Woven on a loom just like other textiles, metal fabric is primarily composed of stainless-steel wire, but can be manufactured using other alloys such as bronze, aluminum, and copper. This highly technical material offers architects the ability to create dynamic, modern environments that can address numerous building challenges.
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When through-wall flashing is not properly detailed or installed in cavity wall construction, the water penetration resistance of the enclosure can be compromised. This was recently observed at a multi-story office building in the southeastern U.S., that regularly experienced water leakage during prolonged rain events above ribbon window assemblies.
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Cooling towers and closed-circuit coolers are very different pieces of equipment, and while they typically look similar and accomplish the same result, they have distinctive advantages and drawbacks.
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Within commercial buildings, HVAC systems are responsible for 67 percent of the total emissions emitted. This presents a major challenge for facility managers, who balance the day-to-day operational demands of their buildings with the need to reduce carbon footprints and energy costs.
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Traditional thinking within the building enclosure industry may suggest the aesthetic and comfort features of interior spaces run counter to their safety and security capabilities. While they are not necessarily mutually exclusive, it can be challenging for architects and designers to consider certain tradeoffs for glazing and curtain walls....
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Many project teams are opting to specify delegated design mulled window systems that combine multiple windows into a single unit in a larger glazed opening. While these mulled systems have become increasingly popular, their mulling components can create potential performance issues, including air infiltration, water penetration, structural failure, and...
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Choosing finishes for commercial buildings’ aluminum-framed vertical fenestration assemblies—windows, curtain wall, storefront, and entrances—often begins by selecting a color. Specialty coatings also can enhance the visual and tactile effects of the finished appearance.
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Regardless of the exact cause, this failure points to the importance of understanding the substrate condition prior to coating application.
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An intumescent is a material which reacts and expands aggressively when exposed to heat or fire. Depending on the requirements of the application, the expansion rate can be up to 30 times the original size of the product. The pressure generated by the intumescent when expanding can be tailored...
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Designers, specifiers, and code officials are unfamiliar with the best ways to locate information regarding National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 285 test data and tested assemblies. This article provides guidance on how and where to find compliant tested assemblies and the extension of test data through engineering analyses.
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