d growth risk. - dublin institute of technology · 2019. 6. 14. · d 10.03.19 gf mb 1 7 d 10.03.19...

Bright Environmental Chamber Results

Risk Area Identification

Possible area with low surface temperature

Area most likely to have low surface temperature

Internal

Cold Attic

InternalExte

rnal

Defining a “High Risk” Area

Dark Environmental Chamber Results

Dark Environment 6 Week Testing Spread over materialChamber Date Finish Backing Board Set no. Radius Spread 1-12

D 31.03.19 GF CS 2 1D 31.03.19 P CS 2 0D 31.03.19 PL CS 2 1D 31.03.19 SF CS 2 1D 31.03.19 WP CS 2 3D 31.03.19 GF MB 2 2D 31.03.19 P MB 2 1D 31.03.19 PL MB 2 10D 31.03.19 SF MB 2 1D 31.03.19 WP MB 2 1



Area Quantification

Spread QuantificationBright Environment 3 Week Testing Spread over material

Chamber Date Finish Backing Board Set no. Radius Spread 1-12B 10.03.19 GF CS 1 3B 10.03.19 P CS 1 4B 10.03.19 PL CS 1 3B 10.03.19 SF CS 1 4B 10.03.19 WP CS 1 3B 10.03.19 GF MB 1 1B 10.03.19 P MB 1 2B 10.03.19 PL MB 1 2B 10.03.19 SF MB 1 3B 10.03.19 WP MB 1 1

Bright Environment 6 Week Testing Spread over materialChamber Date Finish Backing Board Set no. Radius Spread 1-12

B 31.03.19 GF CS 2 5B 31.03.19 P CS 2 3B 31.03.19 PL CS 2 1B 31.03.19 SF CS 2 1B 31.03.19 WP CS 2 1B 31.03.19 GF MB 2 2B 31.03.19 P MB 2 1B 31.03.19 PL MB 2 1B 31.03.19 SF MB 2 1B 31.03.19 WP MB 2 1

Area Quantification

Spread Quantification





Suitable, Y = yes, N = no Room Humidity Level Surface Area

Backing Board Finish Low Medium High Obstructed UnobstructedCalcium Silicate Grout Y Y N Y Y

Paint Y Y Y Y YPlain Y N N N YSkim Y Y N Y YWallpaper Y Y N N Y

Moisture Board Grout Y Y N Y YPaint Y Y Y Y YPlain Y N N N YSkim Y Y N Y YWallpaper Y N N N Y

This table is based on the assumption of the area reaching a worst case scenario of material surface temperature though existing design flaws or construction error.

Surfaces behind fixtures and fittings pose a larger risk of mould growth as it would be uncommon for the surface of the wall from which they are installed against to be treated or cleaned regularly. Often the internal walls within homes are only treated or finished on areas that are seen.

Many people approaching the idea of “out of site, out of mind”. These areas should be of focus for specification during the design phase in order to mitigate the risk of mould growth.

Name

Student No. C15468358

Eoin Carney

Email [email protected]

d Growth Risk.

Comparison of Results

After the first set of results extracted. The moisture board within the Dark Environmental chamber had the most growth spread across the surface. The plain and wallpaper iterations showed the most growth overall as shown above, although the growth was sparse.

The second set of results presented a similar outcome, the moisture board within the Dark Environment still showing the most surface spread. This time only the plain iteration showing significant growth, 3 points increased growth over set one. The mould growth was also significantly more dense, showing strong mycelium growth.

The third set of results again followed the same route, the moisture board within the Dark Environment still showing the most surface spread. The plain iteration showing significant growth, 2 points increased growth over set two. The mould growth was also significantly more dense, showing strong mycelium growth.

After extraction of set one of the material sets, at the 3 week period. The bright chamber on the iterations with the calcium silicate backing material showed the highest density. The paint iteration and the grout showing the most significant growth, although the growth is sparse and mainly staining.

The second set of samples again showed the most growth on the material iteration with the calcium silicate, this time grout again showing the most significant area density.

The third set of materials when extracted showed a similar pattern of results as the mould spread analysis of the same set. The moisture board within the Dark Environment showing the most dense growth with significant mycelium present.

