The recently published 2000 International Building Code (IBC) and 2000 International Residential Code (IRC) contain criteria governing the weather resistance of exterior wall construction. While the majority of these requirements are applicable to exterior wall covering and veneer materials in general, the impact of some of these criteria is of particular note as they apply to exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS). A number of new issues regarding the design of the exterior envelope incorporating these systems and the evaluation of EIFS have arisen in the wake of the requirements of these codes. These issues are related primarily to changes either being made to existing EIFS in response to the new code requirements or are related to the test procedures contained in the codes. The main issues include the following:
• Testing and evaluation of penetrations and termination details of adhesively applied or mechanically fastened EIFS that do not incorporate a water-resistive barrier (No. 15 felt), flashing, and means of drainage.
• Testing and evaluation of systems that employ a fluid-applied (such as trowel, roller, or spray-on) coating intended to be used as an alternative to the code-prescribed water-resistive barrier.
• Alternative flashing techniques and materials.
• Provision of limited areas of drainage and flashings around the perimeter of penetrations and at terminations (sometimes referred to as “source drainage”).
• Means for determining compliance with the intent of the term “means of drainage” contained in both the IBC and IRC. As a result of these code requirements, some in the EIFS industry are in the process of revising many of their systems in response to the requirements in the IBC and IRC. This paper will discuss the criteria of both the IBC and IRC, specifically the issues posed by the provisions for system testing of the IBC and the progress of the EIFS industry in dealing with those issues.
Authors:David A. Bowman, P.E.; Steven R. Thorsell
Citation: Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings VIII
Keywords:December, Florida, 2001
Citation: Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings VIII
Product Details
- Published:
- 2001
- File Size:
- 1 file , 270 KB
- Product Code(s):
- D-8039
