Indoor Air Quality
Building Certification Schemes

Certify your newly built commercial development to a high rating with air quality testing

Indoor air quality surveys are tailored to support building certification schemes such as BREEAM, WELL and LEED for newly built commercial developments at post-construction / pre-occupancy stage. This is a form of commercial indoor air quality testing that focuses on compliance and evidence. For BREEAM, this typically means post-construction testing of VOCs and formaldehyde against the Hea 02 limits, while WELL and LEED surveys can also include particulates, CO₂, carbon monoxide and a broader range of VOCs in line with the relevant criteria.

The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method – popularly known as BREEAM – is designed to drive sustainability and wellbeing across the built environment through a robust framework for the verification and certification of built assets, and is the most popular building certification scheme.

This type of commercial air quality testing helps project teams secure targeted credits, de-risk certification submissions and give clients and occupiers robust evidence that the completed building meets high standards for indoor environmental quality. Air quality testing will provide credits and therefore contribute to a higher rating.

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FAQs

What is an indoor air quality building certification survey?

It’s a targeted post-construction / pre-occupancy indoor air quality assessment designed to show that a new or refurbished commercial building meets the indoor air quality requirements of schemes such as BREEAM, WELL and LEED. It involves on-site air sampling and indoor air quality measurements of specific pollutants, including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Formaldehyde, plus a clear report your assessor can submit as evidence for the relevant credits. This is typically delivered by commercial air quality testing or indoor air quality testing companies with experience of certification schemes.

How long does the survey take?

Most projects can be surveyed in a single site visit. Laboratory analysis typically takes two to three weeks (which can sometimes be fast-tracked at an additional fee) and the final report will follow one week after the laboratory analysis is complete. Working with an experienced air testing company helps streamline this process.

When should the survey be carried out?

For certification, surveys are usually done post-construction and post-fit-out, but before occupation. Ideally, once all wet trades, decorating and major snagging are complete, the ventilation systems are commissioned and running and the building has had time to ventilate prior to testing. This timing gives realistic results, minimises disruption and helps avoid the need for repeat testing.

What happens if the building doesn’t meet the limits?

If results exceed the certification scheme thresholds, the following will be actioned:

Identify likely sources (e.g. specific finishes, cleaning products, ventilation issues).
Refer to the indoor air quality plan, if available.
Recommend practical remedial actions (enhanced purge ventilation, product changes, extra off-gassing time, local fixes).
Advise whether a targeted re-test is needed for certification.

Working with the right air quality testing companies means you’ll receive clear, practical guidance and follow-up support from a specialist indoor air quality testing company.