Achieving High Performance through Building Enclosure ... · The Building Commissioning Association is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education

Eric J. Seaverson, P.E.Director, Building Science Solutions, Intertek

Achieving High Performance through Building Enclosure commissioning (BECx)

AIA Quality Assurance

The Building Commissioning Association is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES). Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of the Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.

This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

AIA CES - Course Description

While commissioning of many building systems has been around for many years, Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) is newer to the design and construction industries, and requirements continue to change. This presentation will provide a primer on the practice of BECx and its benefits with real world case studies and then dive further into the various approaches as defined by industry standards and code.

Learning ObjectivesUpon completing the course participants will be able to:1. Describe the process of BECx and typical deliverables, with an

understanding of the potential value the process may bring to a project

2. Explain the Building Enclosure Commissioning process as they apply to the LEED rating system and current standards

3. Describe scheduling challenges when incorporating BECx in to projects.

4. Summarize the coordination efforts between BECx and mechanical systems.

5. Describe the general function and performance requirements of the building enclosure.

http://www.aia.org/education/

Copyright Materials

This presentation is protected by US and International Copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the presentation without written permission of the speaker is prohibited.

© Intertek 2019

Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx)

01 What is the Building Enclosure?02 What is BECx?03 Functional Performance Verification04 BECx Process05 Case Studies

01 What is the Building Enclosure?

The Building Enclosure

Shelter

ServiceabilityDurabilityEnergy & Comfort

SecurityAestheticsShelter

Building enclosures are designed to separate interior from exterior.

Environmental Separation


Control LayersBuilding Enclosures are designed to control multiple loadings this presentation will primarily be concerned with the following in order of importance:

1. Water Control Layer2. Air Control Layer3. Vapor Control Layer4. Thermal Control Layer


ASHRAE 90.1-2016

Energy Modeling & BECx

HVAC or Enclosure?


Credit: Journal of Building Enclosure Design Summer 2011 “Improvement of Air Tightness in U.S. Army Buildings” pgs. 11-13


Materials• ASTM E2178• 0.004 cfm/ft2 (75 Pa)Testing of air barrier materials is necessary but not sufficient to obtain performance.

Assemblies• ASTM E2357• 0.04 cfm/ft2 (75 Pa)Testing of assemblies is essential to demonstrate performance of designed assembly.

Whole Building• ASTM E779• 0.40 cfm/ft2 (75 Pa)Only assessment of installed performance, including materials, assemblies, and complete systems.

Air Control Layer

The Building EnclosureAir Infiltration Requirements

cfm/ft2 @ 0.3 in w.g. (75 Pa)

Materials(ASTM E2178 or CAN/ULC-S741)

Assemblies(ASTM E2357/

CAN/ULC-S742, or E1677)

Whole Building(ASTM E779 or

CAN/CGSB 149.15 )

NBC (National Building Code of Canada, 1990) 0.004 -- --

Massachusetts, Minnesota, etc… 0.004 -- --

ASHRAE 90.1 (2013) 0.004 0.04 0.40

USACE(2008); NAVFAC (2011) 0.004 -- 0.25Washington State (2010) 0.004 -- 0.40GSA (2010) USAF (2011) 0.004 0.04 0.40

ASHRAE189.1 (2009) IECC (2012) 0.004 0.04 0.40

IgCC (2012) -- -- 0.25

State of Utah (HPBS) 0.004 0.04 0.1

or

Abbreviations: ASHRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and air Conditioning Engineers; USACE - US Army Corps of Engineers; GSA - General Services Administration; NAVFAC - Naval Facilities Engineering Command; USAF- United States Air Force; IgCC – International Green Construction Code

or AND

or

ANDor

© E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company 2014. All rights reserved

or

or AND


ASHRAE 90.1-2016

Complex Simple

The Building EnclosureHistoric Building Enclosure• Simpler building systems• Fewer layers• Master tradesmen• Apprenticeship training• Lower Expectations?

The Building EnclosureToday’s Building Enclosure• Complex building materials• Multi-layer construction /

multiple trades• Thinner construction• Limited on-the-job training• Higher expectations• Schedule Critical• Cost Sensitive

http://www.mgac.com/projects/house-of-sweden/33

The Building EnclosureToday’s Building Enclosure

02 - Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx)

Building Enclosure Commissioning

Whole Building Commissioning

Electrical

BuildingEnclosure


“Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) is a process that begins with the establishment of the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) and endeavors to ensure that the exterior enclosure and those elements intended to provide environmental separation within a building or structure meet or exceed the expectations of the Owner.”

- ASTM E2813-2012


Process

VerifiesEnclosure

Performance

Owner Project Requirements

Building Operation

Leaks

Insert copy Insert copy Insert copy Insert copy

Air Quality / Health

Solar Heat Gain U-Factor Air Leakage

Energy Conservation

Thermal DiscontinuitiesEnergy Conservation

Saving Time

03 - BECx Process

BECx Process

Pre-Design Design Procurement Construction Operation & Maintenance

Commissioning Process

Building Enclosure Pre-Design Services

• Introduce BECx process• Objectives• Tasks and milestones• Responsibilities

Project Planning Conference

• Establish enclosure performance criteriaOwner’s Project Requirements (OPR)

• Roles and responsibilities• Communication protocols• Format for reporting

BECx Plan

Pre-Design Phase – Scheduling/Coordination

• Engagement/Schedule: The sooner the better… LEED V4.1 – OPR & BOD review/development is required (before Permit

