Problem Building Assessment Service

Building Life Consultancy offers two levels of service in our Problem Building Assessment Service:

1. Analysis and Solution, or
2. Analysis, Solution and Implementation

Analysis and Solution

In the first level of service a member of our team inspects the problem building and reviews all available documentation. Given the conditions found they then can carry out on site measurement, logging and/or a desktop study including hygrothermal simulation to analyse the underlying issues. Based on this a practical solution is then set out in a report. This report can allow the client’s maintenance team, building surveyor or architect to oversee the implementation of the proposed solution.

Analysis, Solution and Implementation

In the second level of service our sister company Joseph Little Architects, an RIAI practice experienced in dealing with innovative new-build, retrofit and problem buildings, can implement Building Life Consultancy’s report. This involves creating all drawings and specifications needed, assembling a list of suitable contractors, tendering the works, advising the client at all stages, controlling payments and ensuring quality.

Building Life Consultancy is the leading independent organisation in Ireland analysing and highlighting the issues effecting problem buildings.

• We are experienced architects with a strong understanding of modern and traditional building technology. Our team has in excessive of 35 years of experience. Our analysis and solutions are based on (a) understanding what is specific to each building, its location and users, and (b) on building physics. We are against imposed, ready-made solutions. Trying to solve problems by only adding more air vents, more insulation, or materials designed to ‘block dampness’ or kill mould rarely works.
• We are highly critical of minimum standards of ventilation in the Irish Building Regulations and can recommend more robust and effective ventilation systems, that are suitable for houses or apartments, and private or social housing.
• We have taught several hundred RIAI architects through our ‘RIAI Designing Low Energy Retrofits’ course since early 2010. We are currently preparing a new training course, ‘RIAI Detailing and Best Practice’, to increase the knowledge of these issues amongst architects nationwide.
• In March 2011 we were appointed the co-operation partner of the German Fraunhofer Institute of Building Physics for the promotion and development of WUFI hygrothermal simulation software in Ireland.

Besides our knowledge acquired through training and experience we use the following tools:

• WUFI: As building fabric consultants we use ‘WUFI Pro’ hygrothermal simulation software compliant with the latest European standard (IS EN 15026) to fully assess the building fabric, either proposed, existing or retrofitted, in the context of the building’s exposure and the vapour load of its internal uses. A huge range of questions can be asked and data obtained from the simulations. Key outputs relate to risk of interstitial condensation, mould, freeze-thaw cycles, failure of materials, moisture accumulation, value of conservation materials or approaches, actual energy conserved, and the value of thermal mass and even PCM (phase change materials).
• Thermal bridges: We use thermal bridge analysis software to evaluate risk of surface condensation and the extent of additional heat loss at junctions of a build such as where two walls meet or a window meet a wall. It’s worth noting that the addition of internal insulation can at times reduce the temperature inside a previously uninsulated wall and add to the risk of condensation, it can also affect conditions in neighbouring rooms or dwellings.
• On-site measuring: We can install dataloggers in problem buildings to gain objective data of what is going on. We can also measure actual thermal conductivity of materials and walls.
• We can have mould or other samples analysed to assess its type or impact on residents when required.
• Our reports are written in plain language and illustrated as necessary with images, spreadsheets and graphs to aid comprehension.