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Manufactured housing walls that provide satisfactory moisture performance in all climates

Burch, D. M., Saunders, C.A. and TenWolde, A.
1995
Building and Fire Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NISTIR 5558
manufactured housing, mobile homes, moisture analysis, moisture-control guidelines, moisture in walls, moisture problems, moisture transfer.

Burch, D. M., Saunders, C.A. and TenWolde, A., (1995), Manufactured housing walls that provide satisfactory moisture performance in all climates, Building and Fire Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NISTIR 5558.
Abstract:
We used the MOIST Computer Model to conduct a detailed analysis of the moisture performance of one wall typical of current construction practice in manufactured housing, and two new alternative wall designs with potential for better moisture performance in a wider variety of climates. The analysis showed that the current-practice wall with an interior vapor retarder performed acceptably in a cold climate (Madison, WI), but poorly in a hot and humid climate (Miami, FL). The alternative wall designs both exhibited satisfactory moisture performance in the cold climate and the hot and humid climate, even with moderately severe indoor conditions. The alternative wall designs also performed

satisfactorily in a mixed climate (Little Rock, AR). These alternative wall designs should be of interest to the manufactured housing industry, who distributes houses to all climatic regions of the United States.

List of References

ASTM 1993. "Standard Test Methods for Water-Vapor Transmission of Materials E96-93. " Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 04.06, Philadelphia: American Society for Testing and Materials.

Burch, D.M. and Thomas, W.C. 1991. "An Analysis of Moisture Accumulations in a Wood Frame Wall Subjected to Winter Climate. " NISTIR 4674, National Institute of Standards and Technology, October.

Burch, D.M. 1991. "Indoor Ventilation Requirements for Manufactured Housing. " NISTIR 4574, National Institute of Standards and Technology, May.

Burch, D. M.; Thomas, W. C.; Famey, A.H. 1992. "Water Vapor Permeability Measurements of Common Building Materials, " ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 98, Part 2.

Burch, D.M. 1992. "Controlling Moisture in the Roof Cavities of Manufactured Housing. " NISTIR 4916, November. National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Burch, D.M. 1993. "An Analysis of Moisture Accumulation in Walls Subjected to Hot and Humid Climates. " ASHRAE Transactions, V. 99, Pt. 2.

Crow, L. W. 1981. "Development of Hourly Data for Weather Year for Energy Calculations (WYEC). " ASHRAE Journal, Vol. 23, No. 10, October, pp. 37-41.

Duff, J.E. 1968. "Moisture Distribution in Wood-Frame Walls in Winter. " Forest Products Journal, Vol. 18, No. 1, January.

International Energy Agency 1990. Annex XIV: Condensation and Energy. Volume 2: Guidelines & Practice and Volume 3: Catalog of Material Properties, August.

Richards, R. F.; Burch, D. M.; and Thomas, W.C. 1992. "Water Vapor Sorption Measurements of Common Building Materials, " ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 98, Part 2.

TenWolde, A. and Carll, C. 1992. "Effect of Cavity Ventilation on Moisture in Walls and Roofs. ¡®fConference on Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings V, ASHRAE, Atlanta, GA, pp 555-562.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 1993. "Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. " Code of Federal Regulations, Title 24, Part 3280.

.pdf copy available (mfg-house-moisture.pdf)
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Author Information and Other Publications Notes
Burch, D. M.
  1. A computer analysis of the moisture performance of roof constructins in the U.S. DOE Moisture Control Handbook
  2. A mathematical analysis of moisture and heat transfer in the roof cavities of manufactured housing
  3. A prarmeteric study of wall moisture contents using a revised variable indoor relative humidity version of the "MOIST" transient heat and moisture transfer model
  4. An analysis of moisture accumulation in the roof cavities of manufactured housing
  5. Computer analysis of wall constructions in the moisture control handbook
  6. Empirical validation of a transient computer model for combined heat and moisture transfer
  7. Experimental verification of a moisture and heat transfer model in the hygroscopic regime
  8. Heat and moisture transfer in wood-based wall construction: measured versus predicted
  9. Indoor ventilation requirements for manufactured housing
  10. MOIST: A PC program for predicting heat and moisture transfer in building envelopes, Release 3.0
  11. Water vapor permeability measurements of common building materials
  12. Water vapor sorption measurements of common building materials
  13. Water-vapor measurements of low-slope roofing materials  
Saunders, C. A.
  1. Computer analysis of wall constructions in the moisture control handbook
  2. Test procedures for advanced insulation panels  
TenWolde, A.
Anton TenWolde, Research Physicist Research Forest Products Technologist, USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI
  1. A mathematical model for indoor humidity in homes during winter
  2. Accuracy of wood resistance sensors for measurement of humidity
  3. Air pressures in wood frame walls
  4. Effect of cavity ventilation on moisture in walls and roofs
  5. Interior moisture design loads for residences
  6. Issues related to venting of attics and cathedral ceilings
  7. Moisture management in buildings
  8. Moisture transfer through materials and systems in buildings
  9. Performance of back-primed and factory-finished hardboard lap siding in southern florida
  10. Ventilation, humidity, and condensation in manufactured houses during winter
  11. Weather Data  


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