I am curious as to how other specifiers schedule the end use location for sealants.
I typically assign each sealant product a “Type Designation” in Part 2 and note the sealant by this type designation on the drawings. The coordination effort was seamless when I prepared both drawings and specs when I was a team of one. My role as a drafter has diminished greatly in my new much larger office. In the past I used the type designation system in Part 2 included with MasterSpec. This system worked for me because I know each EX-X product and had control. I also used the MasterSpec JS-X methodology in Part 3.
I am now rethinking my system to accommodate my reduced drafing role and increased user input (read team) size. I want the keynote on the drawings to be generic and no more than “JOINT SEALANT” or other generic phrase. I avoid using the term “SEALANT ON BACKER ROD” because our drawing graphic standards describe the sealant and backer rod with a picture. Furthermore, not all sealants I spec require a backer rod (e.g. preformed foam sealants such as Emseal Colorseal; beads of sealant behing PVC window nailing flanges; sealant or caulking under thresholds). We avoid fillet beads of sealant with the exception of those nasty 1/8" wide joints in fiber cement claddings.
While I am on the subject of sealants, what is your take on the difference between sealants and caulking (or calking)? Several years ago I researched this topic after the question came to me from a technical architect. The following definitions are from the glossary, Architectural Specification Guide for Sealants, Thiokol/Speciality Chemicals Division, and Glossary, Sealant, Waterproofing & Restoration Institute “Sealants: the Professionals’ Guide.”
Calking (verb): Process of sealing a joint.
Calking (noun): A material used for joint sealing where minor or no elastomeric properties are required.
Seal (noun): A generic term for any material or devise that prevents or controls the passage of water (and air in todays terms of reference).
Sealant (noun) An elastomeric material with adhesive qualities that joins components of a similar or dissimilar nature to provide an effective barrier against the passage of the elements.
The following is a quote from “The Professionals’ Guide” which I obtained in 1991 from SWRI.
“Thirty years ago building sealants did not exist. Buildings were sealed with oil-base calks, which provide adequate protection from the effects of weathering. As long as the joint movement was minimal, leakage could be avoided by simply filling the cavity with calking material. When joint movement became a factor, the change marked a turning point in the specifications and use of calking compounds. The introcudtion of the curtain wall in the early 1950’s represented more than a new architectural design. It opened another chapter in joint design, joint movement, and joint sealants. Nonmaosnry substrates, such as aluminum are affected significantly by temperature extremes. Changes in weather cause excessive movement, creating conditions that make it impossible for calks to perform. They harden, crack, and fall out of joints, leaving clear passage for moisture and water to enter the building.”
I would appreciate if you could share your experience and perhaps samples of a Part 3 sealant schedule. You may reach me at wyancey@weberthompson.com. If you wish, I will share my current version.