Resources

DuPont Tyvek Water-Resistive and Air Barriers Installation Guidelines

  DuPont Tyvek Water-Resistive and Air Barriers Installation Guidelines (PDF)

Housewraps, Felt Paper and Weather Penetration Barriers

Housewraps, Felt Paper and Weather Penetration Barriers Siding isn’t weather-proof. A second line of defense is a critical component in smart weather-protecting wall designs. by Paul Fisette © 2001 The shell of a house serves as the first line of defense between the occupants and the outdoor environment. Walls function as a weather barrier, nail…
Read more

Tyvek

Some of you are probably aware that Tyvek (a proprietary formula referred to below by the generic term house wrap) is not recommended for use in contact with certain types of siding in wet climates: In wet climates house wrap sometimes reacts poorly with certain kinds of wood siding. Lignin (a natural occurring substance in…
Read more

Notes on Mortar

Masonry prior to 1872 used no Portland cement Butterjoints 1/16″ to 1/4″ lime with fine sand Standard joints 3/8″ lime with medium sand Stone rubble joints 3/8″ to 1″ lime with coarse sand Three parts hydrated lime, six parts sand, and water to consistency required Masonry erected 1912 to 1931 used small amount of Portland…
Read more

Mortar and Masonry Specs

04060 Mortar .1 Sand to be round edged sand such as river sand. Observe the color mixes found in the original mortar sand and select pointing mortar sand accordingly. Sand should meet ASTM C144 standard as to gradation and purity. Butterjoints 1/16 ‘ to 1/4″ use fine sand. Standard joints 3/8″ lime with medium sand.…
Read more

Installation Guide and Detailing Options for Compliance with ASTM C1780

Installation Guide and Detailing Options for Compliance with ASTM C1780 (PDF) For Adhered Manufactured Stone Veneer 5th Edition, 2nd Printing By MVMA

The Homeowner’s Guide to Chimneys, Fireplaces and Woodstoves

The Homeowner’s Guide to Chimneys, Fireplaces and Woodstoves (PDF) Written by: Jim Brewer & Ashley Eldridge

Specification for Masonry Structures

Specification for Masonry Structures (PDF) (ACI 530.1-02/ASCE 6-02/TMS 602-02) Reported by the Masonry Standards Joint Committee (MSJC)

Chimney Fires: Causes, Effects & Evaluation

Chimney Fires: Causes, Effects & Evaluation (PDF) Prepared by Chimney Safety Institute of America Chimney Fire Education and Research Task Force Jerry E. Isenhour, Sr., Chairman James P. Brewer Ashley Eldridge P.C. Luter III and Technical Services David S Johnston

Residential Electrical System Aging Research Project Technical Report

Residential Electrical System Aging Research Project Technical Report (PDF) July 1, 2008 Prepared by: David A. Dini, P.E. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. © 2008 The Fire Protection Research Foundation In 2002, in response to questions regarding the influence of aging and installation quality on the fire safety of electrical systems, the Fire Protection Research Foundation initiated a…
Read more