TECHNICAL RESEARCH
INDUSTRY EDUCATION
Illustrated Guide – Achieving Airtight Buildings
Description This guide consolidates information on achieving airtightness in buildings, with a specific focus on larger or more complex building types. Various jurisdictions are working to implement airtightness performance and testing requirements. This guide is intended to be an industry resource with respect to designing, building, and testing airtight buildings, while not compromising other aspects of building enclosure performance, including moisture management, thermal performance, and durability. The information included in this guide applies mainly to mid- and high-rise (Part 3) wood-frame and noncombustible residential buildings within British Columbia. However, it is also applicable for larger or more complex low-rise (Part 9) wood- frame residential buildings and buildings with other occupancies. Impact The Illustrated Guide – Achieving Airtight Buildings will help developers, builders and designers understand their respective responsibilities in building airtight buildings, ensuring that more buildings will be airtight, which is a key strategy to achieve energy efficiency and durability in buildings.
2 | DESIGN
The design of an effective combined to control air lea continuity of the air barrie performance. An effective Air Impermeability All materials, components must be able to prevent air air permeability less than 0 Continuity Continuity is the single mos but also one of the most continuity of the air barrie interfaces in the enclosure Durability The air barrier system mu the building or of the mat regularly maintain sealant be designed to be easily ac UV exposure, moisture, ch of the building. Interfaces i able to accommodate the The durability of the enclo must account for vapour m loads. Exterior vapour-imp inside the assembly. Air b must be appropriately in moisture loads. See Furth more guidance on assemb Strength and Stiffnes From construction to occu on it. The design should ac wind and stack effect pres structure caused by therma of fasteners, tapes, sealan products may by used to a PRINCIPLES
Multiple high-powered blower fans installed in a door opening
Status: Guide available online at www.bchousing.org Partners: City of Vancouver, BC Hydro Audience: Builders, architects,
12 | Illustrated Guide – Achieving Airtight Buildings
engineers, professionals in the building development, design and construction industry
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49 HOUSING RESEARCH & EDUCATION PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS | JUNE 2020
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