American Wood Council releases new manual

April 18, 2018

The American Wood Council’s (AWC’s) 2018 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for one- and two-family dwellings is a referenced standard for wood design in the International Code Council’s (ICC’s) 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC). The publication equips designers and code officials with engineered...

+ Read More

Understanding the true cost of anti-ram perimeter security fencing

IMPs balance envelope performance with fire safety

April 13, 2018

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) have gained significant traction in recent years as a factory-assembled alternative to standard, site-built construction types. Comprising two impermeable metal facers separated by an insulating core, IMPs provide thermal resistance with an effective air/water/vapor barrier in a single component.

+ Read More

Energy Code Math for Commercial Walls: How polyiso continuous insulation can help

April 10, 2018

When one comes across the R 13 + 7.5 ci wall insulation requirement in the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) commercial provisions, it can be tempting to just add the two R-values and install R-20.5 rated insulation in the cavity with the assumption being that the same performance can...

+ Read More

More than one way to skin a building

April 9, 2018

Prior to the mid-20th century, building walls relied on their thickness and density to resist water penetration. Moisture would mainly deflect from the wall face or be absorbed and later evaporate from the mass wall.

+ Read More

What non-engineers need to know about structural masonry

April 6, 2018

Structural masonry saves time and money while providing a durable solution for building design. Masonry has outstanding load carrying and transfer capabilities but is too often relegated to veneer, infill, or over-designed structural elements.

+ Read More

Evolution of masonry cavity wall designs

April 4, 2018

Masonry cavity drainage construction became the norm when architects and masons came to the realization a simple empty space separating two wythes of masonry with a layer of insulation could provide as much comfort as several feet of solid barrier masonry.

+ Read More

Quality assurance of waterproofing

April 3, 2018

For roofs, concrete assemblies, and mechanical systems, there is an established tradition of testing and inspection to verify both the material installation and construction meet the specified design criteria. Owners usually accept this without hesitation, and are ready to pay for the expenses.

+ Read More

Washington child care center mitigates risk of vapor intrusion

April 2, 2018

As is the case with many buildings, a national chain of early childhood education centers chose the location of its Washington D.C. project on a site known to have soil and groundwater contamination as a result of the property’s former uses. The specifier included a vapor intrusion mitigation system...

+ Read More

Standards and applications for smoke- and fire-protective curtains

March 28, 2018

Fire curtains used as fire-protection features in commercial buildings have had a controversial history. In 1672, a fire at the Drury Lane Theater in London prompted the owners to rebuild with two safety features: a large water tank perched on the roof to douse potential stage fires, and the...

+ Read More

1 2 3 … 68 Next →

Sign-up for your account with the Construction Specifier. Your account gives you unlimited free access to our e-book Collection, Newsletter Archives and our Digital Editions of the Construction Specifier.

Please check the box below to confirm you would like to be added to Kenilworth Media’s various e-mail communications (includes e-newsletters, a survey now and then, and offers to the design-build industry*).

	Leave this empty: YES, I CONSENT
*We do not sell your e-mail address to 3rd parties, we simply forward their offers to you. Of course, you always have the right to unsubscribe from any communications you receive from us, should you change your mind in the future.