of a just transition that is fair to everyone and leaves no one behind.

The EESSH2 review is required because the current 2032 milestone is not aligned with net zero targets for heating. To meet our net zero target, by 2045 all homes in Scotland must have significantly reduced their energy use, and almost all must be using a zero direct emissions heating system.

Recognising the Zero Emissions Social Housing Taskforce report calls for a Fabric First approach as an essential first step, the EESSH2 review is considering energy efficiency measures, together with clean heating systems and how these can be integrated in making more climate resilient homes, in a way that is affordable for tenants and protects those in fuel poverty.

Acknowledging the need for the sector to have clarity whilst the review is under way, the Scottish Government has issued interim guidance for social landlords to be the sector for during the interim period until a new standard is established.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023,2024
 
Description Scottish Government Short Life Working Group on Ventilation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of good ventilation as a COVID mitigation baseline measure and the increasing importance of ventilation as we step away from other mitigations. Improved ventilation reduces the risk of transmission of Covid (and other viruses) within business and public sector premises and supports sustained opening, and therefore contributes to wider Covid recovery. However, we need a better understanding of the state of ventilation across a range of buildings and what remedial actions may be necessary where improvements are required.
The purpose of the short life working group is to provide advice and make recommendations to the Scottish Government on actions to improve ventilation and therefore support the creation of infection resilient environments.
Due to the broad range of issues to be considered and time pressures, it may be necessary to have specialist sub groups of the SLWG or to invite experts to provide advice and support on specific issues.
In delivering its purpose the group will take into consideration emerging evidence from SAGE, SAGE EMG and other relevant groups. A separate group, within SG Health, has been established which is focussing on ventilation in health-care settings and will report to the SG in the autumn. Findings and learning from this group will also be taken into consideration when considering non-health care settings.
The outputs from the SLWG will be used to inform and support delivery of critical policy work across the Scottish Government to optimise the improvement of ventilation in non-healthcare settings.
The group is expected to oversee a 6-12 month programme of work addressing short to medium term priorities, developing long term ambitions, supporting private and public sector actions and policy development.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022
 
Description UKHSA air quality stakeholder meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Co-organisation and presentation of the IAQ observatory concept at a workshop session on indoor air at the UKHSA air quality stakeholder event 6th Dec 2023 , and mechanism for audience to input into plans.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description UKHSA annual conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Co-organisation and presentation of the IAQ observatory concept at a workshop session on indoor air at the UKHSA annual conference, and mechanism for audience to input into plans.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Understanding IAQ for healthy buildings in a net zero world 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact On 28th September 2022, Breathing City (FUVN), TAPAS and ICP-ERG jointly hosted an in-person event in White City Campus, Imperial College London, which engaged discussions from academia, industry, and public policy around 'Understanding IAQ for healthy buildings in a net zero world' and focussed on early career researchers and indoor air monitoring studies. We heard presentations across a range IAQ topics including monitoring, characterization methods, ventilation studies, modelling, IAQ health assessments and behavioural studies.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://breathingcity.org/event-report-understanding-iaq-for-healthy-buildings-in-a-net-zero-world/
 
Description Understanding air quality for health in different environments 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact On 22 September 2022 the Breathing City hosting a half day event to explore indoor air quality for health with a particular focus on "Understanding AQ for health in different environments" - discussing the challenges of measuring air quality and ventilation and relating this to health parameters.

We brought together a range of speakers including:

Prof. Chris Whitty (pre-recorded): AQ and health; challenges and needs.
Dr. David Fishwick: The Lungs at Work; formidable yet fragile.
Dr. Miranda Loh: Healthy Air for Workplaces
Cairan Van Rooyen: Public ventilation surveys.
Dr. Abigail Hathway: Measuring ventilation rates in hospitality venues
Jenny Carrington: Healthy building design
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://breathingcity.org/understanding-air-quality-for-health-in-different-environments-2/
 
Description Ventilation policy event Sept 2021 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Event organised in collaboration with Healthy Homes & Buildings APPG and HEMAC network on ventilation. Participants from FUVN, UKRI, MHCLG, BEAMA, CISE, RAEng
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description WHO Europe Indoor Air Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Noakes co-organised and chaired the first WHO Europe Indoor Air Conference and presented a key note talk drawing on FUVN activities. The event was held in Bern Switzerland, with around 100 in-person participants as well as broadcast live in 4 languages worldwide. The international audience was over 1000. The event had a high profile media presence in Switzerland and had participation from the Swiss parliament. Organisations worldwide including key professional bodies related to ventilation (REHVA, IHEEM etc) reported on the event. The event was sponsored by WHO, and the Director for WHO Europe and the Chief Scientific Advisor both presented.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://genevahealthforum.com/events/conference-on-indoor-air/