Wind Load and Air Barrier Performance Levels
This article describes the air barrier performance requirements for the desired wind load design specifications. The performance level is not determined by the type of air barrier material, but by the installation details. Examples of how these details can impact the performance level for a given air barrier system are provided, with special emphasis on mechanically fastened air barriers.
Understanding New Accessibility Requirements for Doors
The 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design has several requirements that continue to surprise architects and specifiers. This article examines changes to door hardware operable force, use of low-energy automatic operators, protrusions into egress, and the need for proper maneuvering clearance.
Shapes and Sounds: Designing concert halls with curves
Using curved surfaces in performing arts facilities can diffuse sound and create distinctive appearances; the wide variety of options—may made available through use of modeling technologies and cold-formed steel (CFS)—means a wide palette of dramatically different visual results.
In the pages of The Construction Specifier, we’ve tried to present many different facets related to the continuing goal of sustainable, but practical, building design, construction, and operations. On Tuesday, September 9, as part of CONSTRUCT & the CSI Annual Convention in Baltimore, the discussion goes ‘live,’ as the magazine’s editor, Erik Missio, moderates a luncheon panel bringing together four industry experts with distinct opinions on sustainable building.
In the May 2014 issue of The Construction Specifier, we published the article, “Passive Fire Protection and Interior Wall Assemblies,” by Gregg Stahl. Soon after, a reader contacted us regarding what he considered inaccuracies. We reached out to the author and, in the interest of continuing the discourse about this important topic, excerpts from both sides are included below.
Reader: The first issue is the reference to ASTM E603. The author mentions this is …
The April 2013 issue of The Construction Specifier included a technical feature by J.W. Mollohan, CSI, CCPR, CEP, LEED GA, entitled, “Exterior Wall Assemblies: Are You Getting What You Specified?” We received the following letter from Cliff Black, a CSI member and a building envelope product manager for Firestone Building Products.
I am writing in regard to the article on exterior wall assemblies. I agree with the author the issue is certainly a challenging …
