S F Johnson Consulting, LLC
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Division 07

Division 07

🛡️ Division 07 — Thermal & Moisture Protection

Insulation • Air/Vapor/Water Control Layers • Roofs (steep & low-slope) • Flashing & Sheet Metal • Waterproofing • Siding/Cladding Weather Barriers • Firestopping • Sealants. Detail = performance. Follow project specs, manufacturer details, and code.

🧭 Scope (What Div 07 Covers)

  • Exterior insulation (cavity & continuous), spray foam, rigid boards, mineral wool.
  • Air barriers (sheet/spray/foam), vapor retarders, weather-resistive barriers (WRB).
  • Roofing: single-ply (TPO/PVC/EPDM), built-up, modified bitumen, steep-slope shingles/tile/metal.
  • Waterproofing: below grade, plaza/planter, traffic coatings, dampproofing.
  • Flashing & sheet metal: parapets, heads/sills, kick-outs, gutters/drains, expansion joints.
  • Firestopping & fire-resistive joint systems; sealants & expansion control.

🧱 Control Layers (Order Matters)

  • Water (bulk rain) — cladding/WRB + flashings manage gravity & wind.
  • Air — continuous, sealed, supported; tie walls↔roofs↔openings.
  • Vapor — place per climate/assembly; avoid double vapor traps.
  • Thermal — keep insulation continuous; limit thermal bridges.
  • Rule: Draw the “red line” (air barrier) unbroken around the building.

🧊 Insulation Quick Facts

  • XPS: ~R-5/in; limited perm; use at slabs/foundation (check HFC-free).
  • EPS: ~R-4/in; higher perm; cost-effective; below-grade types exist.
  • Polyiso: ~R-6/in (roof); derate in cold; facer matters.
  • Mineral Wool: R-4.2/in; non-combustible; drains; great for façades.
  • Closed-cell SPF: ~R-6.5/in; air/vapor control; great bond/stiffness.
  • Open-cell SPF: ~R-3.7/in; air control; vapor open.

Thermal rule: U = 1/R (overall R includes sheathing, air films, etc.).

🪟 WRB / Air / Vapor

  • WRB: shingle lap over flashings; integrate at heads/sills/jambs; roll/tape per mfr.
  • Air barrier: seal sheathing joints, penetrations, edges; support behind claddings.
  • Vapor retarder: perm class & placement per climate; avoid trapping moisture.
  • Penetrations: boots, gaskets, tapes; backer rod + sealant at joints.

💧 Waterproofing (Below-Grade/Planters)

  • Prep: smooth substrate; chamfer ¾″ at inside corners; prime as required.
  • Membranes: sheets (SBS/HDPE/bentonite) or liquids; laps to spec; term bars.
  • Protection board + drainage mat + filter fabric to relieve hydrostatic pressure.
  • Penetrations: boots/flanges; flood test decks as specified.

🏗️ Low-Slope Roofing (TPO/PVC/EPDM/SBS)

  • Slope: ≥ ¼″/ft to drains; add tapered insulation where needed.
  • Attachment: mechanically fastened, adhered, or ballasted (per wind uplift).
  • Perimeters/corners need enhanced fastening; follow FM/UL listings.
  • Parapets: continuous blocking, cover boards, 2-part flashing with termination bars.
  • Penetrations: pre-molded boots or wrap kits; water-cut-off mastic where specified.

🏠 Steep-Slope (Shingle/Metal/Tile)

  • Underlayment: ice-barrier at eaves/valleys (cold climates); synthetic felt common.
  • Starter strips, drip edges, step & counter-flashings; kick-out flashing at wall returns.
  • Ventilation: ridge + intake (net free area per code/mfr). Baffles at cathedral slopes.
  • Metal: clip spacing per panel; expansion joints; sealant at laps per system.

🧰 Sheet Metal & Flashing

  • Metals: Kynar-coated steel, aluminum, stainless; match environment (galvanic).
  • Hem exposed edges; end dams at head flashings; solder/seal per spec.
  • Counter-flash over step flashing; terminate into reglets or under cladding with sealant.

