COLUMN BUILDING SCIENCES FIGURE 7 Monolithic slab/grade beam with exterior slab edge insulation. Cavity Insulation Continuous Exterior Insulation Cladding Gypsum Board FIGURE 8 Monolithic slab/grade beam with exterior slab edge insulation with removable inspection strip. The removable strip of rigid insulation is bonded/ adhered to the protection board strip and is thicker than the lower slab edge insulation. The removable protection board strip is cantilevered over the lower protection board and screwed in place to the lower protection board. Flashing Set in Mastic and Sealed to Slab Sealant, Adhesive or Gasket Rodent Protection for Continuous Rigid Insulation Sill Gasket Protection Board or Panel Flashing Set in Mastic and Sealed to Slab 4 in. Concrete Slab For Insect Protection Provide 3 ft of Mulch and Then Drought Resistent Plants Granular Capillary Break and Drainage Pad (No Fines) Ground Slopes Away From Wall at 5% (6 in. per 10 ft) Rigid Insulation Removable Strip of Insulation and Protection Board Concrete Grade Beam Polyethylene Vapor Barrier Extended Under Grade Beam Where it Also Acts as a Capillary Break Desiccant and Energy Recovery wheels available in standard and custom sizes. Call or email us for a quote today! 225 -753 -1700 1700 info@rotorsource.com | www.rotorsource.com 82 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2020 Figure 7 shows a monolithic slab/grade beam with exterior slab edge insulation. It is key in assemblies with exterior slab edge/grade beams for insulation to be protected during the construction process and over the useful service life of the building by a protection board or panel. The panel can be metal, cement board or cellular PVC. If cement board is used, it should be a type that is not reinforced with wood fibers. Or, if it does contain wood fibers, it should be coated with acrylic latex paint on all six sides to protect it from water damage. This protection board also needs to deal with critters such as rodents. Don't underestimate the animal kingdom. I particularly hate mice. Additionally, a stainless steel flashing should be installed over the top of the exterior slab edge insulation bridging the gap between the top of the slab and the perimeter protection board. This rigid flashing acts as a capillary break providing moisture control and acts as a termite, insect and rodent barrier. This flashing should be fully adhered to the top of the slab edge foundation in mastic. Stainless steel flashings are recommended due to the lower thermal transmission of stainless steel compared to carbon steel and for their significant resistance to corrosion. The exterior slab edge/grade beam insulation should be non-moisture sensitive rigid board insulation such as extruded polystyrene (XPS) or semirigid boardhttp://www.rotorsource.com https://www.ashrae.org/