New PCA Course Meets The Demand For Knowledge About Condensation

Oct. 12, 2012 - PRLog -- The Property Care Association (PCA) has extended its training programme to include an advanced masterclass on the subject of condensation.

For several years, the PCA has been running a one day course for those wishing to understand more about dampness and condensation in buildings, the ‘Condensation and Dampness in Buildings Workshop.’

Now, the UK trade body has launched an additional course, ‘Condensation and Atmospheric Moisture Management in Buildings.’

The course is designed to provide students with the necessary skills to allow them to analyse raw information collected by atmospheric data loggers and present this in a way that can illustrate clearly to the homeowner or property professional what is happening in the occupied house.  

It will also assist in devising rectification strategies and help allow practitioners to take the guesswork out of atmospheric moisture monitoring.

‘Condensation and Atmospheric Moisture Management in Buildings’ features a mix of classroom lectures and practical sessions.

Taking place over one day, sessions include data collection, and an understanding of the relationships between moisture production, vapour pressure, air movement and relative humidity.

The training also focuses on the use and placement of data logger and temperature recording devices, as well as the utilisation of spreadsheets and lap top computers to interpret raw figures collected from site.

CITB ConstructionSkillls Growth Fund helped the PCA develop the new course and procure the technology used in the training.

Steve Hodgson, general manager of the PCA, said: “Dampness and mould growth in homes were problems once associated with poverty and poor housing.  However, recent strong anecdotal evidence would suggest that these issues are becoming of increasing concern of properties that are well maintained and cared for by their owners.

“With the cost of fuel increasing, improved draught proofing in homes and the promise of the “Green Deal” on the horizon, it is anticipated that problems associated with high humidity and condensation in buildings will increase.

“Moreover, the subject of condensation and dampness has become of growing concern to many groups within the new-build industry, as well as the historic building forums and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

“The key to the management of atmospheric moisture is four fold. Production, ventilation, insulation and energy input all affect the conditions within an occupied building.  Without understanding the relationships between these elements, finding the right solution to a condensation or mould growth problem can be very troublesome and incur needless cost.

“Through this training course, we not only examine the causes and sources of airborne water, but use the very latest technology to determine the processes that are at play within a building.

“The ultimate aim is to provide candidates with a better understanding of the relationship between the elements that influence relative humidity - and how these can be managed to prevent or reduce condensation problems.”

Topics covered in-depth in the Condensation and Atmospheric Moisture Management in Buildings’ course include:

•   Understanding relative humidity, vapour pressure and environmental moisture
•   Water vapour in buildings and its origin
•   Mould growth, biology of mould and toxic moulds.
•   Measuring environmental moisture
•   Hygrometers, surface temperature thermometers, data loggers
•   Assessment of collected data
•   Case studies
•   Practical assessment of environmental moisture
•   Analysis of data loggers and production of data in graphical form.

For 2013, the course dates for ‘Condensation and Atmospheric Moisture Management in Buildings’ have been set for 18 April and 12 November. To find out more contact the PCA on 0844 375 4301, or email pca@property-care.org


ENDS

About The Property Care Association

Noted for its training and technical expertise, The PCA represents the UK’s structural repair sector, as well as the structural waterproofing, wood preservation, damp-proofing, flood remediation and invasive weed control industries.

More details can also be found at http://www.property-care.org

Press release written by Jane Shepherd, Shepherd PR Limited, 01538 308685/07985 129315