The Influence of Building Materials on Relative Humidity of Internal Microclimate

Abstract

Sustainable building covers wide range of criteria including environmental, social and economy issues. Relative humidity of the internal environment belongs to the group of social criteria dealing with the quality of indoor microclimate and is one of the important indicators. Low humidity level can cause dry skin, throats and nasal passages and can cause annoying static electric sparks. High humidity level can lead to growth of moulds and bacteria and can cause condensation problems on the cold surfaces. Appropriate level of relative humidity can be operate by building service systems which increases operating energy in buildings and is sensitive to correct set up, control and monitoring. Relative humidity can be also influenced by the choice of building structures and structural materials without any operating energy. The paper summarizes latest research on the influence of relative humidity on health hazards and influence of building structures and structural materials on the relative humidity.