WestCon Tribune

March 2000

MARCH MEETING

IDENTIFYING A MITIGATING MOLD CONTAMINATION IN BUILDINGS PRESENTED BY FRANCIS (BUD) J. OFFERMANN III, PE, CIH PRESIDENT, INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Join us for our March dinner presentation, when new Westcon member, Francis (Bud) Offermann will discuss how modern building envelope assemblies can reduce the natural air exchange rate between indoors and outdoors. This reduction of natural air exchange has created new problems such as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and the continual problem of controlling moisture in the building and in the building envelope cavities.

Mr. Offermann's discussion will explain how excessive moisture in buildings leads to:

1. Fungal growth which causes building materials to prematurely degrade and causes building occupants to get sick
2. Metal corrosion
3. Paints and surface coatings to separate
4. Concrete and masonry efflorescence
5. Movement of building elements

His presentation will also cover:

• The assessment of the fungal contamination in a building,
• How samples can be collected and analyzed by microscopy to provide forensic evidence.
• Means of removal for contamination including physical removal of the growth sites
• Physical removal of uncleanable porous surfaces such as carpeting
• HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuuming of surfaces
• Post-mitigation air clearance testing

Mr. Offermann is the President of IEE Ð Indoor Environmental Engineering. IEE is a nationally recognized indoor air quality consulting firm located in San Francisco, CA. Their staff consists of professional engineers and industrial hygienists who are trained to provide comprehensive on-site indoor air quality inspections in many different building types including schools, office spaces, medical buildings, industrial and laboratory buildings, and residential structures. IEE's experienced staff and multi-disciplinary approach have earned the company a national reputation for being expert indoor air quality problem solvers.

Mr. Offermann is president of IEE since 1981 and has been directing teams of environmental scientists, chemists, and mechanical engineers in conducting State and Federal research regarding indoor air quality instrumentation development, building air quality field studies, and ventilation and air cleaning performance measurements.

He also manages the Mobile Response Group, a group of hygienists and engineers trained to provide timely and cost effective building inspections and abatement plans nationwide.

Mr. Offermann has an extensive and impressive Curriculum Vitae and lengthy list of articles and papers he has written. Westcon gladly welcomes him as a new member and is pleased he will be sharing his vast knowledge and expertise with us

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