Testing and surveys

A shielded room is only as good as its last test. Testing and surveys prove that EMP, RF and MRI shielding performs as designed, from the first site survey to the final attenuation test. Surveys find the weak points, tests prove the attenuation, and you receive the evidence in a written report.

• Attenuation surveysRF and EMP rooms measured
• Pre-install surveysDesign based on real conditions
• Post-install verificationPerformance proven by test
• Written test reportsEvidence for the project file

What are shielding testing and surveys

Testing and surveys are the measurement services behind every shielded room: the surveys that inform the design, the checks made while the room is built, and the tests that prove it performs. They apply to EMP shielding, RF shielding and MRI shielded rooms alike, and to rooms built by others that need independent verification. They sit within our shielding range as the proof that the work performs.

A survey records the real conditions: construction type, existing services, penetrations, access and constraints. A test measures the result: attenuation across the specified frequency range, door and seal performance, and the integrity of filtered entries. Both are documented in writing.

Which surveys and tests do you need

Match the service to the stage of the project. A room that skips the early survey usually pays for it in rework later.

How shielding testing works

An attenuation test compares signal levels inside and outside the room across the specified frequency range, using calibrated measurement equipment. The result is reported as attenuation in dB per band, against the target the consultant set. Doors are tested closed, seals are inspected, and filtered entries are checked for correct installation.

Installation checks happen while the room is built: seams and seals are inspected before they are covered by finishes, because a defect found after completion costs far more to fix. The final report records the method, the frequencies tested, the results and any findings, and it forms part of the project file.

The acceptance criteria are agreed before testing begins, so the result is a clear pass or fail against the design target rather than a debate afterwards. Where a room falls short, the report pinpoints the leak, whether a door seal, a penetration or a seam, so the fix is targeted and the re-test is quick.

Test after every change. A new cable, a replaced door seal or a drilled hole can break a shield. Re-test the room after any work that touches its envelope.

Combining testing with other work

Testing applies to every shielded room on a site, whatever its purpose. Rooms with security doors at their entrances are tested with those doors closed, so the door seals form part of the result. Where shielding was installed by another contractor, an independent survey and test gives the site team evidence they can rely on. Our standards hub explains the rating systems behind the products being tested.

Where testing and surveys are used

Government and defence sites test shielded rooms before they enter service. Healthcare estates verify MRI suites before clinical use. Data centres and utilities and energy operators test the rooms that protect critical equipment.

What affects the cost and lead time of testing and surveys

The number of rooms and the frequency range to be tested set the measurement scope. Access arrangements matter: rooms must be available with services live and other trades clear. The depth of reporting, from a summary certificate to a full measurement report, affects the deliverable. Travel and site attendance for multi-stage checks are priced per visit. No prices are given here because every scope differs.

How to specify testing and surveys

1. Define what must be proven. Frequencies, attenuation targets and rooms.
2. Survey the site. Record construction, services and constraints.
3. Agree the test plan. Fix method, bands and acceptance criteria.
4. Check during installation. Inspect seams and seals before finishes.
5. Run the final test. Measure attenuation across the range.
6. Issue the report. Deliver written evidence for the project file.

Testing and survey FAQs