Masons UNI Flexible Air Barrier

KEY FEATURES

• Eliminates expensive delays due to hold-ups on cladding or bad weather 
• Once installed, UNI works as a secondary line of defense against moisture over the life of the building, whilst still being highly breathable, passing vapour from the inside of the building out.
• A fraction of the cost of rigid air barriers (materials and labour) whilst having most of the benefits
• Much thicker and stronger than standard building paper/wrap 
• Quick and easy installation

 

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

• UNI is a nonwoven, absorbent, water-resistant 180 GSM, synthetic wall underlay.
• UNI is water-resistant and designed to provide temporary protection from weather conditions and UV exposure to timber framing, without the installation of the cladding, which allows for the continuation of internal work on the build for 90 days after installation. 
• UNI comprises three polypropylene layers: two outer layers of non-woven polypropylene with a middle layer of a functional-technical film. It is manufactured to meet the European standard EN 13589-1:2014 as well as the absorbency performance requirement as per NZS 2295:2006.

 

SCOPE OF USE

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 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 90 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 is suitable as an air barrier on walls that are not lined.
• For vertical use only, not suitable as a roof underlay.
• UNI must be covered with a suitable wall lining to any occupied spacings.

 

LIMITATIONS

• UNI® FAB (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 must always be installed in conjunction with an internal lining.
• UNI must be covered within 90 days from installation.

 

NEW ZEALAND BUILDING CODE STANDARD (NZBC)

• UNI meets or exceeds the requirements of the NZBC.
• Product Assurance Supplier Statement; PASS. Documentation is available from the downloads button on this page.

If designed, installed, and maintained in accordance with all Masons Plastabrick’s requirements, the UNI will comply with or contribute to compliance with the following performance claims: 

 

B1 STRUCTURE: B1.3.1, B1.3.2, B1.3.3 (a, e, f, h, j, m, q, & UV), B1.3.4 (a, b, c, d, e)

• Manufactured to EN 13859-2:2014; tested to EN 12311.2:2013 for tensile properties, EN 12310.1:2010 for resistance to tearing, EN 1107.2:2002 for dimensional stability based on supplier’s technical data and testing specification [Masons Plastabrick, 30/08/2021b].

 

B2 DURABILITY: B2.3.1 (a), B2.3.2 (b)

• Manufactured to EN 13859-2:2014; tested to EN 1297 & EN 1296 for UV exposure and UV exposed samples tested to EN 12311.2:2013 for tensile properties, EN 12310.1:2010 for resistance to tearing, EN 1924.2002 for resistance to water penetration based on supplier’s technical data and testing specification [Masons Plastabrick, 30/08/2021b].

 

2 FIRE AFFECTING AREAS BEYOND THE FIRE SOURCE: C3.4 (c)

• Manufactured to EN 13859-2:2014; tested to EN ISO 11925-2/ AC:2011 for reaction to fire based on supplier’s technical data and testing specification [Masons Plastabrick, 30/08/2021b].

 

E2 EXTERNAL MOISTURE: E2.3.2, E2.3.5, E2.3.7 (a, b, c)

• Manufactured to EN 13859-2:2014; tested to EN 1928:2002 for resistance to water penetration, EN ISO 12572:2004 for water vapour transmission properties, EN 12114 for air resistance based on supplier’s technical data and testing specification [Masons Plastabrick, 30/08/2021b].
• Tested to AS/NZS 4201: Part 6 for absorbency [Scion, 02/2020].
• Installation details and requirements meet E2/AS1, E2/AS4.

 

F2 HAZARDOUS BUILDING MATERIALS: F2.3.1

• Manufactured to EN 13859-2:2014; product does not emit harmful materials based on supplier’s technical data and testing specification and material safety information [Masons Plastabrick, 30/08/2021a, 30/08/2021b].

 

INSTALLATION

Masons UNI is to be installed with the correct components: 

• Masons 40 Below 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 UNI FAB Seam Tape
• Masons Corner Guards
• Masons PEF Backing Rod
• Masons BrickTies

Collectively these products complete the weather-tightness of the building membrane. 

General Installation Instructions:

• Fix with the printed side out
• Run the wrap horizontally
• Pull taut over the framing before fixing
• Only to be fixed with Masons UNI Fasteners either with a gun or hammer. Staples must not be used.
• For timber frames: use 32mm Nail/washer. For steel frames: use UNI washers with either a Phillips or square drive self-drilling screw.
• Be lapped, not less than 75mm at horizontal joints; Have upper sheets lapped over lower sheets to ensure that direction of laps will allow water to be shed to outside of the wall underlay
• Be lapped, not less than 150mm over studs at vertical joints 
• Extend 50mm below bottom plate or bearer

UNI must be installed by a Licensed Building Practitioner using Mason's full installation instructions.These instructions are available as a video or a printed version in the downloads button of this page.
Training on-site can also be arranged via your Masons Rep.

 

STORAGE AND HANDLING

Masons UNI, 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

For more information on UNI Flexible Air Barrier please call 0800 522 533 or visit mpb.co.nz