by jason_cramp | May 11, 2024 1:02 pm
Completed in the mid-90s, a multi-story healthcare facility in the northeastern U.S. reported recurring condensation and frost on exposed interior frame and glass surfaces of its existing window assemblies during cold winter periods.
In addition, water damage to the interior gypsum wallboard finish at soffits above the window assemblies occurred repeatedly with early Spring’s notable warming trends. The facility’s vertical enclosure primarily consisted of thermally improved, aluminum-framed storefront systems in punched openings within 127-mm (5-in.) thick architectural precast concrete (APC) panels. Its opaque vertical enclosure’s thermal control layer included foil-faced batt insulation against the APC panels’ interior face.
Further investigation revealed multiple conditions contributing to condensation and/or ice on interior surfaces of the building’s exterior vertical enclosure components, including:
In addition to water damage to interior finishes from repeated condensation/frost on APC panels and window assemblies’ interior surfaces, the accumulation of moisture over time within the interstitial exterior wall cavity (which was hidden from view) resulted in the formation of suspect organic growth on the back of gypsum wall board finishes, batt insulation, and APC panels’ interior surfaces.
Addressing post-construction conditions contributing to condensation in a mission-critical facility can be costly and disruptive. Therefore, it is paramount for the project team to properly understand the function and interrelationships of the exterior enclosure’s components to better ensure the effective control and management of moisture loads anticipated during in-service conditions. This includes proper detailing of the various control layers at interface conditions between adjacent enclosure assemblies to mitigate problematic and/or incomplete conditions in the enclosure that could affect in-service performance.
[2]Jeffrey Sutterlin, PE, is an architectural engineer and associate principal with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates[3] (WJE) in Princeton, New Jersey, office. He specializes in investigation and repair of the building enclosure. He can be reached at jsutterlin@wje.com[4].
[5]David S. Patterson, AIA, is an architect and senior principal with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates[3] (WJE) in Princeton, New Jersey. He specializes in investigation and repair of the building enclosure. He can be reached at dpatterson@wje.com[6].
The opinions expressed in Failures are based on the authors’ experiences and do not necessarily reflect that of The Construction Specifier or CSI.
Source URL: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/hospital-window-condensation-thermal-bridging/
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