Metal cladding envelope problems, retrofit solutions, and quality control investigations

Antonio Colantonio

doi:10.1117/12.58525

1 April 1992 Metal cladding envelope problems, retrofit solutions, and quality control investigations

Antonio Colantonio

Proceedings Volume 1682, Thermosense XIV: An Intl Conf on Thermal Sensing and Imaging Diagnostic Applications; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.58525
Event: Aerospace Sensing, 1992, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

This paper deals with a case study of a building envelope retrofit of an insulated sheet steel and corrugated metal clad building. The building in discussion is a satellite testing facility which requires specific clean room conditions with controlled interior temperature (22 degree(s)C +/- 1 degree(s)C) and high relative humidity conditions (45% +/- 3%) to facilitate satellite testing programs. Preliminary mechanical system inspections indicated substantial increase in air intake to make up for air leakage losses. An infrared inspection along with an approximate air leakage test of the building envelope was requested by the client to determine the magnitude of the building envelope problem. This investigation concluded that significant air leakage was present throughout the building envelope and that existing mechanical systems did not have sufficient capacity to pressurize the building and negate wind and stack effect. Exfiltration particularly through openings on the top sections of the building were causing interior moisture to saturate wall insulation and render it ineffective. Concern for rusting of metal components was indicated. The subsequent envelope analysis discovered a number of typical metal building details that led to poor air tightness and wall insulation ineffectiveness. These were correlated to infrared investigation data. The retrofit solutions produced for this building not only apply to this building but to other similar building types. Further investigations indicated that air leakage and mechanical system performance were significant problems with buildings using metal cladding systems comparable to this building. Quality control before, during and after construction was identified as an important function of the architectural commissioning of the retrofit work and infrared investigations were used to verify locations of air leakage and insulation effectiveness.

Citation Download Citation

Antonio Colantonio "Metal cladding envelope problems, retrofit solutions, and quality control investigations", Proc. SPIE 1682, Thermosense XIV: An Intl Conf on Thermal Sensing and Imaging Diagnostic Applications, (1 April 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.58525

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KEYWORDS

Metals

Cladding

Inspection

Infrared radiation

Humidity

Satellites

Space operations

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