Set) [Fundamental] Design Review◦ Fundamental: Start of DD; one (1) review◦ Enhanced: Start of SD; three (3) design reviews

• Coordination: Understanding the mechanical systems and environmental conditions Building pressurization Heating/cooling methods at exterior walls Interior temperature and relative humidity



Building EnclosureDesign Services

• At multiple phases: SD, DD, CD• Review drawings and specifications• Comment on water, air, thermal, and vapor control• Review for compliance with OPR (Owner’s Project Requirements)

and the Basis of Design (BOD)

Design Review(s)

• Incorporate BECx requirements into the CDs:• Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) specification• Functional Performance Test (FPT) specification

• Update BECx and FPT specifications each design phase

Construction Documents

• Update the OPR• Update the BECx Plan• Building enclosure systems maintenance manual

Other BECx Activities

Design Phase – Scheduling/Coordination

• Schedule and Coordination: No significant differences Continue coordination from Pre-Design Phase

• Process: Design reviews are visual; comments alone don’t suffice (such as in CxAlloy) Drawings must be provided to “show” the comments

• LEED V4.1 Testing is required, unless…

Fundamental EnhancedAcoustic Performance

Air Leakage

Thermal Performance

Water Penetration

Sealant Durability

Building EnclosureDesign ServicesDefining the Building Enclosure


Defining the Performance


Control Layers1. Water2. Air3. Vapor4. Thermal


Design ReviewMake sure we are sealing to the air barrier...but also make sure to tie-in with the primary seal line of the curtain wall/window system.

Insert copy

Parapet Cap

Extended Curtain Wall

Soffits


Hygrothermal Analysis

Laboratory Certification vs.Construction Performance Completely focused on the

specific component / product

Does not include adjacent construction integration (i.e. not project focused)

Determines the “primary seal” location(s) during construction to achieve air infiltration rating


Performance Mockups


BECx Specification


FunctionalPerformance TestSpecification

Functional Performance Testing

Performance Requirements• Building Enclosure Functional

Performance Testing Specification Section

• This Section shall supersedeother Sections where contradictions occur

Building EnclosureConstruction Services

• BECx kickoff meeting• Preconstruction meetingsMeetings

• Submittals• RFI, ASI, CCD• Change Order• Substitution Request• Value Engineering

Review for Compliance with the OPR and Contract

Documents

• Construction• Observation• Testing

Mockup

Building EnclosureConstruction Services

• Verifying compliance with:• Contract documents• Submittals and shop drawings• Product installation instructions• Industry standards

Field Observations

• Verify the performance of the systems (including interfaces)• Verify installation methods• Avoid late stage (expensive) problems with early detection.

Functional Performance Verification

• BECx meetings to review building enclosure schedule, testing, and Issues

• Update OPR and BECx plan• Review contractor checklists• Construction phase BECx report

Other BECx Activities

Construction Phase – Scheduling/Coordination

• Schedule: BECx “fully” engages before MEP Cx (based on construction) Mockups must be constructed early in the construction phase (before

construction) Enclosure schedule is ever changing; goal oriented to “watertight” (not

complete/functional)◦ Challenges in performance testing scheduled (need complete work)

• Coordination: Similar to design phase, submittal/shop drawing reviews are “visual”


Submittal Reviews

Pre-Construction Phase

Value of Mock-ups:• Verify the performance of the systems• Set construction standards• Establish sequencing of work• Verify material selection

Surface Preparation

Building EnclosureDesign ServicesField Observations


Issue Communication, Tracking, and Resolution

O & M Phase

O&M Phase – Scheduling/Coordination

• Schedule/Coordination:• BECx is typically “long-gone” at substantial completion; need to

remember 10-month visit

04 - Functional Performance Verification

AAMA 501.2 “Nozzle Testing”

ASTM E783 Air Leakage Windows and Doors

ASTM E1105 “Spray Rack”

ASTM E1186 (4.2.6) “Smoke Tracer”

Functional Performance TestingASTM E1186, Practice 4.2.7

• Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems – Chamber Depressurization in Conjunction With Leak Detection Liquid

• Qualitative Air Infiltration/Exfiltration Test

ASTM E779 Whole Building Air Leakage Test

ASTM E1186 (4.2.1) “Infrared Thermography”

05 - Case Studies

• Built in 1980’s• Active water and air leakage• Client is upgrading building to

increase commercial leasing value/solve problems.

Case Study 1 - Philadelphia

• Existing BECx starts with an investigation

• Mock-ups were key to verifying repair scope

• New windows, insulation, air barrier, roof, existing cladding to remain

• Air leakage rate decrease by 10x

Case Study 1 – Philadelphia

• Built in 1940’s• 14 stories; 460,000 sf• Concrete encased steel frame• Client is upgrading building to

change use from manufacturing to education

• Client looking to greatly increase energy performance

• Minor façade repairs

Case Study 2 – New York City

• Existing BECx starts with an investigation

• Mock-ups were key to verifying repair scope

• New windows, insulation, air barrier, roof, existing cladding to remain

• Air leakage rate decreased by 10x

Case Study 2 – New York City

Project Location

Case Study 3 – New Jersey


Glass Fabrication

Energy Usage Design Construction OperationsDefining BECx Case Study


Mock-up Testing


Project Location


[email protected]

414-758-4998

intertek.com/building

Thank You!

Eric J. Seaverson, P.E.Director – Building Science SolutionsIntertek