There 'should' be vents in the boards covering up the fireplaces.
When i Say covered I mean the wall would have to be opened up to reintroduce the fire
Not sure where you're based (or if that's even relevant) but according to Dublin City Council Department of Environmental Health and Safety you are required to have a vent in every room in the house that has a door. What I mean by that is obviously if lets say your sitting room and kitchen are somewhat open plan you would only need one vent.
The only reason I know this is because a property I was living in a few months back had a spot check done and this was one of the issues that was raised.
Not sure where you're based (or if that's even relevant) but according to Dublin City Council Department of Environmental Health and Safety you are required to have a vent in every room in the house that has a door. What I mean by that is obviously if lets say your sitting room and kitchen are somewhat open plan you would only need one vent.
The only reason I know this is because a property I was living in a few months back had a spot check done and this was one of the issues that was raised.
and an open window is ventilation! There's many an older house with no vents and nobody to my knowledge has suffered as a result.
There have been a number of cases over the past few years where people have died due to carbon monoxide poisoning in such houses. Lack of adequate ventilation will lead to numerous health problems.
I didn't advocate a lack of ventilation, I simply suggested that most modern windows have either trickle vents or the ability to open the window a smidgin and lock it. This would ventilate the room without costing a bean. Of course, if the windows don't need ventilation and you're renting the house etc different story.