Professional Documents
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DIVISION 7
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES THERMAL AND MOISTURE PROTECTION
DIVISION 7
THERMAL AND
MOISTURE PROTECTION
Division 7 of the Carnegie Mellon University Design and Construction Standards Manual
addresses the following thermal and moisture protection standards related to University
projects.
Waterproofing
Below-Grade Waterproofing
To waterproof a below-grade structure, all below-grade horizontal and vertical surfaces
must be covered with the waterproofing substance. This can, however, subject the
structure to upward hydrostatic forces (similar to the forces of water on a boat). The
structure may need to be designed to resist “floating” and the horizontal slabs may need to
be designed to resist upward hydrostatic pressure. Waterproofing the vertical and
horizontal surfaces requires careful detailing of joints and intersections.
Membrane Waterproofing
The installation of a membrane waterproofing material is required at all suspended interior
floor areas where rest rooms, toilets, showers, and similar water-use facilities are located.
Field Testing
Since waterproofing is intended to stop large quantities of water under pressure and is
often used where water damage would be a significant problem, it is strongly
recommended that field tests of waterproofing be conducted after it is installed and before
it is covered. Field tests of waterproofing are often very simple; ponding tests and water
spray tests are the most common forms. The Contractor should ensure that the structure
can withstand the load before making ponding tests.
Waterproofing Warranty
The Contractor shall provide a 10-year warranty for waterproofing systems and adjacent
work disturbed during repairs and/or replacement.
Dampproofing
Dampproofing should not be used if an area will at any time be subjected to hydrostatic
water pressure of 62 lb/ft.
Other Requirements
All products shall comply with strict VOC and MSDS requirements.
Materials
The University prefers two types of water repellent coatings: silicone and acrylic.
Each product has advantages and disadvantages that should be considered for a specific
application to minimize altering the surface to which it is applied as well as adjoining
materials.
Brick Masonry
Water repellents should be avoided on brick masonry since the water repellent can affect
vapor migration and possibly trap moisture causing spalling and freeze/thaw problems.
Testing
Before proceeding with installation, the Contractor should perform a field test by applying
the selected water repellent to mock-up or small test areas, subject to compliance with the
manufacturer’s requirements and recommendations for each substrate.
Since water repellent coating is intended to reduce damage and corrosion of reinforcing
steel, tests may be appropriate for critical applications. Concrete cores can be taken prior
to material application to provide a baseline record. Additional cores can be taken after
material is applied. If a problem occurs in the future, cores can be taken and compared to
the original cores to see if the material performed as promised and if the installation was
accomplished correctly.
Insulation
The University has adopted the following guidelines for insulation.
Fire Performance
The Contractor shall provide insulation materials identical to those whose indicated fire
performance characteristics have been determined (per the ASTM test method indicated
below) by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or other testing and inspecting organizations
acceptable to authorities having jurisdiction.
Surface Burning Characteristic: ASTM E 84
Fire Resistance Ratings: ASTM E 119
Combustion Characteristics: ASTM E 136
Environmental Considerations
The Contractor should be especially careful to insulate steam tunnels and pipes beneath
plants and trees. The heat can interfere with the normal winter dormant cycles of the
plants and trees, causing damage or death.
Vapor Barriers
Vapor barriers are needed to control the movement of water vapor and to prevent
condensation within exterior building assemblies. Vapor barriers may be needed in walls
and roofs. (Roof vapor barriers should be specified in the Roof Specification.)
Several types of vapor barriers may be used:
• Separate vapor barriers such as polyethylene sheeting
• Vapor barrier facings on the insulation
• Foil-faced type “x” gypsum wallboard
Whichever type is used, the vapor barrier must be continuous and undamaged to function
properly. Seams and penetrations for utilities are critical areas.
07265 FIREPROOFING
The extent and performance of fireproofing is basically defined in building codes.
However, it is not sufficient on University projects to simply require contractors to “meet
code.” The Design Consultant should clearly indicate in Contract documents:
• The scope of fireproofing work
• The fire-resistance ratings required
• The limits of each type of fireproofing when more than one type is used
Fireproofing must be UL or Factory Mutual (FM) approved. If UL approved, it should
match UL tested and listed assemblies. Contract documents should note the UL assemblies
to be matched.
Fireproofing Materials
Sprayed mineral fiber, cementitious, and intumescent mastic fireproofing materials are
commonly used. The preferred system is Monokote manufactured by W. R. Grace and
Company. The preferred mineral fiberboard fireproofing is manufactured by Celotex
Corporation.
