Condensation and

Mold Infestation in
Day Care Centre
Sarawak General
Hospital
Ir Dr Muhammad Syukri Imran
& Ts. Azwan Abdullah
Engineering Section, State Health Department Sarawak
Day Care Centre SGH
Asessment
area
 Room 2

Room 1
 Room2

Operating hours

Room 1&2 – office

hours 8-5pm

Room 1 Integrated lab,

corridor (longer
hours and up to 24
hours)

Air conditioning
provided by Fan
Coil Unit (FCU) as
indicated in
drawing.

Intregated lab
Room 1 (R1) room air temperature and RH measurement
Room 1
Room 1
Room 1 wall surface temperature monitoring
Room 2
Room 2
Photo taken on 4/1/2021 (around 8:30am)
Photos taken on 15/1/21 (around 3am)
Photos taken on 29/1/2021 (2:45am)
Mould on furniture
Mould on work station
Mould sample under
microscope
Infiltration in ASHRAE

ASHRAE, with reference to Dickerhoff et al. (1982) and Harrje and Born (1982), estimates the
percentage distribution of infiltration air leakage by building components as follows:
• Walls: 18%–50%, with an average of 35%.
• Ceiling details: 3%–30%, with an average of 18%. This leakage undermines the purpose of
insulation in attics, residential houses, and ceiling insulation in buildings.
• Forced-air and/or cooling systems: 3%–28%, with an average of 18%. This category represents air
leaks in conditioning/heating air paths and ducts.
• Windows and doors: 6%–22%, with an average of 15%. The infiltration air leakage in windows is a
matter of the window type rather than age (Weidt et al., 1979). It is important to note that this
percentage represents infiltration through seals and cracks in doors and windows, not due to the
opening of doors by passing individuals, for instance.
• Fireplace: 0%–30%, with an average of 12%. Similar to the case of doors and windows, this
percentage represents the air leakage through a ‘cold fireplace’, not a running fireplace with open
dampers, plugs, caps, or such.
• Vents in conditioned spaces: 2%–12% with an average of 5%. This refers to undamped or
improperly damped small exhaust vents in a conditioned space.
• Other infiltration (air leakage) sources count for 1% or less of the total leakage.
 Evaluate air leakage in a building envelope

Outside airflow into the building is mostly driven by pressure differences caused either by the influence of
outside gusting winds or by the pressure difference across the building envelope resulting from the difference
between inside and outside temperatures (Jackman, 1974). In high-rise buildings, the driving force of
infiltration is primarily the stack effect. The difference in air temperature across the building envelope and
height results in air buoyancy differences, and as a result, a pressure difference between the inside and outside
of the building is established.

The presence of a ventilation system helps in enhancing the pressure difference across the building envelope
that drives infiltration. This is because it induces positive or negative pressure differences in the building and
between different rooms within the same building (Jokisalo et al., 2008).
Jackman P (1974) Heat loss in buildings as a result of infiltration. Building Services Engineer 42: 6–15.
Moisture migration

The graphic representation on the left is a cross-section of a

cold-formed steel framed exterior wall with stucco on the
outside and gypsum board on the inside. The solid red line
through the wall shows the temperature at any point through
the wall. This temperature gradient is based on the indoor and
outdoor temperatures and the thermal resistance of all the
components within the wall. The solid blue line through the
wall is the saturated pressure based on the temperature at
that point. Notice how the solid blue line drops reflecting the
ability of the air to hold water vapor is dropping. The dotted
blue line depicts the actual condition based on the indoor
moisture content. Where the two blue lines cross is the dew
point and is the cause for concern. The next colder material,
which in the case would be the exterior sheathing will be a site
for condensation to occur.
AIR BARRIERS
The 2012 International Energy Conservation Code, IECC, made it mandatory to include an “air barrier”
in thee xterior envelope. Section C402.4.1 of the code is entitled “Air Barriers”. It states that “a
continuous air barrier shall be provided throughout the building thermal envelope”. It does not
prescribe on which side (interior or exterior) of the exterior wall that the barrier should be installed. Any
joints, seams, and penetrations must be properly sealed.
Two systems are seen as “deemed to comply” and do not require any further air barrier materials. These
twosystems are:
1. “Concrete masonry walls coated with one application either of block filler and two applications of a
paint or sealer coating.”
2. “A Portland cement/sand parge, stucco or plaster minimum 1/2 inch (12 mm) in thickness.”

