When Ventilation Work in England Needs a Building Control Notice

This guide covers England only. The Building Regulations text in Wales differs, and Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules.

Ventilation work in a home in England can involve three separate steps under the Building Regulations 2010: an air flow test, a commissioning notice, and a certificate from a competent person scheme. Which of them applies depends on the type of dwelling and on who carries out the work. This guide sets out what each regulation says. It does not repeat what a ventilation commissioning certificate contains. For that, see the CertBox guide on what to include in a ventilation commissioning certificate.

Air flow testing in new dwellings

Regulation 42 covers mechanical ventilation in new dwellings. It requires air flow rate testing of the system. It also requires a notice of the test results to be given to building control within 5 days of the final test.

The regulation is about new dwellings. This guide does not say how it applies to existing homes, and a reader working on one should check the regulation and ask the building control body.

The commissioning notice

Regulation 44 deals with the commissioning notice. The person carrying out the work gives building control a notice confirming the fixed building services have been commissioned. The notice is due within 30 days of completing the work. Where regulation 16(4) applies, the deadline is the date set by that regulation. For higher-risk building work that needs a completion certificate, the notice goes in with that application instead.

Regulation 44 does not apply to a mechanical ventilation system, or its controls, where testing and adjustment is not possible.

Approved Document F Volume 1 lists regulations 39, 42 and 44 among the regulations it relates to. The 2021 edition is for use in England and took effect on 15 June 2022.

The competent person route

Some ventilation work can be self-certified. Paragraph 6 of Schedule 3 to the Building Regulations 2010 covers the installation of an air conditioning or ventilation system in a dwelling, where the work does not involve a system shared with other dwellings. The person carrying out that work must be registered in respect of that type of work by one of these schemes:

• Blue Flame Certification Limited
• Building Engineering Services Competence Assessment Limited
• Certsure LLP
• NAPIT Registration Limited

Approved Document F makes the general point in its introduction. Where building work consists only of installing certain types of services or fittings, and the building owner employs an installer registered with a relevant competent person scheme designated in the regulations, a building control body does not need to be notified.

Regulation 20 then sets out what the installer does once the work is finished. Within 30 days of completing it, the installer must give the occupier a copy of the certificate, and give the building control authority either a notice or the certificate itself. So on this route building control is still told about the work, but after it is done rather than before.

Regulation 20 also says the certificate is evidence, not conclusive evidence, that the requirements it names have been met.

Following the guidance is not the whole answer

Approved Document F is statutory guidance. It says that complying with its guidance does not by itself mean building work meets the legal requirements, because the documents cannot cover every circumstance. Anyone using it should have enough knowledge and skill to apply it correctly.

What is changing in March 2027

Building Circular 01/2026 describes new statutory guidance, including Approved Document F Volume 1 for dwellings. The related amendment regulations come into force in England on 24 March 2027. For higher-risk building work, some of the changes start on 24 September 2027 instead.

For work other than higher-risk building work, the circular says the changes will not apply where a building notice, initial notice or full plans application was given before 24 March 2027, provided the work starts before 24 March 2028. The circular also says the new guidance highlights the role of competent persons schemes when installing mechanical ventilation.

Anyone with ventilation work spanning that date should read the circular and confirm the position with the building control body.

Where CertBox fits

Every CertBox certificate carries a QR code that shows it is on record with CertBox. CertBox does not check the engineer's qualifications or registration.

Frequently asked questions

Does an air flow test apply to every ventilation job in England?

No. Regulation 42 covers mechanical ventilation in new dwellings. It requires air flow rate testing and a notice of the results to building control within 5 days of the final test.

When is a commissioning notice due for ventilation work?

Regulation 44 requires the commissioning notice within 30 days of completing the work, or by the regulation 16(4) date where that applies. For higher-risk building work that needs a completion certificate, the notice goes in with that application.

Can a competent person scheme change who notifies building control?

Yes. Schedule 3 lists ventilation systems in dwellings as work that registered persons of named schemes can self-certify, where the work does not involve a system shared with other dwellings. Under regulation 20, the installer then gives the occupier a copy of the certificate, and gives the building control authority a notice or the certificate, within 30 days of completing the work.

Is the certificate conclusive proof the work is right?

No. Regulation 20 says the certificate is evidence, not conclusive evidence.

Sources

Checked against these on 2026-11-05.

• The Building Regulations 2010, regulation 42 (mechanical ventilation air flow rate testing)
• The Building Regulations 2010, regulation 44 (commissioning notice)
• The Building Regulations 2010, regulation 20 (competent person schemes)
• The Building Regulations 2010, Schedule 3 (self-certification schemes)
• Approved Document F, Volume 1 Dwellings, 2021 edition (GOV.UK)
• GOV.UK, The Future Homes and Buildings Standards, Building Circular 01/2026 letter

Corrected and updated 2026-11-05. This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always refer to the relevant standards and consult qualified professionals for definitive requirements.