In BC, what is 'building envelope' failure, commonly known as the 'leaky condo' crisis?
Correct Answer
D) Failure of the weather-resistant barrier, letting in moisture that causes rot, mould and structural damage, mainly in 1980s-1990s buildings
BC's 'leaky condo' crisis refers to widespread building envelope failures in multi-unit residential buildings constructed primarily between the early 1980s and late 1990s. Design and construction practices (including face-sealed designs without rain screens) combined with BC's wet climate led to moisture penetration, causing rot, mould, and structural damage. Remediation costs have exceeded $4 billion province-wide and led to the Homeowner Protection Act.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option D is correct because building envelope failure refers to the failure of a building's weather-resistant barrier (walls, windows, roofing) allowing moisture infiltration that causes rot, mould, and structural damage. This crisis was particularly prevalent in buildings constructed in the 1980s and 1990s, where face-sealed wall designs without rain screens failed to manage BC's high rainfall, leading to widespread moisture damage across thousands of multi-unit residential buildings.
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