Presenter:

Ben Hixson
Principal
RCI Professional Member / CCS / CCCA
Roofing ۰Wall Systems۰Waterproofing ۰Thermography
 Building Envelope Solutions Team

Building envelope performance is affected by or may be

verified with the following:

Roofing Systems
Wall Systems and Moisture Barriers
Air and Vapor Barriers
Below-Grade Waterproofing
Glazing Systems
Quality Assurance Monitoring
Field Testing and Infrared Thermography
Punch Lists and Other Close-out Documentation
Building Envelope Commissioning
 The acronym IFMA may signify

“International”

but water is the universal solvent!

It’s necessary to “THINK LIKE WATER!” to create
sustainability
in green building design and construction.
Think

Like

Water!
 Quoting Albert Einstein:

“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at

the same level of thinking we were at
when we created them.”
The Other Three Legged Stool

Design
Construction

Maintenance
 Appropriate Drainage
Air and Moisture Barrier Interfaces
Coping Configurations
Curb Mounted Equipment
Penetrations
EIFS Stucco Cladding
Metal Panel Cladding
Windows Storefronts Curtain Walls
Flashing Height
 Design Issues
Consistent use of obsolete boiler plate cookie
cutter Specification Sections:

“Store rolls on end”

was cut and pasted from a Corp of
Engineer coal tar pitch built-up coal
tar felt specification and inserted
into a 20 ft wide EPDM membrane
roofing system specification!
 Design Issues
Poor understanding or no appreciation of
seasonal climatic conditions affecting
construction requirements:

Attempting to apply acrylic primers

and coatings with humidities above
85% and temperatures in the high 90’s

will not work!

 Positive Drainage not Indicated

Direct drainage solely to the primary drain!

Don’t Block Positive Drainage!
Functional Air and Moisture
Barriers are Critical!
Manufacturer’s Instructions
Coping and Scuppers
 Copings
Think like wind driven rain; metal sheds
water and membranes waterproof!
 Copings
need to be IBC ES-1 Compliant
(since 2004)!
 Copings
need to be IBC ES-1 Compliant
(since 2004)!
Coping Termination onto
Sheathing is Critical!
Coping Termination onto
Sheathing is Critical!
Coping Termination at Rise Wall
If we can see a gap wind
driven rain will find a gap!
Consequences of Improper
Coping Dimensions!
Penetrations are Potential Points
of Wind Driven Rain Entry!
Direct Applied Stucco
Stucco on Metal Lathe
Even conventional brick veneer…
Metal Panel Cladding
Avoid Dry Joint Systems!
Designer Error for Swimming Pool
with Expansion Joint
Windows, Storefront &
Curtain Wall
Windows, Storefront &
Curtain Wall
Windows, Storefront &
Curtain Wall
Improper Flashing
Designer Error
 Field Air and Water Testing
for
Windows, Storefronts, Curtain Wall and Skylights

• Quality Assurance requirement on most new projects

• Confirming performance of all glazing systems or
perimeter conditions
• Tool for locating existing project’s leak problems
• American Architectural Manufacturer’s Association –
AAMA founded in Illinois in 1936
• American Society for Testing and Materials – ASTM
started in Pennsylvania in 1898
Field Chamber Water Testing
 AAMA 503 - 03
Voluntary Specification for Field Testing of
Storefronts, Curtain Walls and
Sloped Glazing Systems
 ASTM E-783-02
Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of
Air Leakage Through Installed
Exterior Windows and Doors

• Determining air flow through operable windows

and doors
• Air Barrier Waterproofing Systems
• Department of Energy Guidelines – Government
Building Construction
• LEED Point System
 ASTM E-2128-01A
Standard Guide for Evaluating Water
Leakage of Building Walls
(Existing Buildings)

• For buildings installed over six months with a

variety of problems
• Test methods chosen will usually depend on
the issue or history of problematic installations
 AAMA 511-08
Voluntary Guideline for Forensic Water
Penetration Testing of Fenestration Properties

• New testing method with step by step process for

location of leaks in the total building envelope
with leaking issues
• Process includes drawing review, leak history,
weather occurrences during certain periods, and
field observations of leak location on exterior and
interior of project
 AAMA 501.2 - 03
• Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage –
Perimeter sealant joints and storefronts; mostly
perimeter sealant joints; not recommended for
windows and storefront perimeters.
• Field check of installed storefronts, curtain walls and
sloped glazing system
 AAMA 502-02
Voluntary Specification for Field Testing of
Windows and Sliding Glass Doors

• Test Method A - Unit Only

• Test Method B - Unit and Perimeter Sealant

• AAMA Testing according to AAMA Testing

Guidelines can only be conducted by
AAMA Certified Testing Agencies
 AAMA 502-8
Voluntary Specification for Field Testing of
Newly Installed Fenestration Products

New guidelines for field testing window products

with specific language for methods and reasons for
negative static pressure chamber water testing.
Contains wording about testing 2/3 of laboratory
pressure and instructions upon leaking. If perimeter
leaks occur follow the AAMA 511-08 Guidelines.
AAMA 502-11 ۰ AAMA 502-12
Voluntary Specification for
Field Testing of Newly Installed
Fenestration Products

Replaces the AAMA 502-08 with

additional instructions regarding
chamber testing
 ASTM E-1105
Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Water
Penetration of Installed Exterior Window, Skylights, Doors and
Curtain Walls by Uniform or
Cyclic Static Air Pressure Differences

• Test Method A - Uniform Static Air Pressure:

Testing period of fifteen minutes
• Test Method B - Cyclic Static Air Pressure: Testing
period of five minutes on then one minute off for
no less than fifteen minutes
• The original chamber testing guidelines for all
chamber water testing methods
• Tests glazing unit and perimeter
 ASTM E-1105
Tests glazing unit and perimeter. Owner and
Architect determine static test pressure in
keeping with project requirements.

HCI recommends this test procedure and

testing at the highest static test pressure
performance claimed by the glazing unit
manufacturer, i.e., the rated or warranted
performance pressure.
Pump Method to Obtain
Proper Water Pressure
Barrel and Pump Method to Obtain
Proper Water Pressure
 Substitutions
Specifications Submittals
Metal Edge and Coping Fascia
Qualified Installers / Screen Employees
Manufacturer’s Instructions and Ownership
Flashing Laps and Field Seams
Infrared Thermographic Scan
 Submittals
“Submit manufacturer’s written approval of the
specified systems to meet the performance
needs and project expectations prior to start
of the work.”

“Submittals sent to the Architect in time for use

of Architect approved submittals during the
Mandatory Preinstallation Conference.”
Metal Edge & Coping Fascia
End Dams
Qualified Installers/Screening Employees
Installer’s Qualification
Poor Workmanship is Today’s Norm
Installer Error
Installer Error
Installer Error on Metal Panel Roof
Masonry Deficiency Discovery
Upon Removal
Positive Pressure / Thermal Bridging
Infrared Thermography Scan
Questions
&
Answers