This course will cover why building movement joints are needed, the difference between various types of joints, how expansion joints should provide continuity of the air and water control layers, as well as samples of what failures can occur.  We will also review a case study showing failures which can happen when expansion joints are not designed and installed.

At the conclusion of this presentation the participant will have:

1.  Review best practices for location of expansion joints on building enclosures

2. Identify the difference between expansion, control, and isolation joints

3. Investigate building failures caused by poor expansion joint design and lack thereof, and premature failure due to improper installation

4. Cover the causes of sealant failure, and the importance of proper joint design and hot it can dictate performance

Today’s construction projects use hundreds of not thousands of different materials and products on the enclosure. One of the most crucial is “that Little L” often seen at the bottom of the wall, or just above a window. Flashings are instrumental in removing water from our exterior wall cavities and must be installed properly to function. This presentation will review numerous national projects relating to issues and water leaks from improperly installed flashings.

At the conclusion of this presentation the participant will have:

1. Review some of the common masonry through-wall flashing materials in the market today

2. Understand how masonry through flashings can affect other material performance if installed wrong

3. Review the need (and location) for continuous flashings at grade for masonry and metal panels

4. Review case studies demonstrating improperly installed flashings causing Owner and Contractor frustration and rework

Determining where failures will occur can save a contractor and owner loss in revenues and help prevent costly litigations.  The question of when to conduct a building enclosure thermal analysis scan can truly be a billion-dollar question when avoiding loss of profits due to failures and rework in our construction industry.  Although many still do not see thermography as a quantifiable performance testing tool, to identify and troubleshoot common issues during construction, the benefits of thermography are demonstrating otherwise.

During this course case studies will be used to show how thermography can be a valuable tool for inspecting and performing non-destructive testing of building components, when identifying problems as a result of air infiltration/exfiltration, water infiltration through the building enclosure, as well as complementing other performance tests methods.  We will present how a properly trained thermographer can identify areas where air infiltration is present within the wall system and at penetrations and transitions typically affecting the building airtightness resulting in energy leakage/loss.  Representative data and anomalies examples from forensic projects and thermography analysis will be presented to demonstrate best practices when conducting performance tests, as well as show how this quantifiable testing method can aid in troubleshooting issues during construction.

At the conclusion of this presentation the participant will;

1. Gain knowledge on how to avoid costly rework due to common construction issues which can easily be visualized with infrared technology

2. Gauge the importance of infrared technology and determine when building enclosure diagnostics and performance thermography testing solutions should be used during construction and to accompany other performance testing methods

3. Become acquainted with the science behind infrared technology and interpret the difference between bulk moisture and air penetration

4. Identify what a thermogram represents and differentiate basic thermal anomalies as they represent heat, air and moisture 

Designing an air-tight, water-tight, and energy efficient building requires an understanding of the anatomy of the entire building enclosure in order to build structures that will perform as intended.  A lack of understanding of these concepts translates into poor architectural details, gaps in information, and elements that cannot be properly installed, leading to contractors “figuring it out on the field.”  This presentation will touch upon basic concepts of building science and how drawings can be improved to create beautiful structures that function properly, by conveying clarity on details at foundation-to-wall, roof-to-wall, window-to-wall, penetrations, and at dissimilar material transition points.

At the conclusion of this presentation the participant will be able to;

1. Understand the importance of architectural details

2. Understand the consequences of not including sufficient details as part of construction documents

3. Know what code requires architects to provide for details

4. Understand Building Science effects on the architectural design

5. Understand how materials can play into the constructability of a design

Let’s face it, buildings leak!  Owners and contractors battle these leaks for months and even years after substantial completion.  A properly implemented and executed Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) process mitigates risks resulting in sustainable efficient structures.  The elements of the building enclosure have evolved and become complex systems.  This has changed the design and construction of these “skins”.  So why is commissioning a plausible solution to these challenges?  Well, simply put it provides a proven and tried practice which offers guidance and structure to the complex industry of Building Enclosures.

This course will cover the BECx process intended to define the project expectations, focus on quality assurance, quality control, verification of system performance, owner training, and maintenance guidance.  We will discuss building enclosure commissioning and how commissioning provides a successful trifecta scenario for the owner, design team and construction team. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Review the purpose and benefits of Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) and define the roles of the Owner, Architect, Commissioning Consultant, and Contractor.

2. Discuss the formal BECx processes as developed by the National Institute of Building Science, ASTM, ASHRAE, and ISO, and how these standards and guidelines are quickly being recognized and adopted by institutions and organizations. 

3. Review why codes are recommending and requiring the implementation of exterior wall envelope detailing as part of design drawings and construction documents.

