DURABILITY GUIDELINES FOR BUILDING WALL ENVELOPES March 1997
FOREWORD
This project on Durability Guidelines for Wall Envelopes was proposed
by Technology Development and Demonstration and was funded by
the Real Property Program and the Panel on Energy Research and
Development (PERD). This work was conducted in collaboration with
Halsall Associates Limited and R.G. Turenne, Building Science
Consultant.
The initial objective of PWGSC research was to determine how
to achieve durable building envelopes. This work began with a
major study on material durability, resulting in the report "Durable
Buildings Study: Performance and Durability of Building Materials"
in April 1992. This study assessed more than 100 parameters affecting
durability, grouped into the following categories: moisture deposition,
building distortion/movement, environmental attack, design/construction
faults and change in use/renovation. A detailed analysis was conducted
for the six most common materials: concrete, masonry, steel, wood,
thermal/moisture protection
materials and glass.
The durability of building systems was then studied, with a
particular focus on exterior walls. A major study of five wall
systems was undertaken which examined key factors, deterioration
symptoms and processes, impact of design and construction, recommendations
for improvements, repair strategies and regulations for each.
A six volume "Cladding Study" was completed in March
1993, which included a literature search of information on typical
wall systems and problems, climatic conditions, and codes and
standards; a field condition survey of
22 office buildings across Canada to assess their conditions and
the factors affecting their performance; detailed performance
monitoring of three buildings to gain information on the indoor
and outdoor environmental conditions at various times of the year;
and guidelines on durable wall assemblies.
From these early studies, PWGSC had identified three critical
areas where further guidance was required (parking garages,walls
and roof systems) and decided to develop a series of guidelines
that would address durability issues specific to these building
systems and components. The first release in this series was an
extensive manual on parking garages entitled "Durability
Guidelines for the Design, Construction, Repair and Maintenance
of Parking Structures" (March 1994).
The objective of this project was to develop the second in the
series of guidelines titled Durability Guidelines for Wall Envelopes
that provides specific information on the design, construction
and retrofit of various wall systems.
This document will serve as a very useful tool for designers,
builders, operators and property managers. However, it must be
emphasized that decisions must be the responsibility of qualified
professionals. If proper procedures are followed, the life of
our building envelopes will be greatly enhanced.
If you have comments regarding the contents of this document
or require additional information related to this
study, please contact :
Allan Wiseman
Project Manager
Public Works & Government Services Canada
Real Property Services, A&ES
Technology and Environmental Services
38 Antares Dr.,
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0M3
Telephone: (613) 957-4397
Fax: (613) 941-5595
E-mail wisemana@pwgsc.gc.ca