Area % Analysis Surface Spread AnalysisDark Chamber

Moisture Board Backing1. Plain

2. Wallpaper

Dark ChamberMoisture Board Backing

1. Plain


1. Plain

Bright ChamberCalcium Silicate Backing

1. Fungicidal Paint2. Grout

Bright ChamberCalcium Silicate Backing

1. Grout


1. Plain

Specification Recommendations in High Risk Areas Further Areas of Study

Suita

bilit

y Le

vel

Wall surfaces that are positioned behind predesigned fixtures and fittings should be specified to be treated with a fungicidal additives such as a

paint before and installation is undertaken. Especially in High Risk Areas such as bathrooms.

These finishes do not contain a nutrient source for mould to grow. But due to the pourse nature of these finishes,

dust containing microorganisms, debris, or fatty matter can settle on their surfaces, where they

are sources of nutrition for fungi.

These iterations should be completely avoided in high risk areas due to

there being a nutrient source within the material.

This testing method would be largely beneficial if performed in a larger scale to gain a better insight to what nutrients, materials may contain. By aiming to eliminate these nutrients during manufacturing, mould growth within building my be strongly mitigated.

If the nutrient factor is taken into consideration during the specification period of a project, would manufactures of such products be more likely to come up with worthwhile solutions to help combat mould growth ?

To take this investigation a step further beyond the nutrient source of the building material, could a study into the possible fungicidal additives and treatments to materials be essential in preventing mould growth on surfaces altogether? Whether these treatments are applied during manufacturing or after construction and installation.

With

Fungicidal Paint

With

With

Skim Finish Grout Finish

Wallpaper Untreated

Conclusion

From the results gained through the environmental chamber tests it is clear that there is significantly more mould surface spread across materials on iterations with a moisture board backing in the chamber exposed to darkness.

One theory for this happening is that the mould in the dark chamber has a stunted growth starting off. This would cause an increased release of spores into the environment from which they can settle back down on the sample materials and grow again. This presents a significant problem within a building, because that would mean that mould could spread significantly in covered areas undetected until the occupants start to feel the health effects.

Whereas the chamber exposed to daylight starts off with the largest mould density but at the extraction of set 3 the chamber exposed to darkness overtakes the percentage of density. Again this reiterates how dangerous unseen mould can be.

Chamber 1DarknessUnseen Area

Pain

tG

rout

Plai

n

3 Weeks 6 Weeks 9 Weeks 12 Weeks 3 Weeks 6 Weeks 9 Weeks 12 Weeks

Who gets on site first?

Out of sight, out of mind.

Saving money, not problems.

Mos

tLe

ast

Untreated backing boards (plain iterations) showed the most mould growth over the testing period, whereas overall the paint treatment showed the least. Based on these results, hidden areas that wouldn't usually be painted or treated, such as behind fixed furniture should be specified to be treated to prevent mould growth in the future.

Untreated

Bright Environment 12 Week Testing Area DensityChamber Date Finish Backing Board Set no. Grid Coverage Grid Size (3x3mm) Percentage

B 12.05.19 GF CS 4 9.5 400 2.38%B 12.05.19 P CS 4 3.5 400 0.88%B 12.05.19 PL CS 4 23 400 5.75%B 12.05.19 SF CS 4 7 400 1.75%B 12.05.19 WP CS 4 19.5 400 4.88%B 12.05.19 GF MB 4 9 400 2.25%B 12.05.19 P MB 4 0 400 0.00%B 12.05.19 PL MB 4 18.5 400 4.63%B 12.05.19 SF MB 4 4 400 1.00%B 12.05.19 WP MB 4 4 400 1.00%

Dark Environment 12 Week Testing Area DensityChamber Date Finish Backing Board Set no. Grid Coverage Grid Size (3x3mm) Percentage

D 12.05.19 GF CS 4 4 400 1.00%D 12.05.19 P CS 4 0 400 0.00%D 12.05.19 PL CS 4 5 400 1.25%D 12.05.19 SF CS 4 9 400 2.25%D 12.05.19 WP CS 4 4.5 400 1.13%D 12.05.19 GF MB 4 2.5 400 0.63%D 12.05.19 P MB 4 0 400 0.00%D 12.05.19 PL MB 4 31.5 400 7.88%D 12.05.19 SF MB 4 5 400 1.25%D 12.05.19 WP MB 4 2.5 400 0.63%




