WHAT'S NEW?

'Stack Effects' Research. Th so-called 'stack effect' is a condition that can occur in building walls due to the movement of air vertically - like the flow of smoke upward in a chimney. Air currents can occur, reducing the energy efficiency of what normally would be a 'dead air space'. In certain wall designs (not EIFS - as far as anyone knows at this point), a pronounced 'stack effect' can reduce the effectiveness of the insulation efficiency of the wall as a total assembly.

With EIFS, the issue of the presence and effects (if existing) of a 'stack effect' in the space between the EIFS and the supporting wall, has been questioned. This is a concern to some designers/owners as it might reduce the energy efficiency of an EIFS-clad wall assembly. The concern especially applies to EIFS with Drainage-type wall assemblies, where the space between the back side of the EIFS foam insulation, and the supporting wall - can be large (it depends on the design of the EIFS, and other factors). A research project is underway to determine if this 'stack effect' is significant in EIFS-clad wall assemblies. Results are expected by early next year.

Blogs. Walls & Ceilings magazine, the leading independent trade magazine for EIFS, stucco, drywall, plaster, framing and related wall/ceiling products, has asked Rob Thomas of rgTHOMAS to do a monthly blog about EIFS on their popular website www.wconline.com. The blogs will be short 'head's up' stories about current activities regarding EIFS that you should know about.

EIFS Inspection. If you are familiar with EIFS at all, you are probably aware that the quality of the installation process (of applying EIFS to a wall) is important. One way to deal with this 'quality control' issue is to have a separate 'person' ( an independent 'third party') inspect the EIFS installation process, as it is occurring. To ensure a regular way of doing this inspection, the American Society for Testing and Materials ("ASTM") is developing guidelines for the basic ways of doing such inspections. These guidelines have been under development for a while, and the next formal meeting to review them will take place in Tampa, Florida, at the beginning of November, at the next ASTM 'Committee Week' meeting of the ASTM E6.58 EIFS Performance committee, on Tuesday, November 1st, Additional meeting information is available on ASTM's website, www.astm.org. The meeting is open to the public.

EIMA Executive Director. EIMA (the EIFS Industry Members Association) is the US trade association for the EIFS industry. EIMA has announced David Johnston as the new Executive Director of EIMA. David came to EIMA from BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) and has extensive experience in trade association operations and technical issues with buildings. He will be working from AWCI's offices in the Washington, DC area.

Standards for EIFS Foam Shapes.  The American Society for Testing and Materials ("ASTM")  is starting work to develop a specification of foam shapes. "Foam shapes" are contoured pieces of insulation that are covered with a coating system, and are used for decoration. Details of the scope and status of these in-process documents (and others) can be found on ASTM's website by looking at the activities of the Technical Committee E06.58 on Performance of EIFS .

"The 'Mostest' EIFS  Projects". Check out this article by rgTHOMAS in Walls and Ceilings magazine. It's a fascinating review of some of the most unique and unusual EIFS buildings. You'll be amazed at what can be done with EIFS.

"Toxic Drywall" ("The China Syndrome").The problem involves drywall (gypsum wall board), imported from China, and emitting gases that can cause health problems and corrosion. There has recently been extensive mainstream media coverage and technical work done on this potentially big 'problem'. The US Government, various state agencies, and public/private groups are involved. The American Society for Testing and Materials ("ASTM")  is developing a document for how to inspect buildings that have this problem. Although EIFS, can be applied over walls that use such stud framing and drywall, drywall itself is not a basic part of EIFS, and the problem is unrelated to EIFS. EIFS is an exterior cladding material, and is not an interior finish material.

EIFS Research: The EIFS Industry Members Association (aka "EIMA - see also directly above) has published a document that describes recent technical research undertaken in conjunction with the US Government about the performance of EIFS. In particular, it addresses thermal and moisture issues of EIFS-clad wall versus other wall types. Worth reading. Click here to read. (It's a big PDF file, so give it a chance to download). This is important research and documents what the EIFS industry has been saying for years, namely, that EIFS performs as well or better than traditional claddings in terms of thermal and moisture behavior.

Magnesium Oxide Sheathing Board ("MgO" Board): MgO is a high performance mineral-based sheathing. It comes in the form of sheets, like drywall. It can be used as a substrate for EIFS and stucco and more. MgO is a widely-used product overseas, and is now being used in North America. This sheathing has the potential for being the next generation of drywall-like sheet sheathing products due to its water resistance and strength. Click here to go to Walls & Ceilings magazine for an article (by rgTHOMAS) on this product.