The Architect's Guide to Preventing Water Infiltration

222 Pages·2010·5.49 MB·English

by  Elmer Botsai

The Architect’s Guide
to Preventing Water Infi ltration
The Architect’s Guide
to Preventing Water Infi ltration
Elmer Botsai, ArchD, FAIA
Charles Kaneshiro, AIA, LEED-AP
Phil Cuccia, CSI, CDT
Hiram Pajo, AIA
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
This book is printed on acid-free paper. o
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
The architect’s guide to prevent water infi ltration / by Elmer Botsai . . . [et al.].
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-470-40165-1 (cloth)
1. Waterproofi ng. 2. Dampness in buildings. I. Botsai, Elmer E.
TH9031.A73 2010
693.8(cid:2)92—dc22 2009033997
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Contents
Preface ix
Authors’ Biographies xiii
Acknowledgments xv
Introduction xvii
Chapter 1 Requirements of Buildings throughout History 1
Past Solutions for Shelter and Controlling Water Infi ltration 2
Today’s Building Concerns 4
Sustainable and Green Architecture 6
Chapter 2 Fundamental Aspects of Water Infiltration–Resistant Design 11
Basic Cause of Water Infi ltration 11
Climate Considerations 12
Site Considerations 16
Wind Exposure 17
Thermal Loads 23
Structural Movement 27
Building Confi guration 29
Mechanical Systems 33
Chapter 3 Performance Criteria and Priorities 35
Performance and Priorities 35
Performance Criteria 36
Thermal Loads 44
Structural Movement 46
Chapter 4 Theory of Water Infiltration 49
Sources of Pressure Differential 49
How Does Pressure Differential Work? 51
v
vi
CONTENTS
Chapter 5 Theory of Pressure Differential Plane 59
Importance of Location and Conformity of Pressure Differential Plane 60
Ramifi cation of Location Relative to Roofi ng 62
Ramifi cation of Location Relative to Exterior Walls 64
Chapter 6 Applications of Horizontal Asphalt Membranes 67
Roofs and Decks 67
Felts 74
Protocol 76
Flashing 78
Chapter 7 Plastic Membranes 81
Substrate 85
Chapter 8 Below-Grade Conditions 91
Membrane Systems 94
Negative Side Waterproofi ng 102
Chapter 9 Exterior Walls Systems 105
Portland Cement Plaster 105
Exterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS) 115
Masonry Walls 120
Metal Wall Systems 124
Chapter 10 Metal and Glass Curtain Walls 129
Metal and Glass Curtain Wall Systems 129
Fastenings and Joinery of Metal and Glass Curtain Wall Systems 134
Anchoring Curtain Wall to Structure 135
The Structural Integrity of the Wall System Itself 138
Tolerances 140
Glass 141
Glazing Conditions 144
Chapter 11 Sealants and Gaskets 149
Sealants 149
Gaskets 159
Butyl Tapes 161
CONTENTS vii
Chapter 12 Testing 163
The Mock-Up 165
Thermal Expansion Test 166
Seismic Movement Testing 167
Air and Water Infi ltration Tests 167
Chapter 13 Installation 177
Chapter 14 Conclusion and Summary 183
Bibliography 185
Glossary 187
Appendix A: Unit Conversions 193
Appendix B: Roofing Comparisons 197
Appendix C: Sealant Classifications 203
Appendix D: Industry References 205
Index 209
Preface
M
y fi rst meaningful encounter with Elmer Botsai was in 1992. He
was the immediate past dean of the School of Architecture at the
University of Hawaii, and I was a fourth- y ear student in the pro-
gram. Elmer was leading a design crit of my team’ s mixed development
project for the Victoria Ward Properties along the Honolulu waterfront.
We were in a heated debate regarding the sacrifi ce of a design feature in
order to address a water infi ltration issue. Elmer concluded all discussion
on the matter with his statement, “ To hell with the design feature, you
won ’ t be so proud of it after the attorneys have sued your !$## off. ”
E lmer had quite a reputation at the school. With his silvery white hair,
beard, and pronounced eyebrows, he was hard to miss. But most of all,
it was his persona that left an indelible impression on everyone he met.
First- y ear architecture students were invited with their parents for ori-
entation session every fall. After the formalities, Elmer would address the
incoming students and would let them know they were in for hell and
half of them would not survive. Then he would address the parents and
inform them that he now owned their children ’ s hide.
Elmer had focused his career on technical issues in architecture and
had a national reputation as an expert on building diagnostics. He had
authored a number of technical books and publications, including Wood
as a Building Material: A Guide for Designers and Builders, 2nd ed. (Wil-
cox, Botsai, & Kubler; John Wiley & Sons, 1991) and Wood: Detailing for
Performance (Dost & Botsai; GRDA Publications, 1990). Needless to say,
Elmer ’ s infl uence on architectural education at the University of Hawaii
had a distinct practical bent to it.
Because the real world is full of limitations and the pragmatic reality of
diffi cult clients, liability issues, and technical problems, I frequently hear
architects advise architecture students to enjoy their school experience, to
ix
x
PREFACE
experiment with design and creativity. As such, a lot of my fellow students
probably shirked off Elmer ’ s comments as pessimistic exaggerations. Per-
sonally, I thought of them as challenges. But then my background was
somewhat unusual.
P rior to becoming an architect, I taught math and chemistry in high
school for three years. With a BS double major in math and chemistry,
