CONDENSATION IN METAL BUILDING

A temperature difference between the outside and inside of your building creates
condensation.

Warm air can hold more moisture, but as it cools it reaches saturation and water droplets
form.

Ceiling drips and surface moisture are caused when warm moist air comes in contact with
the cooler roof-line or walls of your metal building. High interior humidity is a
common cause of condensation.

When temperature and humidity conditions reach dew point, moisture can condense on the
underside of metal roofing and potentially cause water damage to the inside of your building.

SOLUTIONS

1. Improving Ventilation
2. Anti-condensation coating
3. Insulation using panels or other material

 Ventilation :
Letting outside air into your building and letting warm moist air escape, is critical and
an effective solution that minimizes condensation.
Using louvered window for controlled ventilation

Use airtight HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) system to keep indoor dew
Points low.
Exhaust systems designed to remove water vapor from known sources of humidity
  Using Anti condensation coating
Eg:GrafoTherm

GrafoTherm is a one-component water-borne anti-condensation coating for steel roofing

sheets, steel structures and other metal surfaces, where condensation and dripping-water
problems occur.
Exactly like BioRid, GrafoTherm is also built up on millions of micropores in the sizes 0.1–
100 microns. They form a multi-layer, porous texture with excellent moisture-absorption
capacity.

Evaporation occurs faster than with ordinary coatings due to the microporous structure,
which breaks water surface tension and spreads moisture all around.

Phase 1 – Evening
The sun sets and the outdoor temperature falls rapidly. The temperature of the roof will soon
reach the dew point, and condensation starts to appear on the untreated part of the roof.

The GrafoTherm coating insulates and reduces the temperature difference between the steel
sheets and the air. No condensation therefore appears on that part of the roof.

Phase 2 – Night
During cold nights with a clear sky, the temperature of a steel roof can be considerably lower
than that of the outdoor air. This is due to long-wave heat radiation from the roof to the sky.

Heavy condensation now appears on the untreated surface and water starts dripping.
Condensation also occurs on the steel surface under the GrafoTherm coat. However,
condensation cannot take place on the surface of the GrafoTherm coating.
The micropores of the GrafoTherm coating adsorb the moisture and distribute it over the
whole surface, where it is temporarily stored and even evaporates, if the conditions change.
Phase 3 – Morning
The sun rises and the outdoor air is warmed up. The temperature of the steel roof will soon
exceed the dew point. The untreated steel surface gradually stops dripping water and
becomes dry.

The GrafoTherm coating will become dry very rapidly and will very soon have regained its
capacity to meet the next condensation period.

Due to the size of the micropores, the surface tension of water is broken, and the moisture
evaporates two to three times faster than it would on the untreated steel surface.

Description: A one-component, water-borne, functional, anti-condensation coating for

airless application.

Product features: Suitable for interiorpainting of mineral walls and ceilings, such as
concrete, plaster, bricks etc.

Recommended uses: Recommended to be used on site for steel roofing sheets, steel
structures and other metal surfaces where condensation and dripping water problem occurs.

TECHNICAL DATA

1.1 m2/l 1.8m2/l

Features
*Excellent moisture absorbing and evaporation properties.
*Prevents from condensation and dripping water, insulates from heat (λ= 0.085 W/mK).
*Forms very elastic and porous coating layer.
*Provides also vibration and acoustic damping when applied as a thick layer.
*Complies with the requirements of EN13501-1, class A2-s1d0 and ASTM E84 (USA).
*The product has MED (Marine Equipment Directive) certificate no MED-B-10019 and is
thus accepted for painting surfaces inside the ships.
Colour Range: White and grey

Gloss grade: Matt

Coverage
Recommended film thickness Theoretical coverage

dry wet

190-320 g/m2 600-1000 g/m2 1,8-1,1 m2/l

250-410 µm 550-900 µm 1,8-1,1 m2/l

Recommended coverage depends on the ambient conditions like moisture and type of
building etc.
Practical coverage depends on the application method, painting conditions and the shape and
roughness of the surface to be coated.

Can sizes: 9 l, 18 l.

Thinner: Water

Application method:By airless spray or when not possible by brush or roller.

Drying times
DFT 320 g/m2 +20ºC, RH 55%

Touch dry 1—2 h

Through dry 8—12 h

Drying times are related to the film thickness, temperature, the relative humidity of the air
and ventilation.

