Forensic Diagnostics & Root Cause Analysis

Overview

When a building is failing and vendors cannot agree on why, the problem is rarely the symptom they are treating. Mold returns because the pressure condition driving moisture infiltration was never corrected. Humidity persists because the equipment is oversized, not undersized. Energy costs climb because the envelope failure was never identified. The Building Scientist applies forensic building science principles to find the actual cause — across all building systems simultaneously.

When to Use This Engagement

This engagement is appropriate when: a building has experienced recurring failures that prior remediation or repairs have not resolved; a vendor has proposed a major scope and the owner needs an independent second opinion on the cause; tenant complaints related to air quality, comfort, or health have escalated; or an asset manager needs a defensible root cause finding before approving capital expenditure.

What We Investigate

Field diagnostics include blower door air leakage testing, duct leakage testing, mechanical system performance analysis, thermal imaging, moisture mapping, IAQ sampling, air pressure differential measurements across zones, ventilation rate verification, and building envelope assessment. All field data is transmitted to The Lab, where it is interpreted by an Attending Building Scientist against building documentation, mechanical design records, and environmental conditions.

What You Receive

A Diagnostic Report containing: the identified root cause or causes supported by field data; a prioritised Corrective Action List specifying only the work that addresses the actual cause; a specification-grade Scope of Work suitable for contractor bidding, capital committee review, and legal documentation; and a commissioning protocol for verifying the outcome after corrective work is complete.

Why Independence Matters

A diagnostic finding produced by a firm that also performs remediation or sells equipment is not an independent assessment — it is a bid. The Building Scientist has no financial stake in any corrective outcome. Our fee is fixed. Our finding is our only product. That independence is what makes the diagnosis trustworthy and the Corrective Action List defensible.

The Decision This Protects

Capital approval. Before an owner approves a six-figure remediation or mechanical replacement scope, an independent forensic diagnostic ensures the proposed work addresses the actual cause — not a symptom — and that the scope is proportionate to the problem.

Request an Assessment

Contact The Building Scientist to discuss a forensic diagnostic engagement for your asset.