Required Indoor Environmental Quality Guidelines
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I.3 Moisture Control
Intent
Prevent exterior water intrusion, leakage from interior water sources, or other uncontrolled accumulation of water.
Required Performance Criteria
A. Design the building envelope to resist moisture penetration. Since all buildings have potential for moisture penetration, and since Minnesota is a heating dominated climate, provide drainage planes to the exterior.
B. During the coldest portion (99.5% cold temperature design value) of the heating season keep the indoor dew point below 35°F (2°C).
C. Specify maximum moisture content of materials used in construction to assure that subsurface layers are dry enough to prevent moisture trapping by surface finish materials (Consult: Lstiburek and Carmody, 1993, Harriman et al., 2001)
Note: Other related and critical items for moisture control are covered under other sections: Guideline I.5 Thermal Comfort which includes criteria for relative humidity and P.5 Operations Commissioning which includes practices for detection and management of unintended accumulation or intrusion of water.
Compliance Tools and Resources
- Suggested resource: Lstiburek, J, and J Carmody (1993) Moisture Control Handbook, New York, Van Nostrand. (Can be purchase from a general on line bookstore such as Amazon.com)
- Suggested resource: Harriman, L. I., G. Brundrett, et al. (2001.) Humidity Control Design Guide for Commercial & Institutional Buildings. Atlanta, ASHRAE. (can be purchased at ASHRAE online Bookstore)
Related MSBG Documents
- Form P-5 Indoor Environmental Quality Documentation
- Appendix I-1 Suggested Implementation for all Indoor Environmental Quality Guidelines
Supplemental Resources
- For supplemental information for Item A consider Lstiburek and Carmody, 1993; Lstiburek, 2002, Lstiburek, 2006 listed below.
- For supplemental information for Item B consider Consult: Lstiburek (2002) listed below.
- ASHRAE 62.1-2004 requirements:
- 62.1-2004 - §5.9 Filtration requirements for HVAC ductwork upstream of all cooling coils and other devices with wetted surfaces
- 62.1-2004 - §5.11-5.14 Condensate management and maintenance of moisture conditions in ductwork.
- 62.1-2004 - §5.5 Requirements that ductwork be resistant to mold growth.
- 62.1-2004 - §5.10 & 5.15 Humidity control and pressure control in spaces that are mechanically cooled
- 62.1-2004 - Addendum a. §5.10 Dehumidification Systems.
- ASHRAE (2005). 62.1 User's Manual, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2004, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. Atlanta, GA, ASHRAE.
- Lstiburek, J, and J Carmody (1993) Moisture Control Handbook, New York, Van Nostrand.
- Lstiburek, J. (2002.) "Moisture Control for Buildings." ASHRAE Journal 44(2): 36-41.
- Lstiburek, J. (2006) "Understanding Drainage Planes" ASHRAE Journal 48(2) 30-35
- Harriman, L. I., G. Brundrett, et al. (2001.) Humidity Control Design Guide for Commercial & Institutional Buildings. Atlanta, ASHRAE.
- California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, Title 8, Chapter 4, Article 9, Section 3362(g) "uncontrolled accumulation of water" (2002.)
- Horner, W. E., P. R. Morey, et al. (2001.) "How quickly must gypsum board and ceiling tile be dried to preclude mold growth after a water accident". Moisture, Microbes, and Health Effects: Indoor Air Quality and Moisture in Buildings, San Francisco, CA, IAQ 2001.
- Kosar, D. (2006). "Dehumidification system enhancements." ASHRAE Journal 48(2): 48-58.
- Wyon, D., L. Fang, et al. (2002.) "Limiting Criteria for Human Exposure to Low Humidity Indoors". Indoor Air 2002, Monterey, CA, Vol. 4, pp. 400-405.