SPOTTED CEILINGS ARE NOT IN VOGUE
Acoustical tiles on the ceiling are as common in commercial buildings as gypsum wallboard or a broken printer. In fact, it’s somewhat unnerving to walk into a commercial building that doesn’t have acoustical tiles overhead! Classic white mineral board tiles
HOW TO KNOW YOU DON’T KNOW SOMETHING
Is there anything more frustrating than having your instructions ignored, especially when someone has asked you to help them solve a problem? Shortly after Hurricane Harvey, we visited a site where one large wall experienced major water damage and threatened the air
WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT WATER CAN LEAVE YOU LIABLE
In elementary school, we’re taught water can exist in three states: liquid (drinking water), solid (ice), and gas (clouds or fog). Building owners and managers need have a greater understanding of water and to recognize that it comes in three categories in addition to the states of matter. These categories are defined by
WHO ELSE IS READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
To put it mildly, 2017 was a wild year. All year long, news across the nation reported one new crisis after another. And when hurricane season started in the ATLANTIC Pacific, we entered a whole new ballgame.
WHEN GOOD TROPHIES GO BAD
The average person will spend 90,000 hours of their life at work. That amounts to around 3,750 days spent at the office. When so much of your time is dedicated to one location, it’s no wonder people want to personalize their workspaces. Pictures of the family,
WHEN YOU SHOULD CALL AN IAQ CONSULTANT
When I get called out to a job site, the occasional property manager will ask, “Do I need to check for mold, too?” To which I respond, “That depends. Can you see mold growing anywhere? Because if so, we probably don’t need to bother with a test.”
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.
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