4. Discuss how to implement the BECx process throughout the life-cycle of the building including design review, constructability review, testing matrix, mockup construction and testing, preconstruction meeting, inspections, and a post construction maintenance matrix.

The elements of the building enclosure have evolved and become complex.  This has changed the design aspect of these “skins”.  There are many factors a designer must consider and establish as part of the Owner’s Project Requirements, and valuable resources are required to ensure expectations are met, codes are satisfied, and the design is ultimately constructible within budget.  Building enclosure-related design considerations must be established in the design phases, and verification of installed systems must be implemented and followed for successful commissioning.

This course will cover the critical role architects play as the owner of the commissioning specification.  We will discuss building enclosure commissioning and why and how to specify commissioning which provides a successful trifecta scenario for the owner, design team and construction team.  A brief discussion of AIA’s Best Practices for BECx, ASTM E2813, ASTM E2947, ASHRAE 202, NIBS Guideline 3, ISO 17024 and ICC code requirements for exterior wall envelope and design will offer an understanding of what should be specified and why.  We further discuss how these standards, guidelines, and codes can be implemented and specified in Division One and how to reference these in the individual specification sections related to the building enclosure.

Learning Objectives:

1. Review the purpose and benefits of Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) and define the roles of the Owner, Architect, Commissioning Consultant, and Contractor

2. Discuss the formal BECx processes as developed by the National Institute of Building Science, ASTM, ASHRAE, and ISO, and how these standards and guidelines are quickly being recognized and adopted by institutions and organizations

3. Review why codes are recommending and requiring the implementation of exterior wall envelope detailing as part of design drawings and construction documents

4. Examine Section 01 91 00 – Commissioning, Section 01 91 19.43 Exterior Enclosure Commissioning, and Section 01 40 00 – Quality Requirements.  The work included in these sections can include requirements common to all exterior enclosure-related sections

5. Discuss Division 03 through 14 Sections and how to reference Division 1 Commissioning Sections within the technical specification themselves

A pre-construction meeting is a crucial part of the construction process which should be specified and outlined in several sections of the project manual as part of the quality assurance specification.  It is paramount to coordinate pre-construction meetings with team members on the building project, as this establishes expectations upfront for the installation and subsequent warranties of the components of the building enclosure. By having a pre-construction meeting prior to the commencement of field operations, the owner, design team, general contractor, sub-contractors, and manufacturers are presented with the opportunity to discuss and resolve issues the various trades might encounter during the construction process.  It is the intent of this presentation to explain the foundation of a building enclosure pre-construction meeting and to help foster a collaborative approach to information sharing that will minimize construction problems, delays, and manage risks.

At the conclusion of this presentation the participant will be able to;

1. Understand where in the specifications the pre-construction meeting should be specified and what divisions should be referenced

2. Understand what trades should be present and why

3. Understand how to coordinate the building enclosure components and why it’s important to coordinate them

4. Understand how to resolve compatibility and installation issues that may arise out of a pre-construction meeting

5. Understand what specific details to look for and why they should be discussed at the pre-construction meeting

Ever wondered how the products selected for the building enclosure affect the performance of the building and its life cycle?  What is the big hype about building science and why is it important to understand the basic principles when designing, selecting, and constructing the building enclosure?  What you do not know can hurt your building and the sustainability of the structure.

This course covers the fundamentals of building science and how it impacts building performance, specifically emphasizing the science behind the enclosure.  This is part one of a three-part series that teaches the basic understanding of the building enclosure sciences.  A basic mix of physics, material science, meteorology, construction technology, physiology, and engineering analysis will be introduced.  Building science principles as they relate to the enclosure will be discussed, such as the control of heat, water vapor, air, moisture and interior air quality.

At the conclusion of this presentation the participant will have:

1.  An introduction the types to building enclosure assemblies

2. Understanding of the basic principles of building science – water, heat, air and moisture

3. Introduction to combined heat and moisture transport tools

4. An understanding of how materials affect the building envelope and gain knowledge needed to address technical requirements for building enclosures

5. An introduction to control layers and why they are important

Manufacturer full building envelope warranties are becoming more sought after and have some real value to a building owner – they help manage risk and obtain piece of mind. It’s critical to ensure full building envelope protection from water, air and thermal intrusion, at every level, and at every transition. In a world aiming to minimize financial exposure, system warranties are a good option. But are they really that simple? Join us to learn more about manufacturer full building envelope warranties, the value they bring, and what to look out for during the build process.

At the conclusion of this presentation the participant will gain and understand:

1. Define manufacturer full building envelope warranties

2. Recognize the value manufacturer full building envelope warranties provide owners

3. Debunk common myths about manufacturer full building envelope warranties

4. Identify what to look out for during the design/specification process to support the full value of the warranty

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