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Corner tests on assemblies of protected polystyrene foam showed that the addition of any covering material having a flame spread classification of less than 150 as measured by the 7.6 m tunnel test was beneficial in terms of reducing the rate of early fire spread. During the formation phase of the fire, this type of assembly posed no more danger than a similar construction using glass fibre insulation. Following flashover, however, the exposed polystyrene foam contributed significantly to the fire whereas the glass fibre did not., Reprinted from: Fire Technology, v. 17, no. 2, May 1981, p. 85-97. ISSN: 0015-2684

Concern has been expressed that increasing the amount of insulation to improve the thermal resistance of conventional roofing systems might adversely affect the performance of the membrane. Lower membrane temperatures caused by increased thermal resistance could induce higher stresses in the membrane, thus increasing the incidence of splitting failures. It is also feared that additional insulation could result in larger stresses in roofing membranes partially covered with snow. This Note evaluates the possible effects of increasing the amount of insulation on roofs.

This paper deals with the design and construction of details pertaining to insulated roofs for new construction and for thermal upgrading of existing ones. Emphasis is given to built-up roofs (BUR) because of their wide use and the particular problems associated with the tendency of the membrane to shrink. Roof problems encountered in current practice are analyzed and practical solutions are suggested. Such solutions may be adopted as principles that can be applied, in general, to the design of practical roof details. Examples of the application of these principles to thermal upgrading of existing roofs are described. Finally, the functions of the different types of joints usually found on roofs and the effects of insulation on their design are discussed.

The selection of insulation for adding to house attics is discussed. Examples of thermal resistance factors and cost are tabulated. Tips on installing the insulation are given.

This note presents a method of calculating how much insulation is required to keep the ground unfrozen all winter if it is covered at the end of the summer with a thick layer of straw (or other insulation). The results indicate that just over 3 feet of straw could be enough to keep the ground surface from freezing if the minimum mean monthly air temperature is -20 degrees F and the ground temperature is 40 degrees F when the straw is spread., Aussi disponible en français: Isolation pour prévenir le gel du sol

This note records the use of "Cabot's Quilt" insulated sheathing in a 60 year old Halifax house. Moderate space heating requirements are attributed to careful material selection, detailing and quality workmanship which combined to provide good airtightness.

Insulated window shutters can lessen considerably the amount of heat lost through windows. A standard double-glazed window has a thermal resistance of about R2 (RSI 0.35). An insulated shutter with a resistance 2 to 3 times that of a window, say R5 (RSI 0.88), will reduce substantially the energy loss of that window, particularly at night when the house does not benefit from solar radiation. Many different kinds of window shutters are now available. This Note has been prepared as a guide in selection as there are a number of key points to consider to achieve an effective and relatively trouble-free operation of a window shutter.

The urgent need to conserve energy in buildings has increased the use of non-conventional insulating materials such as urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) in Canadian buildings. Although UFFI is not a particularly good insulating material because of its high initial water content and therefore its high volumetric shrinkage and known deterioration with age, it was installed in more than 80 000 Canadian homes before December 1980 when its use was banned under the Hazardous Products Act. The ban was based on an investigation by an Expert Advisory Committee set up by the Department of Health and Welfare Canada. Subsequent studies in the laboratory and in the field have indicated that gases and/or particulates given off by UFFI cause illness in some people. The nature of the problem and some of the studies carried out in Canada to improve understanding and develop methods of reducing exposure to the substances given off by UFFI are described., Reprinted from "CIB 83, the 9th CIB Congress, Stockholm, Sweden, Building Materials and Components, vol. 4, p. 517-527"

Urea formaldehyde foam insulation has been used in Canada for a number of years. Studies and reports subsequently identified instances of medical problems and structural deterioration of the buildings occurring after the installation of the foam. A ban on the use of urea formaldehyde foam insulation was announced by (National) Health and Welfare Canada and the Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs on 17 Dec. 1980. Occupants of homes in which this insulation was installed have become concerned about the effects of the material on their health and on their home. The information in this document is presented as answers to questions similar to those asked by occupants. Examples of remedial measures are given.

This report is based on a study of construction activities in Alberta, July-September 1980. The author outlines some of the building problems he encountered and how some of them could have been prevented by better communication and better knowledge of building science principles.

Les délibérations du Forum 82 ont porté sur les performances de différents types de murs extérieurs. Les exposés se sont attardés aux dommages causés aux facades, à la condensation dans les murs, la pénétration des eaux de pluie, le rôle des écrans pare-vapeur et pare-vent, ainsi qu'aux exigences fondamentales pour la conception et la construction des murs extérieurs. Les trois principaux types de mur extérieur ont été étudiés: les murs de maconnerie, les murs-rideaux en verre-métal et les murs de panneaux de béton préfabriqués. Le compte rendu comprend les quatre exposés présentés, quelques-unes des questions soulevées lors des discussions et les réponses des auteurs ainsi qu'une bibliographie. ** Table des matières: Introduction -- La performance des murs extérieurs / G.O. Handegord (L. Saint-Martin) -- Les murs de maçonnerie : enceintes de piscines en blocs de béton / K.N. Burn (R. Roux) -- Les murs-rideaux en verre-métal / R.L. Quirouette -- Les murs en panneaux préfabriqués / M.Z. Rousseau et R.L. Quirouette -- Questions et réponses -- Lectures complémentaires **, Forum '82 sur la science du bâtiment : murs extérieurs: causes des désordres, octobre, novembre et décembre 1982, Différentes villes canadiennes

This paper provides industrial laboratories with guidelines for verifying precision in thermal resistance determinations. It deals with both equipment and test procedures, and discusses the development of a calibration program for the heat flow meter (HFM) apparatus used in quality control of low-density mineral fiber insulations manufactured at the Innisfail Plant of Manville Canada Inc. To ensure agreement between the HFM apparatus used in the plant and the guarded hot plate (GHP) apparatus used by National Research Council of Canada, the following elements were incorporated in the calibration program: selection, fabrication and verification of low-density glass fiber reference systems, calibration of apparatus, error analysis of apparatus, maintenance of calibration., Thermal Conductivity Eighteen : Proceedings of the 18th International Thermal Conductivity Conference: 03 October 1983, Rapid City, SD, USA

A two-storey house with basement was modelled using the ENCORE computer program and the climatic conditions of 10 locations in Canada and four different levels of insulation. A direct correlation was found between the above-grade envelope thermal conductance and energy consumption. This correlation could not be reproduced using modified degree-day or variable degree-day heat loss calculations. Modifications to these calculations that would be required to reflect the correlation are discussed.

Building Science Forum '82 addresses various types of performance failures in different types of exterior walls. The papers presented describe facade damage, condensation in walls, rain penetration, the role of air-vapour barriers, and the basic requirements for the design and construction of exterior walls. The three principal wall systems considered are masonry walls, metal and glass curtain walls, and precast concrete wall assemblies. The Proceedings consist of four papers, a selection of questions and answers discussed in the forum, and a reference list. Individual papers are separately indexed., Building Science Forum 1982, Exterior Walls: Understanding the Problems, 1982, Canada

Starting from the premise that condensation in the building envelope is a prime cause of its deterioration, the mechanisms that cause condensation are discussed and control measures explained. The conflicts that arise between some of these measures, the probability of achieving them under realistic construction conditions, and the possible need for fail-safe provisions should complete success not be achieved, are described.