MASONS Uni Pro Flexible Air Barrier Installation Guide
- June 9, 2024
- MASONS
Table of Contents
MASONS Uni Pro Flexible Air Barrier Installation Guide
General and product information
PURPOSE
This design and installation guide relates to Masons UNI® PRO Flexible Air
Barrier
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
This guide must be read in conjunction with:
- Masons UNI® PRO Warranty
- Masons UNI® PRO Installation Video.
SKILLS REQUIRED
This guide is suitable for use by a competent designer and person with basic
carpentry skills. Where applicable the person specifying, supervising or
installing the Masons UNI® PRO must be able to meet all RBW provisions.
FOR MORE HELP
Technical assistance is available at www.mpb.co.nz.
While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of
information provided, this guide is a guide only. It may be subject to change.
FOR OUR WARRANTY
Refer to www.mpb.co.nz.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
UNI® PRO is a nonwoven, absorbent, water-resistant, 220 GSM, synthetic wall
underlay. It comprises three polypropylene layers: two outer layers of
nonwoven polypropylene with a middle layer of a functional-technical film. It
is manufactured to meet the European standard EN 13859-2:2014 as well as the
absorbency performance requirement as per NZS 2295:2006. It is supplied
coloured blue with a white underside unless an alternative colour is
requested.
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
For scope of use, limitations, conditions and statement of building code
compliance, refer to the Masons UNI® pass™.
BUILDING
- For commercial and residential construction.
- Designed for use with all cladding systems.
- Performs on timber and steel framed buildings.
- As a temporary cladding for up to 150 days.
- With buildings of all building heights, up to the permissible wind design pressure of 4.6 kPa.
- With cladding and joinery that complies with the relevant provisions of the NZ Building Code for the site and location.
- Suitable for use as a non-rigid backing for stucco plaster.
- UNI® PRO is suitable as an air barrier on walls that are not lined.
- For vertical use only, not suitable as a roof underlay.
- UNI® PRO Must be covered with a suitable wall lining to any occupied spacings.
LIMITATIONS
- UNI® PRO (or any flexible air barrier) cannot provide seismic (bracing or racking), and fire-resistance.
- For lightweight steel, a thermal wrap must be installed.
- Where a building height is greater than 10 m and upper levels contain sleeping uses or other property the external wall must be subject to specific fire engineering.
- In occupied spaces, UNI® PRO must always be installed in conjunction with an internal lining.
- UNI® PRO must be covered within 150 days from installation
Design
STEP 1:| CONFIRM SCOPE
Confirm the proposed use is within the scope and limitations.
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STEP 2:| CONFIRM RELATED BUILDING WORK
Masons UNI® PRO is suitable for use with a timber or steel framed structure.
For new and existing buildings confirm that the primary structure:
- complies with the NZ Building Code and is designed in accordance with NZS 3604:2011 or NASH Design Standard 2019 Parts 1 and 2; or
- is specifically designed to NZS 3603:1993 or AS/NZS 1170:2002; or
- where existing, is suitable for the intended building work.
Masons UNI® PRO can be used with a cladding fixed over a cavity or direct fixed. Confirm whether the design includes a cavity system or not and determine the type and orientation of the battens. Ensure cavity battens specified are timber battens. Ensure that the framining meets, as a minimum the requirements in Table 1.
STEP 3| SPECIFY FIXINGS
Specify Masons UNI® fastener fixings in accordance with Table 1. Masons UNI®
Fasteners are 25 mm galvanised or stainless steel nails with a plastic washer.
STEP 4:| SPECIFY ANCILLARY PRODUCTS
Ensure all required ancillary products are specified in the completed Masons
UNI® PRO specification.
STEP 5:| QUALITY CHECK
Confirm all relevant design requirements are met. Collate the following
documents and include in the building consent application:
- Masons UNI® PRO Specification,
- Masons UNI® PRO Warranty and
- this document.
Pre-installation
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Take all necessary steps to ensure your safety and the safety of others:
- ensure adequate ventilation or mechanical dust extraction when cutting or drilling
- take care when fixing the wrap in windy conditions
- wear appropriate safety equipment, clothing and footwear
- use all tools in accordance with relevant instruction manuals
- plan and monitor a safe approach for working at height; select and use the right equipment
- clear the work area of any obstruction before work starts. For further information refer to: WorkSafe. [July 2018] Small Construction Sites, the Absolutely Essential Health and Safety Toolkit.
- WorkSafe. [December 2016] Health and Safety at Work, Quick Reference Guide.
These documents are available at www.worksafe.govt.nz.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling
Care must be taken during loading, unloading, and transporting the materials to prevent pre-installation damage. Unload the rolls carefully by hand. Do not crush the rolls and ensure they are protected from damage
Storage
Store the rolls on end under a cover, in a clean and dry area and out of direct sunlight.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
Install Masons UNI® PRO using standard carpentry tools and equipment. Use
tools in accordance with good trade practice and supplier’s instructions.
Installation
STEP 1:| BUILDING CONSENT DOCUMENTATION Where applicable, access and
view building consent documentation.
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STEP 2:| CHECK RELATED BUILDING WORK For new and existing buildings
ensure the primary structure is straight and true and within framing
tolerances as described in Table 2.1, section 2 of NZS 3604:2011. Masons UNI®
PRO can be used where cladding is installed over a cavity system or direct
fixed cladding
STEP 3:| INSTALL WRAP For assistance in installing UNI® FAB refer to
video.
Fit Wrap Ensure all necessary equipment and ancillary components are
available. Masons UNI® PRO must be installed with the printed side out,
typically run horizontally on vertical framing. However, it is non directional
and may be run in line with raking soffit lines or gables.
Fixing Masons supply Masons UNI® Fasteners for both timber and lightweight
steel framing. Ensure battens are fixed to Table 1 (as a minimum) or to the
building consent. Where cavity battens are to be installed, fix Masons UNI®
PRO to frames at the plates and nogs/dwangs using the applicable Masons UNI®
Fasteners. Do not fix to the studs. When fixing vertical or horizontal cavity
battens ensure batten nails are a minimum of 100 mm away from the UNI®
Fastener. Fasten battens promptly to prevent wind blow out whilst ‘UNI® PRO is
tacked up’ with reduced numbers of cap nails. Where bulging has or is likely
to occur secure with Masons Wrap Strap.
| Fit UNI® FAB Soffit Ensure that it is taut. Secure in accordance with Table
- Do not fasten the bottom of the soffit strip as this needs to overlap the
next layer of UNI® PRO. Fit UNI® FAB Where UNI® Soffit has been installed: ›
Ensure that the soffit layer overlaps the lower layer by 150 mm. Where UNI®
Soffit has not been installed: › Run UNI® PRO along the top face, level with
the top plate. Ensure that it is taut. Ensure the wrap extends a minimum of 50
mm below the bottom plate or bearer. Ensure the wrap is taut and does not
belly into the cavity or openings. Fix in accordance with the building consent
or Table 1. Run the wrap over all openings and leave openings covered until
windows and doors are ready to be installed.
Where UNI® Soffit has not been installed: Run UNI® PRO along the top face, level with the top plate. Ensure that it is taut. Ensure the wrap extends a minimum of 50 mm below the bottom plate or bearer. Secure in accordance with Table 1. › Ensure the wrap is level and is pulled taut so that the wrap does not belly into the cavity. › Run the wrap over all openings and leave openings covered until windows and doors are ready to be installed
