Biodeterioration Prevention Unit
Na descrição, incluir o enquadramento na estrutura do LNEC, acreditação, notificação ou outro tipo de reconhecimentos, objetivos e relevância para a economia, para a indústria e para a sociedade.
The Biodeterioration Prevention Unit (UPB) is part of the Conservation of Natural and Built Heritage Unit of the Materials Department at LNEC.
The UPB performs biodeterioration testing, both laboratorial and field tests (by moulds, wood decay fungi and termites) on a wide range of materials of natural origin. This is done as part of contract research services, programmed research studies, or other activities supporting the construction sector. A significant component of its work involves research on the conservation of wood and wood-based products, and other biobased materials.
Activity areas
Our activity focuses on the diagnosis of biodeterioration of biobased materials; R&D on the use and protection of wood and wood-based materials; and assessment of the biosusceptibility of materials, and biocides used for their protection, namely:
Testing
- Resistance to fungi of wall coverings, plastic materials and thermal and acoustic insulation materials;
- Determination of natural durability of wood against wood-decay fungi or subterranean termites;
- Field tests to determine the efficacy of a wood preservative product in contact with the soil;
- Determination of the efficacy of wood preservative products against subterranean termites;
- Assessment of the performance of modified wood against fungi or termites.
UPB also collaborates in the development, evaluation and certification of construction products and systems regarding their durability against biodeterioration agents.
Other services
UPB contributes to the development, assessment and certification of construction products and systems, by evaluating their durability against biodeterioration agents. Some relevant actions:
- Collaboration with Azorina in the development of a standard for the visual classification of cryptomeria wood for structural purposes, including the assessment of its durability following the application of different treatments against subterranean and drywood termites.
- Collaboration in the CircularBuild Project (EEA Grants) by evaluating the susceptibility of insulation systems, made from biobased materials, to biodeterioration agents.