Field Tests
Installed fireproofing should be tested for density, thickness, bond, and other important
characteristics. Since the application technique can result in significant variation in these
characteristics, and since fireproofing that is not up to specification may not perform as
intended, field tests are important and should be required for most projects.
The Contract documents should state that the University will provide and pay for all
testing, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Friability
Some types of fireproofing (especially low-density, low-bond-strength types such as
mineral fiber) have problems with friability when used in areas of high air movement such
as plenums and in areas of vibration such as steel supporting elevators or machinery. Non-
friable fireproofing should be selected to mitigate these problems.
Visible Applications
Where fireproofing is visible, architectural finishes may be used to conceal the fireproofing
or the fireproofing itself may be treated with plaster-like coatings to create acceptable
exposed surfaces. In areas subject to contact and abuse, special fireproofing suitable for
this exposure is required. Intumescent mastic fireproofing is often used where hard,
durable, and architecturally pleasing fireproofing is needed.
Asbestos
No asbestos-containing products are permitted on University projects.
07270 FIRESTOPPING
The University requirements are those set forth in the BOCA building code, which
describes the extent and intent of firestopping work.
Applications
The type of fireproofing selected should accommodate the expected use. For example,
building areas with cable runs require a specific firestopping system. Since several
locations will typically need to be firestopped, several firestopping materials and systems
will be used.
Required Submittals
Each of the firestopping systems to be used should match a UL or FM listed and tested
firestopping assembly. The Contract documents should require detailed submittals and
information on similar UL or FM listed assemblies for each type of firestopping system
used.
Single-Source Responsibility
A single-source responsibility should be required for firestopping systems for each kind of
penetration and condition. Material and installation procedures should be obtained from a
single-source manufacturer.
The preferred sealant manufacturers are:
• Dow Corning Fire Sealant
• 3M Company Fire Barrier
Procedures
Strict review and inspection procedures shall be written into project specifications to help
ensure that firestopping work is done properly. Contractors should obtain the approval of
the University Project Manager prior to enclosing and concealing firestopping work.
Design
The Design Consultant shall review roofing systems with the University during the design
phase of a project.
Particular attention to the design of plazas and other accessible roof areas is mandatory.
These areas are expensive to maintain and they must be adequately detailed and specified
to ensure a quality installation.
Careful attention shall also be given to parapet details to avoid affecting the building’s
appearance. Proposed parapet modifications require prior approval of the University
Project Manager.
All roofing on or adjacent to historical buildings requires prior approval of the University
Project Manager.
Roof Materials
The types of roofing systems to be used on University projects and their performance
requirements are as follows:
Systems/Materials
The following roofing systems shall be used on University projects:
• Four-ply built-up tar and gravel roofing systems
• Two-ply styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)-modified Bitumen roofing systems
• Single-ply membrane roofing such as fully-adhered and mechanically-fastened ethylene
propylene diene monomer (EPDM), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and Hypalon roofing
systems (ballasted roofs are not permitted.)
• Mechanically-fastened roof assemblies, which have the advantage of reducing the
quantity of combustible material in the roof system
• Standing-seam metal roof systems
• Inverted-roof membrane assemblies (These can be applied to all other roofing
systems.)
Performance
The following minimal levels of roof performance shall be provided:
Wind Uplift: FM Class I-90
External Fire Performance: UL Class A
Internal Fire Performance: Roof ceiling assembly to comply with all building
codes and UL assembly ratings
All appropriate ASTM standards for the various roof systems shall apply.
Roof Insulation
The University has adopted the following requirements for roof insulation.
Fire Resistance
Fire-resistive or fire-retardant roof insulation is required.
Tapered Insulation
Where possible, structural decks should be sloped to drain, minimizing the quantity of
tapered insulation needed.
Performance Requirements
Roof insulation should be used that meets the performance requirements listed in Section
07200 Insulation and Vapor Barriers and that provides at least the insulating value
required by building codes and Pennsylvania Act 222.
When polyisocyanurate insulation is used, a maximum aged R-Value of 5.6 per in.
thickness is required. This value is lower than the values typically published by insulation
manufacturers. This lower value is recommended by the National Roofing Contractors
Association. Polyisocyanurate insulation may not comply with the following requirements:
Environmental Protection—The Contractor shall not use or specify any roof insulation
that is produced with CFC (chloroflurocarbon) blowing agents, which can damage the
Earth’s ozone layer.
