Biological Testing
The services provided by the Laboratory Unit Biological Testing, which is accredited according to EN ISO/IEC 17025, include the testing of the efficacy of preservatives and other biocides, the determination of the resistance of materials against microorganisms, e.g. the biological durability of wood, wood-based materials, insulating and coating materials, as well as the testing of microbial load of material and air samples. Biological tests are performed in the laboratory or in the outdoor test field, and - if requested - after artificial or natural pre-weathering, pre-leaching, or evaporation exposure. The proof of microorganisms in the environment includes the identification of harmful organisms by microbiological, microscopic, or biomolecular diagnostic methods, and the determination of the microbiological (hygienic) load on materials, surfaces, or of ambient indoor air.
Current test procedures in the accredited area
Dr. rer. silv.
Wolfram Scheiding
Head of laboratory
Testing of biocidal effectiveness
Fungicidal effectiveness of wood preserving agents
- Preventive effectiveness against wood-destroying basidiomycetes, soft rot micro-fungi and blue-stain fungi
- Effectiveness of dry-rot sealing agents
- Outdoor testing (e.g., effectiveness of wood preservatives in soil contact, double-layer test)
- Screenings of test substances (e.g., agar diffusion test)
Antimicrobial effectiveness of film protection and in-can preservatives
- Preventive effectiveness against mould, algae and bacteria acc. to standard procedures
- Screening tests
Natural and artificial weather exposure prior to biological testing
- Outdoor weather exposure
- Artificial weather exposure in the QUV or Xenon test unit
- Evaporative ageing procedure in the wind tunnel
- Leaching procedure
Dipl.-Ing.
Kordula Jacobs
+49 351 4662 208
send E-MailDipl.-Biol.
Katharina Plaschkies
+49 351 4662 334
send E-MailResistance of materials against harmful organisms
Durability of wood-decay fungi
- Natural durability of wood and wood-based materials
- Biological durability of modified timbers and wood-polymer composites (WPC)
- Laboratory and outdoor testing
Resistance against mould, blue-stain fungi, bacteria and algae
- Mould testing of insulating materials
- Mould and algae resistance of coating materials (e.g., lacquers and paints)
- Antibacterial properties of flooring, textiles and other materials
- Effectiveness of antibacterial surfaces
- Hygienic investigations of interior spaces, stores, archives, production facilities, etc.
Dipl.-Ing.
Kordula Jacobs
+49 351 4662 208
send E-MailDipl.-Biol.
Katharina Plaschkies
+49 351 4662 334
send E-MailProof of microorganisms in the environment
- Air-borne germ sampling
- Germ (colony) counting
- DNA diagnostics for proving dry rot
- Identification of wood-decay fungi by DNA array
Dipl.-Biol.
Katharina Plaschkies
+49 351 4662 334
send E-MailDipl.-Ing. Sc.
Natalie Rango
+49 351 4662 242
send E-Mail