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Why do
Buildings Fail Investigations?: |
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seems we have been hearing more in recent years about problems in
buildings ? radon, carbon monoxide, toxic mold, ?sick building syndrome?
or homes being demolished because of chronic moisture intrusion. Horror
stories of tragic health effects and multi-million dollar lawsuits have
appeared in the media with increasing frequency. It is a commonly held
belief that ?they don?t build ?em like they used to.? Is there a logical
explanation for this? Are the materials used in modern buildings
inferior? Do today?s craftsmen know or care less about quality
construction than in years past? Or are these perceived problems a
result of media hype? |
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Evolution of Housing:
To answer this question let?s start by looking at how housing has
changed over the years. Since the time our early ancestors first brought
the campfire into the cave, the evolution of human shelter has been
driven primarily by a quest for comfort. Construction materials have
gone from indigenous mud, stone and tree slabs to today?s laminates and
manufactured products like particleboard and drywall, which are more
easily digested by microorganisms. We have introduced thousands of new
chemicals into the indoor environment, covered our floors with synthetic
carpet and we even build a room to keep the car and lawn mower inside.
Today?s double-layer, insulated building envelope does not allow water
vapor to breathe out as easily, and masks problems if condensation or
moisture intrusion occurs. Our homes have become tighter, reducing
exchange of outdoor air and retaining indoor pollutants longer. In
short, housing in the developed world today is more energy efficient,
much more comfortable, but less healthy and less durable. |
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Technology Transfer and Specialization:
Revolutionary developments in construction research and building science
in recent years have made available more new information on building
performance and advanced technology than ever before. In light of this,
how can these growing problems in construction failures seem to advance
unchecked and unnoticed? |
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Part
of the answer to this question lies in the process of ?technology
transfer? ? the flow of information from research institutions, through
building code officials and designers and into the marketplace. The flow
of information based on solid building science has not kept pace with
the use of new building products and techniques. Another, and probably
larger part, is the increasing complexity and therefore specialization
in the construction process. The modern consumer expects a
sophisticated, high-performance house. Sub-contractor specialists are
highly trained and skilled in their own fields, but often lack awareness
of the big picture ? how all the components of a building are
interrelated. We need experts in building science looking at the
building as a system, or applying ?system thinking? to the process of
building construction and repair. |
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Integrated Systems Approach:
A system is a group of components that are inter-dependent so that a
change in one component affects other components. A building is a system
whose components are: |
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- The building
envelope, which acts as a barrier to keep the weather and outdoor
pollutants out, and conditioned air in.
- Mechanical
system like the furnace and exhaust fans used to control moisture,
provide fresh air and maintain thermal comfort.
- Occupants,
who determine the use of doors and windows and operation of
mechanical equipment.
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Each
of these components is in turn a sub-system, so a building is a system
of systems, much like a living organism. The primary difference is that,
unlike a living organism, a building is incapable of healing, or
self-regeneration. That is where atmosphere, Inc. comes in. We use a
medical model to examine and test the ?patient,? diagnose problems and
prescribe a course of remedial action designed to bring the building to
good health. |
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Managing a building?s environment requires an understanding of
engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, thermodynamics, aerodynamics,
hydrology and other disciplines, as they apply to building structure and
function. It requires an integrative or holistic understanding of
building components, and how heat, air, moisture and pollutants are
transported and retained. It is this approach that atmosphere, Inc.
applies to every building investigation. |
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Sustainability:
The ultimate goal for a habitable environment is a building that uses
few natural resources and is less environmentally intrusive in its
construction, consumes minimal energy to maintain a high comfort level,
provides a safe and healthy indoor environment and is durable and easy
to maintain ? in other words, a sustainable building. It is this quality
of sustainability that we must achieve in every area of human endeavor
if we are to remain a viable species on this beautiful blue-green
planet. |
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