Air Date: 2-3-2012| Episode: 234
Steve Caulfield is a widely known and respected building science consultant and Senior Vice President with Turner Building Science and Design, LLC...
Full Description:
Steve Caulfield is a widely known and respected building science consultant and Senior Vice President with Turner Building Science and Design, LLC. He is skilled in the design and evaluation of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and their relationship to complex indoor air quality problems. Mr. Caulfield has provided HVAC design and commissioning services for healthcare, educational, and commercial facilities. He has conducted indoor air quality evaluations for both new construction and existing buildings. Turner Building Science & Design, LLC is a professional team of engineers, the collective diagnostic and design experience of their staff includes the indoor air quality evaluation of over 20 million square feet of commercial, industrial, institutional, and educational space. Mr. Caulfield and Bill Turner are regular contributors to Indoor Environment Connections and other industry publications.
Z-Man’s Blog:
Steven Caulfield, PE, CIH
Steve Caulfield, P.E., CIH is a widely known and respected building science consultant and Senior Vice President with Turner Building Science and Design, LLC; was today’s guest on IAQradio.
IAQTI is appreciative of Steve’s contribution to revision of CIE manual by categorizing building science for IEPs into 3 levels:
Awareness level – learning the vocabulary, determining who the cognizant authorities are, understanding the basics of the house as a system and knowing who to call in for help. Need to understand the forms of moisture (liquid water, ice, water vapor or humidity). Need to understand the concept of pressures as driving forces moving air through buildings
Intermediate level – an understanding of moisture damage causes, such as wind-driven rain, condensation, leaks. A further understanding of air pressures, including temperature driven stack effect, mechanical system effects, and wind forces on the exterior of the building that may translate into the building. Understand some HVAC and building envelope basics. Realizing when they need help.
Advanced level – learning how to disassemble building components to determine moisture infiltration locations. Proficiency in the use of diagnostic tools like infrared cameras and moisture meters for moisture, tracer gas and pressure measurements for air pressure. Nuggets mined from today’s broadcast:
· IAQ problems don’t always manifest in immediate areas of moisture intrusion or infiltration.
· The combination of moisture and pressure of wind driven rain can overcome windows, doors and flashings and cause abnormal leaking. Wind driven rain can overcome gravity and flow up hill.
· Contaminate sources within buildings need to be identified, controlled and contained.
· Wind pressure may cause building exhaust to reenter buildings.
· Advocates the use of theatrical smoke to convince clients by show and tell.
· Reverse stack effect happens.
· Emerging issue: air infiltration is a real problem.
· R-value of insulation has little effect when bypassed by air movement.
· Attributes “the perfect building has no doors or windows” to Joe Lstiburek,
· Adding air conditioning to buildings that didn’t originally have it can lead to unanticipated consequences.
· Tips for building investigator: infrared cameras respond to temperature differentials, use a blower door to manipulate air pressure and use moisture meters to verify wet areas.
Today’s music: “Leak in the building” by Professor Bradford
Z-Man signing off
