BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Testing – Everything You Need to Know

Creating a healthy indoor environment is becoming an increasingly important part of modern construction. Whether you’re developing an office, healthcare facility, school or residential building, achieving excellent indoor air quality is essential for both occupant wellbeing and BREEAM compliance.

At APT Sound Testing, we’ve been helping developers, architects, contractors and consultants achieve BREEAM Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) credits for many years. From developing compliant Indoor Air Quality Plans to carrying out post-construction air quality testing, our experienced team provides a complete service to help your project meet the required standards.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters

Poor indoor air quality can affect the health, comfort and productivity of building occupants. Construction materials, finishes, furnishings and building systems can all release pollutants into the air, particularly during the early stages of occupation.

BREEAM recognises the importance of clean indoor air through the Hea02 Indoor Air Quality assessment, rewarding projects that demonstrate good design, careful material selection and successful post-construction testing.

Our Complete BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Service

We offer everything required to help your project achieve BREEAM Indoor Air Quality credits, including:

• BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Plans
• Post-construction Indoor Air Quality Testing
• Air quality monitoring
• Third-party laboratory analysis
• Advice on improving indoor air quality
• Guidance throughout the compliance process

Our team works closely with project managers and contractors to make the testing process as straightforward as possible.

Stage 1 – BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Plan

The first step towards achieving additional BREEAM credits is preparing a compliant Indoor Air Quality Plan (IAQP).

This document is produced during the design stage and helps minimise the risk of poor indoor air quality once the building is occupied. It considers factors such as ventilation design, material selection and construction practices that may affect air quality throughout the project.

A professionally prepared Indoor Air Quality Plan can include:

• Recommendations for removing contamination sources
• Methods for controlling and diluting airborne pollutants
• Pre-occupancy flush-out procedures
• Practical guidance for contractors during construction
• Preparation checklists for final air quality testing
• Long-term advice for maintaining healthy indoor environments

By planning ahead, many potential air quality issues can be avoided before the building is completed.

Stage 2 – Post-Construction Indoor Air Quality Testing

Once construction is complete and the building’s HVAC system is fully operational, post-construction Indoor Air Quality Testing can take place.

The purpose of the testing is to confirm that pollutant levels meet the limits specified by BREEAM.

Testing typically includes measuring:

• Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs)
• Formaldehyde

Additional contaminants can also be tested where required by the project specification.

If any readings exceed the acceptable limits, remedial actions can be implemented in line with the Indoor Air Quality Plan before retesting is carried out.

Professional Indoor Air Quality Testing

APT Sound Testing has extensive experience carrying out post-construction Indoor Air Quality Testing for projects across the UK.

Our engineers follow the strict procedures required under:

• BREEAM Hea02
• Home Quality Mark (HQM)
• Other recognised compliance standards

Before attending site, we provide a clear quotation along with a comprehensive preparation checklist to ensure your building is ready for testing.

As testing requirements can vary between schemes, we always ensure the appropriate methodology is used for your specific project.

Which Areas Are Tested?

Indoor Air Quality Testing is normally carried out in rooms that will be occupied for extended periods.

These commonly include:

• Offices
• Hospitals
• Healthcare facilities
• Schools
• Residential accommodation
• Commercial buildings

The number of rooms tested will depend on the size and layout of the development, ensuring compliance with the relevant BREEAM guidance.

Expert Guidance Throughout Your Project

Preparing a building correctly before testing can make a significant difference to the final results.

Our experienced consultants provide practical advice to project managers and site teams before the testing date, helping create the correct environmental conditions and reducing the likelihood of delays or failed tests.

Having supported hundreds of projects, we understand the common issues that arise and can help you avoid them.

Contact APT Sound Testing

If you require BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Testing or need assistance preparing an Indoor Air Quality Plan, our experienced team is here to help.

Call us today on 01525 303905 or email info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk to discuss your project and request a quotation.

BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Testing

APT Sound Testing has been providing BREEAM indoor air quality testing services such as post-construction air quality testing and indoor air monitoring for a number of years. We have assisted many customers in gaining their BREEAM and other compliance credits through our air quality plan and BREEAM air quality testing services.

As well as helping you to gain your initial (BREEAM) credit, by testing the indoor air quality our engineering team are then able to produce a bespoke indoor air quality plan. Our plans are able to provide you with the following benefits:

• Advice on removal of contaminant sources
• Dilution and control of contaminant sources
• Procedures for pre-occupancy flush-out
• Informative checklist to help you prepare for the third party testing
• Third party testing and analysis
• Advice on maintaining Indoor Air Quality In-Use

Our Services to attain extra BREEAM points for Indoor Air quality under BREEAM Hea0

There are two defined stages for achieving extra points under BREEAM Hea02. The first stage is the air quality plan and the second stage is indoor quality testing. here is a quick explanantion for each stage.

Stage 1 – BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Plan
The BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Plan reduces the risk of health deterioration and building performance by improving indoor air quality for the end user. It makes assurances in the design stage of a project which plan for the existence of ventilation, equipment and construction materials which improve indoor air quality for the buildings occupiers.

Stage 2 – BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Testing
Your project must be nearing completion, including a fully operational HVAC system, before an Indoor Air Quality Test can be carried out. The sampling identifies the presence of volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), including formaldehyde.

Where the levels of these compounds are found to exceed the prescribed limits, to claim the BREEAM credit it must be identified that appropriate measures have or will be undertaken in accordance with the IAQP and the consultant’s report recommendations to reduce the levels to fall within the limits.

We can undertake all your BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Testing requirements

Here at APT Sound Testing, we have significant experience in carrying out post-construction Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) testing. We are familiar with the stringent methods that are specified under BREEAM Hea02, Home Quality Mark (HQM) and other compliance standards. Our team will always provide a firm quotation and helpful checklist to help you prepare for the testing, prior to us visiting site to carry out this work.

We will ensure that all post-construction testing is carried out to the relevant standard that you are looking to achieve as specifications do vary.

When undertaking Indoor Air Quality Testing for BREEAM, we will typically test for Formaldehyde and TVOC in the air but can easily include other pollutants if required. We will normally sample rooms which will be occupied for long periods of time, for instance offices, hospitals and offices. It is important to make sure that a sufficient number of these rooms are tested in order to gain the relevant credit.

Our tasked team will make sure that all post-construction air quality tests are carried out in accordance with the very exacting BREEAM Hea02 methods. Our expert team will also provide free advice and guidance to your project manager to help to create the correct environment for the air quality tests as we have found over this years this to be very important.

To help you prepare for your Post Construction Air quality testing, please download our Indoor Air Quality Checklist. Need to add a BREEAM Indoor Air Quality testing checklist

Call us on 01525 303905 or email us on info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk about our Indoor Air Quality Testing services. We are here to help! Alternatively, please visit our contact page here.