Water-Resistant Design and Construction


Book Description

Capitalize on Proven Solutions to the 25 Most Common Water Problems in Buildings_and Avoid Costly Construction Claims! The Illustrated Guide to Water Resistant Design and Construction provides state-of-the-art solutions to prevent the most common water-related problems in buildings. Designed to save you time and money, this expert resource discusses the causes and effects of water-related problems...time tested solutions for keeping water damage from occurring...methods for enhancing construction quality to reduce claims...tips on selecting the right firm to perform waterproof design and construction...guidance on achieving effective maintenance and repair...and more. The Illustrated Guide to Waterproof Construction features: More than 150 illustrations showing how to improve details and create higher-quality buildings Waterproofing methods that comply with the International Building Code Numerous examples and case studies from the United States, China, and Canada Inside this Complete Waterproofing Sourcebook •The 25 Most Common Problems: Causes and Effects • Mold and Mildew • How to Prevent Problems • Pre-Design Phase: Blueprint for Process • Building Delivery System • Time and Money • Concept Statement • Team Building • Design Phase: Selecting the Right Firm • Communications • Building Program • Schematic Design • Price Check • Design Development • Site Design • Floor • Air and Vapor Retarders • Wall Systems, Including Barrier, Drainage and Rain Screen Designs • Roof • Flashings • Sealants • Copings • Insulation • Avoiding Condensation • Mechanical Systems • Positive Pressurization • Bidding and Permitting • Construction: Scheduling • Long-Lead Items • Quality Assurance and Control • Early Bid and Construction Packages • Storage and Protection • Coordinating the Trades • Dimensional Tolerances • Managing Change Orders • Close-Out • Post-Construction: Operation • Maintenance • Repair • Replacement • Changes in Ownership




Damp Indoor Spaces and Health


Book Description

Almost all homes, apartments, and commercial buildings will experience leaks, flooding, or other forms of excessive indoor dampness at some point. Not only is excessive dampness a health problem by itself, it also contributes to several other potentially problematic types of situations. Molds and other microbial agents favor damp indoor environments, and excess moisture may initiate the release of chemical emissions from damaged building materials and furnishings. This new book from the Institute of Medicine examines the health impact of exposures resulting from damp indoor environments and offers recommendations for public health interventions. Damp Indoor Spaces and Health covers a broad range of topics. The book not only examines the relationship between damp or moldy indoor environments and adverse health outcomes but also discusses how and where buildings get wet, how dampness influences microbial growth and chemical emissions, ways to prevent and remediate dampness, and elements of a public health response to the issues. A comprehensive literature review finds sufficient evidence of an association between damp indoor environments and some upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, wheezing, and asthma symptoms in sensitized persons. This important book will be of interest to a wide-ranging audience of science, health, engineering, and building professionals, government officials, and members of the public.










Moisture Control Handbook


Book Description

In the climate-controlled buildings of today, moisture problemsaffect not only the useable life expectancy of the structure, butthe comfort and health of the occupants. This reference is thefirst to apply up-to-date moisture control and treatment techniquesin a problem/solution format. Opening with an introductoryexplanation of the nature and causes of mold, mildew, andcondensation, the book gives specific advice on heated, cooled, andcombination environments, plus a short course in the dynamics ofmoisture movement within buildings. Other invaluable coverageincludes: * clear, detailed recommended practices for all United Statesclimates * practices for cooling as well as heating climates (often, heatingclimate solutions are applied in cooling climates, where problemsand solutions are completely different) * an overall, systematic view of moisture problems--including howmechanical systems and occupant lifestyles can create and alsoresolve moisture problems * actual case studies of buildings with moisture problems thatillustrate the principles and practices presented in the book This detailed, no-nonsense exploration of moisture cause andeffect--as well as its protection and remediation--will expandreaders' knowledge on this crucial subject. Moisture ControlHandbook will be welcomed by building contractors, architects,mechanical engineers, building science researchers, buildingproduct manufacturers, homeowners, and small commercial buildingowners.




Moisture Control Guidance for Building Design, Construction and Maintenance


Book Description

Moisture control is fundamental to the proper functioning of any building. Controlling moisture is important to protect occupants from adverse health effects and to protect the building, its mechanical systems and its contents from physical or chemical damage. Yet, moisture problems are so common in buildings, many people consider them inevitable. Excessive moisture accumulation plagues buildings throughout the United States, from tropical Hawaii to arctic Alaska and from the hot, humid Gulf Coast to the hot, dry Sonoran Desert. Between 1994 and 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE) study collected information about the indoor air quality of 100 randomly selected public and private office buildings in the 10 U.S. climatic regions.




Durability by Design


Book Description

Few people intentionally consider durability when designing a home, but rather rely on experience and market acceptance to make design decisions. This approach to design works best in a stable housing market where architectural preferences and material choices do not change or change very slowly. The housing market, however, tends to be dynamic rather than stable and new materials and preferences influence the market continuously, sometimes in dramatic ways. This dynamic condition also places a responsibility on designers and builders to properly apply their experiences, which are often based on older construction methods and materials, to new materials and design conditions. As a result, it is important to understand why certain practices have been effective (or ineffective) in the past so that they can be properly interpreted and considered in the design and construction of modern homes. Durability by Design: A Guide for Residential Builders and Designers is intended to raise the awareness and understanding of building durability as a design consideration in housing. The Guide covers basic concepts of durability and presents recommended practices -including numerous construction details and design data- for matters such as moisture management, ultraviolet (UV) protection, insects, decay, corrosion, and natural hazards. Some attention is also given to matters that may be considered serviceability issues related to normal wear-and-tear, aesthetics, or functions not immediately associated with durability. The contents of this Guide will help to preserve and promote "tried-and-true" practices and concepts related to housing durability, and present them in a manner that can be used to cost-effectively design the durable homes of the future.




Damp Buildings, Human Health, and HVAC Design


Book Description

"Provides a summary of what is understood within ASHRAE about dampness-related health risks in buildings along with suggestions for HVAC system designers that can help avoid such risks as well as a simple and easily recognizable description of dampness that is sufficient to increase the probability of negative health effects and practical quantitative tools and techniques that can alert managers to the risk of a building or an indoor space becoming damp to an extent that affects health in the future"--




WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality


Book Description

Microbial pollution is a key element of indoor air pollution. It is caused by hundreds of species of bacteria and fungi, in particular filamentous fungi (mould), growing indoors when sufficient moisture is available. This document provides a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence on health problems associated with building moisture and biological agents. The review concludes that the most important effects are increased prevalences of respiratory symptoms, allergies and asthma as well as perturbation of the immunological system. The document also summarizes the available information on the conditions that determine the presence of mould and measures to control their growth indoors. WHO guidelines for protecting public health are formulated on the basis of the review. The most important means for avoiding adverse health effects is the prevention (or minimization) of persistent dampness and microbial growth on interior surfaces and in building structures. [Ed.]




The Inside Story


Book Description