Despite the CAZ, Birmingham's inner ring and arterial corridors still record NO₂ above legal limits in places. Outdoor PM2.5 averages above the WHO 5 µg/m³ annual guideline. Post-war commercial blocks and 1960s housing dominate the central stock, with under-performing ventilation common.
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Birmingham's air-quality context
02
Building-type risks
Schools and nurseries. Roadside PM2.5 and NO₂ infiltration on the A38/A34 corridors. Classroom CO₂ regularly above 1500 ppm in winter.
Offices. Mixed-mode buildings struggling with summer overheating and winter under-ventilation. Office air quality →
Housing. Damp and mould in retrofitted social stock — humidity and ventilation rather than heating is usually the binding constraint. Humidity & health →
03
What to do
Specify ePM1 50% (MERV 13) filtration on mechanical systems, verify ventilation rates against BS EN 16798-1 Category II, and run continuous CO₂ and PM2.5 monitoring. IAQ monitoring →
04
Services across the West Midlands
IAQ testing, mould and VOC investigation, ventilation assessment and continuous monitoring across Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and the wider West Midlands. Reports aligned to WHO, BS EN 16798-1, WELL and BREEAM benchmarks.