The number of felt lap vents can be worked out using the following formula:
Selecting the amount of airflow, then dividing the roof length by the spacing (in meters) indicted below.
Free Flowing Airflow / Felt Lap Spacings
5000mm/m² of airflow means you need to space your felt lap vents 600mm or 0.6m apart.
10000mm/m² of airflow means you need to space your felt lap vents 300mm or 0.3m apart.
15000mm/m² of airflow means you need to space your felt lap vents 120mm or 0.12m apart.
For Example
For a roof that is 7m requiring airflow of 10000mm/m²
7/0.3 = 23.333 or 24 felt lap vents evenly spaced.
For roof spaces that require more than the 15000mm/m² the spacings half for each additional 5000mm/m²
Please note these are designed as a remedial solution to roof ventilation and do not meet the standards for permanent roof space ventilation on their own, and felt lap vents may adversely affect wind uplift of slates and tiles. For more information, please see our blog on the changes to BS 5534:2014 or see BS 5250 Code of Practice for Control of Condensation in Buildings.