Title: Cold Storage Condensation Challenges and Cures
Topic Tags: Air Barrier, Exterior Walls, Roofing
Knowledge Level: Advanced
Recommended Prerequisite Knowledge: baseline understanding of insulated metal panels, condensation, and roofing
Does the content of this presentation meet the criteria for AIA Health, Safety, and Welfare using the above guidelines: No
Why this meets above criteria:
Presentation Topic Category Construction & Evaluation
Objective 1: The non-intuitive hygrothermal physics of cold storage buildings (e.g., cold air sinks).
Objective 2: Common air/water intrusion pathways (e.g., IMP side laps, roof to IMP flashings, IMP penetrations).
Objective 3: Leaks due to flashings not intercepting air/rain freely flowing up/down side laps in front of the sealed interlock.
Objective 4: How to promote “drying” of condensed water and small rain leaks to the inside.
Objective 5: Novel repair technique using reinforced fluid-applied flashings in lieu of conventional sheet membrane flashings.
Roofs and walls of cold storage buildings need to provide good thermal resistance and robust water vapor resistance. Insulated metal panels (IMP) do just that. IMP are perfect vapor barriers. Joints between IMP and flashings from adjacent insulated roofs? Not so much. They often rely on near perfect application of literally miles of sealant. When exterior air or rain finds a way in, it condenses on the first cold surface it contacts. The condensed water accumulates until it drips inside or forms ice. This presentations shares insights gleaned from investigating and repairing several large cold-storage buildings.
