When visitors walked into the Police and Utility Department Facility years ago, they detected a musty smell. Since its construction in 2000, officials looked for solutions to resolve the odor issues, but nothing worked. In 2017, our professionals joined a design team that addressed building envelope issues and improved indoor air quality.
During the initial walk-through, our team discovered clues that led to the source of some of the problems. Our engineer observed a loose floor tile and high humidity in interior spaces. Then they found improperly sealed floor drains and related plumbing.
In the large community room, an inappropriate floor leveling compound was used that absorbed and retained odor. Crews later removed the material and replaced the flooring.
Our team was told we would discover a properly functioning HVAC system. Instead, we found numerous deficiencies. The system’s controls and configurations did not help reduce humidity or provide proper ventilation. The main air handling unit continually discharged 60-degree air. It should have been set at 55 degrees to remove moisture and dehumidify the air.
We provided the following HVAC system improvements:
- Tom Gernetzke, Owner of Building Envelope Professionals Group, Oregon, Wisconsin