Indoor air quality (IAQ) has always been an important issue, whether or not we’ve realized it. However, as construction techniques have advanced and as we’ve come to have an increased emphasis on energy efficiency due to costs, IAQ has become a primary focus.

The reason why IAQ has become such a priority traces directly back to the building envelope. As previously stated, rising utility costs have building owners more concerned with how best to cut those costs than ever before. The best way to reduce utility costs is to reduce the need to run utility-reliant systems, like the HVAC units. Therefore, creating a tight envelope that prevents conditioned air from escaping and unconditioned air from entering a structure, will greatly cut HVAC needs and reduce costs.

However, IAQ problems arise when unhealthy substances, such as mold, form because moisture can’t escape. Previous building techniques were aware of this problem, but they were built so loosely that any water intrusion was dealt with by incoming air that removed the moisture before mold could form.

Because of the need to restrict air infiltration for the sake of energy efficiency, moisture barriers are an integral part of better IAQ. Insulating concrete forms can dramatically reduce the chances of moisture intrusion due to the fact that the insulated concrete form wall assembly itself is a vapor retarder AND an air barrier. The connection points are on the inside of the wall, unexposed to the elements, your envelope can be designed to virtually eliminate any water intrusion. In addition, by creating an interior environment that allows the mechanical systems to control the amount of humidity in the living spaces, the ability for mold to form is greatly reduced or eliminated.

When you consider how important the need for an effective moisture barrier is, keep these facts in mind from the CDC :

• Mold has been linked to the cause of asthma in children
• Mold has been linked to other respiratory issues that cause workers to miss time
• Mold in a commercial building can cost owners time and money for remediation and loss of man hours due to sick building syndrome

Mold is easily accounted for with ICF Construction

4 conditions MUST apply for mold to be present

• Mold Spores have to be present
• Good temperature for mold to grow
• Considerable Moisture (70% RH)
• Food (organic) for mold to eat

The first of those conditions is out of your control and the next two are managed by building occupants. So, even if the first 3 conditions apply, there is ZERO organic material in an ICF. There is no dew point and no condensation within the wall in any climate with ICFs- so you have effectively removed moisture from equation. With ICFs your interior temp and humidity levels are better controlled by mechanical systems and the occupants, eliminating the risk of mold within the walls.

Obviously using other best practices for mitigating moisture for the whole building and there should never be an issue.