BREEAM Hea 02 Indoor Air Quality Testing
- How It Works
- Featured Project
- Insights
About BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Testing
We provide specialist BREEAM indoor air quality testing to support compliance with HEA 02 post-construction requirements. This includes BREEAM New Construction, BREEAM In-Use, and BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-out schemes.
We begin with an initial consultation to understand your project’s goals and the specific BREEAM credits you’re targeting — particularly Hea 02 (Indoor Air Quality) and Pol 05 (Reduction of Noise Pollution). From there, our team develops a tailored Indoor Air Quality Plan (IAQP) to minimise pollutant levels during occupation, ensuring it aligns with BREEAM’s Hea 02 criteria.
We also conduct a detailed review of your ventilation design to confirm it meets required standards for airflow, filtration, and pollutant dilution. In parallel, we assess the materials specified in your project to ensure low VOC emissions and support a healthier internal environment. Once construction is complete, we carry out post-occupancy air quality testing — including VOC and formaldehyde measurements — to confirm the space meets BREEAM thresholds.
You’ll receive a comprehensive air quality report with our findings and practical recommendations. If improvements are needed, we support implementation to help you achieve full BREEAM compliance with confidence.
Benefits of a BREEAM test
- Enhanced sustainability credentials
- Improved occupant health
- Increased post-construction property value
- Regulatory compliance
BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Testing for 33 King William Street, London
Objectives
ARM Environments were tasked with conducting an air quality test to BREEAM's Refurbishment and fit-out (RFO) 2014 specification in a central London office building during a fit-out. This 11-storey building was becoming home to a major new client who wanted to retain their BREEAM accreditation and prove their dedication to a sustainable workplace for their 1200 team members.
We were contracted to perform the BREEAM air quality test whilst the client was still in the process of moving the bulk of their furniture and equipment to this new location. We theorised that this fit-out process might have released a lot of pollutants which might affect the test results.
Upon arrival, we heard comments from the occupants about a 'new car smell'. This smell indicates that the Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) in the air are likely too high to pass the BREEAM air quality test. During this initial test, we found concentrations of 786.3ug/m3, with the BREEAM limit being 300ug/m3. Although we expected TVOC concentrations to be high due to the movement of new furnishings and equipment, we discovered that the environment was far above TVOC thresholds to pass the RFO test.
Solutions
Understanding that the high levels of pollutants recorded was likely caused by the ongoing fit-out, we advised the client on what to do in order to remove the VOCs and return the air quality back to healthy levels. When we returned a few weeks later to perform a second test, the air quality was significantly improved, and the client passed (TVOCs now at 271ug/m3).
Results
This case study demonstrates the importance of creating an indoor air quality plan at the appropriate time, especially for new-builds and renovations where extensive flush-out procedures may be required. Because the client was in the process of a renovation when we conducted our first tests, they failed due to concentrations of pollutants that were abnormally higher than they would be under typical circumstances.
Challenges
- Client needed RFO 2014 for BREEAM 'Excellent'
- Testing conducted mid-fit-out
- Large-scale operation
"A whole five precious credits are available in the latest version of BREEAM’s Hea 02 section for Indoor Air Quality.
But they’re often ignored. Either seen as risky, or because the delivery team don’t know who to work with.
But that’s a mistake. These credits do more than tick boxes. They directly affect the comfort, health and productivity of future occupants."
Adam Taylor, CEO of ARM Environments
Pass
ESG
Wellbeing
Related Insights
Why Choose ARM for BREEAM IAQ Testing?
ARM Environments focuses exclusively on indoor air quality – not general compliance or building services.
Our engineers are trained in BREEAM-specific testing protocols, and our reports are written to match assessor expectations. We bring sector-specific experience across commercial, healthcare, and education builds, and understand the project pressures facing contractors and consultants alike.
From initial consultation through to re-testing support, we help you pass first time; or get back on track quickly if not.
