Special Applications and Building Type.

Special precautions are required for buildings with high indoor humidities or spaces
with sensitive electronic equipment or artifacts. These include swimming pools, ice rinks, cold storage, computer rooms, libraries,
hospitals, nursing homes, museums, and some manufacturing facilities. Low permeance vapor retarders are often needed to
separate indoor swimming pools or other special applications from the rest of the building.
Details. Figures 5.3.21 through 31 provide conceptual details on how to construct the precast concrete system to achieve
energy savings while providing an air barrier and reducing the potential for moisture problems. The recommendations and
details presented are based on specific analyses, engineering judgment, and best available practices at the time of publication.
Performance testing of the details has not been performed. Detail drawings are provided in order to assist competent profession-
als in the detailing of the building insulation envelope. Reinforcing designations, structural connections, wythe thickness, and in-
sulation indicated in drawings are to be used for reference only and are not intended to substitute for project specific judgment.
Water Leakage. The exterior surface of the precast concrete system acts as a weather barrier to prevent rain and snow from
entering the building. As shown in Figs. 5.3.21 and 22, joints in the precast concrete generally have either two layers of sealant,
or sealant and a secondary method of defense against water penetration. Joints around windows, doors, and other penetra-
tions through the precast concrete building are designed with a primary and secondary method of defense against rainwater
penetration.
Floor Systems. The provided details are for a double tee floor system. Details for hollow core floor systems will be similar,
including insulation requirements. The main concept is to separate the floor slabs from the exterior concrete by insulation to
reduce thermal bridges. This will reduce energy losses and the potential for condensation and moisture problems.
Figures 5.3.23 and 24 present two options for insulating floors above unconditioned spaces such as parking structures. In these
cases the concrete floor acts as a semi-impermeable vapor retarder. Figure 5.3.23 with rigid insulation is preferable. If spray-on
or batt insulation are used as shown in Fig. 5.3.24, it should be wrapped around the precast concrete stems.
 Moisture resistant, fire rated expandable
Backer Rod and Sealant polyurethane foam in-place insulation
Spandrel Exterior Surface
Spandrel

Backer Rod and Sealant (if access to interior is not

available, install from accessible side)

Painted Gypsum Wallboard with airspace, if desired

“A” Precast Sandwich Panel Wall

Not to scale

Exterior Surface
Backer Rod and Sealant
Spandrel Spandrel

Backer Rod and Sealant (if access to interior is not

available, install from accessible side)

Painted Gypsum Wallboard with required insulation

“B” Precast Concrete with Rigid Insullation

Not to scale

Exterior Surface
Backer Rod and Sealant
Spandrel Spandrel

Backer Rod and Sealant (if access to interior is not

available, install from accessible side)

Painted Gypsum Wallboard with required insulation

Fig. 5.3.21 “C” Precast Concrete with Batt Insullation

Typical spandrel/column detail – Option A. Not to scale
 Vapor Retarder rolled and pushed in joint
Backer Rod and Sealant or foam insulation
Spandrel Exterior Surface
Spandrel

Moisture resistant, fire rated expandable

polyurethane foam in-place insulation

Painted Gypsum Wallboard with airspace, if desired

“A” Precast Sandwich Panel Wall

Not to scale

Backer Rod and Sealant Exterior Surface

Spandrel Spandrel

Moisture resistant, fire rated expandable

polyurethane foam in-place insulation

Painted Gypsum Wallboard with required insulation

“B” Precast Concrete with Rigid Insulation

Not to scale

Exterior Surface
Backer Rod and Sealant
Spandrel Spandrel

Vapor Retarder rolled and pushed in joint

or foam insulation

Painted Gypsum Wallboard with required insulation

Fig. 5.3.22 “C” Precast Concrete with Batt Insulation

Typical spandrel/column detail – Option B. Not to scale
 Rigid Insulation (if not relying on composite action)* *NOTE: Add topping slab below insulation
IECC Zone Min. R-Value for composite action
Topping Slab 1 None
2, 3 R5
OFFICE 4, 5, 6 R10
7, 8 R15

