building enclosure commissioning - bcxa · building enclosure commissioning (cx) “the...

Building Enclosure Commissioning …what’s the big deal?

National Conference of Building CommissioningNewport Beach, CA 22 – 24 April 2008

presented by Fiona Aldous

The building enclosure is significantly influenced by its environment. As such, maintaining an awareness of potential problems with roof and wall components during design and construction is far better than dealing with water and air leakage related issues once the building is occupied.

Why Building Enclosure Commissioning?The complexities that initiate the development of the building enclosure commissioning plan are varied; - the changing role of the architect; or- the changing roles of the architect and contractor in the traditional design and construction process; or- the management of risk; or- the overriding concern for quality and performance.

Design Trends - Performance-Critical Buildings

Changing role of the architect:

Performance-critical buildings often require strictly controlled interior environments which rely upon a building enclosure which is installed, and continuously operates in accord with established criteria.

The increasing complexity of building enclosures for performance-critical buildings and sustainable design goals prevalent in current architectural practice has lead to an increase in responsibility (and liability) for the architect.

Johns Hopkins Hospital, New Clinical Building, MD

Harvard University Art Museum, MA

World Trade Center, Museum Pavilion, NY


American Institute of ArchitectsPublic Policy “Architects need to accept responsibility for their role in creating the built environment and, consequently, we must alter our profession’s actions and encourage our clients and the entire design and construction industry to join with us to change the course of the planet’s future.”

“Architects are not typically certified in specialties; however, LEED™ Certification (as it is now defined under AIA B214) changes that general rule. The LEED™ certified Architect will, therefore, likely be held to a higher standard.”

Butters, F.F. (2008), “Greening the Standard of Care: Liability Challenges for the Practicing Design Professional in a ‘Green’ World”, Managing Risk in Sustainable Building, Chicago, I

Current Building Code Requirements

106.1.3: Exterior Wall Envelope:

“Construction Documents for all buildings shall describe the exterior wall envelope in sufficient detail to determine compliance with this code. The construction documents shall provide details of the exterior wall envelope as required, including flashing, intersections with dissimilar materials, corners, end details, control joints, intersections at roof, eaves, or parapets, means of drainage, water- resistive membrane, and details around openings.”


Current Building Code Requirements

106.1.3: Exterior Wall Envelope:

“The construction documents shall include manufacturer’s installation instructions that provide supporting documentation that the proposed penetration and opening details described in the construction documents maintain the weather resistance of the exterior wall envelope. The supporting documentation shall fully describe the exterior wall system which was tested, where applicable, as well as the test procedure used.”

Courtesy of STO Building Systems

Changing practice of design/construction:

Bulk Rainwater Penetration As-Built Construction

Repair

Errors and omissions in the design and installation of the façade interfaces, rather than in the façade materials, components and systems themselves, are the primary (and most frequently overlooked) sources of uncontrolled rainwater penetration through the building envelope.


HEAVY THERMAL BREAKS

LARGE INTERIOR GASKETS

SINGLE-PIECE THERMAL BREAK / JAMB POCKET FILLER

Environmental Separation Analysis:

Unitized Curtain wall - FULWAL IV ARCTIC CURTAINWALL by CGI

THERMALExterior of -25°CInterior of 25°C

I-index Frame = 72

Coldest FrameTemperature = 10.9°C

Col

dest

Fra

me

Tem

pera

ture

= 1

3.7°

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Coldest FrameTemperature = 12.1°C

Specialty Subcontractors

Courtesy of CGI


Risk Management:Uncontrolled rainwater penetration and moisture ingress are two of the most common threats to the structural integrity and performance of the building envelope.

Together, they represent the overwhelming majority of all construction-related claims in the United States.

Quality & Performance:

“…. Quality… The degree to which the project and its components meet the owner’s expectations, objectives, standards, and intended purpose, determined by measuring conformity of the project to the plans, specifications and applicable standards. ”

Quality Management Guidelines, Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). 2000

Owner Project Requirements (OPR)The OPR is a critical document that must be comprehensively developed in accordance with the design goals and criteria for the interior conditions, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), and all active or passive systems such as lighting and acoustics, and/or sustainable goals.

Quality & Performance:

“I’ve been doing it this way for 30

+ years! ….”

The Building Enclosure (BE) Role

Inter-dependenceThe BE provides the layer by whichthe exterior is filtered from theinterior. The interior and BE areinterdependent, relying uponperformance integrity of the BE tobe maintained to insure protectionfrom exterior forces and interiorcomfort for building occupants.

Building Enclosure Commissioning (Cx)“The Commissioning Process is a quality-oriented process for achieving, verifying, and documenting that the performance of facilities, systems, and assemblies meets defined objectives and criteria. The Commissioning Process assumes that owners, programmers, designers, contractors, and operations and maintenance entities are fully accountable for the quality of their work. The Commissioning Team uses methods and tools to verify that the project is achieving the Owner’s Project Requirements throughout the delivery of the project.

The Commissioning Process begins at project inception (during the Pre-Design Phase) and continues for the life of the facility (through the Occupancy and Operations Phase). The Commissioning Process includes specific tasks to be conducted during each phase in order to verify that design, construction, and training meet the Owner’s Project Requirements.”

The Guideline 3-2006 Exterior Enclosure Technical Requirements for the Commissioning Process (available at: http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/browse_doc.php?d=7167)

getting the process started ……….. an RFP that addresses the owner’s project requirements, the specifics of the design, and clearly outlines the scope of work and BECx agent qualifications, can be an essential tool for “jump starting” the project in the right direction…

http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/browse_doc.php?d=7167

• Retention of the BECxA independent of the MEP CxA. Although it is somewhat logical for Owners to lump all aspects of Cx into a single known entity, the two Cx processes can differ vastly in scope, schedule and costs.

• The type, performance requirements and materials of the building enclosure all can significantly impact the costs of the project. Even before the MEP Cx agent is brought onto the project, typically the role of the BECxA has begun. The costs associated with the development of the design and the construction of a performance-critical building enclosure will often outweigh the costs of developing a conventional building. New construction or retro-commissioning tasks.

• Testing coordination associated with the building enclosure is budgeted, however not included in the BECxA scope at the time of signing a contract. It is recommended the actual budget for field testing should be established by the Owner for management by the BECxA. It is recommended that a baseline fee allowance associated with the coordination and management of the field testing is established by the Owner and carried for all BECxA’s at the time of RFP. This can then be adjusted as further information and testing programs are determined. Information regarding the type of facades and accessibility will be cost influences.

• Who will be the Contracted Party?

• What is the Building type?

• What are the Cx Objectives / Tests?

Considerations in developing / responding to RFP

• Background• Project Description• Project Schedule• Project Team• Cx Objectives, including all BE systems to

be commissioned & coordination with MEP CxA.

• Scope of Work (Established by AIA Phases)• BECxA Qualifications• RFP Response Requirements• RFP Selection Process and Schedule

BECx Request For Proposal

Request For Proposal - BECx

BACKGROUND :• A brief outline of the Owner

and the proposed project.

Case Study

Commissioning in Action (Office Building)

During the design process, a unique building façade system with high standards of performance was required for the efficiency of the new chilled beam water system and radiant heat systems.

The interior HVAC design inspired the development of building envelope commissioning program, due to the extent of the façade glazing system and complexity of building envelope interface conditions, excessive thermal loads, and moisture-laden airflow.


PROJECT DESCRIPTION:• Emphasis on the exterior

enclosure systems and the owner project requirements (OPR). Include the OPR as appendix.

• The basis of design (BOD or occasionally called the “Design Narrative”) document developed by the designers of the building should outline the materials and methodology for achieving the owner’s project requirements. The BOD is crafted following and in accordance with the OPR.

Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) Document

• This document provides the basic requirements from which all design, construction, acceptance, and operation decisions are made. Objectives and functional requirements of building exterior enclosure systems to be included:

• Owner’s Vision. Document the owner’s vision for the building exterior enclosure as it relates to the building’s function, image, service life, expansion strategy, etc.

• Project budget and schedule. Develop a description of the Owner’s approach to allocating resources for the building exterior enclosure systems. This would entail a narrative of the relative importance of durability expectations and service life of systems and components, capital investment, life of systems, operating costs, maintenance costs, and use of life cycle costing for selection of the systems. Relative to schedule, sufficient time must be allocated for design, construction, proper startup, testing, and operational/ seasonal tuning of building exterior enclosure systems.

