{"id":69014,"date":"2025-07-11T12:47:21","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T09:47:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/?page_id=69014"},"modified":"2025-08-18T08:00:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T05:00:09","slug":"indoor-air-and-humidity-condition-surveys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/services\/buildings-and-urban-areas\/research-services\/indoor-air-and-humidity-condition-surveys\/","title":{"rendered":"Indoor air and humidity condition surveys"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t \n \n \t Read more our research \n services <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t \n \n \t Contact \n Us <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
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Indoor Air and Humidity Condition Surveys<\/h1>\n

With indoor air and humidity condition surveys, we ensure healthy and safe conditions for all building users, even in future climates. Indoor air and humidity tests are often prompted by users’ symptoms, water damage, or otherwise deteriorated indoor conditions. The indoor climate can be compromised by design and construction errors, indoor air impurities, or inadequate building technology.<\/p>\n

Climate change will increase precipitation, strong winds, floods, and temperature fluctuations. In the future, building facades, roofs, and subfloors may face greater moisture stress, which is essential to consider in the design and renovation of new buildings.<\/p>\n

Our building health experts (RTA), along with moisture damage condition surveyors and indoor air experts, are responsible for indoor air and humidity condition surveys. Certified professionals conduct humidity measurements, thermal imaging, and surveys for asbestos and pollutants. We are knowledgeable about the types and risk structures of different eras, allowing us to reliably assess the causes of damage, the likelihood of risks, and repair options, considering future climatic conditions.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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It is not sensible or feasible to investigate all possible areas, so we limit the study to specific parts or floors of the building, for example. If indoor air concerns are sporadic, the entire building is included in the study.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n

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During the site visit, we focus on high-risk structures and their potential impact on users’ indoor air experiences. We observe sensory damage, such as coating damage, stuffy indoor air, and odours.<\/p>\n

We use several different research methods:<\/h4>\n
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  1. Surface moisture surveys<\/li>\n
  2. Humidity measurements<\/li>\n
  3. Tracer tests (structural tightness and air leakage)<\/li>\n
  4. Environmental measurements, including temperatures, relative humidity (RH), and carbon dioxide concentrations<\/li>\n
  5. Ventilation assessments (supply and exhaust air volumes, tonnage, airflow direction, pressure differences between dirty and clean areas, and outdoor and indoor spaces)<\/li>\n
  6. Measurement of chemical compounds in indoor air (e.g., VOCs and PAHs)<\/li>\n
  7. Microbiological assessments of building materials (microbial samples)<\/li>\n
  8. Material emissions (bulk and FLEC samples)<\/li>\n
  9. Indoor climate surveys for building users<\/li>\n
  10. Thermal imaging<\/li>\n
  11. Structural openings<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Research reports<\/h3>\n

    The research report includes results with conclusions, a list of risk factors, recommendations for further investigations, and proposals for corrective measures in order of urgency.<\/p>\n

    Indoor climate surveys and condition assessments<\/h3>\n

    In the lighter indoor climate survey (compared to the condition survey), we assess which structural or building technology properties may deteriorate indoor air quality or the building’s moisture and building physics function. Indoor air quality and risk factors are assessed based on initial data and sensory observations during the site visit. We also carry out client-specified indoor air inspections using non-destructive research methods, such as temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide measurements, along with thermal imaging. Additionally, we offer official condition assessments.<\/p>\n

    Water leakage and moisture damage reports<\/h3>\n

    Problems with water control in a building or plot are the biggest risks and causes of property damage. A water leak and moisture damage report provides crucial information for renovation planning, especially if a water leak or moisture damage has been detected. We determine the extent and cause of the damage and suggest repair measures.<\/p>\n

    Odour nuisance surveys<\/h3>\n

    If indoor air issues are not behind deteriorating conditions, the situation can be investigated with an odour nuisance survey. Odour nuisances often stem from ventilation problems. Odours may enter the premises from sources such as parking garages, sewers, or neighbouring buildings. They can also be caused by emissions from building materials, such as chemical compounds in plastic mats.<\/p>\n

    Indoor air working group activities<\/h3>\n

    Indoor air working group activities are not always caused by indoor air problems. These activities can be part of systematic and proactive property maintenance. The working group\u2019s task is to assess and diagnose potential risks, intervening before problems cause symptoms to users. A preventive indoor air inspection can be conducted during the one-year inspection.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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    Interior conditions that support well-being<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Housing Health Regulation does not apply to workplaces, but employers have a duty to ensure safe and healthy indoor conditions for farm users. They complement good occupational hygiene and compliance with HTP values, which are considered harmful concentrations of respiratory air pollutants.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t