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Moisture related damage is still a formidable cost factor in the building sector. Besides installation deficiencies, moisture control design failures are the most frequent reasons for moisture problems. Therefore, adequate moisture control analysis has become the key for sustainable buildings. However, by focusing on vapour diffusion only other important moisture loads such as driving rain, construction moisture or air infiltration are mostly neglected. Therefore, international moisture control standards often refer to simulation models for more realistic analysis, leaving many practitioners wondering how to handle these tools. To overcome this dilemma, the updated German moisture control standard has introduced a three-pathway approach for design evaluation: 1st deemed to satisfy list, 2nd restricted Glaser calculation and 3rd fully fledged hygrothermal simulation. The third pathway includes the option to account for small leaks or imperfections in building envelope components. Guidelines in other countries are also embracing similar moisture control approaches which gives hope for more durable and sustainable building design. To reach this aim, moisture control should also become an integral part of the design process instead of a secondary chore.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	condensation, mould, energy efficiency, hygrothermal, building regulations, human health, indoor air quality
Research Division:	Built Environment and Design
Research Group:	Architecture
Research Field:	Architectural science and technology
Objective Division:	Construction
Objective Group:	Construction design
Objective Field:	Residential construction design
UTAS Author:	Dewsbury, M (Dr Mark Dewsbury)
ID Code:	149034
Year Published:	2022
Deposited By:	Architecture and Design
Deposited On:	2022-03-02
Last Modified:	2023-01-23
Downloads:	8 View Download Statistics