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INSULATION
BEST PRACTICES
MADE WITH SAVES

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WIND-POWERED
12X
ENERGY
ELECTRICITY used to produce
1

it in just one year 3

LESS
HIGHEST
RECYCLED
CONTENT

WASTE
IN THE
INDUSTRY 2

NO MIXING 1.3 BILLION

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OF HAZARDOUS POUNDS OF
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ON SITE PER YEAR

SUSTAINABLE
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Engineered to take a positive impact on

environmental and building performance. NON-COMBUSTIBLE

1
Via Renewable Energy Credits in accordance with SCS Global Services’ certification protocol. www.scsglobalservices.com owenscorning.ca/PinkNextGen
2
Total recycled content for unfaced fiberglass insulation products in North America based on current third-party certified
recycled content certifications for Owens Corning, Knauf, CertainTeed, and Johns Manville THE PINK PANTHER™ & © 1964-2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
3
Based on savings per pound of fiberglass insulation in the first year of installation. All Rights Reserved. The colour PINK is a registered trademark of Owens Corning.
4
Company-wide total; Owens Corning Sustainability Report, 2020 © 2021 Owens Corning. All Rights Reserved.
Contents
Published by
Kenilworth Media Inc. 5 Insulation In the Extreme: Weather, Regulations,
15 Wertheim Court, Suite 710
Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 3H7
and Critical Missions
(800) 409-8688 This article considers insulations’ role in commercial roofs and other areas of the enclosure subjected
www.constructioncanada.net to extreme demands. Insulation will be viewed through the lens of extreme weather, more stringent
Advertising sales: regulatory requirements, and specific performance concerns posed by mission-critical buildings.
[email protected] Tiffany Coppock, AIA, NCARB, CSI, CDT, LEED AP, ASTM, RCI, EDAC
The information and contents in this
publication are believed by the
publisher to be true, correct and 13 Best Practices for Masonry Wall Systems
accurate, but no independent
investigation has been undertaken. and Insulation
Accordingly, the publisher does not To provide thermal efficiency, airtightness, and water resistance in masonry cavity and adhered
represent or warrant that the masonry walls, architects must effectively co-ordinate numerous criteria. Designing walls with
information and contents are true,
materials working together as a functioning system is therefore more critical than ever. Find out how
correct or accurate and recommends
that each reader seek appropriate complete wall assemblies can reduce the risk of complications and allow design professionals to
professional advice, guidance, and install sustainable, affordable systems in a fraction of the time.
direction before acting or relying on all Herbert Slone, RA, and Art Fox
information contained herein. Opinions

20
expressed in the articles contained in
this publication are not necessarily
those of the publisher. Identifying Watertightness of Low-slope
© 2021 Kenilworth Media Inc. Roof Membranes
All rights reserved. An accurate assessment of the watertightness of new and existing roofs can potentially save building
owners hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The challenge for roofing specifiers is choosing the
Brought to you by most effective exterior-to-interior watertightness evaluation techniques because there is no single,
straightforward method to accurately evaluate water ingress. It is, however, possible to obtain
reliable information on the watertightness resistance and condition of an existing roof system by
combining water-detection methods.
Dominique Lefebvre, P.Eng., and Bas Baskaran, PhD, P.Eng

3 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

SAFETY PRECISION

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® ® ® ® AS COTTON WIND-POWERED
ELECTRICITY
made for a new generation. For people who consider their options carefully when choosing the products they want to build,
work and live with every day. For people who insist on safe, proven materials, demand clean, precise results and work to create
comfortable indoor environments while respecting the natural environment we all share. It’s not just the next generation of
PINK® insulation — it’s the new standard. And the right choice for safety, precision, comfort and sustainability.

www.owenscorning.ca/PinkNextGen RE CYCLE
D CONTENT

AVERAGE 73% RECYCLED CONTENT

*99% less smoke generation potential under controlled fire test conditions vs. a competitive combustible insulation material. See owenscorning.com for details (live March 2021). 61% POST-CONSUMER
12% PRE-CONSUMER

THE PINK PANTHER™ & © 1964-2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved. The colour PINK is a registered trademark of Owens Corning. © 2021 Owens Corning. All Rights Reserved. 73 | PINK® FIBERGLAS® Insulation
INSULATION
IN THE EXTREME
How weather, regulations, and critical missions
can influence the insulation specification

by Tiffany Coppock, AIA, NCARB, CDT, LEED AP

Photos courtesy Owens Corning

C
ould events of the past year be considered anything other than
extreme? Beyond the global pandemic and events in the news, both
episodic weather events and new environmental regulations are
placing extreme demand on building materials, including
insulation. This article considers insulations’ role in commercial roofs
and other areas of the enclosure subject to extreme demands. Insulation
will be viewed through the lens of extreme weather, more stringent
regulatory requirements, and performance concerns posed by mission-
critical buildings.

Extreme weather, climate concerns, and new regulations

Historic wildfires in the West, tropical storms in the South, derechos in
the Midwest, and an infusion of artic air devastating parts of Texas are just
some of the recent climate events underscoring the need for commercial
roofs to be able to withstand extreme moisture, wind, and thermal
conditions. Extreme weather conditions has left virtually no part of North
America unscathed.

5 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

Weather like this can influence code changes. Managing stormwater
runoff is a good example. As noted in the October 2020 issue of The
Construction Specifier, vegetative roof assemblies (VRAs) are a popular
means of adding space and access to nature while also providing strategic
approaches for managing stormwater.1 Mandatory ordinances in the
United States supporting vegetative roofs have been in place in some
cities since 2007.2 As interest in sustainable roofs continues to grow,
ordinances are beginning to show change and other ways to further
reduce buildings’ impact on the environment must also be considered.
In response to climate change, the Canadian government and a growing
number of U.S. states have enacted new environmental regulations to Constructed in the shape
support slowing the climate change impacting extreme weather. Currently of a cube and situated below the
within the United States, environmental regulatory action is taking place Acropolis, the museum’s flat roof
at the state level. On January 1, 2021, new regulations became effective in using a cellular glass insulation
complements the structure’s clean,
California, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington, and geometric aesthetic while reducing
all of Canada banning the use of high global warming potential (GWP) weight on the unique foundation
hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) blowing agents. More states are planning to and managing rooftop drainage.
enact similar laws. As of this writing, Massachusetts, Maryland, and
Delaware have finalized laws and regulations to lower the GWP levels These new regulations—coupled with awareness surrounding life
of blowing agent formulations. Those will go into effect later this year, cycles—are mainstreaming once novel innovations such as recycled
and several more states have proposed legislation.3 During the transition, content, low GWP formulas, and longer-use products reducing the
accommodations were made to allow for a grace period of selling overall environmental footprint of buildings. Manufacturers with a
existing, non-compliant material and preventing the production or sale continuous focus on this sustainability mindset are helping lead this
of additional material in affected states. It is recommended to review each effort in putting materials that are constantly being improved into the
state’s requirements for compliance. hands of designers.

