Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1408886
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | 11 Building Envelope P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E SY K RY TO N I N T ER N AT I O N A L I N C . Precast concrete's edge-to-edge insulation, com- bined with the nonconductive connectors between the interior and exterior concrete layers, can create an efficient thermal break that prevents heat and moisture from penetrating the building and elimi- nates the thermal loss and vapour transmissions of other wall systems. "With the addition of the con- tinuous insulation to precast concrete walls, which already provide an air and moisture barrier, this type of assembly effectively integrates the air, mois- ture, and heat management of the envelope into one efficient system," says Hall. As for thermal mass, high-performance precast concrete double wythe insulated panel construction is a great way to combine thermal mass and insu- lation in a wall system. "To maximize the benefits, the interior side of precast concrete walls should be left exposed as the finished interior surface," says Hall, adding that since precast concrete envelopes have no thermal bridging, "these attributes com- bined decrease indoor temperature fluctuations and allow downsizing of HVAC systems and their associated costs, making precast concrete building envelope systems the ideal choice for fast-track resil- ient construction." Precast's effectiveness as an envelope depends on its maturity and strength, both of which are usually monitored by sensors. But Kevin Yuers, VP techni- cal Kryton International Inc., points out that "the majority of these sensors can be used only once – you can't repurpose them at other stages in the project or on other projects down the road – and they require someone to be onsite to collect the data. That's why in 2019 we purchased part of a Danish company that developed the Maturix Smart Concrete Sensors, for which we now have the North American distribu- tion rights." The Maturix sensors allow unlimited use for a low fixed cost. Sacrificial thermocouple wires are placed in the concrete, and data is automatically transmitted to the cloud using a long range, low power IoT network (Sigfox). The monitoring and reporting platform logs, calculates, and presents data to any connected device in real time, and Yuers points out that "this system eliminates the need to send concrete core samples out for testing." As for Kryton's KIM and the Krystol Waterstop System (the latter of which permanently waterproofs concrete construction joints, penetrations, tie-holes, and control joints), Vancouver's Jameson House is a showcase for the effectiveness of these products. Since concrete was the main building material used throughout the 37-storey glass and concrete struc- ture, concrete waterproofing was a critical concern, and Lafarge suggested Kryton's integral crystalline technology as a solution. Huntsman Building Solutions was created in May of 2020 following Huntsman's acquisition of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) leader Icynene-Lapolla in February of that year. Icynene-Lapolla has been integrated with Demilec, also a market leader in SPF applications and which Huntsman acquired in 2018. Together, the businesses are now one of the world's leading SPF providers and the fourth largest insula- tion manufacturer. Krystol Waterstop System in use on the River District project, New Westminster, B.C.