🔥 Firestopping (07 84 00)

  • UL/Intertek systems for each penetration/joint; match hourly rating & assembly type.
  • Annular space & backing per system; “F/T/L” ratings maintained.
  • Document locations & system IDs; special inspections if required by code.

🧵 Sealants (07 92 00)

  • Pick chemistry for movement/UV/substrate: silicone (exterior), hybrid/urethane (traffic), acrylic (painted interior).
  • Joint design: width≥¼″ (typ.); depth ≈ ½ width with backer rod (avoid 3-sided adhesion).
  • Clean/prime substrates; tool within open time; mock-ups for finish quality.

🧮 Quick Math & Takeoff Shortcuts

Continuous Insulation (CI) Boards

Boards ≈ Area ÷ Board SF (+ waste). 4×8=32 SF; 4×4=16 SF.

Tapered Roof Insul Volume

Avg thickness (in) ≈ (High + Low)/2; CF ≈ Area × Avg(in)/12; CY = CF/27.

Roof Slope Check

¼″/ft → 1″ per 4 ft. Rise = Run(ft) ÷ 4 (inches).

Drain Count (ROM)

Start at 1 drain/8–10k SF then size per rainfall/diameter (plumbing calc governs).

Sealant LF

Perimeter of openings + control joints; tubes ≈ 25 LF @ ¼″×¼″ (check yield chart).

U-to-R

R-value ≈ 1 ÷ U. Example: U-0.045 → R-22.2.

✅ QA / Testing

  • Adhesion tests (peel/field pull) for membranes & tapes when required.
  • Blower door (enclosure air-leakage) on some projects; smoke pencil diagnostics.
  • Roof: manufacturer inspections; infrared scans for wet insulation (as specified).
  • Water tests: hose/flood tests on critical details & decks per spec.

📜 Warranties & Closeout

  • Roof warranties (10–30 yr): weathertight + wind uplift; require approved installers.
  • Façade/WRB warranties: substrate & cladding compatibility letters.
  • Document details, photos, leak tests; O&M and maintenance schedule.

🦺 Safety Notes

  • Fall protection at edges; controlled access zones at roof work.
  • Hot-work permits & fire watch for torch-applied or metal cutting.
  • Ventilation/respirators for spray foams & primers; SDS on-hand.
  • Weather limits: membrane temperatures, wind thresholds, substrate moisture.

📝 Self Test

  1. Name the four control layers and which must be continuous at openings.
  2. What is the minimum recommended slope for low-slope roofs?
  3. Where do you place the vapor retarder in a heating-dominated climate wall?
  4. List three critical roof penetration details to verify before inspection.
  5. You need R-20 continuous with polyiso (R-6/in). What thickness (in) is needed?
  6. How many 4×8 CI boards to cover 6,400 SF (add 7% waste)?
  7. Give two reasons tapered insulation is used.
  8. What is the joint depth rule-of-thumb for sealants relative to width?
  9. What documentation is required for firestopping penetrations?
  10. ROM drain count for a 95,000 SF roof before plumbing sizing?

Answers: (1) Water, Air, Vapor, Thermal — the air barrier must be continuous at all openings (and WRB at exterior). (2) ≥ ¼″/ft. (3) Warm-in-winter side of insulation (often interior), unless assembly/climate dictates otherwise. (4) Boots/collars, flashing height/terminations at parapets, curb/cricket geometry (any three). (5) 20 ÷ 6 ≈ 3.33″ (use next standard thickness). (6) 6,400 ÷ 32 = 200; +7% ≈ 214 boards. (7) Create positive drainage & control ponding; meet slope requirements. (8) Depth ≈ ½ of joint width with backer rod (avoid 3-sided adhesion). (9) UL/Intertek system number with drawings/photos and inspection logs. (10) ~ 10–12 drains (start at 1 per 8–10k SF; final sizing by plumbing/watershed layout).