Building Envelopes

Building Envelope: Thermography involves using an infrared camera to view temperature anomalies on the interior and exterior surfaces of the structure. Building envelopes can manage the same range of matters as the residential development provisions in effect in Victoria. A building envelope is the separation between the interior and the exterior environments of a building. Control of air includes air movement through the components of the building envelope (interstitial) itself, as well as into and out of the interior space, which affects building insulation greatly. The dimensions, performance and compatibility of materials, fabrication process and details, their connections and interactions are the main factors that determine the effectiveness and durability of the building enclosure system. Common measures of the effectiveness of a building envelope include physical protection from weather and climate (comfort), indoor air quality (hygiene and public health), durability and energy efficiency. In order to achieve these objectives, all building enclosure systems must include a solid structure, a drainage plane, an air barrier, a thermal barrier, and may include a vapour barrier. In a city planning and zoning context, the "building envelope" can be 'the three dimensional space created by the designated setbacks and height restrictions in place for a zoning district'. The development provisions for residential subdivision provide for the creation of building envelopes. The residential development provisions for single dwellings under the Building Regulations 2006 recognize building envelopes in certain circumstances. The Kit provides information for land sub dividers, land surveyors, town planners, municipal councils, housing designers and building surveyors on creating, assessing and applying building envelopes.