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The quest for a sustainable built environment brought dramatic changes to architectural design because of the integrated design process. The integrated design process is the modern way to realize “performance architecture,” that is, design with a view to field performance. Integrated design process permits merging of concepts from passive-house designs, solar engineering, and an integration of the building enclosure with mechanical services. In part 1 of this series, the emergence of many new multi-functional materials was discussed. Yet, current innovation is guided by lessons from history. Thermal mass in heavy masonry buildings allowed periodic heating. The authors postulate integration of a hydronic heating system with the walls and the use of smart temperature control of the heating system to modify and optimize the thermal mass contribution. To use the mass of a building, one must accept transient temperature conditions where the indoor temperature varies but is confined by comfort requirements for both summer and winter conditions. On the other side, resiliency requirements dictate that in the absence of electricity the air temperature does not fall below about 12°C over a period of several hours. This requirement implies that summer cooling will likely be separated from the heating systems and that operation of a low-energy building is heavily dependent on the design of smart control systems. Analysis of control systems provided in this article for earth-to-air heat exchangers and cooling of houses with lightweight walls lead us to the requirements of separation between heating and ventilation and needs for different sources of fresh air. Finally, a new concept emerges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Components of the research program jointly sponsored by the Institute for Re search in Construction, National Research Council of Canada, and the Polyurethane Division, Society of the Plastics Industry of Canada, are described. The program is designed to improve the means of evaluating and comparing the value-in-use of various residential thermal insulation materials and systems. To assess value-in-use of insulations such as glass fibre, cellulose, and spray-applied products of which sprayed polyurethane foam is one, the performance of the building envelope as a system, in addition to analysing the materials and components, will be considered. Elements of the program will include:• thermal and energy performance,• contribution of the insulation to the air and vapour barrier performance of the en velope system,• interaction with other building components,• changes in the material performance with time. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This note describes a test method for determination of air flow resistance of exterior membranes and sheathings. The test specimen is placed between two chambers with different air pressures and the volumetric air flow rate through it at a steady state is determined. The relevant experimental quantities can presently be measured with precision better than 0.5% and with an accuracy of 2 to 3%, using commercial instruments. However, the instrumental precision does not mean much, due to the uncertainty introduced by material variability normally occurring in commercial products. This aspect of the test method is studied and a practical test procedure is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A New test method for water absorption proposed for inclusion in the ASTM Book of Standards has been subjected to test series by seven laboratories using four rigid thermal insulating materials. This note presents a statistical analysis and addresses general questions concerning evaluation of the test method uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In a review of laboratory tests of moisture absorption, three methods are carefully examined and compared. Comparisons of laboratory and field data, generally conceded to be the best way to evaluate laboratory test methods, led to the conclusion that moisture gain in perimeter insulation cannot be predicted accurately by any one laboratory test, but that relative assessment is possible from the results of a combination of tests. This paper reviews the state of the art, in particular the work of the ASTM task group on moisture absorp tion. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A semi-empirical model for calculating heat transfer in dry mineral fiber in sulations takes into account parameters that characterize both the structure of the fibrous material and the boundary conditions in standard laboratory testing. It permits adjustment of experimental data for changes in specimen density or thickness, mean temperature or temperature gradient, i.e., all the uncertainties involved in sampling and testing procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Information and techniques regarding the proper use of blown mineral fibre insulation are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The achievement of good thermal performance of cellulose fibre insulation applied in exterior walls is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The achievement of good thermal performance in horizontal applications of cellulose fibre insulation is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]