ByggaF standard addresses moisture risks in a systematic process Processes to work through are better than tick-box answers

13 October 2024 by Jason Quinn

I field questions often that go something like, what is the best way to build a CLT roof or an ICF window install or handle a three-way junction between heavy cladding, slab edge insulation and a thermally broken aluminium sliding door. My answer to all these questions is very often the same: It depends.

I say this knowing it’s not what the person wants to hear. But very often the best practice answer depends on what you are building, where you are building it, the use of the building and who is building it. Plus some other factors!

This is why I often end up providing solutions that are really processes to work through rather than a tick-box answer. For instance,  I’ll keep describing the function of control layers while the person keeps asking, ‘Is X the right product?’. 

Design processes—that is, ways to think through problems—are gold. Australia’s brilliant Marcus Strang recently recommended I read up on the ByggaF standard from Sweden and this is a real nugget. It demonstrates a way to think through moisture risks in each of the planning, design, construction and operation stages in order to deliver a moisture-proof building.

ByggaF standard for reducing moisture risk in buildings from design to occupancy

This is seldom approached in an integrated way in many countries, including New Zealand and Australia. That leads to problems like great designs for in-use water protection but the construction staging allows the building materials to become soaking wet. This whole process from start through use and across the team from developers, designer, constructors through to occupants makes me think in lots of ways I didn’t before. And I always love that.

I do recommend downloading and reading the document linked above but the TLDR; version can be summarised as: (a) pay attention and (b) plan to win.

It’s really exciting to find solutions developed by smart people that we can put to immediate use. Saves us reinventing the wheel and means we can get on with addressing the next problem.

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