What is a Condensation Risk Analysis?

Here at Intelligent Membranes, we are passionate about working on projects that promote sustainability. One of the keys to this is extending the life cycle of buildings. 

There are many things that can be done to ensure a building structure remains healthy, creating a comfortable environment for the inhabitants. A Condensation Risk Analysis is one of the tools we use. But what is a condensation risk analysis? 

Put simply, it is the process to check whether there is a risk of condensation building up between layers of a structure. So why undertake a condensation risk assessment? 

Our founder and MD, Adam White has the answers.

Why Should You Do a Condensation Risk Analysis?

A condensation risk analysis should be done on all wall build ups. In the UK, there can be a tendency to cut corners and just accept that some buildings are constructed in the wrong way. We work differently and want to do everything we can to ensure a building structure stays healthy and this is a great example. 

Unlike surface condensation which is visible and therefore can be dealt with more easily with, if there is interstitial condensation it can go undetected which leads to mould, decay and the building can degrade.

As a system – and by that I mean your brickwork, cavity, timber framing, passive purple and plaster –   we have to make sure the condensation risk point is on the outside of the building. If it’s in the middle and there’s condensation inside, we’ve got problems. We’ve got to make sure that point is outside of our building lines. 

You can have the same wall build up, brickwork, cavity, PIR insulation of 50mm PIR, 25mm PIR, 100mm PIR or 200mm PIR, but conditions can vary, so we need to make sure that each stage is done in line with a condensation risk analysis.

How do you Carry Out A Condensation Risk Assessment? 

We use software to produce a hydrothermal calculation which can tell us the risk of condensation. Our preferred method is called a Wufi Calculation which is a more modern and reliable system than the traditional Glaser Method. The main benefit is that it works out what may happen with condensation between each specific layer. 

More and more companies are demanding the use of a Wufi Calculation, and it is standard practice around Europe. We wanted to be forward thinking in how we analyse the risk of condensation so the Wufi Calculation is now our favoured method.