A reduction in GWP supports sustainability An extreme undertaking of product innovation

The target of these new regulations was not only rigid insulation board, but While the environmental regulations are new, approaches to a lower-
also mandating lower levels of GWP in blowing agents impacting products like GWP insulation have been years in the making at some companies.
extruded polystyrene (XPS.) Blowing agents are a key ingredient allowing XPS Leading companies have been working toward this goal through multiple
to deliver high thermal performance. Moving beyond regulatory compliance, previous formulas. The challenge in creating a lower-GWP XPS was
the new environmental regulations are also inspiring environmentally daunting because the reduction in GWP could not detract from the
conscious designers and contractors to think about how insulation can support superior properties that support XPS’s performance attributes which has
sustainable buildings alongside manufacturers of these materials. been achieved with varying levels of success by different manufacturers.

6 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

The next generation in XPS can be installed in applications across
the building enclosure from foundations to vegetative roofs; in some
cases, sustainability features are validated by a third-party verified
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and Optimization report.
The EPD can provide designers and specifiers with documentation for
specifying and installing this material to meet rating systems such as
the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED), Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Energy Star, and the National Association of Home Builders
(NAHB) National Green Building Standard.
Stora Enso’s Langerbrugge Mill in
Extreme missions: Insights from Europe northwestern Belgium is home to the
world’s largest newsprint machine. From
In Europe, a different type of insulation is addressing ‘extreme’ a sustainability perspective, the facility
applications. ‘Extreme’ in this case refers to ‘mission critical’ buildings is also a leader in renewable materials
where the breach of a roof membrane and resulting water leak could replacing fossil-based resources.
threaten priceless contents or disrupt a critical process resulting in
risk to the health, safety, or welfare of occupants or the community. allow visitors to look down upon an active archeological excavation
In these mission critical buildings, cellular glass insulation is of ruins from the 4th and 7th centuries A.D. A double-height
the product of choice because of one or more of its performance trapezoidal plate in the middle section of the ‘cube’ is home to
characteristics—lightweight, water, and vapour resistance, non- galleries from the Archaic period of the Roman era. At the top
combustibility and high compressive strength to name a few. Notable level, natural light floods the top floor Parthenon gallery, bringing a
examples of some mission critical buildings include the new Acropolis panoramic view of modern Athens and the Acropolis and connecting
Museum in Athens, Greece, the Stora-Enso facility in Ghent Belgium, the architecture strongly to its site.
and the Firstsite Centre in Colchester, United Kingdom. Constructed in the shape of a cube and situated below the Acropolis,
Each of these buildings presented an extreme challenge for the museum’s flat roof using a cellular glass insulation complements
designers and contractors: how best to protect the artifacts or the structure’s clean, geometric esthetic while reducing weight on the
mission critical process inside. These high-profile installations are unique foundation and managing rooftop drainage due to tapering the
explored in more detail below. insulation. This cellular glass insulation in the main roofing system
sits atop a metal roof deck that includes fully adhered insulation,
Protection for ancient artifacts: Insulation in action two layers of reinforced waterproofing membrane, and an embedded
Located in the historic Makryianni district, collections in the New protection course. This surface is connected with a insulation serrated
Acropolis Museum take visitors on a tour of both late antiquity and plate, screw, and rubber air- and water-sealing gasket ring to support
ongoing conservation and research efforts. At the museum’s base, structure underneath opaque glass to complete the glass cube concept.
foundation columns and glass floor were carefully engineered to As noted, this not only visually reduces the building’s weight but

7 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

provides less structural weight to the building without compromising
thermal protection of the roof and adding to the critical mission of New ASTM Standard for Cellular Glass Insulation
protecting artifacts from potential water infiltration. Ease of handling
was a bonus during construction, as the cellular glass could be tapered
during manufacture and easily cut in the field to accommodate
lightening protection and variations in construction tolerance.
W hen specifying cellular glass for roof and building applications, it is important to note new
developments in standardization. On November 1, 2020, the American Society of Testing and
Materials (ASTM) created ASTM C1902, Standard Specification for Cellular Glass Insulation Used
in Building and Roof Applications.* This standard specifically addresses physical and performance
An extreme enclosure and roof evoke a ‘sheathed in gold’ effect properties necessary for building applications, as opposed to the previously referenced ASTM C552,
‘Extreme’ is an apt metaphor for the FirstSite Centre. The golden-clad Standard Specification for Cellular Glass Thermal Insulation, which primarily applied to pipe and
crescent is a work of art embracing its historic surroundings of heritage industrial insulation applications. As ASTM C552 is currently referenced as the product standard in the
gardens and sites as well as housing historic artifacts within. Ensuring International Building Code (IBC) Section 1508 ‘Roofing Insulation, ASTM C1902, Standard Specification
developers did not disrupt historic sites did not compromise the mission for Cellular Glass Insulation Used in Building and Roof Applications, is being proposed as a more direct
to provide educational opportunities while actively commissioning and replacement to address relevant properties such as compressive strength, thermal performance, moisture
exhibiting artists of the present and future to form Colchester’s ‘future resistance, and dimensional stability under more applicable service temperatures ranging from 10 to
heritage.’ Connecting the public to art, the centre includes gallery spaces 93 C (-50 to 200 F).** Specifiers will notice the same process of classifying materials by their physical
for hosting workshops, lectures, exhibits, and events. Yet another facility properties in this standard—they are just more relevant to building construction needs. In the interim,
built atop a historic artifact, the Berryfield mosaic, dating back to 200 A.D. specifiers should consider introducing this standard into future project manuals and local code officials
and discovered in 1923, is protected under a glass case built into the floor. have supported the use of the new standard for classifying cellular glass on projects.
As a result, the foundation was engineered as a concrete ‘raft’ due to a ‘no
dig’ policy. *Visit www.astm.org/Standards/C1902.htm.
In this roof assembly, the cellular glass insulation was adhered ** See www.astm.org/Standards/C552.htm.
to the structural deck with cold adhesive. Square plates were then
embedded into the insulation and covered with the torch-applied roof
membrane. Additional metal grips were screwed through this plate Extreme processes define industrial operations
to create the attachment skeleton for the standing seam gold sheets Beyond ancient artifacts and treasures, mission critical buildings housing
(a copper and aluminum alloy). In a traditional architectural metal industrial assets also protect extreme processes. A good example is Stora
roof, these fasteners would have penetrated the roof membrane and Enso’s Langerbrugge Mill in northwestern Belgium. The facility is home to
the insulation to attach to the structure below. However, the method the world’s largest newsprint machine. From a sustainability perspective,
used here eliminates through-fasteners and, therefore, thermal the facility is also a leader in renewable materials replacing fossil-based
bridging. The waterproof, dimensionally stable and high-compressive resources. In 2019, the company announced a pilot facility for enabling the
properties of the cellular glass also help hold the fasteners through production of bio-based plastics and found a way to recycle used paper
the membrane securely and add a layer of waterproof material. This cups to cut the carbon footprint of disposable paper cups by 50 per cent.
unique solution creates both a visually appealing extreme roof and Once again, cellular glass plays a role in topping off this treasure.
protects valuable building contents. A cellular glass roof tops the 22,000 m2 (236,806 sf) area of flat roofs at the