Precast (1) Layer 5/8-in. type ‘X’ M.R. gypsum

board on grid system
Rigid Insulation
(if not relying on composite action)*
Precast Concrete Spandrel
IECC Zone Min. R-Value
1 None
PARKING Topping Slab 2, 3 R5
4, 5, 6 R10
OFFICE 7, 8 R15

“A” Precast Sandwich Panel Wall

Not to scale
Precast (1) Layer 5/8-in. type ‘X’ M.R. gypsum
board on grid system

Precast Concrete Spandrel

PARKING

Rigid Insulation
“B” Precast Concrete with Rigid Insulation
(if not relying on composite action)*
Not to scale
IECC Zone Min. R-Value
Topping Slab 1 None
2, 3 R5
OFFICE 4, 5, 6 R10
7, 8 R15

Precast (1) Layer 5/8-in. type ‘X’ M.R. gypsum

board on grid system

Precast Concrete Spandrel

PARKING

(See Fig. 5.3.25 for Spandrel/DT insulation}

“C” Precast Concrete with Batt Insulation

Not to scale Fig. 5.3.23 Typical floor detail – rigid insulation.
 Topping Slab
OFFICE Precast

(1) Layer 5/8-in. type ‘X’ M.R. gypsum board on grid system

Spray-on or Batt Insulation

Precast IECC Zone Min. R-Value of added insulation
Concrete 1 None
Spandrel 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 R11
7, 8 R15
PARKING

Topping Slab
OFFICE Precast

“A” Precast Sandwich Panel Wall

Not to scale
(1) Layer 5/8-in. type ‘X’ M.R. gypsum board on
grid system
Spray-on or Batt Insulation
Precast
IECC Zone Min. R-Value of added insulation
Concrete
1 None
Spandrel
2, 3, 4, 5, 6 R11
7, 8 R15
PARKING

“B” Precast Concrete with Rigid Insulation

Topping Slab Not to scale
OFFICE Precast

(1) Layer 5/8-in. type ‘X’ M.R. gypsum board on grid system

Spray-on or Batt Insulation

Precast IECC Zone Min. R-Value of added insulation
Concrete 1 None
Spandrel 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 R11
7, 8 R15
PARKING

(See Fig. 5.3.25 for Spandrel/DT insulation}

“C” Precast Concrete with Batt Insulation

Not to scale Fig. 5.3.24 Typical floor detail – alternate batt insulation.
 Building Felt
Topping Slab

Tooled &
JT. Sealant

Furring and Gypsum Wallboard, as desired

“A” Precast Sandwich Panel Wall

Not to scale

Moisture resistant, expandable

polyurethane foam in-place insulation

Topping Slab

Tooled &
JT. Sealant

Rigid Installation, Furring and Gypsum

Wallboard as required
Moisture resistant, expandable
polyurethane foam in-place insulation
“B” Precast Concrete with Rigid Insulation
Topping Slab Not to scale

Tooled &
JT. Sealant

Batt Installation, Metal Framing and

Gypsum Wallboard as required

“C” Precast Concrete with Batt Insulation

Not to scale
Fig. 5.3.25 Typical non-loadbearing spandrel/DT detail.
 Backer Rod and Sealant

Glass Flashing or Slope Shelf Outward

Backer Rod / -in. thick moisture resistant gypsum wallboard

5 8
and Sealant

Insulation
R2 rigid insulation (min.), wood or composite wood block in IECC Zones 4 – 7

Precast ‘Z’ furring or metal framing to create 1-in. minimum air space
Concrete
Panel

/ -in. thick gypsum wallboard painted (optional)

