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By Joann Gonchar, AIA

AIA/Architectural Record Continuing Education

Instructions

• Read the article "Rain-Screen Facades Are More Than Skin Deep"
• Complete the questions below, then fill in your answers .
• Fill out and submit the AIA/CES education reporting form in the magazine or print the form to receive one AIA learning unit.

Questions:

LU: 1

1. A rain screen is broadly defined as which?
a. a brick wall
b. a stud wall
c. cladding that is separated from the weather-resistant barrier with a cavity
d. a channel-glass wall

2. A typical masonry cavity wall helps prevent water penetration due to all except which?
a. surface tension
b. gravity
c. capillary action
d. pressure differential

3. Narrowly defined, a “rain screen” must do which?
a. have a vented cladding
b. reduce pressure differential across the cladding
c. have compartmentalized air chambers
d. all of the above

4. An effective air-barrier system does which?
a. has continuity over gaps
b. reduces the flow of air through the wall assembly
c. helps reduce air-pressure differential across the rain screen
d. all of the above

5. The purpose of compartmentalization is to prevent which action?
a. air flowing to lower-pressure areas carrying water with it
b. air flowing to higher-pressure areas carrying water with it
c. air-pressure stabilization
d. air stagnation

6. The architect increased the energy efficiency of the Denver office building’s wall assembly by which?
a. placing insulation between the studs
b. placing insulation outboard of the studs
c. using an air barrier
d. compartmentalization

7. Atlanta’s High Museum rain screen includes devices to shade the light scoops for which reason?
a. all rain-screen walls include shading devices
b. to direct daylight into the museum
c. to keep direct sunlight out of the galleries
d. to keep the museum cooler

8. Rain screens are particularly well suited to museums for which reason?
a. museums need humidity control
b. museums have few windows
c. rain screens control direct sunlight
d. rain screens add security features to buildings

9. Which is not true of the planned research facility at Brandeis University?
a. it will include a glass curtain wall
b. the rain screen will consist of fiber-reinforced cement panels
c. the rain screen will be mounted on aluminum furring channels
d. the rain screen will be designed to achieve pressure equalization

10. Which is generally true of rain-screen air-chamber compartments?
a. more flexible compartments react more quickly to changes in pressure
b. more rigid compartments react more slowly to changes in pressure
c. compartments should be smaller at locations vulnerable to large pressure variations
d. compartments should be larger at locations vulnerable to large pressure variations

Click here to print the reporting form.