Question 1

What is stack emissions testing?

Accepted Answer

Stack emissions testing (also called source testing or stack testing) measures pollutant concentrations directly from industrial chimneys, stacks and flues. It's a legal requirement under UK Environmental Permitting Regulations for most industrial operations. Your Environmental Permit specifies which pollutants must be tested, how often, and to which EN standards.

Question 2

How much does stack emissions testing cost in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Typical MCERTS stack testing projects are often quoted in the region of £2,500–£4,000 per stack-day, depending on pollutants, methods, access, lab analysis, reporting requirements and site complexity. Smaller or simpler scopes may start from around £2,000 after technical review. Multi-pollutant testing including metals, dioxins, or VOCs typically costs £5,000–£15,000+ per campaign. Alkali provides fixed-fee quotes within 24 hours.

Question 3

What is MCERTS and why does accreditation matter?

Accepted Answer

MCERTS (Monitoring Certification Scheme) is the Environment Agency's quality standard for emissions monitoring. MCERTS-accredited testing uses certified methods and equipment, producing legally defensible data that regulators accept without challenge. Non-accredited results can be rejected, requiring costly re-testing. Always check your provider holds UKAS accreditation — not just claims of MCERTS compliance.

Question 4

How quickly can you perform stack testing?

Accepted Answer

Alkali can typically be on-site within 2 weeks. For urgent compliance deadlines or enforcement-driven testing, faster turnarounds are often possible subject to availability. Results are delivered in your preferred format with automated EA reporting included.

Question 5

What pollutants do you test for?

Accepted Answer

We test all common stack emission parameters: particulates (dust, PM10, PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs/TOC), hydrogen chloride (HCl), hydrogen fluoride (HF), heavy metals, dioxins and furans, plus flow rate, moisture, temperature, oxygen and CO2. All testing is completed in-house with no subcontracting.

Question 6

What is the difference between periodic and continuous emissions monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Periodic monitoring involves a testing team visiting your site to collect measurements over a set period (typically 3 × 30-minute runs). Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) measure emissions 24/7 using permanently installed analysers. Your Environmental Permit specifies which approach is required. Some permits require both — periodic MCERTS testing to validate CEMS data under EN 14181 (QAL2/QAL3).

Question 7

Do I need an air quality assessment for planning permission?

Accepted Answer

Most likely, yes. Local planning authorities routinely require Air Quality Assessments (AQAs) for developments near busy roads, in Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs), or involving significant traffic generation, combustion plant, or dust-generating activities. AQAs following IAQM/EPUK guidance assess whether your development will have an acceptable impact on local air quality.

Question 8

What is an Air Quality Neutral assessment?

Accepted Answer

Air Quality Neutral (AQN) assessments are required by the Greater London Authority and some other councils. They calculate whether a development's transport and building emissions are below benchmark levels. If benchmarks are exceeded, mitigation measures or an Air Quality Positive approach may be needed. AQN assessments are separate from standard Air Quality Assessments.

Question 9

How long does an air quality assessment take?

Accepted Answer

A standard AQA for a planning application typically takes 2–4 weeks, depending on complexity. Simple screening assessments can be completed in days. Complex projects requiring dispersion modelling (ADMS or AERMOD) may take 4–6 weeks. Alkali provides a draft report timeline at project kick-off.

Question 10

What is dispersion modelling?

Accepted Answer

Dispersion modelling uses specialist software (typically ADMS or AERMOD) to predict how pollutants spread from emission sources through the atmosphere. It accounts for meteorological data, terrain, building effects, and source characteristics. Dispersion modelling is used for permit applications, planning assessments, stack height determination, and odour impact assessment.

Question 11

What is a BS 4142 noise assessment?

Accepted Answer

BS 4142:2014+A1:2019 is the British Standard for assessing noise from industrial and commercial operations on nearby residential receptors. It compares the 'rating level' of noise from your operations with the background sound level at the nearest sensitive receptor. The outcome determines whether your noise impact is negligible, low, or significant. Most Environmental Permits and planning conditions reference BS 4142.

Question 12

When do I need a noise impact assessment for planning?

Accepted Answer

Planning authorities typically require a Noise Impact Assessment (NIA) when your development introduces new noise sources (industrial plant, commercial kitchen extract, music venues), is near existing noise-sensitive receptors (homes, schools, hospitals), or involves construction in noise-sensitive areas. NIAs should follow BS 4142 for industrial noise and BS 8233 for residential design.

Question 13

What is a BS 5228 construction noise assessment?

Accepted Answer

BS 5228 provides methods for predicting and assessing noise and vibration from construction and demolition activities. It's used to establish likely noise levels at nearby receptors, set threshold criteria, and specify mitigation measures. Many Section 61 consent applications and Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMPs) require BS 5228 assessments.

Question 14

What is an IAQM odour impact assessment?

Accepted Answer

An odour impact assessment following IAQM (Institute of Air Quality Management) guidance evaluates whether odour from a development or industrial operation will cause unacceptable annoyance at nearby sensitive receptors. It considers source odour emission rates, meteorological conditions, receptor sensitivity, and the nature of the odour. Common triggers include waste facilities, food manufacturing, wastewater treatment, and chemical processing.

Question 15

What is olfactometry and when is it needed?

Accepted Answer

Olfactometry (EN 13725) is the reference method for measuring odour concentration. Samples are collected from emission sources and analysed in an accredited olfactometry laboratory using a panel of trained assessors. It's typically required for Environmental Permit applications, H4 odour assessments, and when regulators need quantified odour emission rates for dispersion modelling.

Question 16

What is a site odour survey?

Accepted Answer

A site odour survey involves trained assessors walking predefined routes around a facility to record odour intensity, character, and extent at ground level. Surveys follow the IAQM guidance on site odour monitoring and are used to assess the impact of odour on neighbours, support permit applications, and investigate odour complaints. Results are presented as odour contour maps.

Question 17

Do I need an Environmental Permit?

Accepted Answer

You need an Environmental Permit if your business operates activities listed in the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) 2016 — including waste operations, industrial emissions (IED activities), water discharge, groundwater discharge, or mining waste. Medium Combustion Plants (1–50MW) also require permits under MCP regulations. The Environment Agency (or SEPA/NRW in Scotland/Wales) is the regulator.

Question 18

What is an MCP permit?

Accepted Answer

An MCP (Medium Combustion Plant) permit is required for combustion plants between 1MW and 50MW thermal input, including backup diesel generators, gas boilers, CHP units, and biomass plants. MCP permits impose emission limit values for NOx, SO2, CO, and dust, and require periodic MCERTS stack emissions testing to demonstrate compliance.

Question 19

How long does an Environmental Permit application take?

Accepted Answer

The Environment Agency aims to determine standard permit applications within 4 months of a duly-made application. However, bespoke permits for complex installations can take 6–12 months. Common delays include incomplete applications, inadequate risk assessments, and missing monitoring data. Alkali's permitting team — which includes former EA officers — ensures applications are complete and regulator-ready.

Question 20

What is EA annual reporting and when is it due?

Accepted Answer

Permitted operators must submit annual emissions data to the Environment Agency by 31st January each year, covering the previous calendar year. This includes Pollution Inventory data for IED installations, periodic stack testing results, continuous monitoring data summaries, and any other permit-required reporting. Late or inaccurate submissions can trigger compliance assessment actions.

Question 21

Do I need dust monitoring for my construction site?

Accepted Answer

If your planning permission includes conditions for dust management — which is common for sites near residential areas, schools, or hospitals — you'll likely need real-time PM10 and PM2.5 monitoring. IAQM guidance recommends continuous monitoring at high-risk sites. Some conditions also require gravimetric sampling to verify real-time instrument accuracy.

Question 22

What is a Dust Management Plan?

Accepted Answer

A Dust Management Plan (DMP) sets out the measures you'll implement to minimise dust emissions from construction or demolition activities. It typically covers dust suppression methods, monitoring locations and trigger levels, complaint response procedures, and record-keeping requirements. Many planning conditions require a DMP to be approved before works commence.

Question 23

Where do you provide services?

Accepted Answer

Alkali Environmental operates UK-wide from regional bases. We regularly work in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, Sheffield, Liverpool, Nottingham, Southampton, Aberdeen, Exeter, Cambridge, Belfast, and Swindon. Our typical lead time is 2 weeks regardless of location.

Question 24

What accreditations do you hold?

Accepted Answer

We hold UKAS accreditation (Laboratory No. 24303) to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for stack emissions testing, MCERTS certification from the Environment Agency, SafeContractor accreditation for health and safety, and membership of the Source Testing Association (STA). Our team includes former Environment Agency officers with direct regulatory experience.

Question 25

Do you handle Environment Agency submissions?

Accepted Answer

Yes — automated EA reporting is included as standard with all our stack testing services. We compile, validate, and format your results for EA submission, provide pre-submission review, and offer 14-day post-submission support to handle any regulator queries. Over 40 operators used our reporting service for the most recent January deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stack Emissions Testing

Air Quality Assessments

Noise & Vibration

Odour Assessment

Environmental Permitting

Dust Monitoring

Working with Alkali

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