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Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: lazarcitec

Post Number: 1483
Registered: 05-2003
Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2015 - 11:29 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

The 2010 Edition of the Florida Building Code (NO LONGER CURRENT) included the following article: 2003.8.4.4: Aluminum surfaces in contact with lime-mortar, concrete, or other masonry materials, shall be protected with alkali-resistant coatings, such as heavy-bodied bituminous paint or water-white methacrylate lacquer. This requirement appears to have been deleted from the Fifth Edition of the Florida Building Code, the current code adopted this year. This being the case several Developers would like me to delete aluminum protection from the specs in instances where aluminum is in contact with dissimilar materials. I have refused to do this, as historically aluminum deteriorates in those conditions unless properly protected. IS THERE SOME OTHER INDUSTRY STANDARD THAT APPLIES?
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg

Post Number: 951
Registered: 12-2006


Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2015 - 11:49 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

This seems to be an issue.
On the one hand the laws of physics still apply. Aluminum in contact with dissimilar materials such as steel, concrete, and masonry can cause the aluminum (or steel) to corrode so protection is needed.
On the other hand it seems like all the good, effective barriers have issues associated with them because they are either carcinogenic (chrome based coatings) or because they're going to get all over everything they come in contact with (bituminous coatings). There are suggestions that some other coatings may be moderately effective such as epoxy, urethane, and fluoropolymer coatings but I don't know how effective they are.
So what are we supposed to do, sleeve aluminum embedded in concrete and masonry with stainless steel sleeves? I'm not advocating this and yes, I am being somewhat facetious, but I'm really at a loss at this point.
Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: lazarcitec

Post Number: 1484
Registered: 05-2003
Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2015 - 12:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

On condominium projects we usually coat all aluminum with paint that meets AAMA 2605, and from my experience (and discussions with PPG, et al) those treatments don't require additional protection from dissimilar materials, although it remains good practice. But on the lower quality projects, like apartments we specify a polyester finish, barely AAMA 2603, and here we expect problems. I think its time for Ron to put his 2 cents in, the Code Maven himself, cause this one has me stumped. Calling Mr Geren, the newly appointed Code Maven of 4specs.com!

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