Instrumentation Monthly Test | Measurement | Control
BSRIA has successfully extended the scope of its UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accreditation for sampling Formaldehyde and Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) in accordance with BS EN 16000-3:2011 and BS EN 16000-6:2011 respectively.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are carbon-based substances that evaporate at room temperature and can be a common problem in indoor air quality. A simple, cost effective way of measuring VOCs in a building is by air sampling and analysing TVOCs.
The results will give the total amount of VOCs found in an air sample, which can be compared against the limits indicated by industry standards, such as BREEAM or WELL. Additional information about which specific VOCs are present in the air can also be analysed.
Formaldehyde is also a volatile organic compound, but its negative effects on health justify separate sampling.
Formaldehyde and TVOC samples are taken at a representative number of locations in a building, by active sampling, where a known volume of air is pumped through a sample at a known flowrate.
Blanca Beato-Arribas, Microclimate Team Leader, BSRIA Test, said: “Testing indoor air quality is the first step in improving air quality. The benefits are not only the health and wellbeing of the occupants, but also increase of the employees’ productivity and confidence.
BSRIA is proud to have achieved UKAS accreditation for testing TVOC and Formaldehyde: we are one of the very few test laboratories to be accredited in accordance with these standards in the UK and the accreditation gives our clients further confidence in our methodology and the results.”
