[CAUT] Humidity in schools/commercial buildings

[David Skolnik]

As previously stated, code or no code, the 
building designers could have included humidity 
control if they a) had been aware of its 
significance, and b) if they had wanted to. 
(Also, $$). I'm assuming you've come to the 
project after the fact, else you would have been 
able to copy the list all those letters you would 
have written to the various decision 
makers.  Since becoming aware of the problem, 
have you written to the administration about 
this?  Has there been any response?

David Skolnik
Hastings on Hudson, NY




At 08:58 PM 1/19/2011, you wrote:
>Dear list,
>
>I placed a humidity gauge under a piano for 7 
>days last week.  RH on Sunday was 49%, outside 
>temp mid 60's.  By  Wed and Thurs the outside 
>temp dropped to 30 F and the RH inside the 
>building dropped to 16%.  By the following 
>Sunday, the outside temp was 70 F and the RH was 
>60%.   This type of swing in RH within a week 
>has occured 4 times this winter.
>
>I contacted ASHRAE RE: HVAC codes lacking 
>minimum RH levels and humidifier 
>requirements.   Here is my email (bottom) and the ASHRAE response (top).
>
>Mr. Maret,
>As you note, the building code determines the 
>regulations required for your building. These 
>will be established and enforced by the local 
>authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). It sounds 
>as if your code requires a maximum but no 
>minimum. That being the case the 40-50% RH level 
>desired by piano makers, does not exceed the 
>maximum, does not cross any minimum, and would comply with the requirement.
>Some applications may require different 
>operating conditions to assist in the function 
>of that space. ASHRAE design guidance recognizes 
>this and recommendations will vary the 
>temperature and humidity optimal for the space. 
>I don’t believe we publish recommendation for your application.
>The procedures for changing a code requirement 
>(if necessary) will be stipulated by the local 
>AHJ, not ASHRAE. If you deem necessary I might 
>contact them directly on how to proceed.
>Regards,
>Steve Hammerling
>Technical Services Engineer
>
>
>From: 
><mailto:itunepiano at aol.com>itunepiano at aol.com [mailto:itunepiano at aol.com]
>Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 8:11 PM
>To: ASHRAE (Internet Email)
>Subject: Dry air and codes
>
>
>Hello,   I'm responsible for tuning pianos in a 
>brand new music building in Orlando 
>Florida.  The new HVAC codes require positive 
>air pressure (injection of mass amounts of 
>outside air) and codes set max RH levels between 
>50% and 60%.  The problem is there is no 
>provision for minimum RH levels, nor a provision 
>for installation of humidification equipment.
>
>Piano makers require an RH level from 40% to 
>50%.   The summer A/C level per code of 50% -60% 
>is too high (and uncomfortable for humans as well)
>
>Due to the infusion of dry outside air and lack 
>of humidifier in the HVAC,  I've measured RH 
>below 15% three times this winter.  The normal 
>RH is about 50%.  The swing in humidity  is 
>damaging to the pianos and takes them wildly out 
>of tune.   I would be looking for a minimum 
>humidity level imposed by code, and requirement 
>of HVAC humidifiers in school/university/concert 
>halls/ and churches.   What would be the 
>procedure to set this in motion, and what road 
>blocks would we need to overcome?
>
>
>
>Bob Maret

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