Denys: Air Quality Tests In Haren Prison Village

Scope
Airscan assisted Denys in post-construction & pre-occupation total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and Formaldehyde tests following BREEAM certification requirements in a recently built prison village in Haren, Belgium.

Project Overview
The Haren prison village represents one of Belgium’s recent initiatives to address issues related to overcrowded prisons and deteriorating penitentiary infrastructure. The Haren facility is designed to accommodate 1,190 detainees. In addition to the prison overcrowding problem, the project targeted to achieve the maximum ratio between health, indoor well-being, and comfort with a minimum environmental impact following an “Energy Neutral Building” concept. The project was built on a 15-hectare site near Brussels and comprised 17 building units of 116,000 m2.

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) certification was assigned as one of the key features in achieving the “Energy Neutral Building” concept. Pure & pollution-free air, along with other parameters, is one of the key certification parameters. Thus, to achieve the certification, Airscan developed and proposed a relevant air sampling campaign plan which was later executed through a series of air quality tests following ISO 16000-3 & ISO 16000-6 standards (sampling and analysis of VOCs and Formaldehyde in air).
Results
The results of the indoor VOCs and Formaldehyde tests were assessed by the Airscan and Denys project team and submitted to the BREEAM certification body together with other project documents. After the submitted portfolio was positively evaluated by the BREEAM stirring committee, the Haren Prison Village was granted a “Very Good” score and listed in the BREEAM project directory.
Interested in a similar solution?
Latest Articles

Air Quality Features in the New LEED V5 Release
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification system, known for setting the global standard in green building design, has introduced significant updates in its latest version, LEED V5. A key focus of this release is the enhancement of air quality criteria, reflecting the growing importance of indoor and outdoor air quality in sustainable building practices. Airscan team prepared a summary of the key updates came in action with the most recent LEED protocol.
Our air quality sensors that are placed near the busiest areas in Brussels, detected concentrations well above the European thresholds in the city and around, so your workout may be more affected by the air quality than you would think.

14 days of poor air quality in Brussels
If you have been outside in the last few weeks, you probably have felt the icy temperatures and cold winter weather, which also affects our health due to higher pollution in our cities.
Our air quality sensors that are placed near the busiest areas in Brussels, detected concentrations well above the European thresholds in the city and around, so your workout may be more affected by the air quality than you would think.

Emerging Air Quality Monitoring Trends for 2025
Discover the cutting-edge advancements shaping air quality monitoring in 2025. From real-time data modeling and AI-driven analyses to smart indoor systems and pollution source detection, explore how innovative technologies are transforming environmental and indoor air quality management. Learn how solutions like Airscan empower individuals, businesses, and governments to take proactive steps toward a cleaner, healthier future !