ORM (OPTIMAL REMOVAL OF MOISTURE FROM WATER DAMAGED BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS) - MOULD GROWTH

摘要

Mould growth occurs rapidly in water damages constructions. During the project ORM, critical moments were identified ― both by laboratory studies and surveys in damaged buildings. Removing of water from damaged constructions is normally a slow process. During this time, the risk of mould growth is extremely high. Both in laboratory experiments and field surveys, it is proven that mould growth occurs in few days under optimal conditions. Different methods for drying out experimental constructions gave various degree of mould growth. Only in case of efficient drying conditions, growth of mould was avoided. A normal method for removal of moisture is either removal of damaged materials or drying by extra ventilation in the wet constructions. If mould fungi contaminate the materials, those measurements lead to spreading of spores and microbial contaminated dust to the surrounding areas. This has been shown to have significant impact to the indoor air quality.