RDH Group | Building Science Consultants Publications

RDH provides a wide range of services related to buildings. At the core of all of our business areas is a comprehensive understanding of building science and how internal and external environments impact the behavior of the enclosure of buildings. We have been retained to develop many guideline-related publications and undertake numerous research studies.

Building Enclosure Design Guide: Wood Frame Buildings
This Best Practice Guide offers user-friendly, detailed design and construction information based on sound research and practical experience.
- ORDER Building Enclosure Design Guide: Wood-Frame Envelopes
  This Guide represents the most current guidance on the design of wood-frame building enclosures. It updates and builds on the material in the original 1999 and 2001 CMHC Best Practice Guides.
Building Enclosure Rehabilitation Guide - Oregon
Although designed specifically for Oregon, the Guide is representative of practices in all similar climate zones and of current and best practices throughout the Pacific Northwest.
- Building Enclosure Rehabilitation Guide: Multiunit Residential Wood-Framed Buildings [PDF] - 14098KB
  This guide was developed for Oregon Housing and Community Services to help establish best practices for housing projects that receive public funding.
Window Energy Rating Procedure Study
RDH undertook a research project on thermal performance properties of windows, centered on the Energy Rating (ER). The ER is an energy efficiency metric that is utilized as part of the CSA A440.2-09 Standard entitled Fenestration Energy Performance.
- Review of Window Energy Rating Procedure in Canada
Guide for Designing Energy-Efficient Building Enclosures
for Wood-Frame Multi-Unit Residential Buildings in Marine to Cold Climate Zones in North America
- Guide for Designing Energy-Efficient Building Enclosures
  This Guide was developed by FP Innovations in collaboration with RDH Building Engineering Ltd.; the Homeowner Protection Office, Branch of BC Housing; and the Canadian Wood Council.
Near Net Zero Envelope Retrofits for Houses Study
A net zero energy house is a house that produces as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis. This research study focuses on building envelope energy efficiency retrofit measures that can be undertaken as a part of an overall approach to achieving near net zero energy consumption for existing houses.
- Highly Energy Efficient Building Envelope Retrofits for Houses [PDF] - 833KB
Energy Consumption & Conservation Study in Mid & High Rise Buildings
Sponsored by government and industry parties, this research study was undertaken to assess the impacts of building enclosure rehabilitation on energy consumption of mid- to high-rise (5 to 33 storey) multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs).
- Energy Study (Parts 1 & 2)
Air Leakage Control in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
This RDH-led study for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provides guidance on the development of Testing and Measurement Strategies to Quantify Air Leakage in MURBs.
- Air Leakage Control in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings [PDF] - 3571KB
BC Recreation and Parks Association Report
This report assesses the state of recreation facilities in British Columbia and showcases some of RDH's building asset management work.
- BCRPA Report [PDF] - 2315KB
Window Performance Study
This two-part study examines the primary leakage paths and causes of water penetration associated with windows and the window-to-wall interface. Recommendations are provided for various industry sectors in addressing water penetration issues.
- Water Penetration Resistance of Windows: Study 1 [PDF] - 1336KB
  The first study deals with all of the design, manufacturing, and construction factors that can influence the water penetration resistance of the installed window assembly.
- Water Penetration Resistance of Windows: Study 2 [PDF] - 788KB
  The second study examines codes, standards, testing, and certification requirements and how they address water penetration resistance of windows.
High-Rise Study
The study involved a sample of 35 buildings ranging in height from 5 to 28 storeys, located in the coastal climate region of BC and built in the period since 1980.
- Study of High-Rise Envelope Performance in the Coastal Climate of British Columbia [PDF] - 731KB
  The study has facilitated the identification of key factors for successful design and construction of high-rise building envelope assemblies and details.
BuildSmart Publications
BuildSmart is Metro Vancouver’s program to promote green building strategies and technologies with numerous publications dedicated to educating industry professionals and the public.
- Best Practices Guide: Material Choices for Sustainable Design [PDF] - 3124KB
  The guide provides architects with practical information on selecting appropriate green building materials. Background information on environmental issues specific to each material type and specific selection criteria are provided and prioritized.
- Old to New Design Guide: Salvaged Building Materials in New Construction [PDF] - 6840KB
  This guide provides industry professionals with practical knowledge regarding the use of salvaged materials on new projects, and to dispel the perception that they are of inferior quality to new resources.
Builder Insight Bulletins
The Homeowner Protection Office's Builder Insight series provides practical information on new technologies, research results, good building practices, and emerging technical issues in residential construction to Licensed Residential Builders and others in the industry. RDH have been the authors of four of these bulletins.
- Fenestration Energy Performance Requirements [PDF] - 828KB
  This bulletin addresses fenestration energy performance in residential construction in BC
- ASHRAE 90.1 – Requirements for the Building Enclosure: Understanding the Compliance Paths for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings [PDF] - 604KB
  While heat flow through the building enclosure cannot be prevented, it can be controlled to reduce the total energy consumption and improve comfort.
- Rainscreen Walls: Field Monitoring and Performance in Coastal British Columbia [PDF] - 367KB
  Highlights the results of an industry-sponsored program that was performed to verify the long-term performance of rainscreen walls in multi-unit residential construction in British Columbia.
- Poured-In-Place Concrete Residential Construction: Moisture Management Strategies [PDF] - 394KB
  This technical bulletin highlights various strategies and steps that can be taken to facilitate effective design and construction practices for exposed poured-in-place concrete walls.
Maintenance Matters Bulletins
The Homeowner Protection Office's Maintenance Matters publications are designed to provide practical information on the maintenance of the building envelope of multi-unit residential buildings, covering why maintenance needs to be performed regularly, what needs to be maintained, and provides guidance in hiring professionals. RDH have been on the steering committee for these publications as well as writing a key bulletin regarding the development of an overall maintenance and renewals plan for the building enclosure.
- At-Grade and Below-Grade Assemblies [PDF] - 976KB
  This bulletin discusses what and when maintenance must be performed on at-grade and below-grade assemblies used in areas such as courtyards and parking garages.
- Exposed Wood Structures [PDF] - 1600KB
  This bulletin provides guidance on the review and maintenance of exposed wood, such as wood posts, trim, balcony guards and decks, to help retain their appearance and function.
- Cladding [PDF] - 1044KB
  The nature and extent of maintenance and renewal activities varies significantly for different cladding types. This bulletin describes common cladding types, and what maintenance should be performed and how often.
- Building Envelope Maintenance and Renewals Planning [PDF] - 322KB
  This bulletin covers the basics of maintenance and renewals planning including definitions of key terms, and an explanation of the maintenance and renewals in the context of overall building costs. The key steps in preparing a plan are outlined.