Deposited Dust Monitoring (Frisbee & Bergerhoff)
Frisbee directional deposit gauges per BS 1747-1 and Vaughan & Hall, Bergerhoff bulk-deposit gauges per VDI 2119 and IAQM sticky pads. Read weekly or monthly with UKAS-accredited gravimetric finish. For construction, quarrying and industrial site dust deposition assessment.
The slow-burn dust evidence the IAQM cares about
Real-time PM&sub10; boundary monitors capture the airborne dust concentration; deposited dust gauges capture what actually settles on cars, windows, washing lines and crops at the sensitive receptors. The IAQM 2014/2024 construction dust framework references a deposited dust rate of 200 mg/m²/day as the headline exceedance threshold for nuisance dust at a sensitive receptor — and it is this measurement, not the instantaneous PM concentration, that often determines whether a complaint is sustainable.
Two physical methods dominate in the UK. The Vaughan & Hall Frisbee directional deposit gauge (BS 1747-1) gives a directional record of deposited dust mass and is the IAQM's preferred instrument; it has a polypropylene cone with a removable filter and a water collection bottle, and is mounted on a 2–3 m post at the sensitive receptor. The German Bergerhoff gauge (VDI 2119) is a simple cylindrical jar collecting bulk deposition over typically 30 days and is sometimes specified by particular local authorities.
For a faster qualitative read on dust soiling, IAQM also recognises the sticky pad method — adhesive pads exposed for 7 to 14 days and quantified by reflectance loss or image analysis. We supply, install, service and analyse all three; for most schemes the answer is a Frisbee at every sensitive receptor location plus a sticky pad at the boundary for the operational dust soiling indicator.
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Vaughan & Hall Frisbee Gauges
BS 1747-1 directional Frisbee gauges installed on 2–3 m posts at the agreed sensitive receptor locations. Serviced weekly or monthly, filters and bottle deposits sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for gravimetric analysis. Reported as mg/m²/day against the IAQM 200 mg/m²/day threshold.
VDI 2119 Bergerhoff Gauges
Cylindrical Bergerhoff jars (typically 32 day exposure) where the local authority or permit specifies them. Bulk dust deposition gravimetric finish reported in g/m²/30 d.
IAQM Sticky Pads
Adhesive pads exposed 7 to 14 days at receptor or boundary locations, quantified by reflectance loss or image analysis to give a daily soiling indicator. Particularly useful for early-warning where Frisbee turnaround times are too long to be operationally useful.
Weekly & Monthly Servicing
We service the gauges on a regular cycle, log site conditions and concurrent operational activity at each visit, and return the samples to the lab the same week. Reports follow each monthly cycle.
Long-Term Permit Schemes
For EPR, IPPC and quarry/aggregate permit conditions we operate continuous multi-year deposited dust schemes, with annual trend analysis and compliance summaries packaged for the regulator.
Complaint Investigation
Short-term targeted Frisbee or sticky pad deployment to investigate sustained dust complaints, with rapid turnaround and a written investigation report identifying source and cause.
The methods we follow
Every scheme references the relevant published standard and the IAQM 2014/2024 framework benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What deposited dust threshold does IAQM use?
The IAQM 2014/2024 construction dust framework references 200 mg/m²/day as the headline exceedance threshold for nuisance dust at a sensitive receptor. The framework also recognises 2% absolute reflectance loss per day on a sticky pad as the threshold for visible dust soiling concern.
Frisbee or Bergerhoff — which should I use?
For new IAQM-led construction schemes the Vaughan & Hall Frisbee gauge (BS 1747-1) is the standard instrument. The VDI 2119 Bergerhoff gauge is sometimes specified by particular local authorities or by EPR permit conditions, and is used for long-term continuous deposited dust records. Some schemes use both in parallel for cross-validation.
How often should the gauges be serviced?
Frisbee gauges are typically serviced weekly during high-risk phases (demolition, earthworks) and monthly during quieter periods. Bergerhoff gauges are typically left in place for 30 days then collected and replaced. Sticky pads are typically exposed for 7 to 14 days.
Can I use sticky pads instead of Frisbees?
For some schemes, yes — sticky pads give a faster operational read on dust soiling, particularly where Frisbee gravimetric turnaround times are too long to support real-time site management decisions. For formal IAQM compliance the Frisbee remains the preferred instrument, with sticky pads useful as a complementary operational tool.
How much does deposited dust monitoring cost?
A typical scheme of three Frisbee gauges read weekly with monthly UKAS-accredited gravimetric analysis and reporting starts from around £4,000 to £6,000 plus VAT per year. Bergerhoff schemes are similar. Sticky pad add-ons are typically £500 to £1,200 per year. We design the gauge density and reporting cadence to match the planning condition or permit wording, not over-engineer it.