8 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

Langerbrugge Mill. The material composition aligns with the company’s
investment in ecologically responsible activities. Totally inorganic, the
cellular glass insulation used on this project does not contain any ozone-
depleting propellants, flame retardants, or binders, and is free of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs). Cellular glass is aligned with these company
goals as it is a product with up to 60 per cent recycled content.
Industrial applications require massive strength on the roof as
mechanical systems, heavy equipment, and even maintenance vehicles are
In the Makryianni district of Greece,
often placed atop the structure. The Langerbrugge Mill’s rooftop supports collections in the New Acropolis
mechanical and electrical equipment, requiring extreme loadbearing Museum take visitors on a tour of late
capacity. The compressive strength of cellular glass insulation begins at antiquity and ongoing conservation
345 kPa (50 psi) and is regularly used in building applications reaching and research. At the museum’s base,
1655 kPa (240 psi). Dimensional stability and resistance to deflection foundation columns and glass floor
were carefully engineered to allow
is another consideration. The predominantly glass composition of visitors to look down upon an active
cellular glass provides a low coefficient of thermal movement that is archeological excavation of ruins from
comparable to the movement of the concrete or steel decks to which it the 4th and 7th centuries A.D.
typically attaches. This quality means warping, dishing, or shrinking of
the insulation does not occur. Cellular glass provides a stable foundation Transmission of Materials Method B) compared to a range of 0.1 to 10 for
for the roofing membrane minimizing the stress placed on its joints and similar rigid board insulation products (Class II or Class III). Limiting
thereby prolonging the life of the roof. vapour transmission is also especially important in applications where the
Of particular concern in industrial applications, cellular glass is vapour is a chemical. Cellular glass is also acid- and chemically resistant,
preferred where flammable liquids are used. Cellular glass is not a fuel making it ideal for this and other pipe insulation applications.
source as it is non-combustible. It is classified as a Class A material per
ASTM E84, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Extreme functions critical to infrastructure
Building Materials, due to zero flame spread and zero smoke development Back in the United States, these physical properties were put to good use in
in independent third-party testing.4 This serves as an added benefit in extreme climates and roof applications. The Jardin Water Treatment Plant in
critical facilities where threat of fire is increased and shutdown due to fire Chicago, Illinois, can treat 3,785,412 L (1 million gal) of water a minute to serve
would result in significant loss. Chicago and the surrounding area.5 The health of this community relies on this
One of the key reasons cellular glass was ideal for the Langerbrugge building to remain functioning, and downtime is simply not an option, even in
Mill was its vapour impermeable property. The printing process creates humid summer highs or freezing winter lows. While the cellular glass serves as
a significant vapour pressure that must be countered to protect the a redundant layer to prevent roof leaks, treatment of drinking water with
membrane and other roof components. Cellular glass has a maximum chlorine and other chemicals to disinfect and remove contaminants also
vapour permeability of 0.005 perms per inch Class I vapour retarder per necessitates an insulation resistant to chemical exposure.6 Cellular glass
ASHRAE 90.1 (per ASTM E96 Standard Test Methods for Water Vapour uniquely solves this extreme problem.

9 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

Over 50 years ago, cellular glass insulation was embedded as part of

Photos courtesy iStock.com/Slavica

the roof membrane system. In 2009, as the roof membrane assembly
was reaching the end of its expected lifespan, the insulation samples
were removed from this roof and tested by an independent third party
for its performance after so many years in service. Some of these results
included no sign of freeze-thaw erosion, thermal performance as claimed,
and negligible moisture content. After this proven performance, the same
insulation was selected for installation on the Eugene Sawyer Facility,
Chicago’s other mission-critical water treatment plant.

Conclusion
In Europe, United States, and around the globe, designers must consider
many extremes when it comes to the roof. The compliance standards
are also rising, and safety is non-negotiable while improving impact on
the planet. Innovations to familiar materials such as XPS are supporting
growing sustainability efforts. Meanwhile, designers are innovating
roof assemblies using time-tested cellular glass to meet extreme roof
performance requirements.
Materials may be considered for their ability to create better roof drainage
or even retain more moisture on a roof to relieve increased pressure on
storm sewers. They may require a material to provide high compressive
strength to accommodate fasteners and traffic. Or they may need extreme 4
Consult www.astm.org/Standards/E84.htm. Historic wildfires in the West, tropical
resistance to moisture and chemicals to support an entire community with 5
Read more at www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/water/supp_info/education.html. storms in the South, derechos in the
vital services. Regardless of ‘extreme’ demands, these materials can reach 6
Visit www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/water/supp_info/education/ Midwest, and an infusion of artic air
devastating parts of Texas are just
new standards without compromise. water_treatment.html. some of the recent climate events
underscoring the need for commercial
Notes roofs to be able to withstand extreme
Tiffany Coppock, AIA, NCARB, CSI, CDT, LEED moisture, wind, and thermal conditions.
1
Visit www.constructionspecifier.com/xps-building-science-three-high-
performing-roofs. AP, ASTM, RCI, EDAC is the Commercial Building
2
See static1.squarespace.com/static/58e3eecf2994ca997dd56381/t/5d84df Systems Specialist at Owens Corning. Tiffany
c371cf0822bdf7dc29/1568989140101/Green_Roof_and_Wall_Policy_in_ resides in the Dallas Fort Worth area.
North_America.pdf.
3
Go to www.owenscorning.com/en-us/insulation/commercial/foamular-ngx
to see a real-time map detailing states’ adoption of the regulations is available.

10 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

OVER 80 YEARS OF INNOVATION
FIBERGLAS
® 1938
Owens Corning invents fiberglass insulation.

1960
Owens Corning Edmonton plant started producing Fiberglass insulation.

1978
In September 1978, Owens Corning opens its ISB Toronto Plant and begins production of R20 23”.
Earl Mogk is the Toronto Plant Leader.

1979
Owens Corning starts packaging batt insulation in pink bags.

1980
PINK PANTHER® rights from MGM worldwide in the building industry. The iconic MGM character and company
“spokescat” has grown to become one of the world’s most recognizable and beloved brand mascots. Owens Corning
began partnering with The Pink Panther to promote sales of PINK® Fiberglas® insulation on August 15, 1980.

1981
Superpink II is introduced, the plant reaches 240 days without a lost time accident and the second Nodulator is
installed. The Canada-arm is deployed aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia for the first time.

PINK
® 1987
First company to register a colour in the world PINK®. After demonstrating decades of widespread use of the
colour PINK®, Owens Corning became the first company to receive a trademark for a colour, on May 12, 1987.

1989
Owens Corning becomes the sole owner of Fiberglas® Canada. Canada eliminates one-dollar bills and switches to the “Loonie”.

1992
Toronto plant started producing R19 and R30 for the U.S. Roberta Bondar became Canada’s first female astronaut in
space. And the Toronto Blue Jays become the first Canadian baseball team to win the World Series.
OVER 80 YEARS OF INNOVATION
1994
Received certificate of appreciation from Mayor and Council of Scarborough for development of significant
environmental initiatives.

