sealing

This is a short guide to mastics and sealants used to seal the joint between an aluminium window and a structure. Gives table of materials available, and their properties. Gives detailed instructions for applying sealants to window joints.

Discusses masonry walls in relation to the air tightness of buildings. Considers mainly panel walls constructed of concrete blocks. States that in general such walls are very leaky, due mainly to shrinkage of the wall itself and deformation of the surrounding structure. Discusses the addition of insulation to wall, sealing of joints around window frames and at the edge of the floor slab. Gives diagrams showing details of building construction.

Describes the current research programme of the Laboratory concerning air infiltration and ventilation. Gives some technical details. The programme consists of three main projects: 1) The development of mathematical calculation models to predict the interconnections between air tightness, ventilation, air change rates, pressure conditions and energy consumption. This model will be tested in practice. 2) The development of airtight structures and structural joints and sealing methods. Evaluation of theeconomical effects of airtightness is also included in this project.

Describes sources of radon in materials and measures of exposure. Reviews measurements of radon in mines and dwellings. Describes measurements of the concentration of radon in a sealed chamber. Concludes that concentration of radon daughters can be reduced by removing dust from the air using an electrostatic precipitator or by using a very high ventilation rate combined with an efficient heat exchanger. Finds most significant sources of radon in dwellings are cracks and openings in the floor. Suggests reducing radon by covering bare surfaces and sealing the floor, or using a crawl space.

Reports study of emanation of radon from concrete blocks enriched with uranium ore, placed in an airtight enclosure. The radioactivity of air samples was determined using a high resolution silicon diode detector system.

Reviews means of rain water penetration and how to apply one-stage weather proofing listing the disadvantages. Reviews research results obtained with two-stage weather proofing by adding an additional seal and summarises the pressure variations resulting from wind plus the design of horizontal and vertical joints between individual facade segments. Discusses the practical design of joint and sealant illustrating this for a few window types and adds that this design is also applicable for a complete curtain wall.