Building Life Consultancy provides hygrothermal risk analysis in accordance with two international standards (IS EN ISO 13788 and IS EN 15026). The first is limited to steady state analysis and a limited range of constructions and issues. The second is far more accurate and allows a range of climate conditions, conditions that vary with time, levels of failure/reality, and types of construction.
We provide formal risk assessments that may be used as part of a chain of compliance supporting the specification of a new build or retrofitted building, or indeed as part of a building pathology exploration. We have also used hygrothermal analysis to support the creation of new construction products through parametric studies.
Why refer to Hygrothermal analysis instead of condensation risk analysis?
Condensation can occur on the surface of the building fabric (for instance, the inside surface of a solid wall) or within the building fabric itself. Therefore one can talk about surface condensation risk analysis or interstitial condensation risk analysis.
The first of these can be determined on site or through thermal modelling. Building Life Consultancy provides these services.
Inter-stitial condensation risk analysis is actually better termed hygrothermal risk analysis, for the simple reason that there are several risks and not all of them involve condensation (i.e. condensed droplets of water vapour). Building Life Consultancy uses the Wufi suite of software to assess risk of condensation, rot, mould, freeze thaw.