ACG 7th Annual Conference on

Total Building Commissioning St. Louis, Missouri

Presented by

Fiona Aldous

Building Enclosure - commissioning with a twist

April 14, 2011

1.00-2.30

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.

© Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. 2011

Distinctive

“Architecture should speak of its time and place, but

yearn for timelessness”

Frank Gehry

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.”

Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx)

“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 Guideline 3-2006 Exterior Enclosure Technical Requirements for the Commissioning Process (available at: http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/NIBS/nibs_gl3.pdf)

Building Enclosure Performance

The Building Enclosure defines the layer which protects the controlled interior space, from the extremes of the environment.

The interior and the building

enclosure are interdependent.

Owner’s

Project

Requirements

(OPR)

Not a “one size fits all”

Figure GL3-B1: Key Envelope Commissioning Milestones by Phase (Overview)

Pre-Design

Design

Schematic Design

Design Development

Construction Documents

Construction

Occupancy and Operations

KEY

Define Expectations

Assess Results

Document

Owners Project Requirements

Basis of Design

Test

Update

Milestones

e

BECx Plan Milestones

Who • Technical qualifications in

education • Associated & BECx experience

– Knowledge – Expertise – Objective – Sufficient experienced staffing – Tools to communicate – Independent

• Written Report at various stages of project, outlining findings and recommendations

Refer to User’s Guide for the 2006 ICC Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities, General Administrative Provisions, 103.3 Performance requirements

TEAM

… focus is on quality assurance…

BECx Pre- Design Phase Services

Owner Project Requirements (OPR) document

BECx Plan

BECx Design Phase Services

Document Review and Report

Project Team Meetings

BECx Specification

BECx Pre-Construction Phase Services

Mock-Up Submittal Review

Mock -Up Observation & Testing

Project Submittal Reviews

Pre-Con BECx Meeting

BE Trade Coordination/Pre-Con Meetings

On-Site QC Seminar

… focus switch to quality control & validation…

BECx Construction Phase Services On-Site Periodic Observation

Performance Testing

BECx Construction Meetings

Building Enclosure Commissioning Report

BECx Post Construction / Occupancy Phase Services

Building Enclosure Owner Occupancy

Training

Warranty Review and Report

Pre-Design Phase

• Owner’s project requirements (OPR) –Site, air and groundwater analysis – Interior Environment Tolerances –Corporate, institutional, social or

environmental statement.

• Total project commissioning plan • Budget • Documentation

Design Phase

BECx becomes integrated into the design development process The peer review:

“Peer Review has the potential to enhance the quality and reliability of the design, review, and construction of buildings, structures and facilities. It provides additional assurance of the completed project’s performance by adding an independent and experienced voice to the process.”

General Administrative Provisions, 103.3.6.3 Contract and Peer Review, User’s Guide for the 2003 ICC

Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities.

• Perform peer review checking at SD, DD, 50% and coordination review at 90%

• Provide recommendations • Assist in development and

refinement of details for enclosure systems

• Review interactions between systems

• Review building enclosure specifications

• Identify and address problems before they occur

• Confirm constructability of details

Design Pressures (DP) / ASCE 7 ASCE 7-05 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures provides requirements for general structural design and the means for determining dead, live, soil, flood, wind, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, and earthquake loads, as well as their combinations, which are suitable for inclusion in building codes and other documents.

ASHRAE Climate Zones

The climate zones were developed based on analysis of the 4775 NOAA weather sites and statistical analysis of regional information. The new climate zones are set by county boundaries. The zones were first adopted by 2004 IECC Supplement model energy code.

• control the path of water or vapor, air, heat flow, light, and noise, and be and structurally sound.

• The enclosure assembly must consider the building’s structure, applied loads, resistance to fire and pests

• control of interior conditioned environment

• secure • constructible and

economical • durable, maintainable and

responsible

Performance

PENCIL TEST –

the continuity of barriers

Heat Transfer Simulation

Heat Transfer simulation Location: Birmingham, Alabama Ext Temperature: 24°F (from AHRAE 2009 - Birmingham Municipal Airport) Int Temperature: 72°F RH: 35% Dewpoint: 42 °F Insulation Height: 48” from top of concrete Insulation Thickness: 4”

44.3 °F

46.0 °F

Two-Dimensional Building Heat-Transfer Modeling THERM is a state-of-the-art, Microsoft Windows™-based computer program developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) for those interested in heat transfer. Using THERM, you can model two-dimensional heat-transfer effects in building components such as windows, walls, foundations, roofs, and doors; where thermal bridges are of concern. THERM's heat-transfer analysis allows you to evaluate a product’s energy efficiency and local temperature patterns, which may relate directly to problems with condensation, moisture damage, and structural integrity. http://windows.lbl.gov/software/therm/therm.html

Transient Hygrothermal Analysis

WUFI Pro 5.0 8760 Hour Calculations

WUFI-ORNL/IBP is a menu-driven PC program which allows realistic calculation of the transient coupled one-dimensional heat and moisture transport in multi-layer building components exposed to natural weather. It is based on the newest findings regarding vapor diffusion and liquid transport in building materials and has been validated by detailed comparison with measurements obtained in the laboratory and on outdoor testing fields. http://www.ornl.gov/sci/btc/apps/moisture/

Project Team Meetings

• Charette style

• Detail development / refinement

• Owner / Design / construction team input

• Schedule

• Timing

Coordinate 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.

