Custom Commercial Building Envelope Design Assistance from DuPont

Custom Commercial Building Envelope Design Assistance from DuPont

We all know that time is of the utmost importance on the job site. RFIs and rework can add up quickly in terms of both time and cost; an estimated 30% of the work done by construction companies is rework, with rework accounting for roughly 5% of the overall contract value.

To help reduce errors and potential costly rework,DuPont now offers design-phase detailing and technical assistance for above grade exterior walls directly from the DuPont Building Knowledge Center Team.

With decades of water, air, and thermal experience, our experts know that building envelope protection starts and ends with the details.

DuPont Installation Literature Conformance

DuPont to confirm that the technical drawings for above grade exterior walls meeting industry standards submitted by the customer are consistent with the published DuPont Installation Literature, including Installation Guidelines, Installation Bulletins, Installation Instructions, Installation Procedures. and Installation Information.

DuPont’s Installation Literature was developed based on extensive environmental testing includingwater and air infiltration testing.

Dupont’s review will examine the sequence of DuPont materials as well as flashing details around penetrations, fenestrations, roof/wall junctures, wall/foundation junctures, etc. The objective is to verify the drawings communicate the details critical to enabling high quality installation in accordance with the DuPont Installation Literature. Drawings must be of sufficient quality and detail for DuPont to effectively perform the review.

If submitted drawings do not comply with the DuPont Installation Literature, DuPont will reference existing drawing solutions published by DuPont to address the discrepancy and/or provide a custom proposal for special design considerations or highly complex projects. Any comments and observations, mark-up to design details, or illustrations are provided by DuPont to suggest how to incorporate DuPont building products into the project design to achieve compliance with the DuPont Installation Literature.

Use of the Design Assistance Package does not confirm compliance with all requirement of any DuPont warranty.

Continuous WRB/AB Drawing Review

DuPont will verify that drawings show continuous WRB/AB (i.e. verify transition areas (highest risk areas)have continuous WRB/AB coverage, review every termination of DuPont product.

If submitted drawings do not show proper termination/ties for continuous WRB/AB, DuPont will reference existing solutions and provide guidance to address the discrepancy and/ or provide a custom proposal for special design considerations or highly complex projects.

ICC IECC & ASHRAE 90.1 Prescriptive Opaque Wall R-value Compliance Evaluation

DuPont will verify that thermal insulation specified on the submitted drawings comply with the prescriptive opaque wall R-value requirements for the specified climate zone and code.

The applicable climate zone and code must be provided with the drawings. DuPont can evaluate to any version of the IBC, IRC, IECC and/or ASHRAE 90.1

If the submitted drawings do not meet the prescriptive opaque wall R-value code requirements, the gap in conformance will be outlined and suggestions for bridging this gap will be provided.

Local code official has final jurisdiction of authority.

Vapor Barrier Code Compliance

DuPont will verify that drawings meet code requirements for proper use/no use of vapor barrier for the specified climate zone.

The applicable climate zone and code must be provided with the drawings. DuPont can evaluate to any version of the IBC, IRC, IECC and/or ASHRAE 90.1

If submitted drawings do not meet code requirements for proper use/no use of vapor barrier, the gap in conformance will be outlined and suggestions for bridging this gap will be provided.

Local code official has final jurisdiction of authority.

NFPA 285 Design Confirmation

If NFPA 285 is required, DuPont will verify that wall assembly is covered in DuPont NFPA 285 Engineering Judgement (EJ) letter

If submitted drawings reveal a gap in the wall assembly being covered in NFPA 285 EJ, guidance will be provided to adjust the wall assembly such that it is covered by an existing DuPont NFPA 285 EJ.

Local code official has final jurisdiction of authority.

Hourly Rated Wall Conformance Review

If hourly rated wall is required for a wall containing DuPont products, the wall assembly drawing(s) will be reviewed to determine if they align with UL listed hourly rated wall. If the wall(s) do, the UL hourly wall designation will be provided for reference if not already in the drawing.

Above grade exterior walls containing DuPont products that must have an hourly rating must be specified when the drawings are submitted for review. If submitted drawings do not match UL listed hourly rated wall requirements, suggestions will be provided on how to potentially modify the wall assemble to align with a listed wall assembly.

Local code official has final jurisdiction of authority

Dew Point Analysis

DuPont will use its DewPoint calculator tool to show the risk of condensation in a particular wall design. A graphical document will be provided as output for each wall system evaluated. The graphic illustrates predicted temperatures at various points within the wall cavity as compared to calculated dew points to predict condensation in the wall system, which highlights areas of higher risk for condensation.

If a problematic dew point is found, DuPont will provide options to consider to lower risk of condensation based upon dew point analysis.

1 Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences
2 Journal of Construction Engineering and Management.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/252333158_Measuring_the_Impact_of_Rework_on_Construction_Cost_Performance

The future of building begins with innovative solutions that protect the building envelope. With a powerhouse portfolio of proven, compatible and market-leading brands – backed by decades of building science expertise – DuPont is your single source for complete building envelope protection.