The U.S. and Canada have much in common when it comes to design and construction, but a notable difference is how the two countries evaluate field performance of windows and curtain walls.
A seminar at the recent American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) annual conference took on this issue with Canadian guest speaker Robert Jutras. In the U.S., codes segment windows by usage, either commercial (IBC) or residential (International Residential Code). In Canada, by contrast, codes segment windows by size.
With regard to water penetration, Jutras’s presentation showed examples of six cities on each side of the U.S. and Canadian border with similar climatic conditions. On average, there is two times more pressure for resistance in Canadian cities than in U.S. cities.
Jutras also noted that when evaluating the relationship between differential pressure and wind speed, it is important to account for the building’s total elevation, given that the available wind speed data is usually measured near ground level.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Best AEC Firms of 2011/12
Later this year, we will launch Best AEC Firms 2012. We’re looking for firms that create truly positive workplaces for their AEC professionals and support staff. Keep an eye on this page for entry information. +
