| The purpose of the Research and Education
component of the HPO is to provide resources and information regarding emerging building
science matters and current consumer housing issues. We
partner with industry, other levels of government and educational institutions to leverage
our research and education initiatives and ensure the most efficient use of available
resources Please
click here for a summary of the HPO Research
and Education Projects.
Provincial Advisory Council on Homeowner
Protection
The HPO receives advice from the Provincial Advisory
Council on Homeowner Protection. The mandate of the Council is to advise and make
recommendations to the HPO regarding improving the quality of residential construction in
B.C., research and education and consumer information. The Council includes
representatives from consumer groups, industry, local government, professional
associations and labour.
Education and Training
Interested in embarking on a career in residential
construction or want to expand your existing skills? Click here for a detailed listing of
education and training resources available in British Columbia.
This listing includes information on
the following:
Building Science Research
The HPO is partnering with various
agencies, industry and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to conduct research
on building science projects which will contribute to an improvement in the quality of
residential construction for British Columbia. These
projects include:
Water Penetration Resistance of Windows NOW
AVAILABLE The purpose of this research project
is to investigate the nature and causes of moisture penetration problems associated with
windows in residential wood frame and high-rise buildings.
This is a research partnership between the HPO, CMHC and BC Housing. The study is comprised of two companion reports:
·
Study of Manufacturing, Building
Design, Installation and Maintenance Factors – this study addresses causal factors
leading to water penetration and the impact that various industry sectors can have in
influencing window performance.
·
Study of Codes, Standards, Testing and
Certification – this study involves a review and analysis of the building code, the
CSA A440 series of standards and publications as well as existing window certification
processes.
NOTE:
A graphics package is also available as part of this study. Please contact the HPO to receive a CD containing the reports and graphics
package.
Monitoring Performance of
Rainscreen Wall Assemblies – INTERIM REPORT NOW
AVAILABLE This project involves measuring and
monitoring the performance of rainscreen wall assemblies within new and rehabilitated low,
mid and high-rise residential buildings. Five
buildings in total are being monitored, all located in Vancouver. The monitoring program was designed to measure
temperature, wood moisture content, relative humidity, local weather conditions including
rainfall, driving rainfall and pressure differences across the walls. The data is analyzed to assess the effectiveness
of rainscreen wall assemblies. This is a
research partnership between the HPO, CMHC and BC Housing. The interim report was
presented at the 9th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, February
2003.
Building Envelope Research Bibliography NOW AVAILABLE This bibliography makes
it easier for you to access existing research on the building envelope. It includes a comprehensive listing of 170
reference materials including books, articles and conference papers on the following topic
areas:
- Building Science, Building Envelope, Durability
- Construction
Types: Materials and Method
- Cladding
Systems: Wall Cladding, Windows, Sealants
- Moisture
in Walls: Water, Water Vapour, Rainscreen System
- Air
Movement and Walls: Air Barriers, Wind Pressure, Ventilation
- Thermal
Transfer in Walls: Insulation, Thermal Breaks
- Renovation
- References
Specific to British Columbia
High-Rise Envelope Performance in the Coastal Climate in B.C. This
research project identifies factors contributing to envelope performance problems and
successes in non-combustible high-rise residential buildings. The study correlates building envelope performance
with sources of moisture, and features of design and construction of assemblies and
details. Key factors for successful design
and construction of the building envelope assemblies and details are identified in this
report. This is a research partnership
between the HPO and CMHC as primary sponsors.
NOTE: A graphics
package is also available as part of this study. Please contact the HPO to receive a CD containing the reports and graphics
package.
Earthquake
Testing of Rainscreen Stucco Systems for B.C. Residential Wood-Frame Construction
– SOON TO BE RELEASED
This project looks at the performance
of a stucco wall assemblies in an earthquake situation.
The research compares the earthquake performance of rainscreen and
non-rainscreen stucco systems, through which refinements to the design of rainscreen
stucco systems have been developed to improve earthquake performance. The research was conducted at the University of
British Columbia seismic research facility using test wall panels as well as dynamic tests
of a two storey house with stucco cladding. This
is a research partnership between the HPO, CMHC and BC Housing.
A
Building Envelope Test Hut in Coastal British Columbia: Feasibility Study - This project
examines the feasibility of constructing a building envelope test hut facility in the
Lower Mainland to study envelope performance under real conditions in real time. This study was completed in February 2001 and can
be downloaded in PDF format by selecting the above link.
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is currently preparing a
follow-up report which looks at a range of opportunities to establish a test hut. Research
partners include HPO, CMHC and BCIT.
External
Moisture Control: Defining Performance of Water Resistive Barriers INTERIM REPORT NOW
AVAILABLE This project examines various aspects of sheathing membrane performance
including measuring drainage and moisture retention capability, permeance of weathered
materials, and long term performance in context of chemical leaching from stucco or
wood-based products. For this project the HPO
is part of a research consortium involving CMHC, Concordia University and product
manufacturers. Study results will be
available in the fall of 2003. The interim report was presented at the 9th Canadian
Conference on Building Science and Technology, February 2003.
Envelope Drying Rates Analysis A
Building Envelope Research Consortium (BERC) study of drying rates of various wall
assemblies under controlled laboratory conditions.
Land Use Planning and Weather
Protected Buildings The publication
serves as a best choices guide for local governments to review their land use bylaws and
other policy or design related documents to determine how they impact the development of
improved wall assemblies.
Last Updated: September 22, 2003 |