As in the water barrier there is a prescriptive approach to air barriers. The following list reveals 15
materials that are acceptable for use as an air barrier:

1. Plywood with a thickness of not less than 3/8 inch (10 mm).
2. Oriented strand board having a thickness of not less than 3/8 inch (10 mm).
3. Extruded polystyrene insulation board having a thickness of not less than 1/2 inch (12 mm).
4. Foil-back polyisocyanurate insulation board having a thickness of not less than 1/2 inch (12 mm).
5. Closed cell spray foam a minimum density of 1.5 pcf (2.4 kg/m3) having a thickness of not less than 1-
1/2 inches (36 mm).
AIR BARRIERS
6. Open cell spray foam with a density between 0.4 and 1.5 pcf (0.6 and 2.4 kg/m3) and
having a thickness of not less than 4.5 inches (113 mm).
7. Exterior or interior gypsum board having a thickness of not less than 1/2 inch (12 mm).
8. Cement board having a thickness of not less than 1/2 inch (12 mm).
9. Built up roofing membrane.
10. Modified bituminous roof membrane.
11. Fully adhered single-ply roof membrane
12. A Portland cement/sand parge, or gypsum plaster having a thickness of not less than 5/8
inch (16 mm).
13. Cast-in-place and precast concrete.
14. Fully grouted concrete block masonry. 15. Sheet steel or aluminum.

For more information, one should go to www.airbarrier.org.

DCC building CFD model with Design Builder to
find out pressure difference on building envelope
 Wind pressure
Simulation result
The flow of air around a building creates a wind pressure on
the building. The pressure intensity, distribution, and nature of
the building envelope vary by location.
The wind pressure intensity depends on the air density, wind
speed, and building shape characteristics expressed as a
pressure coefficient, Cp. The general expression of the wind
pressure intensity is given by Equation (10):

where Pw represents wind pressure (Pa),

Pair represents outside air density (kg/m3),
and v represents wind speed (m/s).
 Air velocity and pressure around building
Simulation result

Simulation result
 Air pressure around building model

Air infiltration largely drives the flow of moisture across the building envelope and consequently affects
moisture condensation incidence and locations. For instance, a cumulative leakage area of 1 3 1 cm
distributed over a square meter wall surface can allow an air leakage volume adequate to produce
(under particular conditions) unacceptable indoor moisture conditions (Hagentoft and Harderup, 1996).

Simulation result Simulation result

Hagentoft CE and Harderup E (1996) Moisture conditions in a north facing wall with cellulose loose fill insulation: constructions with
and without vapor retarder and air leakage. Journal of Building Physics 19: 228–243.
Location of FA intake duct
(high pressure side)
Location of fresh air duct low
pressure side
 Door seal

Door seal
Intervention by building
contractor
 800W air
heater

dessicant

800W air
heater
Intervention by building contractor
 Referring to drawing in earlier slide
Scaled down outdoor air infiltration simulation test Outlet 1 & 2 – represents fresh air ducting towards the room 1
Outlet 3 – represents fresh air flow to Integrated lab
Outlet 4 – outdoor fresh air intake

6w Mini air
window
extractor 36 m3/hr Valve
Valve 3rd outlet

4th outlet 1st outlet

Polystyrene box
(245mmx345mmx207mm) Data logger HDPE 1” pipe
2nd outlet
Wall plugged
Initial condition inside box with low temp using
reusable ice block freezer while low RH
outdoor Indoor (air conditioned) achieved in air-conditioned room
 Scaled down outdoor air infiltration simulation test

6w Mini air
extractor 36 m3/hr

Polystyrene box
(245mmx345mmx207mm)
HDPE 1” pipe

Data logger
Valve

reusable ice block freezer

 Findings summary
Extractor turned on
speed gradually
increased Box air condition prior to start
of extractor
Outdoor air temp was 23°C
and 94% RH

Low RH (64%) and Low temp

(13 °C)

When extractor was turned

Extractor turned on on, the air flow brings in high
speed gradually humid air into the box via 1st
increased outlet although the extractor
is not pushing air directly into
the box (while the 2nd outlet is
closed or sealed)
 Findings

In 15 mins
Extractor turned on full speed jumps to
96% (2nd
Extractor briefly on before shut outlet
unplugged)

In 30 mins
jumps to
Extractor turned on full speed 86% (2nd
outlet
plugged)

Valve fully open Extractor off

Rectification recommendation
1. To install FA intake damper with actuators
2. Separate FA duct for different room operation hours
3. Monitor room dew point
4. Application of dehumidifier if RH not acceptable
5. Decontamination work for affected room
6. Address other infiltration through building envelope
7. User and FM team awareness
Conclusion

Fresh air duct is being shared between rooms or spaces with FCU running
at different operating hours. Surge of humid air into officer room after
office hour when the FCU is turned off (while integrated lab FCU still
running) have resulted in condensation and mold growth. Pressure
difference across building envelope and FA intake without damper
contributes further to the problem. Scaled down outdoor air infiltration
simulation test results is consistent with the measured/logged room
air temperature and RH.
Thank You