Water connects everything and is the basis of all life. Life relies on growth and decay in equal measure and all such processes are dependent on water in some way. The health of our buildings as well as their decay is primarily connected with water.
Many substantial building problems (including health problems) are caused by excessive or insufficient moisture. And yet we have very little research in the UK on moisture in buildings, a lack of focus and coherence in regulation, policy and guidance, and minimal public and industry understanding of moisture risks and how to deal with them. The UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings has been set up to help address these issues.
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Our aims The primary aim of the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings (UKCMB) is: The development of a moisture-safe built environment in the UK
By this we mean a built environment where moisture causes minimal damage to building fabric, services or appearance and minimum harm to occupant health. Ideally buildings should be moisture-beneficial, providing healthy and sustainable places to live. As there is not currently a clear understanding of what this means or how it could be brought about, a further aim of the UKCMB is: A substantial improvement in the way moisture in buildings is understood in the UK The UKCMB will achieve its aims by working collaboratively with all stakeholders including research bodies, industry, standards and certification organisations, building owners/occupants and government. Left: Mould in buildings is one sign of an unsafe moisture environment. Mould can affect both human health (particularly the young, old and sick), as well as building durability, efficiency and appearance
What is moisture in buildings? We use the word ‘moisture’ to distinguish this from drinking water (which is not studied in the UKCMB), and to ensure that water is not only understood as liquid but also as vapour and as solid (ice). Water in its different states acts on buildings in often complex ways, which vary in different contexts, such as location, building type, condition, and use. Buildings are exposed to multiple water sources, such as rain, ground water and flooding on the outside, and breathing, cooking, showering, water leaks and many other activities inside. Currently many moisture issues cannot easily be assessed or managed due to lack of data, standards, models and skills.
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The activities of the UKCMB In light of the importance of moisture safety and yet the lack of understanding, research and good guidance in the UK, the core activities of the UKCMB are: • High quality research to define and quantify the nature of the problem, and to reveal causes and possible solutions. This work will be both holistic and specific, with particular focus on real world problems, and practical outcomes. • Cross-cutting, multidisciplinary learning and engagement within both academia and industry to ensure that moisture risk is understood in its full, economic, social and environmental context. • Development of nationally accepted methodologies and metrics for assessment of moisture problems and what constitutes ‘moisture-safe’. • Policy interaction and advice to government, planners, regulators, standards and certification organisations. • Development of clear information, guidance, training programmes and consultancy for all stakeholders.
Above: New guidance and standards are important for moisture safety in buildings Above right: Site monitoring is essential to widen our understanding of moisture movement and risk Right: Hygrothermal modelling can show different levels of risk in different contexts. Understanding these specific contexts is essential for moisture safe design
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The UKCMB is an independent, not for profit, public good organisation run by University College London, the Building Research Establishment (BRE), Heriot Watt University and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, working with many other partners in academia, government, industry, and the public in a rigorous and transparent manner. It is a partner with the Swedish Moisture Centre (FuktCentrum), the first and leading national centre for moisture in buildings in Europe, established in 2000.
UKCMB Work and Facilities We have research expertise in: • building physics • hygrothermal modelling • buildings and materials monitoring • building fabric failure from moisture • occupant health and moisture (moulds, mites etc.) • flooding and driven rain • historic buildings • unintended consequences and systems thinking We work with: • standards bodies: leading and writing standards • government: advising, undertaking research and guidance • industry: research, guidance, consultancy and training • public: general guidance and promotion of key issues Our facilities and capacity: • two large hygrothermal chambers • several large chambers dealing with flooding and driven rain • extensive laboratory testing equipment • extensive site monitoring equipment • links into extensive European facilities and expertise
Above: site testing of ventilation system and laboratory testing of internal wall insulation systems
For more information about moisture in buildings, to be involved in the Centre or to find out more about our work and services see www.ukcmb.org or contact us on ukcmb@ucl.ac.uk