Building Enclosure Consulting

UPDATE: As of 6/15/2017 we are out of stock, and we are currently too busy to burn more. Send us an email and we will add you to the waiting list. Do NOT buy it – your order will be cancelled. Sorry.

Duration: The educational seminar runs for approx. 40 minutes, (although your mileage may vary if you pause the show to read slides) running time. The original source seminar consisted of 122 slides.

Comments: This educational seminar discusses thermal modeling and specification of three-dimensional cold bridging in curtain walls. Modern curtain walls often feature protruding overhangs, exterior shading, and random jogs in plane (to list only a few), which need to be custom designed and fine tuned to meet the specified thermal performance requirements. We show two case studies of sunshade bracket penetrations and explain how some relatively easy and inexpensive modifications (i.e. substitution of a nylon shim or stainless steel plate) can influence the curtain wall performance. The seminar describes typical challenges and solutions experienced on the average project, focusing on those aspects which are typically overlooked by others. The 3D modeling is a very narrow niche; however, the content is delivered at an elementary level. It comes straight from horse’s mouth, because Kaz is a curtain wall and 3D modeling expert.

The interested reader may also refer to the articles: “Using 3D Thermal Modeling to Improve Performance Requirements” in JBED Summer 2010 and “Condensation Risk Assessment” in The Construction Specifier 10/2007, available via our old website.

Audience: It’s intended for construction design professionals who are on the receiving end of the modeling and simulation process, including curtain wall contractors’ teams.

Learning objectives:

Table of contents

Trailer. We never produced a trailer for this DVD.

 Self Reporting Form: Never produced. Learning units may be arranged on individual basis for an additional fee, and would require a competency component (a test after you watched the video).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The seminars focus on areas typically overlooked by architects and engineers in process of building envelope design. The topics are chosen on basis of observations derived from both forensic investigations of failed assemblies and peer reviews of architectural documentation.

The  seminar was given by Kaz only once, at the University of Southern California. This video was prepared on basis of the draft of the slideshow and shipped ahead of time to be played in case Kaz couldn’t make it. However, Kaz had successfully arrived on time, and by then has changed the seminar completely.

Version.  It’s  the first version from year 2013. We never had the time to update this DVD.

Packaging:  May vary. We will probably switch to cardboard sleeves soon.

How Can I get it? We  sell them directly, as well as they will be available through third-party re-sellers soon. They are currently available for download.
Price:  We also encourage a purchase of several DVDs at a discount.If you plan to purchase, please approve the applicable terms and conditions. When you press the “Buy Now” button, you will be taken to the checkout webpage.

UPDATE: As of 6/15/2017 we are out of stock, and we are currently too busy to burn more. Send us an email and we will add you to the waiting list. Do NOT buy it – your order will be cancelled. Sorry.

3D Analysis of Cold Bridging in Curtain Wall Design

The dew point meter in the exploratory opening and in the exterior wall affected by high humidity damage to interior millwork

It’s not always rain leakage, we find in our investigations as facade doctors. We sometimes find no traces of water intrusion, as opposed to water condensing inside, where it can damage moisture-sensitive materials, and contribute to microbial growth i.e. mold and mildew. In such a case, [Read the rest of this entry…]

One-dimensional Transient Hygrothermal Analysis. Would there be a water damage inside, at the absence of any rain intrusion or plumbing leaks? Microbial growth? We found the answer in many cases is yes.

These analysis are performed in design stages, in order to assess the moisture behavior of very simple assemblies. Most typically performed to assess the need and location of vapor retarding layers.

We also perform a long-term hygrothermal monitoring of assemblies in the field, in order to identify sources of moisture damage after the possibility of leakage has been ruled out.

You may also be interested in reading the following technical publication:

Condensation Risk Assessment (PDF, size 3 MB) by Mr. Karol Kazmierczak – The Construction Specifier 10/2007

Would there be a water damage inside, at the absence of any rain intrusion or plumbing leaks? Microbial growth? We found the answer in many cases is yes.

These hygro-thermal analyses are performed on facades of buildings in design stages, in order to assess the moisture behavior of very simple assemblies. Most typically performed to assess the need and location of vapor retarding layers.

We also perform a long-term hygrothermal monitoring of assemblies in the field, in order to identify sources of moisture damage after the possibility of leakage has been ruled out.

