Building Sciences
Building Diagnostics
Building owners and facility managers often face operations or compliance issues that are difficult to identify; they know they have a problem, but they may not know precisely what the problem is. Requests for facility evaluation services are often not specific, but rather describe the symptoms of a building problem, such as mold growth, mildew, high humidity, etc. The client needs an evaluation to identify the target issue or root cause of the problem. MZA tailors the evaluation to the client's needs.
In addition to analyzing building envelope problems in existing buildings, MZA provides building envelope design services to architects on new construction projects. MZA's services include site design, ranging from residential to commercial to industrial settings.
MZA diagnoses building envelope deficiencies that have led to mold growth. MZA has investigated and designed corrective work for damage to buildings caused by hurricanes, storms, and floods, including evaluation and correction of building envelope damage and design and monitoring of mold remediation projects. As a part of this work, we have evaluated water penetration and damage to built-up, shingle, and single-ply roofs and flashings, including accessories such as parapet caps, expansion joints, and caulking. This work involved mapping of water and mold damage, determination of remediation requirements, oversight of remediation work, air sampling to monitor the indoor air quality of partially occupied buildings, and post-remediation clearance. After evaluation, we have designed restoration or replacement of roofs, windows, doors, walls, and curtain walls. We have analyzed wind damage and water penetration into and through aluminum and glass curtain walls, stone curtain walls, wood siding, brick, block, stucco, and concrete walls. We have been involved in many projects in which the initial point of water entry into a building is readily evident, but the water pathways and extent of water damage require detailed understanding and analysis of building construction and materials.
In forensic work involving moisture infiltration in buildings, it has often been helpful to apply hygrothermal modeling to simulate moisture transport through building assemblies exposed to weather conditions such as hurricanes and severe storms. Increased moisture content in components of the building envelope can result in industrial hygiene and mold growth problems in the built environment. MZA is trained in the application of WUFI® (Wärme und Feuchte instationär) hygrothermal modeling software developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in the U.S. and the Fraunhofer Institute of Building Physics in Germany.
MZA provides educational programs on building envelope design and moisture dynamics. In conjunction with The Environmental Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, MZA has developed and regularly instructs a course in Mold Assessment and Remediation that attracts contractors, building owners, and facility managers from across the United States. MZA is the author of "Mold and Moisture Damage in Building Envelopes" in the Whole Building Design Guide, published by NIBS (the National Institute of Building Sciences).
Architects are responsible for designing buildings that provide healthy and safe environments. In recent years, unfortunately, mold has become a source for indoor air quality problems and liabilities for architects, and this problem continues to increase. In the past, exterior walls were uncomplicated structures without insulation and with vast capability for storing any water that entered the wall assembly. Modern construction methods and materials, combined with the need to insulate, have changed this. More organic materials that can support mold growth are used in wall construction. Construction practices moving toward lighter assemblies have removed materials that are able to store water that enters the wall. Building envelope design, including the proper location of air barriers and vapor retarders, varies significantly in different climactic zones. With our expertise in building envelope design, MZA has assisted many building owners and architects with issues dealing with water control in wall design as well as moisture dynamics resulting from the use of different building materials.