Implementation of residential floor performance criteria : part 1 servicability criteria for residential floors based on a field study of consumer response
This report describes progress achieved in 1993/94. It had been anticipated that those parts of this research program concerned with interior walls would be completed by March 31, 1994. Because NRC carried out more fire tests than required by the collaborative research agreements with the various "Partners", they were not able to submit a final report for the fire tests by March 31. That report will be available in May. The sound transmission tests were completed by December 31,1993. The last fire test was carried out on February 28,1994. The final report for the sound-transmission tests was submitted to the "Partners" on February 23, 1994.
The objective for this work was to prepare a project plan for the development of moisture management guidelines to maximize durability of wood-based building systems. Exploration of the complexity of the technical issues involved led the conclusion that access to the use of a reasonably accurate computer model was needed to explore the performance of systems we feel have shown good track performance. Essentially, parametric sensitivity studies are needed, both to confirm the suitability of walls built in the different regions of the country based on the current field experience, and to extrapolate limits to these systems that might also be used as a guide for unconventional systems. With this assurance, information of the performance of typical wall systems as a function of the variables noted in this report should be obtained by modelling. It should then be possible to develop or assist in the developing of simpler user-friendly design tools for the building industry which incorporate advice on good construction practices.
