The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) joined the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to create a standard for balloon-type ball backwater valves for the plumbing and heating industries. The new standard is a first of its kind developed by ULC Standards, an SCC accredited Standards Development Organization (SDO) and UL Standards.
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Over the last decade, it seems the demand and desire for barrier-free bathrooms has grown dramatically. Aside from the importance of accessibility and universal design for those with physical challenges, this phenomenon can be partially attributed to ‘baby boomers’ who are now finding they are not as mobile as in the past; some are having difficulty stepping into a tub or even over a 150-mm (3-in.) high shower curb. Additionally, the popularity of large hot tubs in bathrooms seems to have run its course. Many builders have started to switch from using space-consuming and somewhat energy-inefficient luxury fixtures and are instead installing multiple shower heads and sometimes a steam generator into shower spaces.
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From a purely economic perspective, the positive impact of a vegetative ‘green’ roofing assembly is measured in the long term—40 years or more. This means ensuring its performance and safety over an extended period is crucial. A green roof protects the underlying waterproofing membrane from the elements. Combined with a higher-quality membrane necessary to resist soil and plant forces, the result should be a longer roof lifecycle decades beyond a conventional system’s 20 to 25 years.
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For the last few years, the media has highlighted roofing failures caused by wind. Although these problems sensationalize the effects of global warming, they are not new and have occurred since buildings were first constructed. The major contributing factor to many of these failures is the roof or perimeter flashing was not properly designed to meet the project requirements––such as location and occupancy type. Depending on its direction, wind acts on the building in different ways. As it collides with the structure, it travels up and over, increasing in speed––similar to the effects of an airfoil on a wing.
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By its nature, every roof is a unique and complex waterproofing system whose performance depends on design appropriateness, material quality, and installer craftsmanship. All three of these must be present for an assembly to achieve its anticipated lifespan. As a construction activity, roofing requires the same high level of diligence as other construction trades, such as mechanical and electrical systems.
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