D 12.05.19 GF CS 4 1D 12.05.19 P CS 4 0D 12.05.19 PL CS 4 2D 12.05.19 SF CS 4 2D 12.05.19 WP CS 4 3D 12.05.19 GF MB 4 2

D 12.05.19 P MB 4 0

D 12.05.19 PL MB 4 13

D 12.05.19 SF MB 4 2

D 12.05.19 WP MB 4 2


D 10.03.19 GF CS 1 3.5 400 0.88%D 10.03.19 P CS 1 6 400 1.50%D 10.03.19 PL CS 1 3 400 0.75%D 10.03.19 SF CS 1 0 400 0.00%D 10.03.19 WP CS 1 4 400 1.00%D 10.03.19 GF MB 1 7 400 1.75%D 10.03.19 P MB 1 5 400 1.25%D 10.03.19 PL MB 1 14 400 3.50%D 10.03.19 SF MB 1 5.5 400 1.38%D 10.03.19 WP MB 1 14.5 400 3.63%


D 31.03.19 GF CS 2 6 400 1.50%D 31.03.19 P CS 2 1.5 400 0.38%D 31.03.19 PL CS 2 5 400 1.25%D 31.03.19 SF CS 2 5 400 1.25%D 31.03.19 WP CS 2 11 400 2.75%D 31.03.19 GF MB 2 9.5 400 2.38%D 31.03.19 P MB 2 3.5 400 0.88%D 31.03.19 PL MB 2 20.5 400 5.13%D 31.03.19 SF MB 2 11 400 2.75%D 31.03.19 WP MB 2 4 400 1.00%


D 23.04.19 GF CS 3 4 400 1.00%D 23.04.19 P CS 3 0 400 0.00%D 23.04.19 PL CS 3 9.5 400 2.38%D 23.04.19 SF CS 3 6 400 1.50%D 23.04.19 WP CS 3 3.5 400 0.88%D 23.04.19 GF MB 3 3.5 400 0.88%D 23.04.19 P MB 3 1 400 0.25%D 23.04.19 PL MB 3 41 400 10.25%D 23.04.19 SF MB 3 5.5 400 1.38%D 23.04.19 WP MB 3 3.5 400 0.88%


B 10.03.19 GF CS 1 21 400 5.25%B 10.03.19 P CS 1 21 400 5.25%B 10.03.19 PL CS 1 7 400 1.75%B 10.03.19 SF CS 1 13 400 3.25%B 10.03.19 WP CS 1 11.5 400 2.88%B 10.03.19 GF MB 1 4 400 1.00%B 10.03.19 P MB 1 9 400 2.25%B 10.03.19 PL MB 1 6 400 1.50%B 10.03.19 SF MB 1 8.5 400 2.13%B 10.03.19 WP MB 1 3 400 0.75%


B 31.03.19 GF CS 2 37.5 400 9.38%B 31.03.19 P CS 2 21.5 400 5.38%B 31.03.19 PL CS 2 8 400 2.00%B 31.03.19 SF CS 2 12.5 400 3.13%B 31.03.19 WP CS 2 9 400 2.25%B 31.03.19 GF MB 2 11.5 400 2.88%B 31.03.19 P MB 2 3 400 0.75%B 31.03.19 PL MB 2 9 400 2.25%B 31.03.19 SF MB 2 12 400 3.00%B 31.03.19 WP MB 2 6.5 400 1.63%


B 23.04.19 GF CS 3 8.5 400 2.13%B 23.04.19 P CS 3 6 400 1.50%B 23.04.19 PL CS 3 17 400 4.25%B 23.04.19 SF CS 3 6.5 400 1.63%B 23.04.19 WP CS 3 21 400 5.25%B 23.04.19 GF MB 3 11 400 2.75%B 23.04.19 P MB 3 0 400 0.00%B 23.04.19 PL MB 3 16.5 400 4.13%B 23.04.19 SF MB 3 6 400 1.50%B 23.04.19 WP MB 3 3 400 0.75%


1. Plain


1. Plain

The final set of materials to be extracted at week 12 did not show much difference in mould spread from set 3. The largest spread coming from the plain moisture board iteration from the dark chamber. It has seemed to reach its apex point but this could be due to the actual size of material sample, there is not much more room for the mould to spread further.

Set 4 showed the apex of growth for many of the iterations, with the percentage of growth evening out, and in some cases slightly dropping. With the plain iteration of moisture board dropping in growth from 10% to 7.%, although it still has the highest growth overall from the set.

d growth risk. - dublin institute of technology · 2019. 6. 14. · d 10.03.19 gf mb 1 7 d 10.03.19...

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