1995
Fiberglas Canada officially becomes Owens Corning Canada. The Pink Panther becomes the new mascot.

1996
Toronto plant employees participated in first Earth Day, the maple tree becomes Canada’s national arboreal emblem.

2002
The Toronto plant diverts 61% of its waste from landfills. Canada signs the Kyoto Accord, limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

2007
76 per cent of ISB Toronto plant’s waste is diverted from landfills.

2008
Owens Corning conquers the South Pole.

2009
Canada wins its fifth straight gold medal at the world junior hockey championship, defeating Sweden 5-1.

2011
Owens Corning launches EcoTouch® PINK® FIBERGLAS® Insulation with PureFiber™ the new benchmark for insulation
performance. The result is an entirely new class of high-performance, formaldehyde-free residential and commercial
insulation containing 73%* recycled content.

2021
In January, Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) today announced a new product line: FOAMULAR® NGX (Next Generation Extruded).
The proprietary blowing agent in this new line of extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam products delivers a 90% reduction in global
warming potential (GWP) without sacrificing product performance.

2021
Owens Corning launches PINK NEXT GEN™ FIBERGLAS® Insulation It’s not just the next generation of PINK® insulation
– it’s the new standard. And the right choice for safety, precision, comfort and sustainability.
THE PINK PANTHER™ & © 1964-2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved. The colour PINK is a registered trademark of Owens Corning.
© 2021 Owens Corning. All Rights Reserved. *73% recycled content is based on the average recycled glass content in all Owens Corning fiberglass batts, rolls and unbonded
loosefill insulation manufactured in Canada. SCS certified.
Best Practices for
Masonry Wall Systems
and Insulation
By Herbert Slone, RA, and Art Fox
All images courtesy Mortar Net Solutions

T
oday’s high-performance building market is driven by increasingly stringent energy
codes and a growing demand for greater building efficiency, sustainability, and
affordability. This means specifying and building masonry cavity walls and adhered
masonry walls with materials working together as a functioning system is more
critical than ever. When designing a highly functional masonry wall, the list of wall system
performance criteria an architect must consider is daunting.
The wall must provide thermal efficiency, often with several types of insulation. In
addition, it must offer air resistance while also managing moisture with properly designed
and placed water-resistive barriers (WRBs). Further, the assembly must resist water leakage.
However, when water does get in, it must be able to drain out of the cavity or from behind
the adhered masonry veneer.
Due to their porous nature, masonry cavity walls are considered ‘rainscreen walls,’ and
are expected to allow water into the cavity. Therefore, they must be designed to allow
drainage and drying. Modern building science has shown high-quality adhered masonry
walls such as stucco, stone, and thin brick also need to include drainage. The wall should
resist vapour permeation, but when vapour penetrates, it must be able to dry, even when
wetting and drying conflict with each other.
Structural connections are required to securely hold the entire system together, and
at least three different modes of fire resistance should be considered, with multiple
product warranties managed with these modes. Architects must provide the contractor
with a complete list of material and system specifications to ensure the project can be
bid accurately.

13 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

Contractors need to build with familiar, proven methods and readily
available materials, and they should have complete installation knowledge
of every component. When the project is complete, they must provide job
closeout information such as credits earned under the Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) program and warranty documents.
Sometimes, the architect specifies everything the right way and the
contractor installs components the right way, but problems still wreak
havoc or the finished building. This is not because the building materials
were of poor quality or the contractor was incompetent, but because some
products just simply do not work together. For example, if a thermoplastic
polyolefin (TPO) flashing membrane is sealed with a polyether sealant—
both of which are tried-and-true, high-performance materials—the seal fails
almost immediately. In order for the contractor to provide the best-quality
construction, the architect must specify materials that have been tested and
verified to be fully compatible and ensure plans are accurately detailed.
Architects can speed the design process, reduce risk, and help the contractor An integrated, factory-
produce the best possible building by using complete wall assemblies consisting assembled flashing system.
of components designed and documented to work together as a code-compliant
system with full compatibility. These assemblies should also come with sequencing
instructions making it clear how each component should be installed. thermal efficiency components include stud cavity insulation, continuous
insulation (ci), and a vapour retarder, if needed. In CMU walls, the block
A complete wall system cells may be insulated. Insulation may also be installed on the interior, or the
A complete wall system has five functional layers. Two of the layers are the wall designer may rely on ci on the exterior of the block to meet requirements.
boundaries—the structural backup (e.g. steel or wood studs) and sheathing Air/water management encompasses multiple drainage planes, including
or concrete masonry units (CMU), and a weather-resistant cladding such as air barriers and WRBs in cavity and adhered masonry walls, plus through-
masonry on the exterior. Between these two boundaries are three functional wall flashing in cavity walls. Sealing against air and water intrusion also
layers containing all of the wall’s core components. A truly complete system requires the specification of mechanical fasteners with sealing washers. In
provides the testing and documentation showing all the components cavity walls, weep vents and mortar dropping protection must be included.
performing as a system. The three functional layers are: In adhered masonry walls, a drainage plane and weep screed must be
• thermal efficiency; specified, all without missing a detail.
• air/water management; and Structural connections must be accomplished with single-barrel masonry
• structural connections. anchors and sealing washers to properly transfer loads while minimizing
They comprise components providing all of the necessary performance and sealing necessary penetrations. Mineral wool safing insulation may
attributes relevant for a high-quality, sustainable wall. In stud walls, the also be required for fire protection.

14 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

Air barriers
Air barriers restrict airflow in and out of the wall as well as minimize energy
loss and condensation from moist leaking air. By controlling moisture, they
reduce or prevent mould growth and corrosion while improving the building
life and energy efficiency, as well as the overall comfort of occupants.
Some air barriers act as WRBs as well, providing a water-resistant envelope
and thereby not only preventing water accumulation in the building, but also
establishing a drainage plane inside the wall. The specifying architect must
decide whether the WRB is sheet- or fluid-applied, rolled on, or sprayed,
and whether it is permeable or impermeable. Among the popular choices are
acrylic air- and water-resistive barriers, which are very flexible and have the
ability to tolerate building movement. They are fluid-applied and permeable,
so they permit limited vapour to pass through, which allows drying and
provides ‘forgiveness’ against moisture accumulation in the wall—all while
keeping liquid water out.

