Indoor Air Quality Assessments for Developers
Independent IAQ testing for planning, BREEAM HEA 02, and handover compliance.
Arthian delivers indoor air quality assessments designed specifically for developers, contractors, and project teams who need clear, defensible evidence for planning, certification, and building control. Our specialists provide postâconstruction and preâoccupancy IAQ testing, ensuring your development meets required standards before handover â avoiding delays, rework, and compliance risk.Â
What Is an Indoor Air Quality Assessment for Developments?
A developmentâfocused IAQ assessment verifies that a new building meets planning conditions, BREEAM HEA 02 criteria, and bestâpractice ventilation requirements. It measures pollutants, ventilation performance, and environmental conditions using accredited methods aligned to:Â
- BREEAM HEA 02 / HEA 05Â
- WELLÂ / LEED IAQ requirementsÂ
- Building control and handover documentationÂ
- Contractor and client employerâs requirements (ERs)Â
This ensures your project is compliant, certifiable, and ready for occupation.Â
Why Developers Commission IAQ Assessments
Indoor air quality testing is now a standard requirement across many UK developments. It helps project teams:Â
- Demonstrate compliance with planning conditionsÂ
- Secure BREEAM HEA 02 creditsÂ
- Provide evidence for building control signâoffÂ
- Reduce risk of handover delaysÂ
- Validate ventilation performance before occupationÂ
- Provide clients with clear, defensible documentationÂ
This is not a ânice to haveâ â itâs a programmeâcritical deliverable.Â
IAQ Services for Developers & Contractors
Arthian provides a full suite of indoor air quality services designed for newâbuild developments, major refurbishments, and commercial projects. Our work supports planning approval, BREEAM HEA 02 credits, building control signâoff, and handover documentation â giving project teams confidence at every stage of delivery.
PostâConstruction & PreâOccupancy IAQ Testing
Independent IAQ testing aligned with BREEAM HEA 02, WELL, LEED, and building control requirements.
Includes:
- Accredited sampling for VOCs, formaldehyde, particulates, COâ, and combustion byâproducts
- Testing scheduled to suit programme and handover timelines
- Verification that pollutant levels meet HEA 02 thresholds
- Evidence packs for BREEAM assessors and building control
- Clear pass/fail criteria and remediation guidance
Ideal for: Developers needing certifiable evidence before occupation.
Planning Condition IAQ Assessments
Support for planning submissions and discharge of IAQârelated conditions.
Includes:
- IAQ risk assessments aligned with local authority guidance
- Modelling of pollutant sources and ventilation performance
- Recommendations for designâstage mitigation
- Reporting structured for planning officers and consultants
Ideal for: Projects with IAQ requirements embedded in planning conditions.
BREEAM HEA 02 Indoor Air Quality Support
Endâtoâend support for achieving HEA 02 credits.
Includes:
- HEA 02âcompliant IAQ Plans
- Preâoccupancy and postâconstruction testing
- Evidence packs for BREEAM assessors
- Guidance on pollutant limits, ventilation strategy, and material selection
Ideal for: Developments targeting BREEAM certification.
Ventilation & Airflow Performance Verification
Assessment of ventilation systems to confirm they meet design intent and regulatory expectations.
Includes:
- Airflow rate verification (Part Fâaligned)
- Air change rate calculations
- Airflow pattern analysis to identify stagnation zones
- Recommendations for system optimisation
- Verification for building control and handover documentation
Ideal for: Contractors needing evidence of ventilation performance.
Commercial Indoor Air Quality Assessments
IAQ assessments tailored to offices, mixedâuse developments, retail, education, and healthcare.
Includes:
- Pollutant sampling and environmental monitoring
- Ventilation performance review
- Occupant comfort analysis (temperature, humidity, COâ)
- Compliance benchmarking against WELL, CIBSE, and BREEAM
Ideal for: Developers and FM teams managing commercial assets.
Pollutant Sampling & Laboratory Analysis
Highâaccuracy sampling for pollutants commonly required in newâbuild and refurbishment projects.
Includes:
- VOCs (including formaldehyde)
- PMâ.â and PMââ
- COâ and combustion byâproducts
- Mould spore sampling (commercial contexts only)
- Accredited laboratory analysis with defensible results
Ideal for: Projects requiring evidenceâbased pollutant verification.
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Monitoring
Shortâterm or continuous monitoring to validate indoor environmental performance.
Includes:
- Temperature, humidity, COâ, and comfort metrics
- Identification of conditions that may affect occupant wellbeing or building performance
- Dataâdriven recommendations for ventilation and system optimisation
- Reporting aligned to WELL and BREEAM IEQ criteria
Ideal for: Developers needing postâoccupancy validation.
Construction Handover IAQ Documentation
Clear, defensible reporting for building control, clients, and certification bodies.
Includes:
- Pollutant data tables and compliance statements
- Methodology aligned to BREEAM and industry standards
- Evidence packs for assessors and regulators
- Recommendations for any required remediation
- Handoverâready documentation for O&M manuals
Ideal for: Contractors preparing handover and completion documentation.
Why Developers Choose Arthian
Arthian combines technical accuracy with programmeâdriven delivery, giving project teams confidence at every stage.Â
- Proven experience across commercial, residential, mixedâuse, and publicâsector developmentsÂ
- Reporting aligned to BREEAM, WELL, LEED, and building controlÂ
- Fast mobilisation to meet programme deadlinesÂ
- Clear, defensible evidence for planning and certificationÂ
- Integrated expertise across IAQ, ventilation, sustainability, and building performanceÂ
We help you deliver buildings that are compliant, certifiable, and ready for occupation â without surprises at handover.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need an indoor air quality assessment?
Indoor air quality assessments are essential for supporting the health and comfort of a buildingâs occupants. By identifying pollutants and ventilation issues, these assessments help reduce the risk of negative health effects and create a more comfortable indoor environment. Effective remediation can also minimise odours, enhance overall performance within the space, and contribute to lower energy costs.
What is included in an indoor air quality test?
Indoor air quality testing measures a variety of factors that influence the health and comfort of a buildingâs occupants. This can involve visual inspections, humidity monitoring, sampling for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and collecting mould samples to identify potential sources of contamination.
Is BREEAM mandatory?
BREEAM is a longâestablished framework for assessing, rating, and certifying the sustainability performance of buildings. Although BREEAM assessments are not legally required across the UK, some local authorities, including those in London, make BREEAM accreditation a condition of planning approval. In these areas, achieving a specified BREEAM rating becomes effectively mandatory for certain types of development.
What is a home quality mark?
A Home Quality Mark (HQM) is a certification used to evaluate and demonstrate the quality, sustainability, and performance of new homes in the UK. It provides buyers, homeowners, and developers with a clear, independent measure of how well a property has been designed and built, covering factors such as energy efficiency, environmental impact, and overall living standards.
What is the WELL Building Standard?
The WELL Building Standard is an international framework designed to improve health and wellâbeing within the built environment. A key component of WELL is achieving high indoor air quality, and our team at Stroma can support you in meeting these requirements ahead of your WELL verification assessment.