A CDC, NIOSH, AND EPA National Project with moisture, mold and many "sick building syndrome" occupants.
This is a Government owned, mid-rise building of 20+ stories, with brick exterior and serious problems. Over 100 employees in the building became ill and had sought treatment; attributing their illness to "sick building syndrome". Several employees were on paid sick leave. The building had been in the news often. EPA, CDC and NIOSH were involved in the project. Lawsuits were threatened by many groups. Over seven million dollars had been spent on building repairs and HVAC changes. Every nationally known expert had been consulted for assistance. MoistureVision of Atlanta, Georgia was selected to solve the complex building's moisture problems.
An architectural firm specializing in building envelope problems had designed and had been directing a multimillion dollar multi-year correction of the leaking in the building. The project was entering its third year and was nearing completion but the leaking continued unabated. An independent engineering firm was stationed inside the building and was working seven days a week, tasked with recording the location of every leak and measuring the quantity of water entering the building. This had continued for over two years at the request of NIOSH. The drywall on the exterior walls had been removed from several upper level floors and heavy duty clear plastic wrap had been installed in its place. This reduced the possibility of mold growth from drywall and also made it possible to instantly view every leak down to the amount of a teaspoon full, or less.
MoistureVision was tasked initially with identifying the source of, and the corrective action necessary for, every instance of moisture intrusion. Our instructions were simple and clear: "We don't have time for you to study the problem and then go write a technical report and get it back to us in three or four weeks. That will be too late; we will have to empty the building of almost a thousand employees. We need you to find the source of all the leaks and tell us what to do to fix them now."
The first report was given orally to the government architect in charge within 5 days. A conference call was quickly arranged with MoistureVision, Government Architect, and Outside Architect in charge. Outside Architect had apprehensions that the sources MoistureVision located were correct, and the fixes MoistureVision recommended would succeed. Fortunately, MoistureVision worked for the Government, and the Government Architect courageously ruled that the recommended corrections should begin immediately. One by one, the leaks in the building began to be corrected and disappear. There were many many different causes for the many leaks, but each recommendation corrected the leak identified.
MoistureVision's responsibility was increased to include writing all specifications for repairs on the building. Almost all leaking disappeared within the first 6 to 8 weeks. Every one's blood pressure dropped. The project was under control. The CDC scientist in charge observed MoistureVision's procedures. Government's top Doctor involved observed MoistureVision's methods. An order was issued by Top Doctor stating that the building was safe for Government employees.
MoistureVision was invited to continue a quarterly inspection for another two years until the building was deemed stable, and local inspectors assumed the task. Leaks occasionally pop up in different areas of the building, but this is normal and is expected in a building of this size and type. CDC, EPA, and NIOSH continue to audit the building regularly, and continue to follow the health of the occupants of the building.
MoistureVision's patented technology and proprietary methods proved essential in solving the problems in this building.
The moisture intrusion problems were solved without removing the brick exterior from the building.