Environmental Science
Morse Zehnter Associates is nationally recognized for our expertise in forensic investigation, environmental consulting, and material science. Supported by a staff of multidisciplinary experts, MZA has carved a niche for itself by providing comprehensive investigative, design and support services that are needed to provide permanent solutions to problems related to indoor air quality, building envelope design, mold investigation and remediation, and other related environmental and forensic issues.
Combining our expertise in architecture, engineering, and industrial hygiene, MZA provides engineering evaluations of HVAC systems and roof building envelopes for school districts, municipal buildings, and facility owners.
Building site development or redevelopment projects, including former industrial sites, can be plagued by a number of environmental issues. MZA identifies previous uses which could have left a legacy of contamination that would have to be addressed as part of site rehabilitation.
MZA conducts testing and microscopic investigations both in the field and in the lab. MZA's capabilities in materials evaluation and testing include items such as thermal insulation, sprayed-on fireproofing, coatings, encapsulants, drywall, joint compound, plaster, masonry products, and other materials.
MZA conducts on-site microbiological sampling and microscopy to allow for timely monitoring and clearance testing on remediation projects. This gives the building owner the ability to more closely monitor his remediation project and allows the building to remain occupied during the remediation.
MZA provides consulting services to clients affected by water intrusion caused by storm damage. MZA's team of certified environmental professionals specializes in damage assessment and proper remediation techniques for occupied facilities.
Simply cleaning up a mold-contaminated area does not neccessarily address the moisture problem that initially created the mold. MZA identifies the source of the moisture intrusion and determines how to correct the problem at its source.
Supporting our expertise in building forensics, MZA's video and animation capabilities are invaluable in "recreating the scene" in catastrophic building events or in explaining complex phenomena such as airflow, stack effect, or moisture intrusion.
In conjunction with The Environmental Institute in Atlanta, GA, MZA has developed and regularly instructs a course in Mold Assessment and Remediation that attracts building owners and contractors from across the country. MZA is the author of "Mold and Moisture Damage in Building Envelopes" in the Building Envelope section of the Whole Building Design Guide, published by NIBS, the National Institute of Building Sciences. MZA also serves on the Guidelines for Total Building Commissioning jointly sponsored by NIBS and ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers.
