BS EN 12599:2012

What is BS EN 12599 –Air conditioning and ventilation systems about?  

Air conditioning and ventilation systems help in maintaining the flow of air through the building spaces. 

BS EN 12599 is a European Standard that discusses ventilation of buildings. The main objective of BS EN 12599 is to provide the best industry tests and measurement methods that demonstrate the performance of air conditioning and ventilation systems. 

BS EN 12599 specifies checks, test methods and measuring instruments in order to verify the fitness for purpose of the installed systems primarily for handing over which will be partially performed before, during and after handing over. 

BS EN 12599 enables the choice between simple test methods, when sufficient, and extensive measurements, when necessary.  

BS EN 12599 applies to mechanically operated ventilation and air conditioning systems as specified in EN 12792 and comprising any of the following: 

• Air terminal devices and units  
• Air handling units  
• Air distribution systems (supply, extract, exhaust)  
• Fire protection devices  
• Automatic control devices.  

When the system is set, adjusted and balanced measurement methods described in BS EN 12599 apply. 

BS EN 12599 applies to ventilation and air conditioning systems designed for the maintenance of comfort conditions in buildings. 

BS EN 12599 does not include any requirements concerning the installation contract. However, in order to facilitate the application of BS EN 12599, the installation contract should refer to the provisions which are listed in Annex F. 

The measuring methods in BS EN 12599 can be used in the frame of the energy inspection of air conditioning systems according to EU Directive 2010/31/EU "Energy performance of buildings Directive" (see EN 15239, EN 15240). 

BS EN 12599 may be used for residential and dwelling ventilation systems. 

Note 1: BS EN 12599 does not apply to:  

• Heat generating systems and their control  
• Refrigerating systems and their control  
• Distribution of heating and cooling medium to the air handling units  
• Compressed air supplying systems  
• Water conditioning systems  
• Central steam generating systems for air humidifying  
• Electric supply systems. 

Note 2: BS EN 12599 is not applicable in the case of systems for the control of industrial or other special process environments. 

Who is BS EN 12599 - Air conditioning and ventilation systems for?   

BS EN 12599 on air conditioning and ventilation system is relevant to:   

• Manufacturers of ventilation and air conditioning system components and devices 
• Quality control and testing personnel  
• Mechanical engineers  
• Product designers  
• Accredited testing laboratories 
• Building designers and architects  
• Inspection, installation and maintenance authorities 

Why should you use BS EN 12599 - Air conditioning and ventilation system ?   

To ensure the air conditioning and ventilation systems and their components and devices are operationally and functionally efficient, it is necessary that best industry practices for verifying and demonstrating their performance are adopted.  

In this regard, BS EN 12599 provides best industry guidance, which includes:  

• Completeness checks- to ensure that the ventilating and air conditioning system has been installed entirely in accordance with contract 
• Functional checks – to verify the operation of the system 
• Functional measurements- to verify on a statistical basis that the system achieves the values according to design 
• Special measurements - In case of doubts concerning the quality of parts of the system after completeness and functional measurements 

Moreover, BS EN 12599 also provides functional measurements that aim to give proper assurance that the system achieves the design conditions and set points as specified. Moreover, special measurements are also covered that are appropriate where functional measurements are not sufficient to verify the quality of the system in the desired range of accuracy. 

As a result, if you are a manufacturer of ventilation or air condition system components for building ventilation, by adopting BS EN 12599 test methods and procedure you can determine whether your products are fit for purpose.