CSDV - why we have created this course & qualification
In recent times we have seen a seismic shift in peoples perception of what is acceptable when it comes to dampness in our homes. There can be little doubt that the tragic story of Awaab Ishak and the subsequent inquest which cited mould as the primary catalyst to the toddler's avoidable death, should not have happened and must not be allowed to happen again. The conditions that the Ishak family were living in are not common but unfortunately occur more often than they should. Thankfully we are now at a point where more people realise this isn't acceptable and that no one should become ill due to the home they live in.
This is one of the reasons why the PCA are working behind the scenes to develop a new course and qualification - 'Certificated Specialist in Dwelling Ventilation (CSDV)' to support professionals within the industry. The course will be designed to provide you with a recognised qualification and the ability to have the confidence to design and assess ventilation systems.
Recognising the urgency...
The expectations on a damp surveyor have changed too. Undoubtedly this is in part due to the high standards which PCA members have set. The days of being a one trick pony are quite rightfully in the past and a broad understanding of all forms of dampness is essential. This is a point which was made clear in the release of the Joint Position Statement - 'Investigation of moisture and its effects on traditional buildings'.
Since the release of that document, and more significantly the ruling on the incident in Rochdale, it has become abundantly clear that enquiries to deal with issues caused by high humidity have gone up exponentially. A number of factors are contributing to the rising trend, predominately linked with modern living, and the cost of fuel.
It is clear that peoples expectation on what is acceptable when it comes to dampness is changing. The dependency on good ventilation looks set to increase, but the reality is ventilation is too often done badly.
A study published in 2018 by AECOM and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government looked at ventilation and indoor air quality in new homes, exploring the quality of ventilation installations across seven new build developments throughout England. The majority of installs (55) were system 1 (background ventilators and intermittent extract fans), with 25 being system 3 (continuous mechanical extract). Of those 80 installations it was found that just 3 met the grade. Similar studies have provided similar findings.
Specialist knowledge & competence are essential
The Property Care Association conducted its own poll on ventilation during a webinar in 2020, and over 72% of the delegates believed less than 30% of installs complied with building regulations.
Unfortunately the installation of ventilation systems is too often carried out by well meaning electricians who simply do not have any understanding of ventilation, or knowledge of Approved Document F. The inevitable outcome of poor ventilation is damp and mould. This has to change and in our view this approach should no longer be considered acceptable.
New ventilation qualification
This is something we are addressing through the introduction of a new qualification – Certificated Specialist in Dwelling Ventilation (CSDV). This will sit alongside our existing qualification and much like the CSRT, CSTDB and CSSW qualifications, we want this new ventilation qualification to be seen as a means of demonstrating competence for those seeking specialist guidance.
It will aim to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the prevalent ventilation systems found in buildings, evaluate their suitability and how to design ventilation systems that meet regulatory requirements.
The course will incorporate a combination of online and classroom-based training. By adopting this approach, we can maximise the effectiveness of classroom sessions, leveraging the already established foundation of knowledge acquired through online modules.
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