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CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION, Summer 2000
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CCMC evaluates wall system for Canadian North
IRC's Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC), through its product and materials evaluation service, is playing an important role in the introduction of a panelized wall system that addresses the problems posed by the severe climatic conditions and logistics of building in the Canadian North.
The product, Energy Wall Systems, produced by Energy Wall & Building Products Ltd., is prefabricated on a project-specific basis in conformance with a proprietary design manual for specific geographical areas. The manual provides structural and environmental separation requirements to address extreme cold, high wind and snow loads, and seismic activity.
The exterior wall system, which is designed for use with conventional sawn lumber floor structures, includes eight different wall panel models, each of which is composed of two distinct wood-frame assemblies. Panels, in varying lengths of up to almost 5 metres, are prefabricated in the company's plant and then shipped to site where they are assembled according to a proprietary installation manual produced on a project-specific basis.
TYPICAL CORNER DETAIL AND WALL PANEL SECTION OF "ENERGY WALL SYSTEM". EACH EXTERIOR WALL PANEL MODEL OF THE "ENERGY WALL SYSTEM" IS COMPRISED OF AN EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR ASSEMBLY. THE EXTERIOR ASSEMBLY CONSISTS OF EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE INSULATION THAT HAS BEEN FACTORY MOULDED INTO PANELS WITH INTERLOCKING JOINTS AND GROOVES. THE INSULATION PANELS ARE GROOVED TO FIT AROUND THE REQUIRED FRAMING. THE INTERIOR ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS LOAD-BEARING, CONSISTS OF CONVENTIONAL WOOD FRAMING INSULATED WITH EITHER GLASS FIBRE BATTS OR ISOCYANURATE FOAM. THE DIFFERENCE IN MODELS IS RELATED TO SIZE OF FRAMING MEMBERS, AND TYPE AND THICKNESS OF INSULATION
CCMC's role
The CCMC evaluation of the pre-engineered wall system focused on its structural performance, heat transfer characteristics and condensation resistance, and hence its suitability for use as an exterior wall assembly in the Canadian North. The system is intended to be used in houses no larger than 10 m by 15 m in areas where it is often as cold as -48°C, with interior operating conditions of 23°C and 50 percent relative humidity, and where the wind reaches speeds of up to 114 km/hour.
CCMC staff determined that under these conditions the wall system is able to meet both the structural and condensation requirements of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC), and is therefore suitable for the intended use. (See CCMC Evaluation Report No. 12889-R for specific limiting conditions).
The evaluation helps gain acceptance for a product that offers many benefits (it performs under extreme conditions and is easy to ship and assemble). Mr. Manuel Jorge, of Energy Wall & Building Products, confirmed the role of CCMC's evaluation in getting his product to market: In a letter to his MLA, the Hon. Tony Whitford, he stated, "We have met the challenge and the NWT (Northwest Territories) Housing Corporation no longer needs to look 'south of 60' to meet its needs for pre-engineered building packages."
The CCMC Evaluation Report No. 12889-R is available on the Web at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/services/irc/ccmc.html and upon request from CCMC.
