Continuous Insulation, while required by the energy code, presents challenges integrating it with the overall wall-assembly’s design, performance and construction. This program at the intermediate to advanced level, comparatively studies eight steel-stud commercial wall assemblies with considerations including: Overview of the Assembly components, High-performance Net-Zero Energy, WUFI thermal and moisture modeling comparisons, NFPA 285 and fire-rated compliance.

Learning Objectives:

1.  OVERVIEW OF EIGHT ASSEMBLES: Understand the rationale of the eight commercial steel stud-framed wall-assemblies and how they compare with their types of continuous and total insulation, sheathing, air, water and vapor control layers.
2.  HIGH-PERFORMANCE, NET-ZERO ENERGY: Compare how each wall may comply or exceed the energy codes and become super-insulated to meet high-performance ASHRAE 189 requirements.
3. AVOID PROBLEMS: Illustrate how more insulation can present problems with trapped moisture and condensation.
4.  WUFI: Understand how each assembly compares utilizing WUFI Hygrothermic (thermal and moisture) evaluations over four climate seasons chosen for Climate Zone 5 (due to the requirement for an interior vapor retarder).

George David Schoenhard, AIA, BECxA, RRO, CSI, LEED AP, CIT, OSHA                       

George David Schoenhard, AIA has over 45 years’ experience in designing fine architecture, with the last nine as the Principal of DSS-Philly, one of the leading High-Performance Building Enclosure consulting firms in the Philadelphia region. He brings his decades of architectural experience to skillfully advise and design, implement or remediate building enclosures on behalf of other architects, owners and contractors.  He is the inventor and developer of the high-performance Back-Lattice Wall Design.  He actively researches comparative building enclosure assemblies, speaks nationally, and is an AIA Continuing Education Provider.