|
The purpose of the survey conducted by Tallinn Technical University by order of KredEx and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications was to map out and identify the constructional-technical state of buildings of different age erected in different areas of Estonia, as well as the evaluation of inhabitants in regard to the physical environment.
According to the survey of brick apartment buildings, brick buildings have serious problems with connections between the facade layer and the load-bearing wall, the most serious of which is a problem of brick connection stones. Therefore, before renovation work and additional insulation it is always necessary to check the general constructional-technical state of the outer walls, balconies and porches, and if necessary, carry out fortification work.
Similarly to large panel buildings, the problem of brick buildings is extensive thermal conductivity of envelope structures and cold bridges in walls, due to which additional insulation of those may be considered inevitable to ensure safe and healthy internal climate and energy efficiency.
In apartments examined, the quality of internal air in winter period did not meet the minimum requirements of internal climate standard (EVS-EN 15251:2007) in 65% of the measured apartments. According to air exchange figures, the bedroom air of only 28% of the apartments participating in the survey meets the standard. 70% of the respondents claimed that there have been moisture damages in their apartment within the last ten years. According to specialists, in older brick apartment buildings it is not possible to ensure sufficient air exchange merely with natural ventilation. The ventilation system should be supplied with heat return system (heat exchanger, heat pump of ventilation, etc).
According to Roode Liias, professor of Tallinn Technical University, brick apartment buildings used to be unique solutions at the time of erection, and caught sight between grey panel buildings.
“By now, the technical state of brick apartment buildings is unfortunately quite sad – the reasons include construction faults in the past, as well as long-term lack of maintenance, but also improper solutions of renovation,” Roode Liias said.
In addition to newly completed survey of brick apartment buildings and a survey of panel buildings conducted last year, KredEx has ordered from Tallinn Technical University a survey of wooden apartment buildings and a survey of buildings constructed in 1990-2010, which shall be completed by May 2011 and March 2012, respectively.
|