Insulation
In masonry veneer walls with wood or steel stud structural backup, batt process of XPS causes it to be inherently water-resistant, meaning it does These mesh pieces
insulation is normally specified in the stud cavity. However, since the stud not rely on facers for this purpose. Facers are easily damaged onsite so they are compressible and
framing creates a ‘thermal short’ through the cavity insulation layer—as much cannot be relied on to keep water out. expandable weep opening
devices with the ability to
as 50 per cent through steel studs—the batt insulation value is often effectively Sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF) is sometimes used in stud cavities or as ci. completely fill weep holes
cut in half. Therefore, ci is routinely added to the cavity in cavity walls and Sprayfoam has the advantage of being able to seal small cracks to limit air in wall systems.
behind the lath in adhered masonry walls to conform to energy codes such movement, but it requires careful control of in-field installation conditions
as ANSI/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning to achieve the necessary insulating properties. Additionally, the application
Engineers/Illuminating Engineering Society (ASHRAE/IES) 90.1-2016, temperature, nozzle pressure, and speed of the applicator wand must be precise,
Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-rise Residential Buildings. When and the installer must be very careful to use proper personal protection and
properly installed using thermal break fasteners, ci minimizes thermal overspray control.
bridging so heat transfer is dramatically reduced. When considering other insulation materials, water penetration, impact
Water inevitably gets into the air space in cavity walls and behind the lath in on thermal properties, fire resistance, and effects of site conditions on the
adhered masonry walls. Therefore, ci in the cavity or behind the lath should performance of the product should be examined. XPS is a factory-made board
be highly water-resistant. In Tech Note 28-B, Brick Veneer/Steel Stud Walls, product, meaning its insulating properties are quality controlled in the factory
the Brick Industry Association (BIA) recommends the use of water-resistant, and proper installation is not as dependent on site conditions as sprayfoam.
closed-cell, rigid foam insulation sheathing such as extruded polystyrene The architect must also consider the installation method for ci. With
(XPS) to prevent water penetration. The chemistry and manufacturing board products, corrosion-resistant, ceramic-coated screws with air and

15 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

A factory-assembled metal
lath and drainage plane
Air and weather barriers being installed on a façade comprised of concrete masonry units (CMUs). system for adhered masonry.

water sealing washers offer long life and limit air movement and energy loss. moisture, compared to cool air holding less moisture. In northern climates,
Sealing washers are available with prongs that insert into the foam to enable the vapour retarder typically goes on the ‘warm-in-winter’ side or inside,
the contractor to be more efficient by pre-spotting washer locations. The while in the south, it goes on the outside.
washers must be large enough to distribute the stress of pulling the water- Current practice utilizes modelling software such as WUFI to make
resistant XPS insulation tight against the air barrier/sheathing to effectively detailed hourly simulations of moisture migration and accumulation over
seal the screw penetrations. Small details like this can make a big difference multiple annual cycles to assess designs and predict performance. All
in how the wall assembly performs and should be part of the specification. building materials, such as gypsum board or brick, absorb water, hold it,
and then release it as conditions change. WUFI analysis takes those dynamic
Moisture vapour retarders characteristics into consideration. Section 1405.3, “Vapour Retarders,” of the
Placement of a vapour retarder depends on several factors. Vapour generally International Building Code (IBC) provides guidance on the use of vapour
flows from high to low pressure—high pressure being warm air holding more retarders in different climate zones.

16 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

When vapour-retarding facers are part of the stud cavity insulation, its
flame spread rating must also be considered. In Type 1 and 2 construction,
facer flame spread must be less than 25. In Type 3, 4, or 5 construction, facer
flame spread may be above 25.

Drainage
Water gets into a cavity wall through the brick veneer, which is normal
and expected. Getting water out of a cavity wall involves the installation of
multiple drainage planes, requiring numerous products including mortar
dropping protection, through-wall flashing, and weep vents. Water also
penetrates adhered masonry walls, and their proper design requires a WRB,
drainage plane, and weep screed.
A complete wall design provides multiple pathways for drainage, does not A factory-assembled
allow the water to build up in the wall, and enables air to circulate to enhance mesh drainage plane
drying. A reliable, high-performance wall system also has redundancies built and metal lath system
in so if one aspect of the wall is challenged, there is another to back it up. offers faster installation
and fewer wall
To keep weep holes open, mortar-dropping protection must be installed. penetrations than when
With some proprietary three-dimensional, trapezoid-shaped porous fibre installing the drainage
matrixes, falling mortar is suspended at different levels above the flashing, plane and lath separately.
making it nearly impossible to accumulate a complete drainage block and
thus keeping the weep holes open. or down the face of the insulation to the bottom of the cavity, where it is directed
Weep holes used to be simply an open head joint at the base of the wall, across the shelf angle or foundation out of the wall by through-wall flashing.
but they allow a path for insects and debris to get in. Rope wicks allow water Traditionally, masonry cavity walls have often employed field-assembled
to leave the cavity, but they do not let air circulate. Rigid inserts preserve the through-wall flashing. However, a newer, field-proven alternative is an
opening and let water out and air in, but they may not fit the joint tightly or integrated flashing system, which comes preassembled with all necessary
protect the opening well. components, including the membrane, termination bar, drip edge, and a
Some weep opening devices are both compressible and expandable, so they drainage mat with weep tabs—a component often omitted entirely when
compress into the head joint and expand to fill irregularities. This type of a field-assembled. One-piece, 355-mm (14-in.) high corners and end dams
weep vent is a simple mesh tight enough to prevent insects and debris from are also available to complete the system. With field assembly, all these
getting in, but open enough to let water drain and air circulate. components must be provided at the same time by different suppliers, and
it takes experienced professionals to assemble the flashing system correctly.
Flashing systems Since flashing failure is one of the primary causes of water damage, it is vital
In cavity walls, through-wall flashing is installed at the bottom of the wall to catch these components be installed correctly in every detail throughout the building.
water and direct it out. Water drains down the air barrier/WRB layer behind the ci However, with current labour shortages, finding installers with enough experience

17 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

may be a problem. Factory assembly of the flashing system in controlled Conclusion
conditions eliminates most of the variability of field installation and allows less Economic pressures, a strong desire for improved sustainability, and
experienced professionals to create leak-free installations. Takeoff services and increasingly stringent energy requirements are forcing designers to find
custom cutting for wall openings can also be used to speed installation. new ways to improve wall performance while making the architect and
In adhered masonry walls, a through-wall flashing is unnecessary. Instead, contractor’s jobs faster and less risky. The labour shortage is also driving
a weep screed is installed at the bottom of the wall, a minimum of 101 mm the industry to find more efficient building techniques to meet growing
(4 in.) above grade (Uniform Building Code [UBC] Section 4706 [e], commercial construction demand.
“Exterior Lath: Application of Metal Plaster Bases”). The WRB is installed Specifying and installing pre-tested and warrantied complete wall
shingle-fashion so it drapes over the screed flange to allow water to run down systems addresses all these issues. These wall systems eliminate the need for
the barrier and out of the screed weep holes. A drainage plane between the designers to evaluate system testing and compatibility among multiple wall
lath and WRB is necessary to ensure moisture can run down the WRB and air components. They slash design time, reduce designer and contractor risk,
can circulate behind the lath to dry the wall. Products combining a factory- save contractors money by cutting installation time, and help stakeholders
assembled metal lath and drainage plane in one system can significantly cut create beautiful, long-lasting, and sustainable buildings.
installation time compared to installing the drainage plane and lath separately.
They also provide a mortar break to prevent mortar bridging between the lath Herbert Slone, RA, is Owens Corning’s chief architect
and WRB, so the wall can drain and dry quickly and completely.
and senior manager of commercial building systems. As a
registered architect with more than 45 years of experience
Anchoring systems
Finally, anchoring devices must be specified to tie the masonry veneer to the in construction, he provides leadership in building
structural backup. This is a critical component of a masonry wall’s stability envelope systemization. Besides his role as an architect,
and longevity, yet many designers frequently leave the choice of wall anchor he has also worked as a building official and university
to the contractors. These authors strongly recommend designers specify instructor, authored articles, and chaired industry committees, and was
anchors with the same care they use on the rest of the wall. appointed by Ohio’s Governor to the Ohio Board of Building Standards.
In cavity walls, the anchors must be properly sized to span the cavity, Slone can be reached at [email protected].
as well as be corrosion-resistant. As cavities get larger to accommodate
thicker ci, it becomes more important to properly engineer the anchors for
shear strength. Stress-distributing air/water sealing washers are important Art Fox is marketing and communications director for
to allow the anchors to be pulled tightly against the ci layer, which, as Mortar Net Solutions. He ran several construction
mentioned, effectively seals each anchor penetration against air and water companies in the 1970s before becoming Mortar Net’s
leaks. For adhered masonry walls, nails or staples—typically used when lath first COO, and has been involved in helping grow the
is attached directly to the structural wall—may not be strong enough when company since its founding. Fox has also taught business
using ci, and must also be properly engineered. With this masonry type, the writing and communications at Depaul University since
fasteners support a large part of the veneer’s weight, so they must be able to 2003. He can be reached at [email protected].
resist both shear and pulling forces to function successfully.

