Federal, state and local codes are rapidly changing to keep up with evolving commercial building technologies that deal with: energy efficient design, thermal resistant materials and operational protocols. The technologies influence everything from lighting, to electric motors, monitoring sensors, filtration systems, insulating materials, roof and wall systems, transportation, manufacturing processes, heating and cooling, etc.
Conventional “thru-fastened” metal roof systems have been around for over a century and still constitute a large sector of the commercial, manufacturing and warehousing roof market today. They are inexpensive, durable and long lasting with proper maintenance. These roof systems are typically low slope with a 1:12 to 3:12 pitch.
Dating back to the 1970’s researchers, professional engineers, commercial building and roof system manufacturers, energy specialists and testing & HVAC societies such as ASTM and ASHRAE have joined ranks in their purpose to codify, evaluate, analyze and understand moisture migration in commercial building envelopes. There have been a myriad of symposiums, conferences and technical seminars on this subject over the last four decades. Additionally, a significant number of research activities have been pursued at federal agencies such as DOE & ORNL, institutional and academic facilit
Did you know that in the U.S. we use approximately 19 million barrels of crude oil per day? A staggering sum I would say. However this is down from the 20 million plus barrels of oil per day we consumed pre-2008. The U.S. uses approximately 20% of the total energy consumed globally. China and the U.S. consume about the same amount of energy. Total world energy consumption is about 120 Quadrillion BTU’s per year at a cost of more than 14 Trillion dollars.
A discussion about condensation, its physical phenomena and influence are in order when considering moisture issues with the building envelope and especially the roof system. The NIA has provided a handy white paper about condensation that is worth reading and submitted below.
National Roof can install monitoring systems that assist in understanding the internal environmental conditions that can contribute to such moisture issues as migration, infiltration and or condensation within and through the building envelope.
The importance of controlling moisture in building envelopes is summarized by a few researchers below:
