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.
HOW BUILDING SCIENCE RELATES TO INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Building science, though often the responsibility of a project’s architect, is a far-reaching field requiring a certain level of understanding of architecture, engineering, and construction. However, building science also has a more human element, quite literally, as so much of the practice focuses on how the many elements of a building impact the health and…
WHEN PRESENTATIONS FALL SHORT
Historically, I tend not to travel much during April. As the weather starts to change in Houston, the phone can get pretty busy. However, this year will be different: I’ll be visiting my daughter in Seoul, South Korea. Meanwhile, the business will be in good hands. I look forward to seeing my daughter and experiencing the South Korean culture.
THE RISKS OF OVER-THE-COUNTER MOLD TEST KITS
From Pinterest to the DIY Network, we live in the era of do-it-yourself projects. This can be great for wedding planning or retiling your bathroom, but when it comes to your health, some things should be left in the hands of experts. DIY mold test kits boast a
HOW TO DETERMINE IF A COMPANY IS WORTH YOUR TIME
“Is there a standard that must be met to verify we’ve successfully cleaned up everything after a fire?” This is the question I needed to answer after three separate management companies called me for help in the wake of a fire in their buildings. Thankfully, they
WHY YOU NEED TO MEASURE THE CARBON DIOXIDE IN YOUR BUILDING
Each time you exhale, you’re releasing between 35,000 and 50,000 parts per million (ppm) of the asphyxiate gas carbon dioxide (CO2). While carbon dioxide is a trace gas, occurring naturally in our atmosphere, concentrations of 7 percent to 10 percent (70,000–100,000 ppm) can cause