However , this has sadly been brought into a clear focus with the result of the events in Rochdale following the death of a two-year-old in 2020 ; Awaab Ishak . In this instance , a coroner ruled that a direct contributary factor was a lack of ventilation in the one-bedroomed flat in which his family lived and was as a consequence full of mould build up . You will

have seen this in the press at the time .

This is I feel where there is a link . The fenestration industry needs to take on board that part of the reasons for some changes in regulation are actually because there is a problem , which in our day-to-day work , we don ’ t see it . There has been talk of unnecessary regulation , interference , conspiracy and questions of how can get around the provision

of background ventilation in windows . But this case demonstrates that there is a need to provide background ventilation in its many forms to prevent this happening again .

The only guarantee following this is that there will , in all likelihood , be greater regulation of landlords to provide safe environments for renters to live in and as a sector we should be encouraging this by offering these

products as regulated , you never know they may be right .

The way highly airtight properties are used today leads to moisture build-up and it has to go somewhere , even if it ’ s purged through an open window . Unfortunately , we don ’ t all do this - especially in the middle of a cost of living crisis - and as I type this article , looking over a snow-covered vista , I ’ m probably not going to open my window .

There is a possible learning point here for those in the fenestration industry . There is only one guarantee in life , things always change and those that look at the regulations have a broad perspective and may actually be trying to make things better for your customers . Sometimes we have to do things differently .

Dean Bradley www . glazpart . com