Wash Bay Framed in Wood
Wash Bay Framed in Wood
(OP)
I'm reviewing a little addition to a car dealership. 1/2 of the space is dedicated to a wash bay. Cars come into get fixed and get a rinse down beforehand I guess. There is no architect on the project, just S/M/E. Owner's decision it seems. Everything is framed in light frame wood (studs & trusses). To my knowledge, there may not even be interior finishes.
How do we feel about durability with this? There's obviously a large garage door so I also worry about considering this a heated structure.
How do we feel about durability with this? There's obviously a large garage door so I also worry about considering this a heated structure.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.






RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
1)Googling has led me to believe that full blown car washes may have been constructed in wood previously.
2) I've seen faux wood homes built over top of residential neighbourhood waste water treatment plants. Usually very specific, and durable, interior finishes however.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
Def. would not use light gage steel.
I would push for masonry
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
- Wash curtain on a rail that hangs from the ceiling to near the floor to protect walls
- sufficient clearance between walls and curtain for any splashes that the curtain doesn't catch (I think we used 3' or 4')
- Exhaust fan attached to humidistat to keep the room as dry as possible, automated air intake as well to ensure air quality for people working in the building
- Sufficient floor slope away from walls to protect against pooling of water
- Floor slope led to a trench drain leading to a sump pit leading to storage container (so you don't dump detergent/chemicals into the sewer - check requirements in your jurisdiction)
- concrete ledge all around the building perimeter to lift the wood frame above the finished floor level
- foam sheet insulation in the walls so that water intrusion didn't cause permanent damage
- Our interior finish was painted galvanized metal liner panels to minimize corrosion, and could be removed without damage (they screwed into girts running horizontally on the interior) in case you want to see what's going on in the wall or need to open the wall for repairs (although this never happened).
- Fully caulk the bottom wall seam
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
The IBC also allows wood construction for Type B occupancies. However, I might agree with the above that the constant water and soap might deteriorate the wood very quickly.
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RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
Was waiting for that. Whatever we may think of their company/skill, they're great liability sponges.
It's a wee little thing. You'd not be impressed. Love the curtain idea though, I'll recommend that.
You really knocked this one out of the park -- thank you. I've got some of the stuff that you listed but not all. Can you explain the foam sheet insulation business a bit more? And how it prevents permanent damage?
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
I think most of the responses are on point - especially allgoodnames. However, the weak point in a system like this is the action of water vapour. The relative humidity in the space is going to be 100% much of the time and the vapour drive to the exterior will be huge. We did one of these about 15 years ago and it has worked pretty well. We used PT plywood sheathing on the interior of the studs and trusses, then covered that with Bituthene. The Bituthene was in turn covered with a FRP panel to protect the Bituthene and shed most of the liquid water. The Bituthene will keep nearly all the water out of the wall. The exterior wall materials need to be permeable so that when water does get into the wall (and it will) it can dry to outside. Work with the ME to control the RH and make sure there's sufficient insulation in the wall (and roof) to prevent the condensation plane from being too close to interior sheathing.
Regards,
DB
NB: Sheathing needs to be plywood - not OSB.
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
Thank you very much for this DBronson. I'd been vacillating wondering if the wood should be sealed off on the inside or if that would just trap water vapour in. Now I see that, with the right exterior system, I can have it both ways: less water gets in and what does...gets out.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
It's an hour and ten minutes but worth the time it takes to watch it and I don't say that lightly. It's very illuminating. And don't be put off by his style; he starts out very abrasively but it's all in good fun.
In my opinion the most important take away from it is to know that moisture moves from hot to cold and not to trap that moisture inside the structure, either by putting the membrane on the wrong side of the wall or locating it where a temperature change will cause condensation on the inside.
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Wash Bay Framed in Wood