5 8

“A” Precast Sandwich Panel Wall

Not to scale
Glass Flashing or Slope Shelf Outward
Backer Rod and Sealant
Backer Rod
and Sealant / -in. thick moisture resistant
5 8

gypsum wallboard or other sill material

R2 rigid insulation (min.), wood or

composite wood block in IECC Zones 4 – 7
‘Z’ furring or metal framing to create
Precast 1-in. minimum air space
Concrete
Panel
/ -in. thick gypsum wallboard painted
5 8

Rigid or semi-rigid insulation, continuous

and taped at joints, as required

“B” Precast Concrete with Rigid Insulation

Not to scale

Glass Flashing or Slope Shelf Outward

Backer Rod and Sealant
Backer Rod
/ -in. thick moisture resistant gypsum wallboard or other sill material
5 8
and Sealant

R2 rigid insulation (min.), wood or composite wood block in IECC Zones 4 and 5

1-in. minimum air space

Precast
Concrete
Panel
/ -in. thick gypsum wallboard painted
5 8

Batt insulation in metal framing as required

Only applicable for IECC Zones 1 – 5

“C” Precast Concrete with Batt Insulation

Not to scale
Fig. 5.3.26 Typical window sill detail.
 Precast
Concrete
Panel

Acoustical Ceiling

Insulation ‘Z’ furring or metal framing to create 1-in. minimum air space

R2 rigid insulation (min.), wood or composite wood block in IECC Zones 4 – 7

Drip Edge

/ -in. thick gypsum wallboard, painted (optional)

5 8

“A” Precast Sandwich Panel Wall ‘Z’ furring or metal framing to

Not to scale create 1-in. minimum air space

Precast Rigid insulation, continuous and

Concrete taped at joints, as required
Panel

Acoustical Ceiling

R2 rigid insulation (min.), wood

or composite wood block in IECC
Zones 4 – 7
Drip Edge / -in. thick gypsum wallboard, painted
5 8

“B” Precast Concrete with Rigid Insulation

Not to scale

1-in. minimum air space

Batt insulation in metal framing as required

Precast
Concrete
Panel

Acoustical Ceiling

R2 rigid insulation (min.), wood or composite wood block in IECC Zones 4 and 5

Drip Edge
/ -in. thick gypsum wallboard painted
5 8

Only applicable for IECC Zones 1 – 5

“C” Precast Concrete with Batt Insulation

Not to scale Fig. 5.3.27 Typical window head detail.
 Building Felt
Tooled & JT. Sealant
Topping

DT
Spot corbel or ledge

Tooled & JT. Sealant

“A” Precast Sandwich Panel Wall At Web, Flange and Floor: Topping
Not to scale Fill space between precast
web, flange, floor and exterior
wall with mosture resistant,
foam in-place expandable
polyurethane insulation

DT
BEtWEEN Web and CORBEL:
Extend insulation and gypsum
wallboard to bottom of precast
concrete flange Spot corbel or ledge

Wrap corbel with required rigid insulation

and 5/8-in. thick gypsum wallboard

“B” Precast Concrete with Rigid Insulation

Not to scale

Tooled & JT. Sealant

At Web, Flange and Floor: Topping

Fill space between precast For Sections B & C – corbel insulation
web, flange, floor and exterior IECC Zone Min. R-Value of Added Insulation
wall with mosture resistant, 1, 2 None
foam in-place expandable 3B None
polyurethane insulation 3A (Below “Warm Humid Line”) None
3A (Above “Warm Humid Line”) R7.5
DT

3C, 4A, 4B R7.5

4C, 5, 6* R10
7 R12.5
BEtWEEN Web and CORBEL:
Extend insulation and gypsum
wallboard to bottom of precast *Not Applicable for Section C
concrete flange Spot corbel or ledge

Wrap corbel with required rigid insulation

and 5/8-in. thick gypsum wallboard

“C” Precast Concrete with Batt Insulation

Not to scale
Fig. 5.3.28
Typical loadbearing spandel with corbel/DT detail.
 Building Felt
Tooled & JT. Sealant