• Owner directives – Document any pre-defined owner directives regarding what exterior enclosure systems, materials, and components will be required. For example this could be “exterior skin of limestone only,” or “EIFS exterior skin,” or “only curtain wall.” It is critical when directives are given, that the owner’s intent be well understood. For example, if an owner states “only a specific manufacturer or type of system shall be used,” it is important to understand that this directive is based upon the owner’s “need to simplify maintenance due to the use of that manufacturer on their other 20 facilities.”

• Occupant requirements – Develop and document an understanding of the impact of the building exterior enclosure on:

• Thermal comfort, including such items as operative temperature, mean radiant temperature (MRT), effective temperature, controlled and uncontrolled air movement, relative humidity.

• Visual comfort (views to the outside, access to daylight, luminance of surfaces in the space, control of glare, etc.),,Indoor air quality, Acoustics, Special indoor environmental requirements (museums, archival facilities, rare book libraries, hospitals, laboratories, research facilities, etc.), Level of occupant control (operable windows, etc), Access, Life safety.

• System Performance requirements – develop and document an understanding of the impact of the building exterior enclosure all related systems.

• Site information – The Commissioning Authority (CxA) and Commissioning Team should verify that the design team has developed a topographical survey that identifies above-grade features and contours of the site, below-grade utilities, as well as a geotechnical report about the below-grade strata, to identify proper foundation depths and design.

• Training requirements – Document (1) the current level of knowledge of the owner’s personnel relative to the building exterior enclosure and (2) appropriate levels of training on new building exterior enclosure technologies. This is important to enable the design of building exterior enclosure systems to be within the Owner’s current or future (with additional training) capabilities. Document training involved in event of turnover of key personnel.

• Warranty requirements – Develop a listing of the requirements for warranties on the building exterior enclosure systems and components, including start of the warranty period, and conditions.

• Quality requirements of systems, materials and construction – Describe the level of quality, in concurrence with the life cycle cost approach, of the building exterior enclosure materials, including the durability and time expectancy between failures/replacement. Document the general expectations of the Owner for the quality of construction (e.g., industry average, above average, or best workmanship). Indicate measurable performance criteria when possible.

“…provide documented confirmation that building systems… are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated and maintained in compliance with the Owner's Project Requirements.”Building Commissioning Association, Purpose of Building Commissioning, Building Commissioning Attributes, 2005.

A full listing of example OPR can be found at: The Guideline 3-2006 Exterior Enclosure Technical Requirements for the Commissioning Process (available at: http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/browse_do c.php?d=7167)


PROJECT SCHEDULE:• The schedule is fundamental

to include in the RFP to allow the BECxA to establish a period for construction related services. If no schedule is available, an estimated period should be included.

PROJECT TEAM:• It is critical that all other

members of the design and construction team are aware of the intent to Cx the building enclosure so they may accommodate.

“The pre and design development phase has the greatest possibilities for creating coordinated and detailed

envelope assemblies to facilitate a quality installation. If left to the field installation phase, the building envelope

commissioning process will serve only to document, rather than complement the overall design development

and commissioning processes.”

NIBS Guideline 3-2006, Exterior Enclosure Technical Requirements For the Commissioning Process (available at

http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/NIBS/nibs_gl3.pdf)

Request For Proposal

BECx OBJECTIVES - examples:

• Typically the objectives of Cx are to provide documented confirmation that the building enclosure fulfills the functional and performance objectives, including the design and installation, for the owner, occupants and operators of the facility. This is achieved through the BECx spec.

– After reviewing the documents, the BECxA should be responsible for the development of the Building Enclosure Commissioning specification and coordination of all BECx relationships and aspects of the project.

– The BECx specification should clarify the field testing and shall be included in the Project Manual, Section 1, in coordination with specifications addressing:

– Contractor Quality Assurance and Control– Moisture Prevention Procedures during Construction– Building Enclosure Performance Requirements (inclusive of the

Air Barrier)– Testing and Inspection Services– project specific Substitution Request Form for building enclosure

components.