You may also be interested in reading the following technical publication:
Condensation Risk Assessment (PDF, size 3 MB) by Mr. Karol Kazmierczak – The Construction Specifier 10/2007

2-Dimensional Steady State Thermal Analysis is performed on simple assemblies to identify the thermal transmittance (U value) and assess the condensation risk.  What is the thermal transmittance? It’s composed of the three modes of heat transfer: thermal heat conductivity, thermal heat conductivity, and radiation thermal.   It’s often expressed as U values (for windows, curtain walls, skylights, and other glazing).

These NFRC-compliant simulations are nationally accepted as an alternative of the expensive laboratory testing of fenestration. Also, this type of analysis can yield SHGC of the fenestration (measure of solar direct gain in windows) , with the popular software we use.

3-Dimensional Transient Thermal Analysis are performed to assess the passive solar design with materials of large heat storage capacity or to assess the condensation risk. Useful in analysis of 3D assemblies made of high-heat storage capacity materials, such as masonry and concrete precast. Would they store and release enough heat to ride through the cold winter night? Would they absorb enough heat to ride through the hot sunmer day?We would give you the answer.

You may also be interested in reading the following free technical publication: Using 3D Thermal Modeling to Improve Performance Requirements (PDF, size 353 kB) by Karol Kazmierczak – JBED 2/2010

3-Dimensional Steady State Thermal Analysis are performed chiefly to assess the condensation risk of those details that escape the 2D representation, such as shading brackets, anchors, and framing intersections  in verification of impact of thermal bridging caused by components penetrating the heat-control layer in two directions.

The image above shows the Sample 3-Dimensional Steady State Thermal Analysis, revealing the thermal [Read the rest of this entry…]

Building Enclosure Consulting is an independent consulting and diagnostic architectural engineering company devoted to sciences and technology of building enclosures. We serve only one master: YOU.

Here is the link to our main website.

We provide 3D FEA Computer Simulation, building enclosure commissioning, diagnostic services, and forensic investigations, such as rain intrusion investigations.  We own a state-of-the-art specialized equipment used for building enclosure investigations and testing, with which we serve the east half of the U.S. and Caribbean Archipelago.

The father of modern architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright once said “if the roof doesn’t leak, the architect has not been creative enough,” and it seems many architects followed this motto, consequently making building occupants miserable, and they in turn made the forensic construction analysis a thriving business. To revert this tendency, we are also devoted to education of our customers and other building enclosure consultants in sciences and technology of building enclosures.

[Read the rest of this entry…]

About Us

Building Enclosure Consulting is a consulting and diagnostic company, independent from manufacturers and suppliers. We are devoted to building facades (façades), also called building envelopes and building enclosures. We serve only one master: YOU. We own a state-of -the-art specialized equipment used for building enclosure investigations and testing, with which we serve the east half of the U.S. and Caribbean Archipelago.  More about us.

Education and Information Services:
Facade Engineering University		Our Seminars		Our Publications		Facade Trivia
Suggested Reading and Links		Our Newsletter		Building EnclosureCouncil (BEC) Miami		DVDs for Sale and other media
Commercial Services:
Design Consulting		Computer Simulations		Glass Breakage Investigations		Leak Detection
Waterproofing Verification		Energy Modeling		Glass Matching		Diagnostic Tests
Construction Consulting		Thermal Bridging		Glass Engineering		Cause and Origin Investigations
Buidling Code Compliance Review		Virtual Wind Tunnel Testing (CFD)		Solar Heat Gain Coefficient SHGC		Forensic Construction Defect Investigations
AAMA and ASTM Testing		WUFI Hygrothermal Analysis		Sloped Glazing Consulting		Roofing Testing
BECx Commissioning of Building Envelope		3D Thermal Transient Simulations		Curtain Wall Consulting		Thermographic Tests
Restoration Design		Condensation Risk Analysis		Solar and Daylight Analysis of Facade		Forensic Construction Defect Investigations
About Us:
Who We Are		Contact Information		Our YouTube Videos		Author – Kaz
Building Enclosure Consulting		Questions To Ask Your Architect		Our Mission		Diplomas, Certificates,Licenses, Etc,
Testimonials		Careers		List of Projects		Express Quotes

Visit our home page or contact us.

Duration: The educational seminar runs for approx. 2-1/2 hours, (although your mileage may vary if you pause the show to read individual slides) running time plus introductions and presentations. The original source seminar consisted of 713 slides and was delivered at high rate of speed.

