The designer and specifier decide which of these roles the ceiling will take in any project. The ceiling can assume all, none, or any combination of the four roles. It is possible for the...

When it comes to specifying fenestration products, the most important consideration is to ensure consistency between requirements for products from Other Fenestration Assemblies, those in the scope of NAFS, and those in related divisions...

When a specifier must develop specifications for a remedial design project, there are certain things that should come to mind for successful completion of the project. A remedial design must consider contaminants generating pollution...

Among the many performance characteristics expected of today’s building wraps (also referred to as weather-resistive barriers, water-resistive barrier [WRB], or housewrap), draining bulk water is increasingly important. When rainwater infiltrates the space between cladding...


The terms “air barrier” and “vapour retarder” (or “vapour barrier”) are perhaps some of the most poorly understood concepts in the construction industry. A general lack of understanding of the functions of these materials...

The Calgary Chapter of CSC along with the Glass and Architectural Metals Association (GAMA) and Alberta Building Envelope Council (ABEC) is holding a dinner meeting on April 12 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at...



A new International Organization for Standardization/Technical Specification (ISO/TS) aims to streamline how environmental impacts of civil engineering projects are reported. ISO/TS 21929-2, Sustainability in Building Construction–Sustainability Indicators Part 2: Framework for the Development of...