THE IMPACT OF CLIMATIC FACTORS ON DAMPNESS IN UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATIONS: A CASE STUDY ANALYSIS

Abstract

Dampness-related defects in university accommodations are persistent, particularly in older buildings, due to aging infrastructure, high occupancy rates, and inadequate waterproofing. This study examines the prevalence and causes of dampness in student accommodations by assessing its correlation with climatic factors, including temperature, relative humidity, transmittance, emissivity, and dew point. A three-phase methodology was employed, comprising visual inspection, Building Condition Assessment (BCA), and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). A case study involving five accommodation blocks was conducted at a public university in UiTM Perak. The findings from visual inspections revealed recurrent damp-related defects, particularly in rooms adjacent to bathroom areas. The BCA survey incorporated the Building Assessment Rating System (BARIS) alongside NDT, utilizing thermal imaging to determine defect severity. The results indicated that walls in affected areas exhibited high relative humidity levels, ranging from 9.71% to 81.0%, and temperatures between 28.7°C and 34.0°C. Lateral or penetrating damp was identified as the most prevalent defect, primarily caused by leakage from upper-wall pipelines, with 31 recorded occurrences. These findings highlight the need for proactive maintenance strategies and enhanced damp-proofing measures to mitigate moisture-related deterioration and ensure the structural integrity of student accommodations.