Recyclability—The Contractor shall consider the potential for recyclability when choosing
roof insulation for any application where the roof insulation may need to be discarded in
the future.
Installation
Pre-Installation Meeting
The Design Consultant shall specify that a meeting of all involved parties be held prior to
commencement of the work.
Manufacturer’s Recommendations
All roofing, insulation, and accessories shall be provided and installed in strict accordance
with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Asbestos Considerations
Many old roofing felts contain asbestos. Samples of existing roofs shall be tested for the
presence of asbestos before roof removal. Disposal of existing roofing is often treated as
hazardous and requires special removal, transportation, and disposal procedures, which
should be specified. For these reasons, leaving an existing roof in place and re-roofing
over the top should be considered.
required to flush and clean all roof drains before beginning re-roofing work and to verify
that the drains are clean after completion of re-roofing work.
Construction Traffic
The Contractor shall be required to control and restrict construction traffic over a new
roofing system. Where traffic or work is unavoidable, effective temporary protection is
required to prevent roof damage and wear. The use of oils, chemicals, solvents, and other
materials known to be damaging to new roofing systems are prohibited. (The list of
prohibitions can be obtained from the roof manufacturer.)
The Contractor shall provide walking pads leading to all rooftop equipment, exitways, and
penthouses.
Warranty
The Contractor shall be required to provide a 15-year minimum warranty covering all
labor and material to repair or replace roofing as needed to eliminate leakage and to meet
the performance criteria. Roof bonds shall become the property of the University.
Requirements
The physical requirements of traffic coatings shall comply with ASTM C 957.
Materials identical to those of traffic coatings tested in accordance with ASTM E 108 for
deck type and slopes indicated for the following class of exterior fire test exposure shall be
used:
• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
As the recommended thickness of each coat in a standard traffic coating system varies
with the manufacturer, coatings shall be applied in strict compliance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations and ASTM C 1193.
Surfaces to receive traffic coatings must be reviewed for compatibility and accepted by the
traffic-coating manufacturer before the system is installed. This is especially important for
surfaces that may be contaminated with oil or other substances and for surfaces with
previously applied coating systems.
Traffic coating systems must be highly resistant to winter de-icing chemicals and should be
slip-resistant in compliance with ADA guidelines.
All solvents must be in strict accordance with VOC and MSDS requirements.
Single-Source Responsibility
Sealants are usually an important part of a traffic coating system. All work related to
traffic coating systems, including surface preparation and sealants, should be assigned to
only one manufacturer and installer.
Warranty
The Contractor shall provide a minimum five-year warranty for material and installation as
well as repair of adjacent improvements.
Membrane Flashings
Acceptable membrane flashings include:
• Permabarrier manufactured by W. R. Grace and Company
• Polyvinyl chloride flashings, minimum 30 mil thickness
• Metal flashings
The Contractor shall not use membrane flashings where the flashing is not fully supported,
where the flashing will be exposed to sunlight, or where the flashing will be incompatible
with sealants.
Laminated Flashings
The University does not accept the use of laminated flashings such as copper-paper.
Painted Finishes
Clear anodized and color anodized finishes shall be Class 1 (at least 0.7 mil thick). Some
manufacturers offer Class 2 (0.4 mil thick), which is generally accepted for interior work
only. Kynar 500TM-based paint is the best choice for painted finishes. Baked enamel paint
finishes are cheaper, but should be avoided since there are problems with long-term color
retention and paint film performance.
Expansion Joints
The Contractor shall show spacing, locations, and details of expansion joints in sheet
metal work. Failure to control expansion often results in flashing failures such as flashing
pulling out from reglets.
Scuppers
In locations where parapet walls contain a standard roof drain system as a back up to
prevent overflow, scuppers are required.
Alarm Protection
Roof access hatches may require security alarm protection. The Design Consultant should
verify with the University Project Manager when an alarm is required.
Pitch Pockets
The University does not permit pitch pockets without a review of specific details by the
University Project Manager.
P. 7-14 December 1998
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
DIVISION 7
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES THERMAL AND MOISTURE PROTECTION
07820 SKYLIGHTS
The Contractor shall require single-source responsibility for skylights, including the entire
skylight assembly, all sealants, and glass and glazing.
Standards
Skylight design and construction shall comply with the following standards:
• ASTM D 1003-61
• ASTM D 1044-85
• ASTM E 84-84
• AAMA 1502.7
• AAMA 1600-1986
• AAMA 1603-1980
• AAMA 1605-198
Skylight Performance
The entire skylight assembly should be engineered by the skylight manufacturer to safely
support all loads required by codes. If special loads are required, such as loads due to
special skylight cleaning techniques, these should be specified.
