OPPORTUNITIES & CONSEQUENCES OF CONDENSATION

[greenbuild]

OPPORTUNITIES & CONSEQUENCES OF CONDENSATION
Dr. Richard Aynsley, F.AIRAH, F.AIA
Director, Big Ass Fans Aust. Pty Ltd
dick@bigassfans.com

See paper attached

INTRODUCTION
This paper provides a brief introduction to the opportunities and consequences of condensation in buildings. Condensation is looming as the greatest single cause of damage and failure of buildings. It occurs in all types of buildings due to poor design or inappropriate use of materials (Standards Australia, 1992). Once condensation problems such as mould, wood rot, electrical safety issues, and corrosion are established it is very difficult and expensive to rectify. In some cases demolition is the only option. In other cases condensation has caused structural collapse. It should be noted that recent tighter sealing of buildings and increases in thermal insulation in pursuit of energy efficiency have contributed to incidents of condensation problems.