it was obvious that I had a more analytical nature. Furthermore, I had
worked full time throughout my architectural education, project manag-
ing and doing construction documentation on a variety of projects. I had
to face the realities of architectural practice on a daily basis and was always
challenged to produce the best design in spite of them.
After graduating from architecture school, I lost touch with Elmer for
seven years. During this time, he retired as dean of the School of Archi-
tecture and became “ of counsel ” to Group 70 International, one of the
largest architectural practices in Honolulu. I joined Group 70 in 2000 and
worked with Elmer on water infi ltration issues on a variety of projects.
In 2007, Elmer approached me about the potential of writing a book on
water infi ltration based on his doctoral manuscript. While there are books
that address water infi ltration for residential design quite well, he had rea-
soned that were no current books on this topic focused on commercial
design.
S ince our fi rm operates as a group practice, it seemed natural that
Elmer and I could not undertake this venture alone. So we recruited two
other key members of our team. We structured our team to provide differ-
ent viewpoints on water infi ltration issues so that the book would address
a broader perspective. Phil Cuccia represented the viewpoint from the
specifi cation writer, Hiram Pajo approached the issue as a construction
document production manager, and I took the perspective as a principal
architect and designer. Elmer? He provided his sage advice and expertise
throughout the process.
To be clear, Group 70 International, Inc. does not endorse this book
and has had no part in the formation of its precepts and opinions. The
book is private work of individuals who happen to have worked for the
same company and wanted to share their thoughts on this important sub-
ject with the building industry. The book is not a manual or guideline of
operations for, and does not represent the opinions of, Group 70 Interna-
tional, Inc.
T he process to produce this book was systematic and sequential. We
focused on one chapter or topic at a time. Each author would write about
PREFACE xi
various aspects of that chapter or produce illustrations that communi-
cated their concepts. We met weekly to review the material. Typically,
our meetings were focused on critiquing each other ’ s work and coming
to agreement on modifi cations. I often wondered if it was a good idea to
have four authors. As a single author, you wouldn’ t have to argue with
three other viewpoints — unless you had multiple personalities. But in the
end, I thoroughly believe this process made for a better book, and we each
learned from one another.
I t is our hope that this book serves as a useful guide for future gen-
erations of architects. Those future designers will be faced with ever
increasing complexity of issues: technological advancements in building
products, new project delivery methods, and the complexity of organic
and “ green ” design. It is our belief that the principles set forth in this book
will have relevance in the new paradigm of building design .
Charles Kaneshiro, AIA, LEED-AP
Authors’ Biographies
Elmer Botsai, ArchD, FAIA, is a nationally recognized expert in building
d iagnostics. Mr. Botsai was also a professor of architecture and past dean of the
University of Hawaii’ s School of Architecture. Mr. Botsai is also past national
president of the American Institute of Architects, and honorary fellow of the
Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Royal Canadian Institute of Architects,
and New Zealand Institute of Architects. Throughout his 40 years of profes-
sional practice devoted to building technology problem solving, Mr. Botsai has
worked on projects throughout the United States and Pacifi c Rim.
Charles Kaneshiro, AIA, LEED - AP, is a principal with Group 70 Inter-
national, where he specializes in the design of educational and institu-
tional facilities. He has a BSEd from the University of Michigan and BArch
from the University of Hawaii. One of the fi rst Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professionals in Hawaii,
Mr. Kaneshiro has extensive experience in sustainable design and is cur-
rently the Green Schools Advocate for the United States Green Building
Council (USGBC), Hawaii Chapter.
P hil Cuccia, CSI, CDT, is a specifi cation writer with more than 20 years’
architectural experience in preparing specifi cations and construction
documentation for a large variety of building types, ranging from $350
million resort developments to $5 million school facilities. Mr. Cuccia has
a BS in architecture from New York Institute of Technology and a Con-
struction Documents Technology (CDT ) certifi cation from the Construc-
tion Specifi cations Institute.
Hiram Pajo, AIA, is a registered architect in the state of Hawaii with
over 25 years of experience in producing construction documents for a
wide range of building types. Mr. Pajo specializes in the technical aspects
of building design and has served as quality control manager, project
manager, project architect, and job captain over his career. He also taught
for fi ve years at the University of Hawaii– L eeward Community College
associate ’ s degree program in architectural studies.
xiii