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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

The purpose of roads in areas of seasonal frost is to attenuate frost penetration and thus permit the design pavement thickness to be reduced. Early indications from actual use are that polystyrene insulation will meet these requirements. Two 100-ft (32.8-m) sections of street were constructed in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, in September 1964 using 2-by-4-ft by 2-in. (0.610-by l.220-m by 5.08-cm) sheets of extruded polystyrene insulation in the pavement structure at a depth of 16 in. (0.406 m). In the summer of 1965 two additional insulated road sections were constructed in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Two types of insulation and methods were used. Extruded polystyrene boards were placed by hand (the same as at Sudbury) at the desired elevation. Polyurethane was foamed in place by spraying the chemicals on the road bed with a specially constructed self-propelled spraying machine. This paper discusses the relative merits of the different methods of roads and, in a broader context, the protection against freezing of underground utilities, such as water mains and sewers.

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.

On étudie d'abord différents genres de toits. Il importe de noter que la fiabilité d'un toit à membrane protégée est liée à une seule membrane qui empêche le passage de la vapeur d' eau aussi bien que de l'eau. Cette membrane doit être continue et imperméable à l'eau dès la mise en place et tout au cours de sa durée de service. Elle se trouve dans un milieu favorable quant à la température et au climat et dure ordinairement plus longtemps que l'isolant, qui peut se détériorer considérablement avant que la membrane soit atteinte. On peut prolonger la durée de l'isolant par des mesures de drainage et d'évaporation de l'humidité quelle qu' en soit la source.

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.

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.

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.

There are daily reminders that every effort should be made to conserve energy, not only because of rising costs but also because of the need to control air pollution. Increased use of insulation to reduce the energy requirements of buildings is one way to achieve these ends. If designers are to design insulation systems and select appropriate materials, however, they should have a clear understanding of how insulation works. This Digest is designeed to provide some of the information required for a better understanding of insulation as a material.

This paper presents one winter's results of two 100-ft city pavement sections insulated with a 2-in. thickness of extruded polystyrene plastic foam in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The experimental results consisted of temperature measurements, frost-depth measurements with methylene blue gages, elevation measurements for frost heave and Benkelman beam deflections following the thawing period. The insulation reduced frost penetration by 35 in. during a 2600 degree-day winter. Thermoconductivity measurements showed that no deterioration occurred in the insulating properties of the insulation. Frost penetration in the control area was approximately 65 in., which compared favorably with the depth predicted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from measurements in granular base course beneath snow-cleared airport runways.

A set of rules is devised whereby the component types of the envelope of a house or an apartment may be chosen from a knowledge of their acoustical properties, their relative areas, the degree of intrusive sound that may be tolerated, and the noise exposure forecast contours.

The fire resistance of steel columns protected with low density insulating materials is examined by experimental and analytical engineering methods. Critical temperatures for failure are derived and methods for calculating temperature rise are described. Simple methods suitable for practical use in the design of fire protection for steel building columns are proposed and their use illustrated by examples., Reprinted from: Engineering Journal, v. 10, no. 3, Third Quater, 1973, p. 82-94. ISSN: 0013-8029

Different roofing systems discussed in the opening paragraphs. It must be realized that the performance of a protected membrane system is related to a single membrane that serves as both air vapour barrier and water barrier. It must be continuous and waterproof from installation throughout its service life. It is in a favourable environment in relation to temperature and weather and will usually outlast the insulation, which can largely deteriorate before the membrane will be affected. The life of insulation can be extended by designs that allow for drainage and evaporation of moisture from all sources.