Indoor Air Quality Standards UK 2026ACH Requirements, Regulations & Compliance Guide
Complete guide to UK indoor air quality standards for schools, offices, and workplaces. Understand ACH requirements, Building Regulations Part F, UK HSE guidance, and how air purifiers help achieve compliance.
📊 UK Indoor Air Quality Standards Summary
| Setting | Target ACH | CO₂ Limit | Regulation/Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Schools (Classrooms) | 5-6 ACH | <1,500 ppm | DfE, Building Bulletin 101 |
| Offices (UK) | 6-8 ACH | <1,000 ppm | UK HSE, CIBSE TM40 |
| Healthcare (Wards) | 6-12 ACH | <800 ppm | HTM 03-01, NHS guidance |
| Care Homes (UK) | 6+ ACH | <1,000 ppm | CQC standards, HSE |
| Residential (Homes) | 3-5 ACH (recommended) | <1,500 ppm | Building Regs Part F |
🏫 Schools & Education (UK)
CO₂ levels should not exceed 1,500ppm in classrooms. 5-6 ACH recommended for optimal learning environments and reduced airborne transmission.
Specifies minimum ventilation rates for UK schools. Many schools supplement mechanical ventilation with HEPA air purifiers to achieve target ACH.
- • 100+ UK schools using DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes
- • Typical 60m² classroom: 2-3 units for 5+ ACH
- • Cost-effective vs commercial units (£100-300 vs £1,000+)
🏢 Offices & Workplaces (UK)
Employers must ensure adequate ventilation. 6-8 ACH recommended for office spaces. Fresh air rates: minimum 10 L/s per person.
Mandates minimum ventilation for non-domestic buildings. Air purifiers supplement mechanical systems to reduce pollutants and pathogens.
- • CIBSE recommends higher ACH for infection control
- • Many UK employers now mandate air quality monitoring
- • HEPA purifiers complement HVAC systems
🎯 How to Achieve UK Air Quality Standards
1. Measure Current ACH
Use our free ACH calculator to determine your current air changes per hour based on existing ventilation or air purifiers.
2. Identify Gap to Standards
Compare your current ACH to UK standards for your setting (schools 5-6, offices 6-8, healthcare 6-12).
3. Supplement with HEPA
Add DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes (£50-100) or commercial HEPA units (£200-400) to achieve target ACH cost-effectively.
❓ UK Indoor Air Quality Standards FAQs
What are the UK indoor air quality standards for schools?
UK schools should maintain CO₂ below 1,500ppm (DfE guidance), with 5-6 ACH recommended for classrooms. Building Bulletin 101 specifies minimum ventilation rates. Many UK schools now use air purifiers to supplement ventilation and achieve target ACH.
What ACH is required for UK offices?
UK HSE recommends 6-8 air changes per hour for office spaces. Building Regulations Part F mandates minimum ventilation rates. Post-COVID, many employers supplement mechanical ventilation with HEPA air purifiers to meet higher ACH targets.
Are air purifiers compliant with UK Building Regulations?
Yes. Air purifiers supplement (not replace) mechanical ventilation required by Building Regulations Part F. HEPA purifiers help achieve recommended ACH levels and reduce airborne pollutants in compliance with UK HSE workplace exposure limits.