Air Date: 4-20-2012| Episode: 244
The science of indoor environmental quality is a topic that elicits a lot of discussion and disagreement...
Full Description:
The science of indoor environmental quality is a topic that elicits a lot of discussion and disagreement. How much science does one have to know to perform IEQ contracting or consulting? Does one need to a High School diploma or Bachelor of Science to perform IEQ contracting or consulting? With the broad spectrum of science categories which areas are most applicable to IEQ investigations and contracting? What are the key science concepts that IEQ contractors and consultants need to understand?
Z-Man’s Blog:
Doktor der Konstruktion
Those of you who know our technical director Dieter Weyel, PhD are aware that he was endowed with both a brilliant mind and a generous ration of common sense. Things we take for granted in life, in buildings are actually very complex when considered scientifically. What I appreciate most about Dieter is his knack for simplifying complex concepts so that they can easily be understood by nontechnical people.
Nuggets mined from the show:
· Be honest and know your strength and weaknesses.
· Create a multidisciplinary network of knowledgeable and experienced people you can call.
· Building science is a new science. Building science is an important scientific discipline which investigates the cause of poor construction performance. Building science is the connection between architect, engineer and contractor. Building science is rooted in failure analysis. Building scientists determine who screwed up, where mistakes were made and offer advice on solving the problems.
· Off-gasses are usually not beneficial to health. Chemical emissions from new carpets and new car smell, ventilation and time. Activated charcoal adsorption may be helpful. Temperature and humidity can accelerate off-gassing.
· On “particles of interest”: Human hair is 100 µm in diameter, particles less than 10 µm in diameter can only be seen under microscopy. Particles <10 µm in diameter when inhaled penetrate and deposit deep within human lungs.
· On PPM: People readily understand percentages, such as 7% sales tax and have difficulty with PPM, easy ways to remember PPM- 1 drop of vermouth in 16 gallons of gin or 1” in 16 miles. PPB =1 drop in a tanker truck. Some chemicals are hazardous at 1 PPM, the TLV/PEL of formaldehyde is .3PPM or 300 PPB
· On chemistry: The chemical action of substances, the manner in which carbon monoxide is toxic inhibiting the oxygenation of blood. ACGIH’s TLVs are a good reference source.
· On heat transfer: Heat transfer examples: convection heat goes to air before warming our bodies, hot water radiators demonstrate heat convection, radiant heat- the propane heaters used in outdoor dining areas of restaurants.
An aura of calm seem to surround Dieter, he has an inherent ability to defuse explosive situations.
Dieter, thanks for your help on the radio show and in our training courses. It’s been my pleasure to know and work with you.
Today’s Music; “A brief history of science” by Ross Exton and Ardie Collins
Z-Man signing off
