Scope of Use
Masons UNI PRO Flexible Air Barrier is certified for use as a wall underlay and air barrier on buildings:
- a) within the scope limitations of:
i. NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1 with regards to building height and floor plan area for timber-framed construction; or
ii. NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS4 with regards to building height and floor plan area for light-steel framed construction, and
- b) situated in wind zones (as defined in NZS 3604:2011) up to and including 'Extra High', provided stud and fixing centres are no greater than specified in the Masons UNI PRO Flexible Air Barrier Design and Installation Guide V1.0, November 2021, and
- c) with absorbent or non-absorbent wall claddings directly fixed to the frame, or installed over an 18mm minimum drained cavity; or with masonry veneer, in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 for timber-framed buildings or NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS4 for steel-framed buildings, and
- d) where the underlay is not exposed to view in an occupied space
Masons UNI PRO Flexible Air Barrier shall be:
- a) installed in accordance with the MASONS UNI® PRO Flexible Air Barrier Design and Installation Guide V1.0, November 2021, and
- b) separated from fireplaces, heating appliances, flues and chimneys in accordance with the requirements of NZBC Acceptable Solutions C/AS1 and C/AS2, Paragraph 7.5.9 for the protection of combustible materials, and
- c) protected from sunlight within 150 days
Contribution to compliance with Building Code clause H1.3.1(b) is conditional on:
- a) the element incorporating UNI® PRO Flexible Air Barrier being part of the thermal envelope of the building, and
- b) horizontal and vertical laps being securely taped
Location:
- In locations with a wind design pressure (ULS) of up to and including 4.6 kPa (which includes all NZS 3604:2011 wind zones).
- UNI® PRO is suitable for 'Very High' wind zones over rigid wall underlays.
- In seismic zones up to and including seismic zone 3.
- In all exposure zones.
- Further than 1 m from a relevant boundary
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 on Use
- 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 10m 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
Installation
Masons UNI PRO is to be installed with the correct components:
- Masons 40 Below Platinum or Flex Flashing Tapes (ensuring weather-tightness around windows and joinery),
- Masons UNI Fasteners or UNI Cap Nails (to an engineer specified fixing pattern which ensures wind-loading up to 'Extra High')
- Masons Penetration Seals
- Masons Corner Guards
- Masons PEF Backing Rod
- Masons BrickTies
Collectively these products complete the weather-tightness of the building membrane.
General Installation Instructions:
- UNI PRO must be installed by a Licensed Building Practitioner using Mason's full installation instructions
- These instructions are available in the downloads button of this web page
- Training on-site can also be arranged via your Masons Rep
Storage and Handling:
Masons UNI PRO, whether on or off-site should:
- Be stored on end under a cover, in a clean and dry area
- Protect the rolls from crushing or damage
- When fixing the product in windy conditions, care must be taken due to the large sail area created by wide roll widths