BECx Specification

BECx Specification - excerpt

SECTION 01812EXTERIOR ENCLOSURE COMMISSIONINGGENERAL1.1 WORK INCLUDED• Commissioning requirements common to all Exterior Enclosure-Related

Sections.• Validation of proper and thorough installation of Exterior Enclosure

components. • Building enclosure component performance verification.• Documentation of tests, procedures, and installations.• Coordination and requirements for mock-up, trial installation and testing events.• Preparation and coordination of Commissioning Report content.• Management of Record Construction Documentation• Preparation and Coordination of Facility Building Enclosure Maintenance and Operation Manual

1.2 GENERAL DESCRIPTIONA. Statement of Exterior Enclosure Design Intent (EEDI): The design intent of this exterior enclosure is to provide a façade and

roof assembly which limits air infiltration to the specified levels as required by the individual EE technical sections in Divisions 03 through 08, that eliminates uncontrolled water infiltration (including condensation); and includes products and assemblies that are technically sound, durable and serviceable.

B. Exterior Enclosure Commissioning (EECx) is the process of ensuring that all building envelope components are installed and perform collectively according to the EEDI and that the installation is adequately tested and documented. It serves as a tool to identify deficiencies in the building envelope during the preconstruction and construction phases in an effort to advance the building envelope components from mock-up installations, through installation of the separate components on the structure, to a fully integrated, weather-tight assembly prior to occupancy.

C. The Exterior Enclosure Commissioning Coordinator (EECxC) shall work with the Design Build Contractor to direct and oversee the EECx processes and functional performance testing. The EECxC will observe tests as deemed appropriate. All required testing will be performed and paid for by the Owner.

BECx Specification - excerpt

SECTION 01812EXTERIOR ENCLOSURE COMMISSIONING,

cont.

1.17 FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE TESTING (EXTERIOR ENCLOSURE)

A. Quality Assurance and Control: Specific EECx quality-assurance and quality-control requirements for individual Exterior Enclosure and materials, methods, and assemblies are specified in the EE Technical Sections relating to those activities. Specified commissioning tests, inspections, and related actions are specified in part 3 of this section, do not limit Contractor's other quality-assurance and quality-control procedures that facilitate compliance with the Contract Document requirements.

B. The objective of Functional Performance Testing is to demonstrate that each Exterior Enclosure system, and system to system interfaces meet or exceed the performance requirements of the Contract Documents and the Exterior Enclosure Design Intent.

Request For ProposalBECx OBJECTIVES -

examples:

• LEED or alternate performance goals should be outlined, including anticipated MEP Cx.

• Require full coordination with MEP Cx plan and whole building testing as required.

• Assure operations staff has full understanding of the building’s enclosure and operation, including manuals and warranty information.

LEED – but how is it measured?

Request For ProposalBECx OBJECTIVES -

examples:

• The observation work by the BECxA will be performed to supplement, and not substitute for the contractor’s quality assurance and control program.

• The BECxA is not responsible for design or construction, cost estimating or scheduling but will be required to assist in the resolution of deficiencies.

Request For ProposalSCOPE OF WORK:

• RFP shall be divided into the phases of a project that follow the typical American Institute of Architects (AIA) standard procedures. The work shall commence with the Design phase and including Schematic Design, Design Development and Construction Documents.

… focus is on quality assurance…Design PhaseSchematic DesignDesign Development Construction Documents – The Building Enclosure Cx Specification

Pre-Construction Phase“Value Engineering”Shop Drawing Review (Design “Refinement”)Laboratory Mock-Up and Performance TestingPlant Visits

… focus switch to quality control & validation… Construction PhaseQA/QC Coordination Meeting (GC/CM and All Trades)Pre-Installation Meetings (Individual Trades)Regularly Scheduled “Skin” Meetings to review issuesOn site Construction Observation, Checklists & Reporting (Field Sketches for unforeseen conditions / Design “Refinement”)Field Air and Water Penetration Resistance Testing & Documentation

Post-Occupancy Evaluation & Project Close-Out PhaseFinal “Open/Closed” Issue LogDocumentation, including Copies of All Field Reports, Photos,Sketches, and Validation of Performance TestsBuilding Envelope Operation & Maintenance Manual

Request For Proposal

SCOPE OF WORK:

• The scope of services should be clarified for each phase of the BECx process, in addition to including meetings with all other parties to review the BECxA’s comments.

Request For ProposalSCOPE OF WORK:• The scope of commissioning

services should be clearly outlined in the RFP.

