ABSTRACT
Reduced government spending in recent years has led to private ownership of specialty sports facilities such as hockey arenas and multi-purpose complexes incorporating pools and several other activities under the same roof. The pressure to derive more income from these facilities has led to all-day year round operation, and to the combining of several activities under the same roof.
This new reality is creating new challenges for designers, owners, and operators of these facilities. The design conditions for one portion of the facility can be very different from another.
Roof and other envelope failures are exposing the weaknesses/limitations of traditional design and construction techniques when applied in this context. Building owners and operators are confused by the symptoms and complex underlying causes of the problems being experienced.
The main case study deals with the investigation of a roof and exterior envelope problem. Water ingress was occurring through the ceiling assembly of a year around hockey arena facility. Water accumulation in the insulation layer above a suspended low-emmissivity ceiling system raised concerns about possible collapse of the ceiling system. In addition, dripping water was causing damage to the ice surface, creating an annoyance for spectators, and creating a constant headache for maintenance staff.
Among several viable options, the best solution to the water ingress was found in the form of fans. The solution required no renovation of the existing interior or exterior roof elements, had a neutral effect on operating costs, and cost about five percent (5%) of a roof replacement.
Similar symptoms of water accumulation in building roof and ceiling assemblies can be manifest in very different climatic and building conditions and can be solved by modifying pressure gradients. The paper is also applicable to other scenarios including:
In hot humid climates, the upper floors of air conditioned high rise buildings are subjected to stack effect related infiltration which can deposit water on cooler interior surfaces. · In hot humid climates, the moisture drive from exterior to interior becomes very strong when historic masonry buildings are retrofitted with air conditioning but without envelope upgrades. The moisture transmission through the masonry leaches salts from the mortar and deposits them on inner surfaces as efflorescence. This slowly damages the mortar and deteriorates the masonry in ways not previously experienced by the structure. · In most climates, freezer buildings operate with interior temperatures lower than exterior for the majority of year. The upper levels (even of a single storey building) are subjected to stack effect related infiltration of warm humid air which can deposit water on cooler interior surfaces. · In most climates, swimming pool enclosures are susceptible to moisture accumulations in ceiling assemblies even at moderately cool temperatures due to the high humidity.