Comments: Seminar describes the means and goals of energy engineering with respect to building envelopes: heat transfer and condensation risk assessment procedures and presents the basic thermodynamics concepts with special focus on the areas typically overlooked by architects.

Target Audience:  Kaz slanted it for achitects. For some reasons engineers seemed to be the most enthusiastic recipients among mixed attendance consisting of architects, contractors, code officials, etc. One architect”s  comment summarized it well: “It was quite scary. You suddenly realize how much there is to know.” The most interested attendants tend to be Kaz’s competitors: building enclosure consultants, because Kaz shows the tricks of the trade.

Learning objectives: 1. LEED EA energy optimization credit and ASHRAE 90.1. Comparison between energy optimization and renewable energy source. 2. Basic components of thermal comfort, introduction to psychometrics. How heat is propagated – radiation, conduction, convection. 3. Measures of energy transfer – thermal transmittance, resistance, heat storage, emissivity, and convection. 4. Uniqueness of hot climate and basic condensation risk differences. Moisture transmission and accumulation, permeability of materials and diffusion, air leakage. 5. Condensation risk assessment, three dimensional thermal bridging, steady state and transient analyses, moisture migration analyses. 6. Case study of window in a precast concrete wall,. 7. Case study of a curtain wall bay. 8. Case study of an aluminum transom.

Table of contents

Curtain Wall Offset

Curtain Wall Transom

Window in Curtain Wall

Window In Precast Wall

Sloped Glazing Rafter

Trailer. We never produced a trailer for this DVD.  However; we posted two case studies from this seminar free of charge online:

Case Study 1 – 3D Thermal Analysis of a Curtain Wall Bay (length 7 minutes) . This famous case of a structural curtain wall was also described in my article published in JBED  in 2010, available for download at our old website.

Case Study 2 – 2D Thermal Analysis of a Mullion (length 11 minutes). This video describes the process of improvement of a horizontal mullion of a curtain wall, which was found substandard at the submittal stage. It shows a number of variations and their effects on the thermal performance.

 Self Reporting Form: The old form is available for download. AIA spent our dues on frequent changes of their website, making it even less intuitive every time, so the specific steps had varied already by the time I was finished with the form. Please note that jurisdictions may vary with their acceptance of self-reported units, please check with your state first.

HSW: Yes, over 75%  in 3 category: Salutary physical effects among users.

Sustainable Design: YES.

SD Categories that apply – Category VII. Energy Flows and Energy Future Sustainable design conserves energy and resources and reduces the carbon footprint while improving building performance and comfort. Sustainable design anticipates future energy sources and needs.

Topics:  Conserving Systems and Equipment ,   Energy Modeling ,   Mass Absorption ,   Thermal Bridging,   Windows and Openings

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The seminars focus on areas typically overlooked by architects and engineers in process of building envelope design. The topics are chosen on basis of observations derived from both forensic investigations of failed assemblies and peer reviews of architectural documentation.

Version.  It’s  the first version recorded on DVD in year 2013. He never had the time to update this DVD. Kaz originally developed this seminar in year 2005, and delivered it in New York Cit in 2005. (He didn’t speak much English at the time).  This video was based on the AIA 2030 Challenge seminar delivered in Columbus and served as a draft before the BEC Colorado seminar, so if you attended one of those two, you may recognize some remote similarities. At some point it was registered with AIA for learning units and the required AIA slides were added, please ignore them, as we no longer have time to report individual learning units.

Author: Overshadowed by his later accomplishments is the fact that Kaz worked as Energy Rater on over 200 buildings, many of them high rise, while getting his Masters in Architecture. (In his Greening Seminar you can hear him recalling some juicy stories from this period.)  Later, he pioneered 3D thermal simulations in curtain walls. In this seminar, he is just trying to explain the basics to the architects.

Packaging:  May vary. We will probably switch to cardboard sleeves soon.

Price: We also encourage a purchase of several DVDs at a discount.

How Can I get it? We  sell them directly via the form below, as well as they will be available through third-party re-sellers soon.

If you plan to purchase, please approve the applicable  terms and conditions. When you press the “Buy Now” button, you will be taken to the checkout webpage.

Thermal Engineering in Building Envelope Design

This article is about building construction, and more specifically about application of the finite element analysis to heat transfer and energy sources design analysis of glazing by a consulting architect engineer.

