Building Forensics have been inundated with requests to investigate sick or tight building syndrome since their recent appearance on ITVs "Building From Hell".
The program highlighted the new worrying but previously unrecognised, building defects, identified from modern construction techniques which create ideal conditions for toxic mould and serious health concerns.
(PRWeb UK) November 20, 2009 -- Building Forensics have been inundated with requests to investigate sick or tight building syndrome since their recent appearance on ITVs "Building From Hell".
The program highlighted the new worrying but previously unrecognised, building defects, identified from modern construction techniques which create ideal conditions for toxic mould and serious health concerns.
The increase in building tightness from a quest for reduced carbon emissions from lower air changes has led to a general moisture build in new or restored properties, resulting in the health concerns of mould and rot or decay. Typically we have found the application of new building tightness conditioning such as BREEAM, LEED and part L of the Building Regulations coupled to poor construction management is increasingly causing building defect and health issues.
Building Forensics has found increasing evidence that construction management is failing to control quality standards or indeed comply with manufacturer’s or architects design or installation requirements. Worse still few surveyors or inspectors have the equipment or training to undertake non intrusive investigation or be able identify hidden defect such as missing insulation, thermal bridging and there presence of toxic chemicals.
The combination of high cellulose materials and misuse of vapour barriers, thermal bridging from poor or missing insulation or failure to properly seal the building envelope can result in the growth of toxic mould such as Penicillium, Tricoderma and Stachybotrys.
While visible mould is a good indicator of the health risk, it should be recognised that the moisture required for mould growth, sometimes from leaks but usually from condensation, often occurs out of sight in voids or behind plasterboard cavity walls.
Based in London "Building Forensics" are pleased to offer a nationwide investigation and inspection service identifying construction defect or the presence of harmful toxins using state of art measurement and monitoring equipment coupled to world class laboratory analysis.
See their web site for more information on mould and building defect analysis. www.buildingforensics.co.uk or call Jeff Charlton 07990 500 999
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