Can you Believe Energy Savings Forecasts

The relationship between high performance building envelopes and improved energy efficiency, especially lower energy operating costs per square foot, has been accepted for some time by most engineers in the building envelope fraternity, but forecasting the energy and cost savings has been at best an inexact science.  This article reports on the results of air sealing of a high rise building using new energy forecasting tools. The method that was used to forecast the results was very successful. This article should be of interest to property owners.

By: Tony Woods, President, Canam Building Envelope Specialists Inc.

Building Bird Strike Minimization: Analysis of Applicable Technologies

 While the incidence of strike related mortality between birds and windows is well documented there has been a limited amount of attention placed upon prevention.  The purpose of this review is to analyze the many strategies related to bird exclusion and strike minimization utilized in a variety of disciplines to determine those best suited for architectural applications.  Furthermore, the research required to effectively deploy a given strategy is discussed. 

By: Roderick Bates, Researcher, Kieran Timberlake Associates

Balancing the Control of Heat, Air, Moisture, and Competing Interests

The premature deterioration of multi-unit residential buildings in the Lower Mainland of BC due to rainwater penetration has been well documented in the past 10 years (Morrison Hershfield 1996, RDH 2001, Lawton 2004).  Consequently, rehabilitation designs for such buildings focus on eliminating rainwater penetration as a damage mechanism. 

By: Patrick J. Roppel, Building Science Consultant, Morrison Hershfield Ltd.

      Mark D. Lawton, Sr. Building Scientist Specialist, Morrison Hershfield Ltd.

      Brian Hubbs, Sr. Building Scientist Specialist, RDH Building Engineering Ltd.

Reducing Heat Loss in Residential Construction: The Insulated Electrical Outlet Box

Insulation materials and techniques have improved rapidly to meet the growing demand. To help in this area, a new technology, the Insulated Electrical Box®, is being patented by a North Carolina firm, IBC, (Insulation Business Consultants), of Brevard

By: Dan Thompson, Business Consultant

Computer Software for Building Envelope Design: Heat in 3 Dimensions

This article focuses on another class of thermal model that has yet to be widely applied, but that deserves to be—3D models of heat flow in envelope details (or 4D, if you count time).  This is very useful information and helps to answer a lot of questions of design.

By: James B. Posey, Specification Writer & Consultant

The Differences Between a Lexus and a Camry—A Comparison of the Performance Characteristics of Medium (MDSPF) and Light Density (LDSPF) Sprayed Polyurethane Foam Insulation

This article explains the differences, applications and limitations of two different types of Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation.  SPF is available in two basic types – LDSPF – open cell, light density (between 7.37 kg/m³ and 8.47 kg/m³, often referred to as "1/2 lb" foam) and MDSPF – closed cell, medium density (between 30.4 kg/m³ and 35.5 kg/m³, often referred to as 2lb foam).

By: Mike Richmond, Canadian Urethane Foam Contractors Association