What does the term "membrane penetration" specifically refer to?

The term "membrane penetration" specifically refers to a breach in a building's membrane that accommodates various service items, such as pipes, electrical conduits, or other utility connections that pass through walls or ceilings. This is crucial in commercial buildings because these penetrations must be properly sealed to maintain the integrity of the building envelope and to prevent issues such as air and water infiltration. Proper management of membrane penetrations is essential to ensure that the building remains energy-efficient and moisture-resistant.

While air leakage, access control, and HVAC installation are important topics in building systems, they do not directly relate to the specific concept of membrane penetration, which focuses on how these service items interact with and disrupt the continuous barrier of the building's structure.