18 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

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20 | FOAMULAR® XPS Insulation
Identifying Watertightness of By Dominique Lefebvre
and Bas A. Baskaran, PhD, P.Eng.

Low-slope Roof Membranes

Photo courtesy GAF

A
n accurate assessment of the
watertightness of new and existing
roofs can potentially save building
owners hundreds of millions of dollars
annually. The challenge for roofing specifiers
is choosing the most effective exterior-to-
interior watertightness evaluation techniques.
The fact is there is no single, straightforward
method to accurately evaluate water ingress
from the exterior roof membrane to the
interior of the building. This has led to
confusion among specifiers as to which
method is most appropriate for a particular
type of roof, and what information each
test provides.
This dilemma has led the Roofing Industry
Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) to
review existing water-detection techniques
to identify:
• methods of operation;
• capabilities of the tests;
• test compatibility with various
components; and
• benefits and the shortcomings of each test
procedure.
RICOWI’s Moisture Control and Green
Committee led this investigation, as the
group focuses on moisture-control issues
and identifies specific roof performance

20 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

metrics. Committee membership consists of manufacturers, property owners,

Photo courtesy National Research Council Canada

and academics to ensure a diverse roofing community representation.

Addressing watertightness of roofs

The main function of any roof is to prevent water entry into a building.
This leads to the fundamental question of how to assess the watertightness
of a roof assembly.
Watertightness detection is needed for both new and existing roof
systems. For new construction, this watertightness evaluation provides
confirmation to the property owner the roof was properly installed, and
as such, can be used as a field commissioning tool.
For existing construction, a watertightness evaluation can be employed
for the following two purposes:
• to assess the current roof condition and determine if replacement is required
after confirmation from test cuts and professional insight; and
• to evaluate if the watertightness capacity of a roof was compromised
after a major weather event.
From the perspective of the roofing specifier and property owner, effective
nondestructive roofing and waterproofing testing can provide various
practical benefits. For example:
• pinpointing, documenting, and repairing wet roof areas to limit further
damage to commercial low-slope roofs;
• reducing the risk of structural damage and potential failure of new or
existing roof systems;
• identifying sound roof sections and replacing wet insulation to conserve
time, materials, and energy use; and
• targeting problem areas to accurately budget roof maintenance and
improve specifications for competitive bidding procedures. Electronic leak detection requires three conditions for accurate testing, including: Moisture can be observed
• grounding medium beneath the membrane to receive the electric current; on the bottom of the
Electronic leak detection • electrically nonconductive membrane; and membrane. There is rust
accumulation on the
Low- and high-voltage electrical leak detection methods can be used to • lack of electrically insulated materials between the membrane and the ground. fastener plate due to the
identify the source of a leak in a roof assembly. Both techniques use electrical The low-voltage method uses the presence of water to identify a membrane presence of water.
conductance to test the integrity of roof membranes. They can detect a breach breach, whereas high-voltage is a ‘dry’ method. Both tests may be faster, safer,
based on the flow of current to a conductive surface below the membrane. and more economical to specify than flood testing of the roofing system.

21 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

Photo © BigStockPhoto.com

Photo courtesy Sika Sarnafil

Low- and high voltage
electronic leak
detection methods use
electrical conductance
While roof-evaluation techniques require access to the entire roof surface, they can narrow to test the integrity of
down potential problems, such as the HVAC penetrations on this roof. roof membranes.

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), flood Flood testing also is not appropriate for identifying potential leak sources.
testing is a membrane-integrity test conducted by plugging or closing any Roof systems are designed to be weatherproof and not waterproof. While
drains and erecting temporary dams where required to retain water on the a weatherproof roof resists the passage of water with a minimal amount of
surface of a waterproofing membrane. The surface of the roof is then flooded hydrostatic pressure (flowing water), waterproofing systems prevent the
to a maximum depth of 51 mm (2 in.) at its highest point. This water must be passage of water under hydrostatic pressure (standing water). For example,
retained for a minimum of 24 hours or as long as required by the manufacturer. water leakage may occur at roof drain flashings with flood testing that
NRCA does not recommend flood tests as part of a routine quality control/ exposes drains to hydrostatic pressure. It is important to note roof drains are
assurance (QC/A) program for a new roof system. One reason is flood tests not designed to be leak-free under such unrealistic imposed conditions.
are sometimes solely and incorrectly relied on to determine the quality of When using the Low Voltage–Wet Method per ASTM D7877, Standard
a roof system. Flood testing alone does not forecast a properly designed or Guide for Electronic Methods for Detecting and Locating Leaks in Waterproof
installed roof system. For example, the test will not provide information about Membranes, a conductor cable loop is installed around the perimeter of the
service life or evaluate a roof system’s ability to resist wind or impact loads. area to be tested. The cable loop is connected to a low-voltage pulsating

22 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

Images courtesy IR Analyzers/Vector Mapping

generator and the upper electrical plate is formed by dampening the area highly conductive materials such as steel or structural concrete deck. Infrared imaging is often
within the loop. By grounding the conductive deck, it acts as the lower Low-voltage evaluation with existing black ethylene propylene diene used at night when the
electrical plate, and the roof membrane acts as the insulator. When a breach monomer (EPDM) and butyl membranes or assemblies with aluminized roof begins to cool because
the wet insulation (higher
is present, current will flow through the opening of the membrane to the protective coatings is ineffective due to the high electrical conductivity mass) retains heat longer
deck, completing the circuit. of these materials. than the dry area (lower
The low-voltage method can identify the leak source. It cannot detect At the same time, roof coverboards will block the electrical field unless a mass). The infrared camera
moisture accumulation in roof insulation or measure the moisture content conductive material (wire grid or primer) is placed directly under the membrane. is able to capture the
in the roof system. Therefore, this technique is not applicable to roof systems Not all roofing manufacturers have approved the installation of wire temperature differential
between the dry and wet
containing insulation because it blocks the electrical field. Similarly, low- grid directly under the membranes. Additionally, when using conductive roof areas as illustrated
voltage detection is inappropriate for use in roof systems containing a vapour primers, some manufacturers have not performed compatibility testing in these images.
retarder that will mask the breach by blocking the electrical field. with the membranes.
This technique has historically been of greatest value when investigating On roof systems where overburden has been installed, only low-voltage
protected membrane roof (PMR) assemblies or inverted roof membrane evaluations may be specified, as high-voltage testing requires direct contact
assemblies (IRMAs) or when the membrane is applied directly to with the membrane.

