Description
Evaluation of Vapor Retarder in Roof Decks by Hygrothermal Simulation
Course Overview
This session was originally presented at the 2023 IIBEC Building Enclosure Symposium in Orlando, Florida. This course includes the recording of the session, a summative assessment consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions, and surveys required to claim continuing education credit.
Description
This presentation will provide a review of the investigation on the role of a vapor retarder in a roof assembly by hygrothermal modeling in Climate Zones 2, 7, and 8 using WUFI, an established simulation tool. For this simulation, a wood-cement composite roof deck (R-value of > 35 hr. ft2°F/BTU), utilized at various locations in the assembly, is modeled. The models, with and without a vapor retarder, provide acoustics, thermal insulation, and a nailable surface (such as oriented-stranded board). The simulation results surprisingly indicate that in climate zones up to 7, there is no risk of condensation in the roof deck without a vapor retarder.
IIBEC Core Competency Tag(s): Roofing
Subtopics: N/A
Knowledge Level: Advanced
Recommended Course Prerequisites:
Prior knowledge of psychometry, transient heat & moisture transport, vapor drive, roof deck construction.
Author/Presenter
Gourish Sirdeshpande, PhD
STR Resources
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in the session content at this education event are those of the content author(s)/speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC). IIBEC makes no warranty, whether express or implied, as to the completeness, accuracy or validity of the information provided.
Credit Start Date: June 30, 2026
Credit Expiration Date: June 30, 2029
Original Credit Start Date: Jul 31, 2023
Course Access: Courses are accessible in LearnUpon for one year from the date of purchase.
Content Review Information
Review Date: June 14, 2026
Reviewer: Samir Ibrahim, AIA, F-IIBEC
Continuing Education Credit Statements
This activity is approved for 1.0 IIBEC CEHs
This activity is approved for 1.0 AIA LU/HSW
AIA Program Number: BED23_03_OD_26
AIA Provider Number: G024
Continuing Education Credit Claim Information
To claim IIBEC CEHs and download a Certificate of Completion, learners are required to complete all components of the course, including a passing score of 70% or higher on the summative assessment. Participants are provided unlimited attempts to complete the summative assessment with a passing score of 70% or higher.
- After completing the course requirements download a Certificate of Completion.
- Participants are responsible for self-reporting IIBEC CEH credit by uploading their Certificate of Completion to their IIBEC Portal. For assistance in self-reporting CEHs, please reach out to: cehs@iibec.org
- If you are a member of AIA and would like IIBEC to report your participation in the course to AIA, there is a place in the course evaluation survey to input your AIA member number.
AIA CES Provider statement
IIBEC is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider G024. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs.
Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).
This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
Objectives
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Explain the current steady-state methodology for determining the use of vapor retarders in roof assemblies.
- Describe the importance of various indoor and outdoor factors that determine the risk of condensation in roofs.
- Define a self-drying roof assembly and explain the conditions for a roof to be considered self-drying.
- Explain why the role of a vapor retarder in roof decks can be misunderstood.
- Discuss the need for acoustics in learning environments and the role of roof decks in achieving minimum reverberation time.
Certificate
By completing/passing this course, you will attain the certificate On Demand_AIA HSW and IIBEC CEH 2025
Learning credits
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