VBA tackles water moisture ingress and mould in buildings
The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) continues to take action to tackle the issue of water moisture ingress and mould in buildings by funding research at the University of Sydney.
The project, led by associate professor Arianna Brambilla, aims to develop guidance for the design, construction and maintenance of building envelopes to increase moisture resilience to reduce the risk of water ingress and indoor mould.
The VBA’s state building surveyor, Andrew Cialini, says this research, supported under the regulator’s research grant program, will provide valuable guidance for the industry: “Condensation and mould in buildings are linked to negative impacts on human health and amenity, as well as building structural integrity.
“As water damage routinely tops the list of defects encountered in buildings and in complaints to the VBA, as well as other agencies, it is important that we find solutions to reduce it.”
The research includes an analysis of typical building envelopes constructed in Victoria, including details like building corners, balconies and wall and roof intersections.
Andrew says that water damage can be exacerbated by poor design, construction practices and maintenance practices, resulting from some practitioners’ lack of awareness and knowledge.
The research will add to the evidence base from other research, and inform regulatory decisions and improvements to the quality of the built environment in Victoria.
The VBA’s Research Grant Program supports researchers at Australian universities and TAFEs to find innovative solutions to challenges in the Victorian building and plumbing sector. This grant was awarded under the second round of research grants funded by the VBA, with grants awarded to RMIT University, Deakin University and the University of Tasmania in the inaugural round.
Image courtesy of Aimee Rivers, Flickr