“Sick buildings” are on the rise across Australia, with high internal humidity and high moisture accumulation leading to reduced thermal resistance and structural decay and a surge in indoor mould growth.
If left undetected, uncontrolled moisture can reduce the structural soundness of buildings through dry rot in wood, corrosion in steel, and freeze-thaw cycles, among other damage mechanisms.
“This is why early detection of moisture accumulation, especially in roof cavities, is crucial for builders, architects, engineers, and designers working on buildings across Australia,” according to Andrew Dunn, CEO of the Australian Timber Development Association.
Mr Dunn spoke to the Wood Central Publisher about the threats posed by moisture infiltration ahead of the next WoodSolutions seminar, scheduled in person for Sydney later this month.
“It is a problem right across Australia, especially in areas with high humidity loads,” he said before adding, “There are few guarantees in life, but moisture infiltration of building membranes most surely be one of them,” Mr Dunn said.
“This is why our next WoodSolutions seminar, locked in for February 22nd, is so timely,” Mr Dunn said, “featuring Jason Teetaert – a subject matter expert in structure monitoring technology.”
Jason Teetaret, President of Structure Monitoring Technology, is a real-time building physics tracking leader. Amongst new software developed is a permanent roof leak-detection product that can pinpoint moisture breaches before damage occurs.
“This proactive safeguard system uses sensor networks installed directly into roof assemblies,” according to Mr Dunn, adding that “data is continuously gathered on moisture content, which allows for near-real-time identification of moisture accumulation.”
The technology helps builders maximise roof lifespan, minimise expensive repairs, and rapidly target leak locations to preserve building integrity.
“Our solutions empower stakeholders to monitor enclosure performance and catch problems early on,” according to Mr Teetaert, before adding that “we help clients protect their investments in design, construction and restoration.”
In addition to moisture tracking, temperature, humidity, displacement, and other metrics are also monitored.
“The cloud-based software visualises findings and trends,” Mr Teetaert said in a Wood Solutions media release, “While the technology provides vital “insurance” for timber structures, it broadly applies to various building types.”
Mr Teetaert will be joined in the seminar by three other presenters, including Simon Anderson, from Anderson Architecture, who will discuss Building Pocket Passiv – a Model of Tight Urban Architecture; Alexander Symes, from Symes Architect, who will present The Music Room – Lessons from an Urban Passive House Addition and Bernard Waller & Donal Challoner, Nettletontribe Architects who expand on the Timber Warehouses – The New Industrial Estate.
“Bookings are essential,” Mr Dunn said, “this seminar is one not to be missed by anyone in the building and construction industry looking to use timber.”
“Simply click the link and head to Wood Solutions for more details.”
- Mr Dunn is currently taking bookings for the WoodSolutions Study Tour to Austria and Vienna; for more information, visit Wood Central’s special feature on the tour and the tallest timber tower (and slide) in Europe!
