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Roots of Mold Problems and Humidity Control Measures in Institutional Buildings with Pre-Existing Mold Condition
Abstract
Humidity control and mold in buildings has
become an increasingly important problem. Once a
building has experience mold growth on walls,
ceilings, and other surfaces, it does not take longterm
exposure to moisture for mold to re-grow in the
building. Some commercial buildings on the Texas
A&M University (TAMU) campus have suffered
with humidity problems for many years. The
Continuous Commissioning (CCSM) group of the
Energy Systems Lab in collaboration with the
Utilities Office of Energy Management, and the
TAMU Physical Plant, was dispatched to perform
Continuous Commissioning on these commercial
buildings in order to find viable solutions to the
humidity problem. The CC group performed
extensive field tests and analysis on building air
handling unit (AHU), exhaust systems, building
construction, and the Energy Management Control
System (EMCS). Based on the field studies and
analysis, a four-category (Design, construction,
building retrofits and alterations, and poor
maintenance) system was set up to classify sources
for high humidity problems. This paper presents the
investigation and follow-up efforts, which identified
reasons and corrective measures for the high
humidity levels in these buildings, turning these
inefficient and humid commercial buildings into
comfortable environments. Recommendations for
dealing with such possible problems are provided.
Citation
Chen, H.; Deng, S.; Bruner, H.; Garcia, J. (2004). Roots of Mold Problems and Humidity Control Measures in Institutional Buildings with Pre-Existing Mold Condition. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /4605.