New ASHRAE Guidance for Moisture Management in Buildings

Epidemiological investigators have shown clear and consistent associations between occupancy of damp indoor spaces and increased probability of important adverse health effects. A Multidisciplinary Task Group (MTG) developed a simple and recognizable description of when building dampness is sufficient to increase the probability of negative health effects. It also suggests practical tools and techniques utilizing four quantitative metrics that can alert managers to the risk of an indoor space becoming “damp” enough to affect health in the future.