What is BS EN 16516 about?
BS EN 16516 specifies a horizontal reference method for the determination of emissions of regulated dangerous substances from construction products into indoor air. This method is applicable to volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, very volatile aldehydes, and ammonia.
It is based on the use of a test chamber and subsequent analysis of the organic compounds by GC-MS, HPLC, and for ammonia, subsequent analysis by spectrophotometric methods or any equivalent analytical methods (such as ion chromatography and ammonium specific electrode).
Who is BS EN 16516 for?
BS EN 16516 on the determination of emissions into indoor air is useful for:
- Builders
- Manufacturers of construction products
- Personnel of chemical laboratory
Why should you use BS EN 16516?
The emissions of dangerous substances from construction products are vital because they have adverse health effects as indoor pollutants or have a high potential to cause health effects.
BS EN 16516 provides the terms relating to emissions into indoor air and associated laboratory testing for a better understanding of dangerous substances.
BS EN 16516 informs you about the intended conditions of use and emission scenario to describe the purpose, place, and circumstances of a typical application of a construction product.
In BS EN 16516, only one reference room and one set of conditions are specified which is used as conventional references for any specification of emission rates and calculation of the related concentrations of emitted compounds in indoor air.
BS EN 16516 gives the measure of dimensions and loading factors of the reference room, its ventilation, climate conditions, and time schedule of emission(s) determination.
The test procedures for product sampling, handling, and transport to the laboratory are given in BS EN 16516 to determine VOCs and SVOCs in the test chamber.
Furthermore, these test methods help you in determining the dangerous substances from construction products into indoor air to check on repeatability and reproducibility of VOC emissions for good health.