The public can read almost daily articles about the poor quality of buildings. Bad indoor air in schools, leaking roofs or moldy subfloors often appear in the headlines. Whether it is a new or an old building, the finger of blame is almost always pointed at the builder.
In those cases where the matter is investigated in more detail, it is often noticed that the fault can be found somewhere else. A little over two years ago, we ordered a report from VTT on the causes of indoor air problems. According to it, problems were found in all phases of the construction project.
In addition to construction, more attention must be paid to ordering, planning, and maintenance during the use of the building in order for the whole to function, the report states.
Builders are used to being guided by regulations, regulations and instructions. When the requirement is met, whether it is set by the authority or the customer, the matter is in order and we can move on. The indoor environment challenges this way of thinking, as there is no single solution to its requirements, but it consists of several, sometimes overlapping and even cross-pulling parts.
Energy efficiency requirements guide the implementation of structures, ventilation requirements guide building technology. Sound insulation, fire safety, operational safety and accessibility requirements bring boundary conditions to the planning and implementation of the entire project, while the functionality and appropriateness requirements of the premises guide the designer's work more precisely. In addition, the construction site must be safe for work, clean, and sources of moisture minimized throughout the project implementation, so that the end product is as promised upon commissioning. The building must be healthy and safe for its users, no matter what kind of building it is. And the building still has to be completed in accordance with the set cost target.
The builder's opportunities for influence also vary wildly between projects. In self-based production, in the vernacular, grund production, the contractor basically has all the keys in his own hands. By hiring good designers and other implementers and acquiring good construction products, making a good final product is already well underway. When acting as a mere contractor, understanding the plans and implementing the product according to them is the only part where the builder can bring his own skills to the fore in the project. Furthermore, there is wild variation between destinations; offices, service buildings and residential properties are very different types of projects, not to mention renovation construction, which is its own world with its own special contractors.
So what issues are currently challenging a good indoor environment, when you think about all the actors in the different stages of the construction process?
Concrete floors coated with plastic mats have been the subject of Tampere University's research for several years now, and now the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to appear. In addition to coating moisture, attention must be paid to the alkalinity of the screed, with a pH below 11,5 the results have been good, at least according to the test samples. Attention must be paid to the functionality of the ventilation and especially to the building's pressure ratios, the buildings will also be tight in the future, adding to the challenge of adjusting the ventilation. The summertime indoor temperature didn't seem to bother anyone last summer, but if someone remembers the summer of 2018, the voices were very different. As the future climate warms, it is good to pay attention to this issue as well, sites that will be renovated in 2050 have been built for some time. The level of know-how in property maintenance has been discussed for a long time, and as home automation increases, the discussion and concern will probably not decrease, on the contrary. And like the cherry on top of the cake, low carbon will challenge all construction-related activities. It is already worth starting to think about how to create a good indoor environment with a smaller carbon footprint.
The indoor environment is a combination of different requirements, design and implementation solutions, and smart use of the building. Especially now, when we are more affected by the corona virus, investing in a good indoor environment is even more important than before.
Some will surely ponder that builders and a good indoor environment are like the two positive poles of a magnet; there will be no chance of hitting one. Unfortunately, this can sometimes happen, but I personally believe that demanding customers and users always push builders to better performance and higher quality buildings.
Jani Kemppainen
Agent, construction development and energy efficiency
Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries (CFCI)
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