23 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

References
1. ASTM D7877, Standard Guide for Electronic Methods for Detecting and Locating Leaks in
Waterproof Membranes.
2. ASTM D7954, Standard Practice for Moisture Surveying of Roofing and Waterproofing Systems
Using Non-Destructive Electrical Impedance Scanners.
3. The paper “Climate Change Adaptation Technologies for Roofing” by B. Baskaran, S. Molleti,
D. Lefebvre, and N. Holcroft for the 33rd RCI International Convention and Trade Show.
4. “Electronic Leak Detection: Sound Science, Not a Magic Wand” by P. Brooks in the July 2017
issue of RCI Interface.
5. Testing Application Standard (TAS) 126-95, Standard Procedures for Roof Moisture Surveys.
6. “Electronic Leak Detection: A Quality Assurance Tool” by D. Honza for RCI Interface.
Photo courtesy GAF

7. Infrared Roof Moisture Surveys Accurate Assessment of Roof Condition. Visit www.iranalyzers.com/
infraredroof.htm for more information.
8. Nuclear Roof Moisture Surveys. Retrieved from IR Analyzers Vector Mapping at www.iranalyzers.com/
nuclearroof.htm.
Readings cannot be obtained if water is present behind flashings or under the 9. “A Comparison of Three Different Technologies for Performing Nondestructive Roof
membrane from adjacent surfaces such as windows, storefronts, porous masonry, Moisture Survey” by J. Robinson, D. Bradford, J. Mitchell, and P. Majkowski, published in
and unsealed base flashings. the Proceedings of the North American Conference on Roofing Technology.
10. The American National Standards Institute/Single Ply Roofing Industry (ANSI/SPRI)/RCI
Many factors can adversely influence the accuracy of low-voltage testing. NT-1, Detection and Location of Latent Moisture in Building Roofing Systems by Nuclear
For example, vegetative roofs and other assemblies with overburden are Radioisotopic Thermalization.
typically fitted with on-demand leak detection systems. Part of the process
includes the installation of conductive wire loops on the surface of the
membrane after the overburden is applied. Connection boxes are used above operator is required to interpret the relatively subtle patterns achieved with
the overburden to provide access to the wiring at a later date. These existing low levels of voltage.
electronic detection devices can interfere with low-voltage watertightness When using the High Voltage–Dry Method per ASTM D7877, an electrical
evaluations. Also, the membrane surface must be wet, which may create lead is connected to the roof deck, while another is attached to the device
serious difficulties with some overburden systems. (resembling a push broom with copper bristles). The membrane acts as an
When used under ideal conditions (i.e. highly conductive materials insulator. When a breach is present in the membrane, the electricity will flow
below the roof membrane), there is still the potential for false positives. The through the defect and ground to the conductive roof deck.
operator’s experience is important for interpreting results accurately. This is Drains provide good grounding components, as the drain lines are secured
particularly true when low-voltage testing through overburden, where the to the structure. However, those with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping are

24 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

ineffective. Metal vent pipes, metal flashings, and exposed rebar secured to

Photo courtesy National Research Council Canada

the structure are additional grounds.
Similar to the ‘wet’ method, this high-voltage technique can be used to
identify the leak source, but cannot detect moisture accumulation in roof
insulation or measure the moisture content present in the roof system.
For roof membranes other than black EPDM, the surface must be completely
dry and exposed. If water is present behind flashings or under the membrane
from adjacent surfaces (e.g. windows, storefronts, porous masonry, or unsealed
base flashings), readings cannot be obtained, as breaches will not be detected.
Additionally, more false positive results have been reported using this
method compared to low-voltage testing.1

Infrared thermography
The infrared thermography method uses infrared imaging to identify
temperature differentials between dry and wet locations to indicate the
presence of water in the system. This method operates on the principle wet
insulation has a higher thermal mass and, therefore, retains heat longer
than dry insulation. Although this method is not time consuming and
allows the operator to sample the entire roof, it can provide misleading
information. Since the testing relies on differences in temperature,
mechanical equipment, heating/cooling systems, and shaded areas can
adversely influence the results.
Infrared imaging per ASTM C1153, Standard Practice for Location of Infrared thermography can be specified to analyze the presence of moisture This photo shows water
Wet Insulation in Roofing Systems Using Infrared Imaging, and Testing in all types of roof membranes. However, it is incompatible with ballasted roof below the roof membrane.
Application Standard (TAS) 126-95, Standard Procedures for Roof Moisture assemblies or PMR/IRMA varities. During testing, the membrane must be dry
Surveys, is used to determine the location of wet insulation in contact and devoid of condensation. This test method is not suitable on insulations
with the membrane in the roofing system. This test method is often used that do not absorb water, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and closed-cell
at night when the roof begins to cool because the wet insulation (higher sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF). Additionally, infrared thermography should
mass) retains heat longer than the dry area (lower mass). The infrared not be specified when the existing roof deck is capable of retaining significant
camera is able to capture the temperature differential between the dry amounts of water. These wet-applied decks include lightweight concrete and
and wet roof areas. poured gypsum.
Unlike electronic leak detection, infrared thermography is unable to Similar to other methods of moisture detection, infrared thermography
identify the source of the leak. However, moisture content can be measured can generate false positives, and the operator’s experience is important for
using core samples. interpreting results accurately.

25 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

Nuclear detection techniques
The nuclear water detection method employs radioisotopic thermalization to Increasing Resiliency of Roofing Systems

