RDH Group | Building Science Consultants Publications

RDH provides a wide range of related services. 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.

Building Envelope Rehabilitation Guides - BC
These two guides provide information addressing the full process for the repair and rehabilitation of building envelopes of multiunit wood frame buildings in the coastal climate of BC.
- ORDER Building Envelope Rehabilitation: Owner-Property Manager Guide
  The Owner-Property Manager Guide focuses on helping owners and property managers understand the rehabilitation process, and the various factors impacting owner decisions with respect to rehabilitation programs.
- ORDER Building Envelope Rehabilitation: Consultant’s Guide
  The Consultant’s Guide provides guidance on a more technical level, providing a protocol for how a consultant should move the project through the various stages.
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.
Best Practice Guide: Wood Frame Envelopes
The Best Practice Guide offers user-friendly, detailed design and construction information based on sound research and practical experience.
- ORDER Best Practice Guide: Wood Frame Envelopes in the Coastal Climate of British Columbia
  Now into its second edition, the best practice guide is the 'bible' for wood frame envelopes in coastal BC. It represents the culmination of several years of investigation regarding 'leaky condominium' problems.
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.
Wood Frame Study
This benchmark study defined the nature and causes of the 'leaky condominium' problem in BC. It represents the starting point for all subsequent studies and guidelines aimed at improving multi-unit residential construction. It was authored by Dave Ricketts, one of the founding partners of RDH.
- Survey of Building Envelope Failures in the Coastal Climate of British Columbia [PDF] - 61KB
  The study involved the examination of 46 low-rise wood frame buildings, and the development of both an assessment protocol and database.
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.
BCRPA 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
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 three of these bulletins.
- Fenestration Energy Performance Requirements [PDF] - 828KB
  This bulletin addresses fenestration energy performance in residential construction.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- Building Envelope Maintenance and Renewals Planning [PDF] - 491KB
  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.