Condensation Control
Leaks in skylights are sometimes caused by uncontrolled condensation forming on the
interior of the skylight assembly. Each skylight system should include interior gutters to
collect and conduct condensation to the exterior through weeps. Soldered joints in interior
gutters sometimes leak and should be avoided. Steeply pitched skylights encourage
condensation to run to the gutters instead of dripping. Framing for the skylight should
have a Condensation Resistance Factor (CRF) of at least 52, per AAMA 1502.7. Low
interior humidity will help control condensation. The Contractor should discuss this with
the Design Consultant.
Painting Finishes
Clear anodized and color anodized finishes should be Class 1 (at least 0.7 mil thick). Some
manufacturers offer Class 2 (0.4 mil thick), which is generally accepted for interior work
only. Kynar 500TM based paint is the best choice for painted finishes. Baked enamel paint
finishes are cheaper, but should be avoided since there are problems with long-term color
retention and paint film performance.
Glass
Insulated glass units should be used over air-conditioned space. For the exterior pane,
glass that is strong in bending (like tempered glass) is often used. The exterior pane is
often tinted or coated to control heat gain. The inner pane must be laminated safety glass.
Tempered glass is not acceptable in this location since it would easily fall from the skylight
when broken (laminated glass is more likely to stay broken within the frame). Wire glass is
not safety glass and cannot be used in any skylight. When replacing old wire glass in an
old skylight, the glass indicated above shall be used and not wire glass.
Sealants
Silicone sealants are often used in skylights. Structural silicone glazing is commonly used
at horizontal glazing joints where an exterior bar or cap strip would obstruct the flow of
water or snow. Vertical joints often have compression glazing gaskets with bolted-on
compression plates; the compression plates are often covered with a decorative snap-on
cover.
Installation
Installation shall comply with the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations.
The Contractor shall coordinate skylight installation with the installation of the roof deck
and other substrates to ensure that each element of the work (i.e., accessory units, vapor
barriers, roof insulation, roofing, and flashing) performs properly, and that combined
elements are waterproof and weathertight. Skylight units shall be securely anchored to
supporting structural substrates to adequately withstand lateral and thermal stresses as
well as inward and outward loading pressures.
Warranty
The Contractor shall provide a minimum 10-year warranty for all skylight assemblies. The
warranty shall cover repairs—including materials and installation as well as reconstruction
or repairs to adjacent surfaces.
07900 SEALANTS
The University prefers the following types of sealants for the applications listed
below.
Sealant Applications
Application Sealant Type
Typical vertical exterior building joints Non-sag, multi-part polyurethane, or silicone
Typical horizontal exterior building joints Self-leveling, multi-part polyurethane
Typical interior joints at toilet rooms, plumbing Mildew-resistant silicone
fixtures, and wet areas
Typical interior sealant Acrylic latex
Concealed acoustical sealant Acoustical sealant
Glazing sealant See Section 08800 Glazing
Sealant Location
The following locations, which often require the use of sealant, should be clearly
documented in Contract documents:
• The top of the wall base at irregular walls and rough substrates like masonry
• The perimeter of an interior door, sidelight, and borrowlight frames
• At the joint between acoustical ceiling wall angles and irregular walls
• At countertops
• At inside (concave) corners in ceramic tile wall finishes
Colors
For building exteriors, the Contractor should choose sealant colors that are known to be
stable and durable. Sealant colors are often unstable and can dramatically change the look
of a building when they bleach white. The Contractor should require proof of the color
stability or a very tight warranty.
Testing
Sealant manufacturers typically recommend project-specific tests to ensure that the correct
primer and sealant is used. Laboratory tests using samples of window finishes and field
tests for adhesion are highly recommended. Sealant manufacturers’ catalogs often include
information on testing.
Movement
Sealant has limited movement capability. Each type of sealant has a different movement
capability, with the best sealants offering only 50% movement under ideal conditions. The
Contractor should check the movement capability when selecting a sealant and when
designing the joint width. Since each joint may accommodate only a small movement,
several joints or unusually wide joints may be needed.
Flammability
Sealers and fillers shall be non-flammable or have a flash point not less than 175 °F.
Installation
All sealants shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions as well as
all ASTM standards that apply.
Experience
The installer is required to have successfully completed within the last three years at least
three joint sealer applications similar in type and size to that required by the project.