Continuous air barrier design and constructability lessons learned

Continuous Air Barrier Design and Constructability: Lessons Learned

Presented By: Dan Taylor & Brian Gibson

What are air barriers and why are they important

• Premier

www.aridresources.com

AS THEY RELATE TO THE BUILDING ENCLOSURE


AS THEY RELATE TO THE BUILDING ENCLOSURE

Introduction to Air Barriers


Moisture Flow

Liquid Moisture (Water) causes 90% of the problems in buildings


Moisture ProblemsWater vapor condensing in the building envelope leads to problems:

Mold

Corrosion

Wood rot

Ice Lensing, etc.


Building Envelope Deterioration


Water Transport1 METRE

1 METRE

2 cm x 2 cm HOLE1 METRE

1 METRE

TRANSPORT VIA AIR LEAKAGE

TRANSPORT VIA DIFFUSION

*ASSUMES RH 40%, 2 COATS ENAMEL PAINT, OTTAWA CLIMATE

30 LITRES

.5 LITRESwww.aridresources.com

Building Envelope Deterioration


Self-Adhered Membranes• Limitations – Typical of Most Manufacturers

• Must be covered, not designed for permanent exposure.

• Not to be used in direct contact with flexible PVC/vinyl membranes or gaskets

• Not to be used with New PVC membranes – TPO at this time

• Products manufactured from EPDMwww.aridresources.com

One World


Self-Adhered Membranes

• Properties – Typical of Most Manufacturers• Thickness: 1.0 mm• Application temp: minimum + 5o C (41o F) • Service temp: -40o C (-40o F) to 70o C (158o

F) • Elongation: 200% minimum• Air Leakage: 0.0005 L/s.m2

• Self-sealing when penetrated with self-tapping screws


Liquid Membranes

• Lots of types –• Some Air / Vapor Barriers• Some are Vapor Permeable

• Memorial Stadium• East Side Addition


Residence Hall at the University of Nebraska

Memorial Stadium at the University of Nebraska


Liquid Membranes• Lots of types –

• One Component• Two Component• Cold Applied / Hot Applied• Spray or Trowel Applied - UNMC Eye Institute

• Some may be applied to Green Concrete

Liquid Membranes

• Properties – Typical Manufacturer • 7-10 dry mils up to 60 dry mils• Application temp min: 20 F (similar to SA)• 40-90 degrees• Elongation: 100% - 1800% • Solids by content may be 60% - 100 % depending on material (ie. 100 % solids by content means wet thickness = dry thickness


• Lots of types –• Low Density• Medium Density• High Density• Open cell• Closed cell

Sprayed Urethane Foam


• Lots of types –• Because it is a “foam”, does not mean it is an Air Barrier !!

• May be suitable only as a thermal insulation

Sprayed Urethane Foam



• Have the installer and the contractor document the installation

• Verify proper installation and confirm installer’s knowledge through site audits

• Track the manufacturer, the contractor and the installer though a database

ABAA Quality Assurance ProgramSummary of the Program


ASTM D 4541 pull adhesion testing.


Training installers to install self adhered membranes.


Design Considerations









-Memorial Stadium

Where do I go from here…Look at assemblies, not just single materials

• What is the performance requirements of my building ?

• What is the sequence of construction ?

Conclusion


• Where do I go from here…• How do I specify an assembly properly ?

• ABAA specifications• ABAA approved materials• ABAA approved assemblies (coming soon)

Conclusion


Questions?Any questions please email Brian Gibson at [email protected]

Documents

Continuous air barrier design and constructability lessons learned