Indoor Air Quality Assessment
With the following services, we can assess your situation, measure your current air quality and review your air quality infrastructure, such as HVAC and IAQ sensors.
Services
IAQ monitoring equipment can be provided on either a temporary or permanent basis. The key parameters measured are Carbon Dioxide (CO2), (TVOC) Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Temperature and Humidity.
Air distribution diffusers in a ceiling may or may not be providing sufficient ventilation. We can verify the amount of air being delivered from each diffuser using a balometer. This verification can then be used to calculate the air change rate in your space.
When inheriting buildings, the amount of outdoor air being supplied to the space is often unknown. We are able to validate this by taking duct traverse readings immediately after the AHU. This will allow you to assess if you are providing enough air changes, or ventilation per person.
/arm_1529845430.jpg?width=750&name=arm_1529845430.jpg)
It is important to verify how even the air distribution is in a space. When the building was completed, this should have been sorted at commissioning, but over time, the system can fall out of balance for a variety of reasons.
We carry out a survey to assess the major components of your Air Handling Unit. Fans/belts/coils/dampers are checked and photographed as well as assessing the hygiene and corrosion levels within the unit.
Assessing a buildings heating ventilating and air conditioning system requires professional assistance. We will survey the system to see if it is operating efficiently and to see if any optimisations can be made.
/arm_1921415135.jpg?width=750&name=arm_1921415135.jpg)
We can supply and fit mains or battery powered CO2 sensors. These can either be standalone systems with visual and audible notifications or networked monitors with long-term data logging to demonstrate a commitment to safety.
The range of these sensors to the base station is up to 3KM, so large-site wide monitoring is seamless.
A BREEAM air quality plan details how your building will ensure good IAQ from a combination of source control during construction and best practice guidance for how a building should be operated in order to maintain good IAQ.
CFD computer modelling can be used to demonstrate air movement, air velocity and residence time. This has been of renewed interest during the pandemic. We can provide this service for new and existing buildings.
We offer a range of testing services to assist you in meeting the WELL air quality credits.
Measurements are undertaken by a WELL Performance Testing Agent in compliance with the Performance Verification Guidebook
A01 - Air Quality
A05 - Enhanced Air Quality
A08 - Air Quality Monitoring and Awareness
As well as being able to provide a BREEAM Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) plan, we can also assist with testing for the post-construction indoor air quality assessment.
| 11 | Criterion 2 has been achieved. |
| 12 | The formaldehyde concentration in indoor air is measured post-construction (but pre-occupancy) and does not exceed 100µg/m³, averaged over 30 minutes3. |
| 13 | The formaldehyde sampling and analysis is performed in accordance with ISO 16000-24 and ISO 16000-35 . |
| 14 | The total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentration in indoor air is measured post-construction (but pre-occupancy) and does not exceed 300µg/m³, averaged over 8 hours with 6. |
| 15 | The TVOC sampling and analysis is performed in accordance with ISO 16000-57 and ISO 16000-68 or ISO 16017-19 . |
| 16 | Where levels are found to exceed these limits, the project team confirms the measures that have, or will be undertaken in accordance with the IAQ plan, to reduce the TVOC and formaldehyde levels to within the above limits. |
| 17 | The measured concentration levels of formaldehyde (µg/m³) and TVOC (µg/m³) are reported, via the BREEAM scoring and reporting tool, for the purpose of confirming criteria 12 to 15. |
6.4 states thatair testing must be completed after any construction or major renovations.
The following parameters need to be measured.
- PM2.5: less than 25 μg/m³
- TVOC: less than 500 μg/m³
- CO2: less than 1100 ppm or 700 over ambient
- CO: less than 9 ppm
- Formaldehyde: less than 27 ppb
- Relative humidity: between 30-60%
Whether you need a short term air quality survey, an air quality report for building control or permanent ODA monitoring, ARM Environments can assist.
ARM Environments were the first company in the UK to offer this revolutionary way of modelling airborne pathogen spread safely in occupied buildings.
