Water Vapor

Multifunctional Applications & Code Compliance for Foam Plastic Insulating Sheathing Continuous Insulation (FPIS ci)

Presented as a live, full-day course at the 2026 Colorado Chapter of ICC Educational Institute by Jay Crandell, P.E. and Marcin Pazera, PhD, this program covers various multifunctional applications of foam sheathing as continuous insulation, water-vapor control, water-resistive barrier, and related building code and practical building science considerations.

The Energy Code Myths That Haunt Us

This presentation, given by Jay Crandell (ARES Consulting) and Amy Schmidt (Dow Building and Construction) at the 2018 RESNET Building Performance Conference covers topics in energy code compliance, such as calculating the R-value of a hybrid wall and determining air space performance contributions.

Tolerable Moisture Content of Materials - ASHRAE 160

This presentation to the ASHRAE 160 hygrothermal modeling committee explains why it is important to protect OSB and other moisture-sensitive sheathing materials from excessive seasonal moisture content cycling. Building codes and current hygrothermal modeling criteria do not completely address this problem. Appropriate use of exterior continuous insulation in coordination with interior vapor retarders offer the “driest” solutions.

Assessment of Water Vapor Control Methods

Overview of key building science concepts, U.S. & Canadian code requirements, accepted methods of design to control water vapor, and design solutions for all climate zones and walls with or without continuous insulation.

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