SEDL / STP / STP1269-EB / STP39211S

Use of Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems on U.S. Army Facilities

Lampo, RG
Materials Engineer, U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories (USACERL), Champaign, IL

Trovillion, J
Materials Engineer, U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories (USACERL), Champaign, IL

Pages: 12    Published: Jan 1996

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Abstract

Over the last 15 years, exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) have seen increased use on U.S. Army facilities. Although some use has been for new construction, most of the applications have been to retrofit the exterior walls of existing masonry buildings. Most of these applications have been relatively trouble free. However, some critical problems and failures (e.g., catastrophic system delamination) have also occurred. Contractor deficiencies accounted for a significant number of the observed failures. This paper presents a history concerning the use of EIFS on Army facilities describing both successful and not-so-successful performances of the system. Solutions to the experienced problems are discussed. Future uses of EIFS on Army facilities are addressed. The development of several guidance documents for EIFS including a revised Corps of Engineers Guide Specification for EIFS and an Engineer Technical Manual on EIFS Design are also described.