– For example, during the design phase it should be clarified that the BECxA is to perform a technical review of the design drawings and specifications at various percent completion stages, i.e. 50%, 85% and 100%.

– For example, the “review(s) will address conditions that might adversely affect the performance of the building enclosure related to the control of heat, air and moisture in the context of the OPR and BOD.” (Derringer, 2007)

• The type of work product should be clarified by the RFP. Red-line mark ups on the design documents or written reports.


• The RFP should include an active role by the BECxA during the mock-up. Typically the BECxA will be in full time attendance during the construction and testing. For the RFP, it is typical to address this as an assignment of weeks to the process, inclusive of all time and expenses related to attending the laboratory mock-up facility, and a written report.

– It is recommended a common allowance is provided and carried by all BECx firms in their responses. The allowance should be based upon the specific building enclosure design and will vary between buildings in accordance with size, complexity of systems and quality of submittals.

– It is recommended the RFP include an allowance per trip to visit the fabrication plant, at which point the Owner can determine the need for plant visits based upon initial reviews and performance at the mock-up.

BECxA visited the shop where the curtain wall was being fabricated. Components were shipped to the testing laboratory and erected. Completed laboratory testing in accordance with ASTM E2099. Susceptible details were reviewed and tested for air, water leakage and potential to develop condensation.

Laboratory mock-up testsTests for water, air and structure per ASTM E 2099- 00(2007) Standard Practice for the Specification and Evaluation of Pre-Construction Laboratory Mockups of Exterior Wall Systems, performed by qualified independent test lab.

Typical test sequence:

• Static Air Infiltration Test (ASTM E283)• Static Water Test (ASTM E331)• Dynamic Water Test (AAMA 501.1-83)• Uniform Load Test (ASTM E330)• Static Water Test (ASTM E331) • Interstory Drift / Lateral and Vertical Movement (AAMA

501.4-200)• Static Water Test (ASTM E331)• Thermal Cycle (AAMA 501.5) • Dynamic Water Test (AAMA 501.1-83)• Structural Overload Test • Thermal Resistance Test (AAMA 1503)


• We recommend that the Owner retain the authority to test . As required, conditions may change suggesting more or less testing should be implemented.

• Validation of Performance. The BECxA should verify adequate and proper testing procedure to assure performance, and shall develop project specific construction checklists.

ASTM E-1105: Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of Installed Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors by Uniform or Cyclic Static Air Pressure Differential

This test method, which is included by reference under AAMA 502-02 (Voluntary Specification for Field Testing of Windows and Sliding Glass Doors) and AAMA 503-03 (Voluntary Specification for Field Testing of Storefronts, Curtain Walls and Sloped Glazing Systems) is intended to evaluate the water-tight integrity of the installed glazing system when subjected to a simulated, wind- driven rain event.

Façade air and water tests

Air pressure differential - intended to simulate the effect of a positive wind pressure on the performance of the glazing system or assembly. Application of water - delivered to the exterior surface of the test specimen using a calibrated spray “rack”. The resulting performance of the test specimen is then evaluated using the definition for “leakage” supplied by the Architect-of-Record.

http://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/index.shtml?L+mystore+ubee4150+1096481664

Roof tests

ASTM D-3617: Standard Practice for Sampling and Analysis of Built- up Roofing During Application

ASTM E907-96(2004) Standard Test Method for Field Testing Uplift Resistance of Adhered Membrane Roofing Systems

Factory Mutual Global (FMG) Bulletin 1-52 Field Uplift Tests

http://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/index.shtml?L+mystore+ubee4150+1096481664

http://www.fmglobal.com/page.aspx?id=00000000

Interface Tests

Whole Building Field TestsASTM E 779-03 Standard Test method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization

This test method consists of mechanical pressurization or de- pressurization of a building and measurements of the resulting airflow rates at a given indoor- outdoor static pressure differences. From relationship between the airflow rates and pressure differences, the air leakage characteristics of a building envelope can be evaluated.

WK5580 New - Identifying Air Leakage Locations by Fan Pressurization and the Introduction of Theatrical Fog

A “blower door” is comprised of a variable speed fan, mounted in a doorframe, used to pressurize and depressurize a building to measure air leakage

Request For ProposalQUALIFICATIONS:• The qualifications of the BECxA shall be a firm

experienced in the assemblies, systems, performance criteria and testing of the building enclosure.

