THE SOURCE OF THE DUST IN YOUR OFFICE
In the classic “Peanuts” comic strips, readers were introduced to an endearing cast of characters. Among them is Pig-Pen, a young boy who is constantly covered in a cloud of dust. We never learn where this dust comes from, though,
DISCOVERING HOW BUILDINGS FAIL
Last month, I flew up to Boston to attend a conference I frequent each year: Building Science Summer Camp. I’ll be honest; this year’s BSSC wasn’t quite as educational as I expected, but they can’t all be home runs. I still had a great time, though.
CAN WILDFIRES IMPACT INDOOR AIR QUALITY?
In Texas, wildfire season reaches its peak in early fall, after months of hot weather dry up the land. Large portions of the state become like a box of kindling, and a single spark can set off acres of raging fire. While the images of burning flames can be terrifying, sometimes the biggest threat
THE ODD, UNUSUAL, AND FASCINATING THINGS I SEE ON THE JOB
On my surveys, I get to see a lot of weird “back of the house” stuff. In most buildings, back of the house means air-conditioning units or kitchens. In my line of work, where I investigate unusual locations, back of the house
IS YOUR CUP OF COFFEE DESTROYING YOUR LUNGS?
What do Kona coffee beans from Hawaii and microwave popcorn have in common? They may both be classified as food, but it’s strange to compare one of the world’s most revered coffee beans with the late-night snack of those who haven’t been grocery shopping in a few weeks. However, while coffee
WHEN PUTTING IT OFF PUTS YOU IN HOT WATER
In 2014, I visited a building on the Texas Gulf Coast to see if the air quality was being affected by mold on the ceiling of a four-story atrium. This problem began in 2009, when an outdoor air vent was left wide-open over the weekend. This vent allowed large
EMERGENCY PLANNING IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
Hurricane season sweeps through the Lone Star State from June through November. While the Gulf of Texas is far less likely to be hit by a hurricane than Florida, the increasing number of tropical storms and hurricanes we’ve seen in recent years means you can never be too careful. Here’s what building owners and property managers need to think about when preparing their staff for an emergency.
A TRIP TO SOUTH KOREA PUT ME 118 STORIES IN THE AIR
Recently, my wife and I visited our eldest daughter, Shelley, who we don’t get to see nearly as much as I would like. As a schoolteacher for the Department of Defense, Shelley currently teaches third grade on a base in Seoul, South Korea. This was our first time visiting Shelley in South Korea, and though…
WHY OZONE MIGHT BE MORE TROUBLE THAN IT’S WORTH
The use of ozone (O3) is often touted as an “allnatural” way to rid an environment of unpleasant odors. Some claim that an ozone generator can successfully remove odors caused by everything from mold to cleaning products. The truth is, while ozone is technically natural, that doesn’t mean it’s safe.
THERMAL IMAGING AND BUILDING SCIENCE
Several years ago, thermal cameras became accessible to the general population, and I decided to invest in one for my work. You might have seen thermal cameras used on some TV show about the Army or a SWAT team. The characters will be scoping out a building, and someone in charge will demand they get thermal cameras on the building to see what’s going on inside. This looks really cool. Unfortunately, it’s complete science fiction.