The growing performance requirements introduced gradually in building codes or accepted voluntarily in order to achieve a recognized certification (e.g. LEED)  force architects to include engineering in the early phases of the architectural design to address potential vulnerabilities and efficiencies of the design. “Using 3D Modeling to Improve Performance Requirements” by Kaz is the feature article of the Summer 2010 edition of the Journal of Building Enclosure Design (JBED). [Read the rest of this entry…]

Building Enclosure Commissioning is the process of assuring the owner’s performance objectives are met.

Design Phase. We contribute our experience to peer reviews of construction documents. We review documentation for constructability, compliance with applicable codes and standards, and the current level of building science knowledge. We also produce technical building enclosure design drawings and specifications that become part of architectural construction documentation. Read more.

Typical Scope of Services:

• Architectural design assistance and development,
• Performance objectives development
• Feasibility studies,
• Specification writing and review,
• Product evaluation and development,
• Investigation of material and systems performance,
• Development of LEED building envelope commissioning plan and specifications
• Thermal, moisture, optical and structural analyses and simulations. Read more.
• Education courses and workshops for architects and contractors

Download the printable scope of design services. (PDF, size 120 kB)

See our old and even older versions of this webpage.

Computer modeling and simulations. We assist designers and attorneys in analysis and presentation of physical processes before or after these processes occurred in the buildings. Many of these state-of-the-art computer generated analysis are unique worldwide. E.g., we are recognized as a world-class leader in the field of 3-dimensional computer simulations. We are a direct provider, which is the reason why our prices are low and quality is high. Read more.

Download the printable scope of simulation services. (PDF, size 109 kB)

3D thermal simulation of a skylight eave allows for verification of risk of frosting drainage paths. Skylight system designed, researched, engineered, and drafted by Kaz.
Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, 2005

Curtain Wall Consulting.  We established enviable reputation in curtain wall design and engineering. We analyze architectural designs for client’s performance objectives, and match with systems available on the markets. We also optimize an existing design or engineer a new system from a scratch if necessary to meet project requirements. Due to our intimate knowledge of many proprietary facade systems, we are known for careful detailing of transitions between each two facade systems, to assure the established performance criteria are met at these traditionally weakest locations. We specialize in unusual cases, such as two-directional curvatures, non-conservative infill and framing materials, performing feasibility and availability research and engineering simulations.

We refer the interested reader to our relevant publications.

Measure Twice, Cut Once. The bespoke unitized curtain wall mullion intersection model built by Kaz  for the UPenn Hospital project  designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects.
The white extrusions were printed in 3D printer. The IGU are the true low-E glass samples of the type chosen by the architect, courtessy of Guardian.

Sloped Glazing Consulting. Sloped Glazing and Skylights combine two challenges: of a curtain wall and a roof. We found sloped glazing and skylights to be universally misunderstood by designers, engineers, manufacturers, and installers. Not surprisingly, in our experience they are also the #1 problem assembly in buildings, ranging from water condensation and leakage to structural collapses. We investigated such prominent cases as the collapse of a monumental skylight above a courtyard of an upscale hotel in Maryland, which made headlines several years ago.

Sloped glazing and skylights are a good example of assemblies where the source of leak may be obvious; however, you still need an expert to identify the REASON of the leak and come up with a working remedial design. This is why we devoted a separate line of our business exclusively to sloped glazing. We teach designers how to design and specify them, we help design them, and we investigate them in the field. We refer the interested reader to our seminar titled “Sloped Glazing.”

We specialize in the architectural glazing. Skylights and sloped glazing are the primary examples where the source of leak may be obvious; however, you still need an expert to identify the REASON of the leak and come up with a working remedial design….

Construction Phase – Monitoring. We collect data in the field, conduct field observations, perform quality tests, review submittals, and monitor construction in progress for conformance with the approved submittals and good industry practices. In the field, we provide standarized, traceable reporting, and periodically generate list of outstanding items. Construction progresses quickly, and nobody benefits from a report filed after the condition has been already concealed. Therefore, we exercise the proactive approach by informing the respective contractor about the discovered problem and offering assistance in developing mitigation plans.

Construction monitoring of a torched SBS roofing installation. 

