Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST)

Course Description

Surface condensation at thermal bridges causes mould, staining, and occupant complaints – and is one of the most common post-completion defects in modern buildings. This course gives architects and building design professionals practical knowledge of surface condensation risk assessment for façade and window systems, covering the physics of dewpoint, internal surface temperature, and the temperature factor fRsi. You’ll learn to calculate the temperature factor at critical junctions – window frames, sill details, column penetrations, and balcony connections – and compare results against the threshold required to avoid mould growth. The course addresses why some thermal bridges are acceptable in certain humidity conditions and critical in others, and explains how internal environment classification affects the assessment. Presented by Eugene Korch (façade engineer and IAST Programme Director), the course uses real thermal modelling outputs at typical façade junctions to demonstrate how surface temperature distribution reveals condensation risk – and how remedial measures such as insulation returns and thermal breaks resolve the problem. Combining thermal bridge analysis outputs, fRsi calculations, and junction detail studies, this course helps you identify condensation-prone details at the design stage, evaluate thermal bridge reports from consultants, and specify remedial measures with confidence.