Air permeability testing of isolation facilities
Air permeability testing of isolation facilities (BTS 3/2018) was written by Blanca Beato Arribas and Tom Jones and published by BSRIA in 2018.
An isolation suite can be formed of several adjacent rooms, including an entrance lobby, the patient’s room and en-suite facilities and, on some occasions, other rooms such as an exit lobby and an instrument room. Air leakage in isolation suites needs to be minimised to reduce the risk of infection. Air leakage to or from an isolation suite translates into unaccounted-for airborne pathogens travelling from or to other hospital areas.
This standard recommends limits for the overall air leakage of isolation suites in healthcare facilities and also gives recommendations on how to measure air leakage through paths such as doors and door grilles, allowing for comparison against the design specifications.
Air leakage in isolation suites needs to be minimised to reduce the risk of infection. Air leakage to or from an isolation suite translates into unaccounted-for airborne pathogens travelling from or to other hospital areas. The design of the isolation suite should take into account the airflows through the doors, grilles, pressure stabilisers, supply and extract grilles and other components and the air leakage through the envelope. The successful operation of an isolation suite requires the air permeability to be within its required criterion and the airflow through known air leakage paths to be within defined limits.
Contents:
- Introduction
- Specifications
- Test procedure
- Test regime
- Test report
- Appendix A: Calculation of specific leakage rate
- Appendix B: Calculation of leakage through individual elements
- Appendix C: Calculation of leakage through doors
The standard can be downloaded free from https://www.bsria.com/uk/product/BA8E4D/air_permeability_testing_of_isolation_facilities_bts_32018_a15d25e1/
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Air change rate.
- Air permeability in isolation rooms.
- Air permeability testing.
- Air permeability.
- BSRIA articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Clean indoor air for healthy living - New air filter standards.
- Design of isolation rooms for infection control.
- Hospital isolation rooms.
- Indoor air quality.
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.