Building Envelope Commissioning - · PDF fileCommissioning the Building Envelope Commissioning...

Gale Associates, Inc.E n g i n e e r s a n d P l a n n e r sGale Associates, Inc.E n g i n e e r s a n d P l a n n e r s

Commissioning the Building EnvelopeCommissioning the Building EnvelopePresented to: NEHES

Presented by: Edward J. Stewart, [email protected]

October 4, 2012

What is “Building Envelope Commissioning” ?What is “Building Envelope Commissioning” ?

Similar process as Traditional MEP-Based Cx

Review ability of design to

– control heat, air and vapor flow– control water penetration– control light & solar radiation

Monitor and inspect Test and verify

Air Leakage accounts for…Air Leakage accounts for…

40% of a building’s energy consumption (DOE)

43% of heat loss (NIST)

26% of cooling loss (NIST)

Building Envelope Commissioning is New and ComplexBuilding Envelope Commissioning is New and Complex

Formal guidelines being developed Similar process to HVAC commissioning but

much more complex– Nothing comparable to the test and balance,

and other functional tests routinely specified for HVAC

– HVAC can be tweaked when building is complete, not an option with the envelope

Benefits of Building Envelope CommissioningBenefits of Building Envelope Commissioning

Helps to avoid common problems in building construction:– Water intrusion– Indoor air quality issues– Mold growth– Air infiltration (energy loss and occupant

discomfort)– Improves balancing of HVAC equipment

Key Causes of Envelope FailuresKey Causes of Envelope Failures Reliance on a single water barrier (i.e. sealants) New untested building materials Complex geometries Repetitiveness of problem details Lack of technical understanding of moisture

intrusion mechanisms Lack of modeling / review / testing / startup No defined expectation of building’s performance

with regard to selecting materials and details Lack of coordinated details between construction

trades Workmanship

20th Century Building Envelopes20th Century Building Envelopes

Simple building materials

Limited layers

Trained workforce

Today’s Building EnvelopesToday’s Building Envelopes

Complex, new building materials

Multiple layers / configurations

Limited designer/contractor experience

Aspects of Building Envelope CommissioningAspects of Building Envelope Commissioning

Design phase

Pre-construction phase

Construction phase

Post-construction phase

Design PhaseDesign Phase

Design Phase ServicesDesign Phase Services Review prime architect’s conceptual plans and

identify design options for envelope systems

Meet with project team to review standardized approach to design development– Emphasize detailing, specifications, and

constructability

Peer review plans, details, and specifications at schematic and design development stages

Develop commissioning specifications, establish team, and identify responsibilities

Design RequirementsDesign Requirements Combination of building envelope components

are numerous

Building envelope must perform as a system with all joints, junctures, and penetrations detailed– Design specifications must be clear and

specific– All components must work in conjunction with

adjoining assemblies

Construction PhaseConstruction Phase

(Pre) Construction Phase Services(Pre) Construction Phase Services Review shop drawings and submittals related to

envelope systems

Conduct envelope coordination meetings prior to construction with team members

– Members include architect, owner, envelope consultant, CM/GC, and sub trades

– Review and coordinate shop drawing details at which various envelope components interface

– Conduct multiple shop drawing coordination meetings between various trades

– Establish a Quality Control Program


envelope systems


Oversee construction of mock-up and document test results, observations, and recommendations


envelope systems


Oversee construction of mock-up and document test results, observations, and recommendations

Review construction sequencing and scheduling

Shop Drawing ReviewShop Drawing Review

Curtain Wall Shop Drawing ReviewCurtain Wall Shop Drawing Review

Roofing Shop Drawing ReviewRoofing Shop Drawing Review

Mock-Up TestingMock-Up Testing To be built by on-site trades

Full-scale laboratory testing

To include as many typical details as possible

To be tested for compliance with established standards

Access for modifications to address potential problems

Troubleshoot potential problems

Establishes standard of care for trades

On-Site Mock-UpOn-Site Mock-Up

ASTM E 783 Standard Test Method for Field Management of Air Leakage through Exterior Windows and Doors

ASTM E 783 Standard Test Method for Field Management of Air Leakage through Exterior Windows and Doors

ASTM E 2099 Standard Practice for the Specification and Evaluation of Pre-Construction Laboratory Mock-Ups of Exterior Wall Systems

ASTM E 2099 Standard Practice for the Specification and Evaluation of Pre-Construction Laboratory Mock-Ups of Exterior Wall Systems

Construction Phase ServicesConstruction Phase Services

Finalize commissioning plan based on results of mock-up testing

Verify and document field QA/QC programs

Integration of RFIs and change orders to the Commissioning Plan

Provision and follow-up of ongoing deficiency lists

Construction MonitoringConstruction Monitoring Perform periodic on-site observations of

contractor’s work

Attend job-site meetings while critical enclosure components are being installed

Summarize observations, concerns, and recommendations in a written report

Witness and verify field tests and field data reports

Review unique interface conditions to verify that they meet the design intent

Confirm that defective conditions are rectified

Or maybe it doesn’t get built quite the way it’s drawn…Or maybe it doesn’t get built quite the way it’s drawn…

Quality Control TestingQuality Control Testing

Electric Field Vector MonitoringElectric Field Vector Monitoring

ASTM E 1186, Standard Practice for Air Leakage Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier SystemsASTM E 1186, Standard Practice for Air Leakage Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems

ASTM D 4541 Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings – Portable Adhesion TestingASTM D 4541 Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings – Portable Adhesion Testing

ASTM C 1193, Standard Guide for Use of Joint Sealants, Method A, Field Applied Sealant Joint Hand Pull Tab

ASTM C 1193, Standard Guide for Use of Joint Sealants, Method A, Field Applied Sealant Joint Hand Pull Tab

System Punch List InspectionsSystem Punch List Inspections

Acceptance PhaseAcceptance Phase

Testing– Smoke tests, tracer gas (qualitative)– Chamber tests (quantitative)– Spray nozzle, spray rack leak tests– Blower door tests– Infra-red (after encl. complete or with temp

heat) Review as-built drawings (building envelope) Final walk-through punchlist Final report

Post-Construction ServicesPost-Construction Services

ASTM C 1060-90, Standard Practice for Thermographic Inspection of Insulation Installations in Envelope Cavities of Frame Buildings

ASTM C 1060-90, Standard Practice for Thermographic Inspection of Insulation Installations in Envelope Cavities of Frame Buildings

ASTM C 1153, Standard Practice for Location of Wet Insulation in Roofing Using Infrared ImagingASTM C 1153, Standard Practice for Location of Wet Insulation in Roofing Using Infrared Imaging

ASTM E 1186, Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier SystemsASTM E 1186, Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems

ASTM E 779, Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan PressurizationASTM E 779, Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization

Building Envelope Design Peer Review/Construction Period Services Gateway Community College, New Haven, CT

Building Envelope Design Peer Review/Construction Period Services Gateway Community College, New Haven, CT

Building Envelope/Waterproofing DesignPeer Review Boston University Sports Center, Boston, MA

Building Envelope/Waterproofing DesignPeer Review Boston University Sports Center, Boston, MA

Garden Roof/Plaza Deck and Building Envelope Design Services/Peer ReviewHarvard University Graduate Student Housing, Allston, MA

Garden Roof/Plaza Deck and Building Envelope Design Services/Peer ReviewHarvard University Graduate Student Housing, Allston, MA

Building Enclosure Consultation/Peer Review and Construction Period ServicesThe Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA

Building Enclosure Consultation/Peer Review and Construction Period ServicesThe Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA

Exterior Building Envelope Commissioning ServicesNewton North High School, Newton, MAExterior Building Envelope Commissioning ServicesNewton North High School, Newton, MA

Building Envelope Peer Review, Air Barrier Testing and Construction Period ServicesWheelock College Campus Center and Student ResidenceBoston, MA

Building Envelope Peer Review, Air Barrier Testing and Construction Period ServicesWheelock College Campus Center and Student ResidenceBoston, MA

Bridgewater State University Boston University

– Agganis Sports Center – Life Science Building – Medical Center – Student Housing

Emmanuel College, Boston, MA Gateway Community College,

New Haven, CT Western CT State University,

Danbury, CT Harvard University

– Center for Government and International Studies

– Graduate Student Housing – CGIS Center – Laboratory for Interface

Science and Engineering Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH University of Vermont,

Burlington, VT Wheelock College, Boston, MA

MSBA – James M. Quinn Elementary School,

Dartmouth – Joseph W. Martin Jr.Elementary

School, North Attleboro – North and East Falmouth Elementary

Schools – Elementary Schools, Sandwich – Newton North High School – Norwood Senior High School – Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical

High School, Bourne – Oak Ridge and Forestdale

Baltimore Convention Center Hotel, Baltimore, MD

Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA

Wheelock College

Boston University

Newton North H.S.Harvard University

Building Commissioning ProjectsBuilding Commissioning Projects

Federal ProjectsFederal Projects

Naval Station Newport

United States Coast Guard Academy – New London

Naval Submarine Base New London

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Cutler Naval Base

Current NAVFAC MIDLANT contract number:

N40085-11-D-7207

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