Building Enclosure Cx Specification

Pre-Construction Phase

Laboratory Performance Mock-Up Allows for evaluation of the design prior to wide spread construction

Mock-Up Process - Visits to Fabrication Plant

Complete laboratory testing in accordance with ASTM E2099. Susceptible details are reviewed and tested for structural, seismic, air leakage, water penetration and thermal resistance.

Tests 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)

Mock-up Performance Testing

Mock-up Report / Action Items

The Process

Submittal Reviews

• Technically-focused review of the building enclosure submittals

• Meet performance objective?

• Interface with design and construction team – Performance and

constructability of details – Impacts to schedule and

cost – Durability – Compatibility / Adhesion – Coordination between

submittals

Construction Phase

• Development & Refinement of Installation Check Lists with assistance of trades

• Individual Trade Pre-con Meetings

• Collaborative contractor, subcontractor and BECxA quality oriented review of work

Jobsite BECx Activities

• On site Construction Observation,

• Verification of Checklist implementation

• Discussion of Issues with GC’s QC Coordinator on site

• Development of Field Sketches for unforeseen conditions / Design “Refinement” for A-o-R consideration

• Coordination of BECx meetings

• Observation of Field Testing & Documentation

• Safety Awareness

Periodic Construction Observation

Tracking of field deficiencies and “open/closed” action item logs

Documentation of tests

Action Item No. 38 System Reviewed: Waterproofing Date: 23 May 2008 Area Reviewed: NW Reentrant Corner (Column Line C: 1 to 3 and Column Line 3: A to C), Ground Floor Weather: 60 Deg F / Mostly Cloudy WJE Rep: MK Present: GC (DB & JM) Description: WJE observed unprotected waterproofing membrane that included the following deficiencies: 1) large pockets of water beneath the waterproofing membrane; 2) tears at slab edge transitions along the perimeter of the first floor slab; 3) exposure to excessive debris including welding rods, miscellaneous metals (some partially melted into the waterproofing membrane), and concrete debris. It is important to note that the large pockets of water observed beneath the waterproof membrane currently appear to be isolated to areas outboard of the precast concrete panels. WJE continues to recommend that all exposed waterproofing membrane is protected from on-going work in these and adjacent areas. GC to confirm that these deficiencies are repaired and that protection will be provided.

Documentation of Observations

The Process

• project specific & comprehensive

• demonstrate that each

Building Enclosure system, and system to system interfaces meet or exceed the performance requirements of the OPR, Contract Documents and the Building Enclosure Design Intent

• random selection • early in construction

Performance Tests

Validation of Construction

The Process

Field Air Tests – Glazed assemblies & Interfaces

ASTM E783 Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed Exterior Windows and Doors

The Process

Field Water Tests – Glazed assemblies & Interfaces

ASTM E-1105-00(2008) 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.

The Process

Field Water Tests – Glazed assemblies & Interfaces

AAMA 501.02 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.

The Process

Field Water Tests – Glazed assemblies & Interfaces

AAMA 501.1-05 Standard Test Method for Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors for Water Penetration Using Dynamic Pressure – Modified for Field Use

The Process

Field Air Tests – Air Barrier

ASTM E1186 –03 (2009) Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems

The Process

Field Thermal Tests – Glazed Assemblies/Transition to Air barrier

AAMA 1503-09 Voluntary Test Method for Thermal Transmittance and Condensation Resistance of Windows, Doors and Glazed Wall Assemblies.

The Process

Field Air Tests – Roof

ASTM E1186 Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems

The Process

Field High Voltage Electronic Leak detection – Roofing and Planter waterproofing

The Process

Field Water Tests – Water proofing

ASTM D-5957-98(2005): Standard Guide for Flood Testing Horizontal Waterproofing Installations

Project Specific Tests

ASTM D4541 - 09 Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers ASTM C1521 - 09e1 Standard Practice for Evaluating Adhesion of Installed Weatherproofing Sealant Joints.

Poor Workmanship will be revealed by visual observation and tests

Test to overcome construction issues

Improper Installation of details

Over exposure of materials to weather & UV

Test to overcome construction issues

Test to overcome construction issues

Material substitutions

BECx Post Construction

During the Occupancy and Operations Phase, the on-going operation, maintenance, and modification of the facility systems and assemblies, and their associated documentation, are verified against the updated Owner’s Project Requirement

Post-Construction Building Enclosure – Air Tightness

ASTM E1827 Standard Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door

Result: (Enclosure, including basement) 0.12 cfm/ ft2 at a pressure differential of 0.3” w.g.(75 Pa) Result: (Enclosure, without basement) 0.2 cfm/ ft2 at a pressure differential of 0.3” w.g.(75 Pa)

Testing undertaken as part of ASHRAE 1478TRP “Measuring Air-Tightness of Mid and High Rise Non-Residential Buildings”. Results courtesy of Gary Nelson & Collin Olsen. Much thanks to entire WID team, Terry Brennan & Wagdy Anis.

Post Construction testing Although useful to

diagnose issues and perform qualitative reviews, testing after the building enclosure is complete is not useful in the overall schedule and mission to achieve the OPR.

Adapt tests to validate

performance and undertake early in the construction process.

Facility Engineer Training

BECxA performs the training of the facility maintenance personnel. Educate the Owner to properly maintain the building enclosure. Keep the Owner and occupants happy.

Questions, comments or follow-up information, please contact us at

faldous@wje.com ph. 703 297 1909 or 972 550 7777 Thank-you …

www.wje.com

Achieve the OPR