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Abstract
The low-slope roofs of 10 cold storage buildings in Dallas area were examined visually and thermographically from above and below. Cores were taken to verify infrared findingsw, and 12- x 12-in (30 x 30 cm) speicmens of many of the insulations were removed for laboratory studies of their thermal properties. Insulateions included firous glas, fiberboard, perlite, wood fiber, expanded and extruded polystyrene,isocyanurate, and phenolic. Areas of wet insulation were found in 8 of the 10 roofs. Some wetness was due to leaks caused byflsws in the roofing membranes and their flashings, but some was associated with infiltration of warm, moist outside air t roof-wall intersections without effective air seals. Of all the insulations examined, permeable fibrous glass ws the most susceptible to wetting by air infiltration. Sustained one-way vpoar drive, the sealing-in of moisture at the bae of insulation in roofs of colde storage buildings by freezing, and the limited opportunities for drying wet insulatin in such roofs provide incentives to use insulation that is very resistant to wetting. Its very low ate of moisture gain by vapor diffusion and its resistance to wetting in the presence of freeze-thaw cycles make extruded polystyrene insulation particularly appealing for use in the roofs of cold storage buildings.
The low-slope roofs of 10 cold storage buildings in Dallas area were examined visually and thermographically from above and below. Cores were taken to verify infrared findingsw, and 12- x 12-in (30 x 30 cm) speicmens of many of the insulations were removed for laboratory studies of their thermal properties. Insulateions included firous glas, fiberboard, perlite, wood fiber, expanded and extruded polystyrene,isocyanurate, and phenolic. Areas of wet insulation were found in 8 of the 10 roofs. Some wetness was due to leaks caused byflsws in the roofing membranes and their flashings, but some was associated with infiltration of warm, moist outside air t roof-wall intersections without effective air seals. Of all the insulations examined, permeable fibrous glass ws the most susceptible to wetting by air infiltration. Sustained one-way vpoar drive, the sealing-in of moisture at the bae of insulation in roofs of colde storage buildings by freezing, and the limited opportunities for drying wet insulatin in such roofs provide incentives to use insulation that is very resistant to wetting. Its very low ate of moisture gain by vapor diffusion and its resistance to wetting in the presence of freeze-thaw cycles make extruded polystyrene insulation particularly appealing for use in the roofs of cold storage buildings.
Date
11/1988
11/1988
Author(s)
Wayne Tobiasson; Alan Greatorex
Wayne Tobiasson; Alan Greatorex
Page(s)
36
36
Keyword(s)
air leakage; cold storage building; cooler; freezer; infrared survey; insulation; roof membrane; roof moisture; thermal resistance
air leakage; cold storage building; cooler; freezer; infrared survey; insulation; roof membrane; roof moisture; thermal resistance