{"id":8552,"date":"2022-03-29T14:49:06","date_gmt":"2022-03-29T14:49:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/createdbyadam.co.uk\/aptsoundtesting\/?post_type=blog&p=8552"},"modified":"2022-03-29T14:49:06","modified_gmt":"2022-03-29T14:49:06","slug":"indoor-air-quality-testing-for-extra-breeam-credits","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/createdbyadam.co.uk\/aptsoundtesting\/blog\/indoor-air-quality-testing-for-extra-breeam-credits\/","title":{"rendered":"Indoor Air Quality Testing for Extra BREEAM Credits"},"content":{"rendered":"
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BREEAM provides extra credits through improving indoor air quality. There are five credits available in this section, sitting within the Health and Wellbeing category<\/a>. This is split into two areas: minimizing sources of air pollution (four credits) and improving the potential for natural ventilation (one credit). There are also additional innovation credits (two credits) that can be accrued.<\/p>\n

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\"BREEAM-Indoor-Air-Quality-Testing<\/p>\n

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Undertake an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Plan for One Credit<\/h2>\n

To gain this credit, you must show that an indoor air quality plan has been produced and put into practice.\u00a0The Indoor Air Quality Plan plan needs to consider whether contaminant sources have either been removed or diluted and controlled. In addition, it needs to include procedures for a pre-occupancy flush out to remove any pollutants inadvertently introduced during construction. you also need to account of measures to protect both the HVAC systems and indoor areas from dust and other sources of pollution during refurbishment and fit-out works.<\/p>\n

In order to ensure that all contaminants have been removed effectively, the plan should include processes for third-party testing BREEAM indoor VOC Testing<\/a> and analysis. Finally, the indoor air quality plan must show a commitment to maintaining the indoor air quality of the building, with regular maintenance and cleaning schedules of the HVAC system, ductwork and filters.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Third Party Testing for VOC Emission Levels (Post Construction) for One Credit<\/h2>\n

To gain this extra credit, TVOC and formaldehyde concentration levels must be within specified limits OR corrective measures put in place comply with these limits<\/p>\n

There are two measures that must be met in order to gain this credit. These levels are measured post-construction, but pre-occupancy by a third party testing company:<\/p>\n

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  1. The total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentration level needs to be less than 300\u00b5g\/over 8 hours.<\/li>\n
  2. The formaldehyde concentration level needs to be less than or equal to 100\u00b5g\/averaged over 30 minutes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Where levels exceed the limits, to gain the credit you must show that remedial measures have, or will be taken, to reduce the levels to within these limits. This includes re-measurement via the BREEAM Assessment Scoring and Reporting Tool.<\/p>\n

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    General Symptoms of Excess VOC in Buildings<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Because the term VOC is a general category of chemicals that may be produced during the off-gassing of building materials, determining the exact health effects of high VOC levels is impossible. Below is a list of some of the general symptoms that are associated with excess VOC levels:<\/p>\n