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.”
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
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
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…
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.
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.
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
MY TRIP TO THE ASHRAE WINTER CONFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS
I’m just now getting back from the Indoor Air Quality Association’s annual conference, one of my favorite events each year. I’m not sure how I got sucked into being a planning committee member for the event six years ago, but I’m glad it happened. Since