Is there such a thing as a battery operated extractor fan?

[Ciri]

We have been told by the building inspector that our boot room needs an extractor fan. It doesn’t have a shower, it isn’t a bathroom, it doesn’t have a washing machine or tumble dryer. It does have a small sink.

it clearly doesn’t really need an extractor fan. The cost of installing one and making good the plaster work decoration etc will add up. Do battery extractor fans exist?I don’t need it to be any good because it will never be used. I just need it to comply with building regs.

How would it actually be (seen to be) extracting if it isn’t installed in the wall though?

That's insane, I'm pissed on your behalf. I'm wondering how you can bodge this to get round BR & then just plaster the wall closed....🤔

When I did my bathroom eons ago, they told me I had to have a men's shaver point by the sink. I didn't want one because there was no man around to use it. I was forced to have it to get the certificate. Next time I do the bathroom I'm ripping it out.

All you need is a dehumidifier

Great! Borrow a dehumidifier, let the chap see it & then give it back.

I have a dehumidifier, that’s no good. I need an extractor fan. I’m prepare to install one but really don’t want the cost and hassle of electrical work for something that will literally never be turned on and is completely pointless.

I’ve searched though and can’t find a battery one. So annoying.

Does it need to be powered? What happens if you put a passive extraction system in?

This isn’t right. The ventilation regs apply to rooms where significant amounts of moisture will be produced eg through cooking, bathing or clothes washing. Or rooms with loos.

I would be asking him what activity is going to produce significant amounts of moisture. Is there some way of getting a second opinion??

FWIW I was told by building control that we needed trickle vents in our windows, I looked it up and it was only a “recommendation” when I pointed this out they backed down. So it’s worth challenging.

Unfortunately because it has a sink it's classed as a utility room not a boot room so will need specific ventilation. They wouldn't pass it even if you found a battery one. Is it a complete new build rather than a refurb?

	Extract ventilation can be intermittent or continuous.
	Your extractor fan should be installed as high as is practicable in the room — and a maximum of 400mm below the ceiling.
	Minimum intermitted operation extract systems (in litres per second) are 30l/s in a utility room.
	Minimum extract ventilation rates for continuous extract systems are 8l/s.

It's handy for other things though - I plug my rechargeable toothbrush and travel hairdryer into our shaver socket. It's a plus for buyers.

OP could you remove the sink and cap the plumbing whilst it’s signed off and then reinstate it?

It’s a small extension.

taking out the sink would cost more than the electrics and plaster patching, redecorating etc involved to fit a proper extractor fan so I might as well just bite the bullet. It’s so stupid though. It’s literally a small sink for dumping dirty dog stuff into

Oh I had missed that it has a sink sorry. Well if you might be washing off dog stuff regularly then yes there could be a lot of water vapour.

There are various plug in extractor fans on the market. Do you have a plug socket in a useful place? I don’t know if a plug in one would meet building regs though

If you have a plug socket in that run, perhaps you could reduce plastering of wiring by running it in external wall conduit? Would cut the job down quite a lot.

I think they are referring to "Utility Room" (see table 1.1)

Have a look at Approved Document F, Volume 1

www.gov.uk/government/publications/ventilation-approved-document-f

Window-mounted extractor, powered by plugging a flex into a socket (add a couple of clips to stop the flex being a trip hazard, if needed). Once the build has been signed off, remove the extractor and reglaze the window to eliminate the opening.

If the house is built in brick or block, coring out a neat round hole would be quick and easy. If you have an aversion to fans you could put a plain grill on the outside, and change the inside to a hit and miss vent after inspection. No plastering or redecoration required.

If the room has a ceiling lamp, it would be easier and neater to loop from the ceiling rose than to drape a cable from a socket in the wall.