What is BS 8313 - Accommodation of building services in ducts about? 
Ductwork, ducts, or ducting, are conduits, or tubes, that typically form part of a ventilation system, used to convey air throughout a building.
BS 8313 is a British Standard that discusses accommodation of building services in ducts.
BS 8313 gives recommendations for the design, construction, installation and maintenance of ducts in buildings used for the accommodation of services.
BS 8313 also covers enclosures such as ceiling voids and cavities which are used for services but which are not always referred to as ducts.
The recommendations in BS 8313 should also be applied as far as practicable to the adaptation, modification or refurbishment of existing ducts and services within them.
BS 8313 covers service ducts attached to the outside of buildings but not service ducts between buildings.
Note 1: BS 8313 does not cover the design and construction of air or refuse ducts, nor those with `heart units', `packaged plumbing' or `service walls', although parts of it are relevant to them.
Note 2: BS 8313 does not cover spaces intended mainly for purposes other than the accommodation of services, nor with plant areas such as boiler and calorifier rooms or gas storage areas.
Note 3: The piping of radioactive substances and the specialist requirements for piping cryogenic liquids are generally outside the scope of BS 8313.
Who is BS 8313 - Accommodation of building services in ducts for? 
BS 8313 on the accommodation of building services in ducts is relevant to: 
- Anyone involved in the design, construction, installation and maintenance of ducts
- Architects
- Builders
- Contractors
- Specialists
- Service engineers
- Local authorities
Why should you use BS 8313- Accommodation of building services in ducts?
This code of practice is intended to provide architects, engineers, builders, contractors, suppliers, specialists, and service engineers with recommendations for the design, construction, installation and maintenance of ducts in buildings for the accommodation of services.
BS 8313 also covers ducts attached to the outside of buildings, suspended flooring and ceiling voids, and cavities which are used for services but not always referred to as ducts.
BS 8313 provides best industry guidance on the factors to be considered when making a choice of materials and components of ducts.
BS 8313 gives a detailed method for calculating the minimum cross-sectional dimensions of space required in service ducts for the installation and maintenance of thin walled HVAC ducting.
BS 8313 also provides a simplified method for doing the same calculation.
BS 8313 also draws attention to the stressful nature and potential hazards associated with working in a confined space
BS 8313 lists Acts, bylaws and statutory regulations which relate to the accommodation and maintenance of building services in ducts.
Thus, BS 8313 is your guide on ensuring failure of building services is avoided, hazards are mitigated and the operational and functional integrity of the ventilation system is maintained.
