Building Biology Assessment

The standard reviews physical, chemical and biological hazards that threaten our everyday life and exist in the spaces around us that is at work, at home, where we sleep, where we eat and so on. The standard also provides criteria for individual measurements and to determine potential risks that represent hazards to our health. Measured results are always documented in the form of reports, so that potential problems can be identified and the basis for efficient protection strategies is provided.

Individual sub-categories of the standard address critical internal environmental impacts. Its professional approach helps identify and minimise certain factors and optimise them in a customised way. The standard aims at creating an inner environmental harmony which is as free of expositions and as natural as possible and feasible. This holistic approach may be realised in practice by performing all the diagnostics and surveys possible. The strategy of surveying, checking and restoring essentially focuses on the biological experience of the building, the precautionary principle and actual precautionary measures. Any measure to reduce risks is worth as long as human health is protected.

We would like to call your attention here to the Criteria for Building Biology Assessments for Sleeping and Resting Rooms. This section has been developed to address concerns about severe health problems that might occur on the long run during sleep when the body is supposed to regenerate.

The applied criteria are as follows: the criteria for building biology assessment should consider the precautionary principle with special regard to potentially long-term expositions and risks that are relevant for sleeping rooms. Quality sleep in suitable rooms is essential for the human body with special regard to regeneration and resting.

Criteria are based on 50 years of experience and knowledge in building biology as well as the related scientific research and studies focusing on feasible and available solutions. The system approaches existing or newly developed buildings in a holistic way and considers every potential health hazard. These guidelines are based on state-of-the-art diagnostic and analytic methods and promote the creation of an indoor residential environment which is as natural and free of expositions and risks as reasonably possible.

BUILDING BIOLOGY ASSESSMENTS:

1. No concern: It is the highest precaution level and refers to an unlit, natural environment, the essential background for a modern environment.

Electric field strength V/m

Elektromos térerő V/m

<1-3V/m

Voltage, compared to earth potential mV

Feszültség, földpotenciálhoz képest mV

<10mV

High frequency field strength µW/m²

Magasfrekvenciás térerő µW/m²

<20µW/m²

Magnetic field strength nT

Mágneses térerő nT

<50nT

Radon, radioactivity %

Radon, radioaktivitás %

<0.3µSv/h

Geomagnetic field %

Geomágneses tér %

<10%

2. Mild concern: As a precautionary measure, sensitive and sick people should be protected against these impacts.

Electric field strength V/m

Elektromos térerő V/m

3-10V/m

Voltage, compared to earth potential mV

Feszültség, földpotenciálhoz képest mV

10-100mV

High frequency field strength µW/m²

Magasfrekvenciás térerő µW/m²

20-100µW/m²

Magnetic field strength nT

Mágneses térerő nT

50-100nT

Radon, radioactivity %

Radon, radioaktivitás %

50-70%

Geomagnetic field %

Geomágneses tér %

100-200%

3. Heavy concern: Measures are needed. This category is unacceptable regarding building biology criteria. Several case studies and scientific papers prove that buildings belonging to this category may have adverse biological impacts and cause health problems.

Electric field strength V/m

Elektromos térerő V/m

10-50V/m

Voltage, compared to earth potential mV

Feszültség, földpotenciálhoz képest mV

100-1000mV

High frequency field strength µW/m²

Magasfrekvenciás térerő µW/m²

100-1000µW/m²

Magnetic field strength nT

Mágneses térerő nT

100-500nT

Radon, radioactivity %

Radon, radioaktivitás %

75-100%

Geomagnetic field %

Geomágneses tér %

200-500%

4. Extreme concern: These values necessitate immediate and strict measures as they reach or even exceed internationally approved limit values.

Electric field strength V/m

Elektromos térerő V/m

>50V/m

Voltage, compared to earth potential mV

Feszültség, földpotenciálhoz képest mV

>1000mV

High frequency field strength µW/m²

Magasfrekvenciás térerő µW/m²

>1000µW/m²

Magnetic field strength nT

Mágneses térerő nT

>500nT

Radon, radioactivity %

Radon, radioaktivitás %

>100%

Geomagnetic field %

Geomágneses tér %

>500%