Water absorption: approx. 520 g/m2 of water, 1000 g/m2 WFT (320 g/m2DFT), (NF P15-
203-1 1997)

Solids volume: 45±2% by volume, 32±2% by weight

Density: 1,1 kg/l

Product code: 006 5125, 006 5126

APPLICATION DETAILS
Application conditions
 All surfaces must be dry. The temperature of the ambient air and surface should not
fall below +10ºC during application and drying. Relative humidity should not exceed
80%. The surface temperature of the surface to be coated should remain at least 3ºC
above the dew point.

 The temperature of paint itself should be above +15°C for proper application.
Good ventilation is required in confined areas during application and drying.
Preparation: Oil, grease, salts and dirt are removed by appropriate means. (ISO 12944-4)

Zinc and aluzinc surfaces: Sweep blast-clean with mineral abrasives, e.g. quartz sand, to an
even roughness. (SaS, SFS 5873) If sweep blasting is not possible, the surface should be
roughened by hand abrading or washed with PANSSARIPESU detergent.

Aluminium surfaces: Sweep blast-clean with none-metallic abrasives to an even roughness.

(SaS, SFS 5873) If sweep blasting is not possible, the surface should be roughened by hand
abrading or washed with MAALIPESU detergent.

Primed surfaces: Industrial coil primer on the backside of the steel roofing does not require
any special preparation. Grease, salt and dirt are removed from the surface by appropriate
means. Repair any damage to the primer coat with Temaprime EE or Rostex Super. Note the
overcoating time of primer.

Stainless steel: Roughen the surface by grinding or sweep blasting using non-metallic
abrasives.
Priming: Temaprime EE, Temacoat RM 40, Temacoat Primer, Temacoat GPL-S Primer,
and Rostex Super or directly on galvanized surface (see Surface preparation).

NOTE: Old painted surfaces are recommended to roughen to ensure adhesion.

Application
By airless spray or when not possible by brush or roller. Mix the paint throroughly before
use. At spray application the paint can be thinned 0–5%. Airless spay nozzle tip 0.027”–
0.029”or bigger and nozzle pressure 150–180 bar. Spray angle max. 400 . Use a spray unit
with an output of minimum 2.7 l/min. If sieves should be used, use a course sieve, e.g. 30–60
mesh.
Finishing: Do not overcoat with any other type of coating as it causes loss of absorbing
properties.

Cleaning of tools: Water.

EU VOC 2004/42/EC-limit value

The Volatile Organic Compounds amount to 15 g/litre of paint.
  Using Vinyl backed fibre glass insulation
(Prevents humid air from coming into contact with the cooler metal roof )

But is less effective in protecting against radiant heat transfer

 Using Drip Stop

It is a material with a rubber backer that can be applied to the back side of metal panels. The
material literally traps and holds the moisture that results as condensation occurs. When
conditions change, the ambient air temperature usually rises, thereby raising the dew point.
The moisture is then released from the DripStop material back into the air in the form of
normal humidity. Drip Stop can be applied to the back of metal coils and then the metal can
be roll-formed onto panels.

Benefits of Drip stop

 Durability: DripStop is a very tough, light gray anti-condensation felt that is not
susceptible to ripping, tearing or deterioration unlike standard insulation and vapor
barriers.
 Low Maintenance: Drip Stop resists dirt and grime, is antimicrobial and is very easy to
clean with a hose or pressure washer.
 Corrosion Protection: The rubber backer on the material helps protect the back side of
the panel from corrosion (although there is no protection at the panel’s cut edges).

Easy to Handle: There is no need to roll a vapor barrier over purlins and then seal with
tape, which can reduce labor hours and cost. Additionally, the use of Drip Stop is not
hindered by windy conditions

 Safety and Insurance: The material is approved for smoke generation and flame spread
per UL® 723 for insurance specifications.
 Acoustic Benefits: Drip Stop helps dampen sound from either inside or outside the
building.
 Versatility: Drip Stop is approved for use in residences, warehouses, industrial plants,
sports arenas, schools, storage buildings, garages, animal confinement facilities and
more.
 Cost-Savings: Drip Stop is up to 25 percent lower in cost versus traditional solutions.
 Warranty-Backed: Drip Stop features a 20-year adhesion warranty to ensure longevity.