BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Monitoring – Arax Euston House, London

Redmore Environmental was commissioned to undertake BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Monitoring in support of the refurbishment of Arax Euston House, London. The scheme was registered to pursue the certification through the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Refurbishment and Fit-Out Standard.

What is the BREEAM Certification and How is it Measured?

Under BREEAM category Hea 02 ‘Indoor Air Quality’, credits are available to support the construction of redevelopment or newly developed sites. These are outlined below:

• Element 1: Indoor Air Quality Plan;
• Element 2: Ventilation Review;
• Element 3: Construction Product Review; and,
• Element 4: Post-construction Indoor Air Quality Measurement.

The indoor air quality monitoring includes quantification of internal Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) and Formaldehyde concentrations.

The monitoring is undertaken in accordance with the following standards:

• TVOCs – ISO 16000-6; and,
• Formaldehyde – ISO 16000-3.

Sampling of TVOCs is required to be undertaken over an 8-hour period and formaldehyde requires a 1-hour period at each monitoring location. Analysis of the samples is then conducted by a UKAS accredited laboratory.

BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Monitoring: Arax Euston House, London

Monitoring was undertaken in order for the site to gain a BREEAM credit. Testing was conducted at four separate static locations.

The monitoring results indicated that measured TVOC and formaldehyde concentrations were below the BREEAM criteria of 300µg/m³ and 100µg/m­³ respectively at all monitoring positions. As such, compliance with the requirements of the scheme was demonstrated.

How Can We Help?

If you have a development that is seeking BREEAM accreditation, then get in touch today to discuss what we can do to assist.