– The BECxA must provide uncompromised, unbiased recommendations and raise all pertinent concerns to assure the owner’s expectations are understood and achieved.

• There is a wide field of personnel and organizations which may adopt work under the context of BECx.

– BECx design phase is typically performed by professionals with specialized experience.

– It is suggested that individuals with no less than 7 to 10 years of experience in the specialized area of building enclosure design, design-assist and construction are retained for the design phase BECxA positions.

– not one individual, but possibly a two person team to lead the design phase

– include the names and availability of key personnel for all phases of the project, in addition to their project experience, professional affiliation and available references

• The firm’s own quality assurance and control mission statement should be provided with the RFP.

RFP Response RequirementsA BECxA can analyze and provide advice on the extent to which the building enclosure should be commissioned based upon their experience.

Questions based upon the perception of the services being requested should be encouraged.

RFP Selection Process and Schedule

Today, the project is currently under construction. The ongoing role of the BECxA has been substantiated; initially through the involvement with the mock-up and the diagnosis and repair of issues during testing, and currently on site. To reach this stage of construction, the BECxA was also fully engaged in the submittal reviews, preconstruction meetings, and value engineering decisions.

The familiarity with the systems facilitated the development of project specific exterior enclosure check lists, which are the framework for a collaborative contractor, subcontractor and BECxA quality oriented review of work installed. Periodic construction observation, reporting, and field testing will be an ongoing component of the field commissioning work.

Questions, comments or follow-up information, feel free to contact us at

[email protected] …

www.wje.com

mailto:[email protected]

Case Study

The building was designed as a natatorium with the interior design temperature of 78 degrees and 60 percent relative humidity. The roof components included a faux-slate tile roof, roof self adhering underlayment, oriented strand board (OSB) sheathing, a 1 inch air vent spacer, 4.5 inches of polyisocyanurate insulation board and a self-stick modified bituminous vapor retarder adhered to the metal decking. The structural deck was 3 inch deep galvanized metal. A low-profile, continuous ridge vent was provided along with soffit vent provisions at the eaves.

Case Study: A Need for Commissioning (Natatorium)

When the building enclosure and interior environment are not coordinated to perform as an integrated whole, there is serious risk of failure. This oversight in the process was recently uncovered in a natatorium building that was less than one year old. Combine an inappropriate HVAC system, with a weak building enclosure design, and failure of the building enclosure occurred rapidly. Continuous adjustments to the HVAC controls, loss of efficiency, wasted energy and intermittent loss of use of the facility, all proved to be of disappointment and expense to the owner

Case studyThe design documents neglected to provide information regarding the continuity of the air barrier, closure of the metal pan flutes in the deck, thermal continuity or roof ventilation. Design drawings were not actually built, however failure of the system would also most likely have occurred had the details been constructed.

Case study

The HVAC design for a natatorium is typically characterized by a slight negative pressurization. The HVAC design had been modified by the operators of the building to a slight positive pressurization of the building. The inappropriately operated interior mechanical environment had disastrous effects on the durability of the exterior enclosure.

Case study

The repairs required a reinstatement of the air and vapor barriers, thermal continuity and removal and replacement of some roofing insulation due to deterioration and loss of thermal efficiency due to moisture absorption. Repairs were undertaken utilizing spray polyurethane foam insulation, and a strict quality control program of observation and testing implemented throughout the repairs.

Case study Non-destructive investigation of the building enclosure used an infrared camera to visually identify the air leakage paths in the air barrier.

The warm and humid air introduced into the building enclosure led to condensation and the extremely premature failure of the building wall to roof interface components and the roofing system. The moisture / condensation resulted from the lack of air and vapor barrier continuity, lack of thermal continuity, thermal bridging effects of the steel roof trusses and modification to the HVAC design, which “value engineered out” the upper most plenums at the roof gables resulted in interruptions to the operation of the facility and widespread discontent.

Following the repairs to the air barrier, the air tightness of the building enclosure was substantially increased. This allowed for the HVAC system to be returned to the recommended pressure without compromising the interior conditions, exterior enclosure and with a substantial savings in energy use.

Fundamental design and construction errors may have been averted had a building enclosure commissioning plan been instituted on this facility.