Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
of building environments on request when workers in schools, office build-
ings, etc., are involved.
The primary goal of conducting building investigations is to identify
and mitigate IAQ/IE problems and prevent their recurrence. Successful con-
duct of building investigations requires that investigators have (1) extensive
knowledge of buildings and building systems, (2) a broad understanding of
the nature of IAQ/IE problems and factors that contribute to them, (3) an
understanding that IAQ/IE investigations have both political and technical
dimensions, (4) knowledge of environmental testing procedures and their
limitations, and (5) knowledge of investigative protocols and their applica-
tion to conducting successful IAQ/IE investigations.
A. Residential investigations
Residential IAQ/IE problems are, in theory, easier to diagnose than those that
occur in nonresidential buildings. In many, but not all, cases they are more
easily resolved. Residential structures are smaller and more simply designed,
and activities that occur within them, and equipment and materials used, are
fewer and less diverse. The design and operation of mechanical heating/cool-
ing systems are also less complex than in nonresidential buildings.
To successfully conduct an investigation of residential IAQ/IE com-
plaints, an investigator must know what the most common problems are,
various aspects of housing construction, the location and operation of heat-
ing and cooling systems, aspects of human behavior, and what can go wrong
in heating/cooling system operation and building maintenance. Unfortu-
nately, many of the tools required to conduct a successful residential IAQ/IE
investigation are only acquired by an investigator after many years of con-
ducting investigations. Though dwellings are simple structures, each has its
own unique construction and renovation history as well as history of occu-
pancy. With the possible exception of many manufactured houses, IAQ/IE
investigations will rarely be the same for any two houses.
1.
Investigative practices
There are three basic approaches to conducting residential IAQ/IE investi-
gations. These can be described as (1) an
or “seat of the pants”
approach, (2) conducting air testing only, and (3) a systematic approach that
is designed to identify and resolve problems.
ad hoc
approach is used by investigators who
have had little or no experience in responding to homeowner complaints.
Such investigations are conducted by personnel in small public health depart-
ments where few resources are available and where housing investigations
are often of the “nuisance” type. They are also conducted on occasion by
private consulting personnel who have little experience. Such investigations
have a limited probability of identifying and mitigating IAQ/IE problems.
a.
Ad hoc approach.
The
ad hoc
