Texas IAQ Professionals Help to Prevent Indoor Air Quality Issues during Construction

Earlier this month, The Southeast Texas Record published an article about a new home builder being sued by a League City woman’s insurance company.  According to the article, the lawsuit claims that the builder’s negligence caused multiple water damage events that have totaled over $70,000.
 
Water damage can not only harm building materials and personal belongings, but it can also result in the growth of mold and even structural damage.  To help prevent cases like this, Indoor Environmental Consultants offers regularly scheduled inspections during various phases of construction in residential, commercial and institutional buildings.  These inspections specifically target and identify conditions that could impact a structure’s indoor air quality (IAQ) due to water damage events and other issues.  Observation reports are provided to the construction manager and architect by IEC so that recommended remedial actions may be implemented before the condition is obscured or actually causes problems.
 
“Water intrusion during construction is an inevitable aspect of new construction,” said Hollis L. Horner, President, Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.  “Rain, humidity, dew and other moisture sources can impact building materials in all phases of construction, from materials delivery and storage to open air construction prior to a building’s enclosure.  With any moisture intrusion comes the possibility of mold growth which can be quickly amplified by potential design or construction defects.”
 
IEC also offers proactive baseline testing services prior to building occupancy which can help to insure that the indoor air quality has not been impacted by construction activities.  Pre-occupancy testing includes total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, formaldehyde, lead, cypermethrin, total fungal bioaerosols, large and small airborne particulates, radon and ozone.  Temperature and relative humidity measurements are also recorded to insure the appropriate functioning of the HVAC system.  This testing is not only useful in verifying acceptable indoor air quality for the health and safety of the building occupants, but can also establish a defensible position to assist in any potential future litigation against the project’s architects and builders. 
 
To learn more about IEC’s indoor environmental quality testing and consulting services, please visit www.iecinc.net, email ncancino@iecinc.net or call (877) 432-8378.
 
About Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.
IEC began operations in 2001 with some of the nation’s most seasoned professional indoor air quality consultants who already had over 70 years of combined experience.  The indoor environmental quality firm specializes in field investigations and assessments of commercial, institutional and residential buildings.  Their services, related to fungal (mold), chemical, bacterial, asbestos and particulate pollutants, are offered throughout Texas, the Gulf Coast and the Southwest. IEC is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a mold assessment company (ACO0114) and an asbestos consultant agency (100329).

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail