Confused about building science and how it impacts your renovation or new build?

Help ensure your home is comfortable and durable, as Jesse Clarke, Innovation and R & D Manager at Pro Clima Australia, explains Building Science 101, and what you need to know.

This episode is part of a special series on the National Construction Code, and NCC 2022.

Listen to the episode now.

Hello! This is episode 291, and in it, I’m talking with Jesse Clarke, Innovation and R & D Manager at Pro Clima.

Pro Clima operates across the globe in more than 40 countries, and enables healthy living conditions by protecting building structures from external and internal moisture damage. 

Their extensive range of high-performance weathertightness and airtightness systems help to create draught-free, long lasting and low allergen emitting surroundings for families, schools and businesses.

Jesse Clarke is a leader in the industry and has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share about building science, building condensation management, designing and building for your climate, and understanding building systems to enhance thermal performance and moisture management.

Many of the NCC2022 updates relate to condensation management and how to create a healthy building. You’ve heard me mention the ‘leaky building syndrome’ experienced in other locations around the world, such as UK, Canada and New Zealand, and that these NCC2022 updates are moving towards helping Australian building avoid the same fate. 

You’ll hear Jesse talk about how we’re here, what we’ve done to create this challenge, and what opportunities there are for us to avoid future issues in our projects.

And, Jesse does an amazing job of helping us understand more about the terminology and the building science of it all.

Now, let’s dive in!

Firstly, let me introduce you to Jesse Clarke.

Jesse Clarke has more than 20 years’ experience in the construction industry. He holds the technical lead role of the Innovation and R & D Manager at Pro Clima, servicing Australia and New Zealand. Jesse is an active advocate for a holistic approach to the development of industry guidance, standards and codes.

As the associate director of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating (or AIRAH) special technical group for building envelope physics he is driving standardisation around the use of hygrothermal analysis (WUFI®) for healthier and more durable buildings.

If you’d like to download the amazing resource I talked about with Jesse, I’ll pop the link in the resources for this episode (see below). It’s called “An Australian Based Study on Airtightness and Moisture Management”. 

The introduction to this report says:

“Australia is moving forward with energy efficiency of its housing stock and recently a connection to healthy buildings has been made. Specifically, there have been several recurring themes emerging in the race to zero energy; thermal stress on people, moisture issues and the effects this can have on the health of the occupants. 

When energy efficiency is implemented, poorly unintended consequence of mouldy damp houses are possible, but when implemented well the inhabitants will be happier, healthier, and more resilient with economic benefits on a personal level as well as an economy-wide scale.”

As I mentioned, it’s a free download, and contains a wealth of information, construction details, and climate specific insights to help you with your project. 

And as Jesse mentioned, this research also happens in other locations globally, so if you’re from somewhere else in the world, try heading to Pro Clima in your region and see what resources are available to help you.

Let’s jump into Part 1 of my conversation with Jesse.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE NOW.

RESOURCES:

Please note, the links to some of these pages may be out of date or superseded as the NCC2022 adoption occurs, or (later) the NCC2022 is superseded by newer legislation.

National Construction Code 2022 >>> https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022

NCC2022 state and territory adoption dates >>> https://abcb.gov.au/ncc-2022-state-and-territory-adoption-dates

NCC 2022 overview of key changes: articles >>> https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-2022-overview-key-changes-articles

Pro Clima Australia >>> https://proclima.com.au/

Pro Clima Study >>> https://proclima.com.au/pro-clima-australia-study/

(The study lays out innovative and practical solutions that allow us to achieve healthy, durable, and energy-efficient buildings in Australia. Many companies in the construction industry are already implementing these principles using locally available products and supply chains. We already have the knowledge, evidence, and capabilities in our industry, so join us as we continue to revolutionise and change the industry for the better.)

ABCB Video on Changes to NCC2022 Condensation Management >>> https://www.abcb.gov.au/resources/videos/ncc-2022-webinar-series-condensation-management

Condensation in Buildings Handbook, ABCB >>> https://www.abcb.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/2023/Condensation-in-buildings-handbook.pdf

Interview with Jesse Clarke on Sustainable Builders Yak >>>

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program, HOME METHOD >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

Learn more about how to interview and select the right builder with the Choose Your Builder mini-course >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/choose-your-builder

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan