ASTM E330

Building Enclosure commissioning with a twist
ACG 7th Annual Conference on
Total Building Commissioning
St. Louis, Missouri
Presented by
Fiona Aldous
April 14, 2011
1.00-2.30
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International Copyright laws. Reproduction,
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© 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”
BECx Plan Milestones
Figure GL3-B1: Key Envelope Commissioning Milestones by Phase (Overview)
Pre-Design
Design
Schematic Design
Design Development
Construction Documents
Construction
e
Occupancy and Operations
KEY
Define Expectations
Assess Results
Document
Owners Project Requirements
Basis of Design
Test
Update
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.
Performance
• 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
PENCIL TEST –
the continuity of barriers
Heat Transfer Simulation
Heat Transfer simulation
Two-Dimensional Building HeatTransfer 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 twodimensional 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
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
Transient Hygrothermal Analysis
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/
8760 Hour Calculations
WUFI Pro 5.0
Project Team Meetings
• Charette style
• Detail development /
refinement
• Owner / Design /
construction team input
• Schedule
• Timing
Building Enclosure Cx Specification
 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.
Pre-Construction
Phase
Laboratory
Performance MockUp
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.
Mock-up Performance Testing
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 Report / Action Items
Submittal
Reviews
The
Process
• 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
Documentation of Observations
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.
Performance
The Process Tests
• 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
Validation of Construction
Field Air Tests – Glazed
The Process
assemblies & Interfaces
ASTM E783 Standard Test Method for
Field Measurement of Air Leakage
Through Installed Exterior Windows and
Doors
Field Water Tests – Glazed
The Process
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.
Field Water Tests – Glazed
The Process
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.
Field Water Tests – Glazed
The Process
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
TheAir
Process
Field
Tests – Air Barrier
ASTM E1186 –03 (2009) Standard
Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection
in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier
Systems
Field Thermal Tests – Glazed
The Process
Assemblies/Transition to Air barrier
AAMA 1503-09 Voluntary Test
Method for Thermal
Transmittance and
Condensation Resistance of
Windows, Doors and Glazed
Wall Assemblies.
TheAir
Process
Field
Tests – Roof
ASTM E1186 Standard Practices for Air
Leakage Site Detection in Building
Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems
Field
High
Voltage
The
Process
Electronic Leak detection –
Roofing and Planter
waterproofing
Field Water Tests –
The Process
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.
Test to overcome
construction issues
Poor Workmanship
will be revealed by
visual observation and
tests
Test to overcome
construction issues
Over exposure of
materials to
weather & UV
Improper Installation
of details
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.
Achieve the OPR
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