T
emit high-velocity neutrons and measure backscatter. Although this method
is directly detecting the presence of hydrogen, and therefore water, in the roof he federal government has initiated a mandate to increase the
assembly, it requires operation by licensed personnel due to its complexity resiliency of the built environment through the Climate Resilient
(e.g. unit angle sensitivity and baseline reading requirements). Buildings and Core Public Infrastructure project at the National
Radioisotopic thermalization (TAS 126-95 and American National Research Council Canada (NRC). The initiative includes two major
Standards Institute/Single Ply Roofing Industry [ANSI/SPRI]/RCI projects relevant to the roofing industry.
NT-1-2017, Detection And Location Of Latent Moisture in Building The Guidelines for Commissioning and Certifying the Resiliency of
Roofing Systems by Nuclear Radioisotopic Thermalization) involves a Roofs Subjected to Extreme Weather Events project involves developing
process where a nuclear moisture meter emits high-velocity neutrons field protocols to perform in-situ assessments of wind uplift resistance,
and measures backscattered ‘slow’ neutrons that have lost much of their watertightness, and thermal performance. These tools will allow the
energy in collisions with hydrogen atoms. Thus, higher levels of slowed industry to assess the capacity of a new roof, ensuring it was installed
neutrons are recorded at wet areas, as water contains a significant amount to meet the design requirements and withstand climatic events. The
of hydrogen atoms. guidelines will also provide the industry with a method of assessing the
Nuclear leak detection is also able to identify the accumulation of moisture remaining roof capacity after either an extreme event or field aging.
in insulation, but cannot pinpoint the source of the leak(s). Core samples may The Codification of Material Properties for Building Adaptation
be taken of dry and wet locations to determine moisture content. to Climate Change project includes evaluation of the properties of
This technique is applicable to all conventional roof assemblies except more than 20 common building materials for various climatic zones
metal roofs. Nonconventional PMR (upside down) roofs are incompatible to develop a database of climate-dependent material properties. One
with nuclear watertightness evaluations. Roofs with overburden may be of the major outcomes of this initiative is the development of an
tested only if the ballast or pavers are removed from the test area. In most online database tool to improve access and ease of use for the building
cases, the practicality of using this time-consuming method of watertightness envelope community.
detection beneath vegetative roof assemblies would be of questionable value Both NRC projects are aimed at increasing the resilience of the building
to specifiers. envelope and roofing. These initiatives were identified through an industry
As with other methods of watertightness detection outlined here, there consultation on building resiliency held in 2016. The methodologies
is the potential for false positives. derived from the climate adaptation projects are scheduled for inclusion
Typically, a baseline reading to calibrate the nuclear meter must be taken in the National Building Code of Canada (NBC).
in a known dry area of the roof. The nuclear meter samples about 0.6 m2
(6.5 sf) at each grid point in a 0.9 x 0.9-m (3 x 3-ft), 1.8 x 1.8-m (6 x 6-ft),
or 3 x 3-m (10 x 10-ft) pattern. The equipment has a depth limitation It is important to note areas of ponding water on the roof surface will result
of 1.8 to 2.4 m (6 to 8 ft). However, unlike several other methods of in increased readings from the nuclear meter. Readings can also be affected
watertightness evaluation that are employed, nuclear scanning is not by inconsistencies seen among roofing components, such as joints where the
dependent on climatic conditions. different elements meet one another.

26 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

Further, technicians may need to comply with Canadian Nuclear Safety

Images courtesy IR Analyzers/Vector Mapping

Commission (CNSC) regulations.

Electrical impedance evaluations

The electrical impedance method uses a device to create an alternating
electrical field for penetrating the roofing material. Since wet insulation
When using the High
provides less resistance to electrical current than dry, the current can Voltage–Dry Method,
be correlated to the presence of water. The alternating current flowing one electrical lead is
through the field is inversely proportional to the impedance of the connected to the roof
moisture-absorbing materials. On the downside, the electrical impedance deck, while another is
unit contains a scanner sensitive to interply and surface moisture and attached to the device
(resembling a push
inconsistencies in the roof system. broom with copper
Like the nuclear method, this technique is applicable to most bristles). The membrane
conventional roof assemblies except for black EPDM membranes or acts as an insulator.
assemblies treated with aluminized protective coatings. PMR roofs are
incompatible with electrical impedance watertightness evaluations, and
any roofs with overburden may be tested only if the ballast or pavers are
removed from the test area. It is critical for the membrane to be free of
surface moisture to obtain accurate readings.
Similar to the nuclear and infrared methods, the impedance method
is also able to identify moisture accumulation in insulation, but cannot
pinpoint the source of the leak(s). Again, core samples may be taken of
dry and wet locations to determine the moisture content.
As always, the operator’s experience is essential for interpreting
results accurately. Other potential issues reducing instrument sensitivity
include aggregate-ballasted and/or aggregate-surfaced membranes with
variable size and weight. As mentioned, the scanners are also more
sensitive to interply moisture and water closer to the scanner electrodes,
which can make readings further below the membrane difficult. Roof The low-voltage method
patches dissimilar to the system under testing may also result in can identify the leak
erroneous readings. source. It cannot detect
moisture accumulation in
While the electrical impedance watertightness method is easy to use roof insulation or measure
and less complex than other evaluation techniques, the presence of dew, the moisture content
rain, snow, and ice significantly affects the readings. present in the roof system.

27 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net

Conclusion
None of the moisture-detection methods described in this article are able 2
Special thanks to David Hawn of Dedicated Roof and Hydro-Solutions for
to quantify the moisture content without performing core samples, which is his comments on this article. The authors acknowledge the members of the
undesirable due to the destructive nature of this sampling. Moisture Control and Green Committee of the Roofing Industry Committee
For all water-detection methods, there is the potential for false positive on Weather Issues (RICOWI) for their input, especially David Balistreri of
readings. The experience and/or licensing of the operator is essential Building Envelope Consultants, Greg Keeler of Owens Corning, Peter Brooks
for performing the test and interpreting the results accurately. All the of IR Analyzers Vector Mapping, Shaun Katz of Detec, Tom Kelly of 2001
methods investigated are also sensitive to the type of roof assembly Company, and William Tipton of Roof Maintenance Systems.
under evaluation.
Based on the review conducted by RICOWI’s Moisture Control and Green
Committee, it is evident a generic method does not exist to detect exterior
Dominique Lefebvre is a research officer with the National
water entry into all types of roof assemblies.
A common industry practice is to employ a combination of applicable Research Council Canada (NRC). Her research area focuses
methods to both detect the presence of water in a roof assembly and on the evaluation of the interface of various roofing
identify the source of the leak. Since infrared thermography is the most materials, as well as the development of tools and techniques
simple and convenient method, it is often used in conjunction with for climate adaptation of commercial roofs. Currently, she is
another, more technical method to detect the presence of water depending working on developing the performance requirements of
on the roof type. coverboards in low-slope membrane roofing for the creation of a harmonized
It is important watertightness evaluations are not only specified in the standard. Lefebvre can be reached via email by contacting at dominique.
aftermath of a major weather event or roof leak, but also included as part of a [email protected].
regular maintenance program.
Without performing regular watertightness evaluations, property owners
will either be left guessing whether there is a problem with their roofs or will
only be made aware of an issue once it has progressed to visible interior damage. Bas A. Baskaran, PhD, P. Eng., is a group leader at NRC,
However, by combining water-detection methods suitable for a particular where he researches the performance of roofing systems and
roof, one can obtain reliable information on the watertightness resistance and insulation. He is an adjunct professor at the University of
condition of an existing roof system.2 Ottawa, and a member of Roofing Committee on Weather
Issues (RICOWI), RCI Inc., Single Ply Roofing Industry
Notes (SPRI), and several other technical committees. Baskaran is
1
For more information, read “Everything Leaks: Testing roofs to ensure a research advisor to various task groups of the National Building Code of
watertightness at the outset” by Ronald J. Ray, RA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, Canada (NBC). He was recognized by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with a
AIA, in the February 2017 issue of The Construction Specifier. Visit www. Diamond Jubilee medal for his contribution to fellow Canadians. Baskaran
constructionspecifier.com/everything-leaks-testing-roofs-to-ensure-
can be reached at [email protected].
watertightness-at-the-outset.

28 Construction Canada l INSULATION BEST PRACTICES www.constructioncanada.net