Evaluation of mould growth risk in apartment houses using hygrothermal simulation

The pollution problems caused by fungi in indoor environments are usually recognized at a stage where colony formation has progressed to a level already enabling visual identification. Thus, the prediction of mould growth risk in early stage is very important for prevention of adverse health effects due to mould growth. This paper presents the results of mould growth risk at specific trouble spots in an apartment house with variation of indoor ventilation rates and internal moisture production using hygrothermal and biohygrothermal simulation approaches. In this research, optimal conditions of ventilation rate and internal moisture production rate are derived to prevent mould growth in residential built environment.