Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Moisture
in Buildings
Lee Poh Seng
Mechanical Engineering Manager
Trane Singapore
Moisture Management
Contents
Mildew Growth
Discomfort
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Percent Relative Humidity
Why Manage Moisture?
Also…
EPA: Tools for Schools Kit
EPA: Building Air Quality Guide
So...
Manage Moisture Because...
Liquid-water sources
Water-vapor sources
Condensation on cold
surfaces
Liquid-Water Sources
Outdoor Contributors
Weather
During the construction process
Building-shell leaks
Outdoor-air intakes
Ground water
Seeps through basement
walls and floors
Liquid-Water Sources
Indoor Contributors
Leaks
Leaky appliances, valves, pipes
Accidental spills
Envelope leaks
Cleaning
Wet mopping and carpet
shampooing introduces
large amounts of moisture
Water-Vapor Sources
Vapor-Pressure Diffusion
Vapor-pressure diffusion
Water vapor moves through solid
materials (from areas of higher
to lower moisture content)
Wp = P * A * (VPo - VPi)
Wp = diffusion moisture, gr/h
P = permeance, gr/hr/ft2/in.Hg
A = surface area, ft2
VP = vapor pressure, in.Hg
Water-Vapor Sources
People
People
Occupant respiration/perspiration
Design for the anticipated
activity level (See 1997 ASHRAE Fundamental
Handbook for latent people load.)
Wc = G * K
Wc = combustion moisture, gr/h
G = gas fire rate, ft3/h
K = combustion constant, gr/ft3
Water-Vapor Sources
Infiltration
Moisture infiltration via airflow...
Through cracks caused by pressures
(due to wind, stack effect, fans)
Through open doors and
windows caused by temperatures
Wi = A * r * 60 * Va * (HRo - HRi)
Wi = infiltration moisture, gr/h
A = opening area, ft2
Va = airflow velocity, ft/m
HR = humidity ratio, gr/lbs
r = density, lbs/ft3
Water-Vapor Sources
Ventilation
Ventilation air …
Typically the largest source
of moisture in a building located
in humid climates
Wv = Qv * r * 60 * (HRo - HRi)
Wv = infiltration moisture, gr/h
Qv = ventilation airflow, cfm
HR = humidity ratio, gr/lbs
r = density, lbs/ft3
Moisture Management
Contents
This includes …
the building envelope
occupied spaces
the mechanical equipment room
HVAC equipment
The Building Envelope
Preventing Water Vapor In Walls
Liquid-water intrusion
Weather barrier in exterior walls to keep the rain out
Design the roof to drain freely and to be water-tight
Drain ground water away from the building
Seal all envelope penetrations
Design building to be
watertight (windows, roof, etc.)
Thoroughly dry all leaks/spills
within 24 hours
Adequately dehumidify when
shampooing carpets
Occupied Spaces
Prevent Unplanned Condensation
Two ways to
dehumidify spaces …
Occupied Spaces
Condition the Ventilation Air
Maintain <60% RH
even when building
is unoccupied
Managing Building Moisture
This includes …
the building envelope
occupied spaces
the mechanical equipment room
HVAC equipment
The Mechanical Equipment Room
Prevent Condensation
Negative pressurization
Positive return-air pressurization
Positive supply-air pressurization
Poor Solution: Negative Pressure
Result: Very High Dew Point
no vapor retarder, diffusion brings in moisture
proper sealing
and low dew
point prevents
internal
condensation
This includes …
the building envelope
occupied spaces
the mechanical equipment room
HVAC equipment
HVAC Equipment
Moisture and Water Chillers
Insulate to
increase efficiency
must have a vapor
retarder on warm side
Reduce equipment-
room dew point
pressurize with system return air or supply air
HVAC Equipment
Moisture and Air-Handling Units
Planned sources
Condensate collection pans
Drain line seals