Download the printable scope of construction services. (PDF, size 77 kB)

Construction Phase – Consulting. We also help contractors, and owners identify unclear design intent requiring a request for information (RFI) and assist architects in responding to RFIs. Read More…

The typical scope:

• Bid and submittal reviews, substitution analyses,
• RFI development and research
• Waterproofing compatibility research
• Proactive monitoring of construction in progress,
• Witnessing QA and QC tests and verification of procedures,
• Air, water, thermal, and structural testing,
• Construction dispute resolution,
• Commissioning of building enclosures (BECx)
•  Construction defect evaluation,
•  Negotiations with contractors,
•  Ownership transition (take-over) assessments,

Field Testing. We perform two types of tests: in the real world and in the virtual world. For the latter, please see the our webpage dedicated to computer simulations. We perform and witness physical tests in the field to identify potential deficiencies and their sources. We normally follow procedures established by major industry associations and Florida Building Code. We also develop custom tests and modify the equipment to address specific field conditions. We calibrate our testing equipment before each test. We also offer calibration service for other field testers.

Field t est. following the AAMA 501.2 “Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing Systems” procedure. 

The most typical tests include:

• Thermal imaging of building envelope assemblies, by ASTM C 1060 “Standard Practice for Thermographic Inspection of Insulation Installations in Envelope Cavities of Frame Buildings,”
• Water and air tests for diagnosing cladding and fenestration leaks:
• ASTM E1105 “Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of Installed Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls”,
• ASTM E783 “Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed Exterior Windows and Doors,”
• AAMA 501.2 “Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing Systems,”
• Thermal imaging for wet materials, insufficient or wet insulation, and air leaks, following the ASTM standard C1153, titled “Standard Practice for Location of Wet Insulation in Roofing Systems Using Infrared Imaging,”
• Hydrostatic pressure (flood) tests for roofs and waterproofing ASTM D5957 “Standard Guide for Flood Testing Horizontal Waterproofing Installations,”
• Hydrostatic pressure tests for storm drainage and other plumbing leaks following IBC and FBC plumbing code,
• Wind field uplift resistance tests for hurricane winds following TAS 114 and 124,
• Non-invasive roof wetness evaluation using capacity, infrared, and nuclear testing,
• Glass evaluation and measurements of scratches and other potential blemishes and deficiencies,
• Window and door framing evaluation and measurements for straightness and other potential deficiencies.
• Air leakage tests using “blower door” fan pressurization ASTM E779, and ASTM E 1827 “Standard Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door,”
• Theatrical smoke tests for air and water leaks,
• Acoustic tests for air and water leaks.
• Borescope (narrow scope camera) investigations of concealed spaces such as the air gap behind cladding (also including sewer camera tests).
• Sealant pull tests by ASTM C1193 “Standard Guide for Use of Joint Sealants,”
• Coating pull tests by ASTM D 4541 “Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers,”
• Glass VLT and SHGC measurements in the field,
• Monitoring and datalogging of psychometric conditions, weather condtions, and moisture content over a period of time,
• Magnetic Field Measurements.

We also expanded our in-house laboratory to perform the following types of tests:

• Water Content Determination of Construction Materials
• Salt Resistance of Construction Materials
• Spectrophotometric (UV-VIS-NIR-IR) Testing of Materials.
• Adhesion strength of adhesives and coatings.

This is a slightly misleading photo. The other truck is not ours. At this time we have only one Toyota Tundra, but it’s manufactured in Texas, U.S. Other vehicles are American-made: Ford and Jeep.

Thermal Imaging. Building Enclosure Consulting owns a state-of -the-art specialized equipment used for building enclosure investigations and testing, with which we serve the east half of the U.S.

We  are sometimes asked to simulate or test assemblies, in order to verify whether the inferior specifications are met. It’s always awkward for us to volunteer to identify the engineering question actually worth answering, or to actually respond to the question no-one have asked. For the benefit of those specification writers who are still on speaking terms with us, below is a simple overview of thermal simulations’ applicability:

Generally speaking:

• 1D simulations are suitable for uniformly-layered make-ups of partitions (i.e. adhered “sandwich” roofing assembly),
• 2D simulations are suitable for one-directional variations of assemblies (i.e. studwork),
• steady-state simulations are suitable for low heat storage assemblies (i.e. fenestration),
• transient simulations are necessary for high heat storage assemblies, (i.e. masonry)
• moisture transport analysis are necessary for permeable and water storage assemblies (i.e. solar transport in brick-veneered wall),
• CFD analysis are necessary for convection-sensitive assemblies (i.e. double skin walls),
• radiation analysis are necessary for radiation-sensitive assemblies.

[Read the rest of this entry…]