Environmental Design + Construction - April 2009 - (Page 48) New Standards For Sustainability? HIGH-PERFORMANCE Building Envelopes We’re Already There. Construction trends are pushing GREEN with more energy efficient and sustainable homes and buildings. Reward is ahead of the curve on building enclosure solutions for you to deliver the performance needs demanded by your customers. Customer focused and innovation driven, Reward produces the highest quality insulating concrete forms (ICF) in the industry and gives you unrivaled customer support that allows you to construct and design projects that are: Green — Get up to 50-80% energy savings, reduce construction waste and qualify for LEED points in 4 of the 6 categories Cost Efficient — Save time and money by using Reward’s universally designed 5-1 ICF wall assembly. Complete the structural wall, insulation, vapor and air barriers and furring all in 1 step! Safe Environments — Reward ICF’s can increase protection from natural disasters and have up to a 4-hour fire rating PLUS reduce air contaminates to improve air quality. CERTAINTEED MEMBRAIN USED AS AN INTERIOR AIR BARRIER. Isolate lobbies with vestibules, use revolving doors whenever possible and use automatic closures on conventional doors to minimize exterior air from entering. Use Airtight I.C. Rated Recessed Lighting If a recessed light fixture is intended for direct contact with insulation, it will require an Insulated Contact rating. An IC-rated fixture must, by definition, “be approved for zero clearance insulation cover by an Occupational Safety and Health Administration Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory,” such as Underwriters Laboratory. It is important to use IC-rated, airtight recessed lighting. The interface between the ceiling and the light should be sealed using an airtight gasket or adhesive sealant. Install Sealed Air Distribution Systems HVAC air distribution systems should be both well insulated and airtight. This is another key place where air sealing results in reducing room pressurization. And, when there are necessary functional penetrations, such as fresh air intakes and exhaust hoods, they should have airtight dampers to maximize air control throughout. In addition, in order to minimize room pressurization, make sure that all vertical and horizontal paths are sealed. Find out when you contact us today. Closing with Continuity With air barrier systems, always remember that continuity counts. Effective air barriers require special attention at every penetration. Areas of discontinuance in the building are the source of many air leakage-related problems. These include roof decks and parapets, windows and doors, wall and floor intersections, at expansion joints, brick-ties, and at all façade supports. These are just a few of the areas to concentrate on, stressing the fact that attention to detail across the board is the key to maximizing air control and minimizing related problems. Studying and practicing all of these guidelines should help create a more efficient, healthy and sustainable building. 1-800-468-6344 ext.1602 These products are covered by U.S. Patent #6,820,384 www.rewardwalls.com 48 Reader Service No. 200 www.EDCmag.com/webcard STAN GATLAND IS THE MANAGER OF BUILDING SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY FOR CERTAINTEED CORPORATION. HE CAN BE REACHED AT (610) 341-7152 OR STANLEY.D.GATLAND@SAINT-GOBAIN.COM. ed+c A P R I L 09 http://www.rewardwalls.com http://www.rewardwalls.com http://www.EDCmag.com/webcard
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