Varies
Topping

DT
Spot
corbel
or ledge

Ledge

“A” Precast Sandwich Panel Wall

Not to scale

Tooled & JT. Sealant

At Web, Flange and Floor:

Varies
Topping
Fill space between precast
web, flange, floor and exterior
wall with mosture resistant,
foam in-place expandable
polyurethane insulation DT

Spot
corbel
or ledge
BEtWEEN Web and CORBEL:
Extend insulation and gypsum
wallboard to bottom of precast Wrap corbel with required rigid insulation
concrete flange and 5/8-in. thick gypsum wallboard

Ledge

“B” Precast Concrete with Rigid Insulation

Not to scale

Tooled & JT. Sealant

At Web, Flange and Floor:

Varies

Topping
Fill space between precast
web, flange, floor and exterior
wall with mosture resistant, For Sections B & C – corbel insulation
foam in-place expandable
polyurethane insulation IECC Zone Min. R-Value of Added Insulation
1, 2 None
3B None
DT

Spot 3A (Below “Warm Humid Line”) None

corbel 3A (Above “Warm Humid Line”) R7.5
or ledge 3C, 4A, 4B R7.5
4C, 5 R10
BEtWEEN Web and CORBEL:
Extend insulation and gypsum Wrap corbel with required rigid insulation
wallboard to bottom of precast and 5/8-in. thick gypsum wallboard
concrete flange
Ledge

“C” Precast Concrete with Batt Insulation Fig. 5.3.29

Not to scale Typical loadbearing spandrel with corbel /dapped DT detail.
 Building Felt
Tooled & JT. Sealant

Concrete topping slab

Pocketed Precast Spandrel

DT Precast

“A” Precast Sandwich Panel Wall

Not to scale

Tooled & JT. Sealant

Fill space between precast web, floor and exterior wall with
mosture resistant, foam in-place expandable polyurethane
insulation

Pocketed Precast Spandrel Concrete topping slab

Fill pocket with required Extend required insulation and

insulation in IECC Zones 3 – 7 gypsum wallboard to bottom of
precast concrete flange

DT Precast

“B” Precast Concrete with Rigid Insulation

Not to scale

Tooled & JT. Sealant

Fill space between precast web, floor and exterior wall with
mosture resistant, foam in-place expandable polyurethane
Pocketed Precast Spandrel insulation

Concrete topping slab

Fill pocket with required

insulation in IECC Zones 3, 4, and 5 Extend required insulation and
gypsum wallboard to bottom of
precast concrete flange

DT Precast

“C” Precast Concrete with Batt Insulation Fig. 5.3.30

Not to scale Typical pocketed loadbearing spandrel /DT detail.
 EPDM Membrane, Follow National EPDM Membrane, Follow National
Roofing Contractors Association Roofing Contractors Association
Recommended Details Recommended Details

Precast Concrete Roof Membrane on Tapered Precast Concrete Roof Membrane on Tapered
Panel Rigid Insulation Panel Rigid Insulation

Tooled & Tooled &

Sealed Joint Sealed Joint

DT
DT
OR

“A” Precast Sandwich Panel Wall “A” Precast Sandwich Panel Wall
Not to scale Not to scale

EPDM Membrane, Follow National Roofing

Contractors Association Recommended Details

Precast Concrete Roof Membrane on Tapered Rigid Insulation

Panel

Tooled &
Sealed Joint

DT
Mosture resistant, fire rated foam in-place
expandable polyurethane insulation
Rigid Insulation, Continuous & Taped
at Joints, as required

“B” Precast Concrete with Rigid Insulation

Not to scale

EPDM Membrane, Follow National Roofing Contractors

Association Recommended Details

Precast Concrete Roof Membrane on Tapered Rigid Insulation

Panel

Tooled &
Sealed Joint

Mosture resistant,
fire rated foam
in-place expandable
DT

polyurethane
insulation
Batt Insulation in Metal Framing, as required

“C” Precast Concrete with Batt Insulation

Not to scale
Fig. 5.3.31 Typical roof parapet detail.