University at Albany, Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex BECx

Title: University at Albany, Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex BECx

Award Category: Commissioning

Project Address/Location

1220 Washington Ave

Albany, New York 12203
United States

Submitted By: Neil Garry, PE, RRC, REWC, BECxP, CxA+BE

Company Info

Bell & Spina, Architects-Engineers, PC

215 Wyoming Street

Syracuse, New York 13204
United States

315.488.0377

[email protected]

Project Description and Background: The State University Construction Fund and SUNY Albany redeveloped 12 acres on the Harriman Campus to construct a 236,000SF building for the Emerging Technology & Entrepreneurship Complex (ETEC). ETEC aligns with SUNY’s goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions and has received LEED Platinum certification, the highest level awarded by the Green Business Certification Inc. for energy-efficient and sustainable buildings. A geothermal field of 190 wells and solar panels on the Uptown Campus Podium combine to save about 70 percent in energy costs, efficient fixtures reduce water usage by 40 percent, and the site includes green stormwater management including a porous parking lot and a teaching green roof. M/E Engineering of Albany, New York, retained Bell & Spina as a subconsultant to provide Building Enclosure Commissioning Services (BECx).

Scope: During the design phase, Bell & Spina provided aspects of "fundamental" Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) services for the Owner and design team, paralleling ASTM Standard E2813-12, "Standard Practice for Building Enclosure Commissioning". This involved providing third-party, design review services of the roofing, subgrade waterproofing, exterior wall and fenestration assembly designs. It further involved writing the BECx specification and BECx Plan. Once construction began on the building, BEll & Spina provided pre-construction review services and on-structure visual reviews, selet AVB adhesion tests and AAMA testing coordination services.

Solution: The BECx Plan focused primarily on the efficacy of the wall air/vapor barrier (AVB), fenestration and sealants. Detailing issues were vetted during design, which permitted the team to primarily focus on workmanship during construction. The glazer proposed changing the multi-floor curtain wall design to place all expansion at the head. This resulted in field validation of the revised head flashing configuration. Beyond the review and testing regimen implemented for the preconstruction mockup, placement of wall insulation and cladding was subject only to general visual review throughout construction. General reviews were made of the roof throughout construction, albeit primarily with the aim of reviewing transitions to the wall systems. For warranty purposes, the project team relied upon the roofing manufacturer’s quality assurance measures throughout construction.

Value: To the best of our knowledge and belief, the BECx Plan was completed in accord with Section 011919 of the Project Manual. We recommended to the Owner that the commissioned work be accepted, and that applicable warranties commence, pending the completion of related building enclosure items remainingon the architect's punch list.

Additional Info: We beliefve the BECx Close Out report give great insight to the process. It's a rather large document, we have saved it to our sharepoint cloud. Here is a link to the Building Commissioning Closeout Report: https://bellandspina.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/BellSpinaClientTeam/EhD7gpEVOG1FrkMT8NaDpKwB9xY9Z--G4YuoIR4zg8Nj6g?e=Lhk16Z