DOL_College_Park_BAU_Report_-_Humidity_-_8.7.2024__1___3_.pdf

DOL College Park Building Humidity Issues 8/7/2024 Meeting Notes

The DGS Building Assessment Unit (BAU) made a site visit to to Department of Labor College

Park Unemployment Insurance Claim Center located at 9829 Rhode Island Avenue, on Aug 7, 2024. The BAU consisted of John Ferry and Terry Wade and accompanied by John O’Brien who is the DGC-DCE subject matter expert for Industrial Hygiene. The BAU met with

Department of Labor representatives: Willie Pack, Likivu Speaks, and Sean Fitzgerald. The following was noted by the BAU.

1. Noticeable high humidity in the building

2. High negative pressure in the building

a. This is possibly the cause of water infiltrating the building through the exterior facade

3. Without personnel and equipment in the building, there is a lack of heat load on the cooling system

a. It is possible that the rooftop units (RTU) are short cycling and not running long enough to properly dehumidify

4. All five (5) RTUs had their outside air dampers closed - little to no outside air was being allowed into the building

5. Several RTUs fans were running at the time of the visit, however the compressors were not running. Although the dampers were closed, this is allowing for unconditioned air to enter the building

6. The compressors for RTU on the north west side of the building was not functional- no cooling

a. DOL had already been in contact with their preventive maintenance contractor for a quote to furnish and or repair

7. Roof exhaust fans (bathrooms) were running and have been running 24/7 for an unknown period of time- presumably for several months, exhaust fans system should be tied into the buildings automated controls to function only during occupancy

a. The BAU suspects that this is creating the high level of negative pressure in the building

8. The underside of the window sills had a high level of moisture content. When the sill was pressed on from the top, water would “squirt” out and drip down the wall.

a. Exterior windows had been recently re-caulked

9. All five (5) RTUs are controlled by local thermostats for each unit - 5 thermostats total

10. DOL has a BAS which can see the HVAC system from their 1100 Eutaw St., Baltimore location, the level of visibility and control is unknown at this time.

11. Roof has been coated in 2021

a. Original roof was rolled shingle

b. Small hole was noted by the South (main) entrance. This hole has not yet led to any leaks and was brought to DOL’s attention while on site

12. All RTUs are beyond life cycle and should be replaced

13. Limited organic material was noted

14. Various wall areas (drywall) were noted to be damp - associated with high humidity.

15. Water is ponding by center North service door

a. Water is condensate running down the rain leader.

DOL College Park Building Humidity Issues 8/7/2024 Meeting Notes

b. Asphalt is pitched towards foundation

BAU’s Recommendations:

1. Balance the HVAC system to slight positive pressure.

a. This should reduce the humidity level.

b. A complete overhaul of the buildings automated control systems (BAS) is required to maintain the buildings HVAC system, based occupant loads and work hours.

2. Repair N.W. RTU (as noted- DOL is in process of correcting this issue)

3. Temporarily switch RTUs to “hand on” to allow for dehumidification to occur until the control system has been modified.

4. Install tube from rain leader noted in #15 above to run water away from building

5. Investigate the brick facade (selective demolition req’d) grout to see if any moisture is being captured behind

6. Have a licensed industrial hygienist re-evaluate the building after humidity level has dropped. Work to be completed by an objective third party.

In addition to the recommendation for the immediate issue, DOL should put in a Project

Justification (PJ) to replace and redesign the HVAC. VAV units with reheat coils may be ideal as the load of the building is not consistent given the State’s telework policy. This will allow for the

RTUs to go into a dehumidification mode without over cooling the space. Additionally, several

RTUs service open space and office space simultaneously. This can potentially lead to over or under space conditioning depending on the thermostat location. VAV units can remedy that issue.

Notes compiled by:

John Ferry

Building Assessor

DGS Building Assessment Unit

John.ferry1@maryland.gov

Cc: George Thomas, Terry Wade, John Finnessy, Tom Lequire.