HHSRS Hazard 3 - Excess Heat

Try Software To Assess HHSRS Hazard 3 - Excess Heat

HHSRS Software in Action - So Easy to Use!

If a tenant reports a property to the Council for a HHSRS Hazard 3 - Excess Heat issue, the Council is legally obligated to inspect the property for all 29 hazards outlined in the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

If the Council uncovers any Category 1 risks, it is obliged by law to take action against the landlord and any associated agents. This is not just a formality; it is a serious obligation that must be addressed.

Hazard 3 - Excess Heat

This hazard includes threats from excessively high indoor air temperatures.

The major dwelling factors are solar heat gain, ventilation rates, and thermal capacity and insulation of the structure. Smaller, more compact dwellings, and particularly attic flats, are more prone to overheating than are large dwellings.

Vulnerable Group: All persons 65 years or over

Defects & Justifications

Thermal insulation - inadequate provision for thermal insulation particularly in attic flats.
Orientation of glazing - large areas of south facing glazing in inappropriately designed dwellings.
Heating controls - faulty, inappropriately designed, or inadequate controls to the heating system.
Ventilation provision - inadequate or inappropriate provision for ventilation.
Ventilation control - inadequate means of controlling the ventilation.
Disrepair to ventilation - to the system or devices.

Index of HHSRS Hazards

Rectifying the HHSRS Hazard 3 - Excess Heat: Guidance Checklist

Try Software To Assess HHSRS Hazard 3 - Excess Heat

How can I reduce excess heat in a property?

Install ventilation systems, ceiling fans, and shading like blinds or external awnings. Use reflective window films to deflect heat from direct sunlight.

What building materials help manage indoor heat?

Use light-coloured and reflective roofing materials, and increase insulation in roofs and walls to reduce heat absorption and improve thermal comfort.

How can I improve airflow to tackle excess heat?

Install trickle vents, ensure windows open sufficiently, and consider cross-ventilation designs where air can flow from one side of the building to the other.

Is air conditioning always necessary to deal with excess heat?

Not always. Passive cooling techniques and ventilation are often sufficient, though portable or fixed air conditioning units may be needed in extreme cases.

What time of year should excess heat risks be assessed?

Ideally in the summer months when properties are most affected. You can also use heatwave data and thermal comfort surveys to identify vulnerable properties year-round.