Building Diagnostics

The DocAir motto, Building Air Quality,  epitomizes our belief that the optimum indoor environment is a result of a properly performing building.  An energy efficient building with good air quality is a system where all the parts must work together in harmony. 

"You  can't fix it if you don't understand it."  We urge our clients not to hire a contractor before they understand the complexity of the problem.  Most of the time, there is more than one solution. DocAir provides you with a complete analysis of the facts followed by a menu of options. This allows you to make the decision that works best for your particular property.

Building diagnostics is a process of data collection concerning the conditions of suspect faults, abnormalities, and defects in a building. The process can be carried out by visual observations but is often aided by advanced technology such as infrared thermography. The end product we provide is an in-depth evaluation and prediction of the likely causes of the defects (faults) found in a building and suggestions for appropriate remedial actions. Building diagnostics is not an exact science. Very often, the final opinion is based on professional judgment. It is important that this final judgment be made only after careful, experienced consideration and the proper use of advanced technology.

The building envelope is the single most important element of a building. It is the separation between the interior and the exterior environments and serves as the outer shell to protect the indoor environment as well as facilitating its climate control. All building envelopes must include a solid, well designed structure, a drainage plane (a way for water to exit the building envelope), an air barrier, and a thermal barrier. If any one of these components fails or is not designed properly, building damage can occur. This will not only degrade the structural integrity of the building, but also pose a risk to its occupants.