Not All It’s Cracked Up to Be? Surface Fracturing of PVC and KEE Membranes November 07, 2024 IT WAS 2018 the first time someone handed me a cellphone with a photo on it that baffled her: a PVC/KEE membrane, reportedly still under warranty, with numerous arc-shaped fractures around an underlying cover board fastener plate. As a consultant who practices in “hail country,” the author is no stranger to seeing hail impacts to […] Read More
Frustration with Fenestrations October 11, 2024 CURTAINWALL, STOREFRONT, AND other window systems are installed as building enclosures comprised of glass and some type of metal frame (most commonly aluminum) or wood and vinyl intended to protect the building interior from the elements. Curtainwall and storefront systems are typically designed to carry only their own weight. The exterior wall transfers wind loads […] Read More
A Not-So-Perfect Storm: The Convergence of Large Buildings, Wood Decks, and Mechanically Attached Low-Slope, Single Ply Roofing Systems October 11, 2024 A Not-So-Perfect Storm: The Convergence of Large Buildings, Wood Decks, and Mechanically Attached Low-Slope, Single-Ply Roofing Systems INTRODUCTION Construction materials, techniques, and needs are ever evolving, driven by a multitude of factors. OSB has become a common building material due to its availability and favorable cost. In the western US, wood decking has […] Read More
Dimension Stone Testing and Evaluation – The What, Why, When, and Where October 11, 2024 Dimension Stone Testing and Evaluation—The What, Why, When, and Where Interface articles may cite trade, brand, or product names to specify or describe adequately materials, experimental procedures, and/or equipment. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC). By Matthew C. Farmer, PE FeatureNATURAL STONE […] Read More
Planning for Compliance with the OSHA’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Part 1910, Subpart D, Walking-Working, Surfaces October 11, 2024 ONE UNIQUE ASPECT of a building enclosure consultant’s work is that it must be performed in so many different locations and circumstances in the field. When it comes to making site visits to document existing conditions or inspect work, a building enclosure consultant in the waterproofing world may be one of few individuals who could […] Read More
Why All Shingle Roofs Violate the Building Code (and Why It Typically Does Not Matter) September 19, 2024 Why All Shingle Roofs Violate the Building Code (and Why It Typically Does Not Matter) BACKGROUND Before getting too excited about the title of this article, please be advised that the objective is to identify and discuss one of the many abused technical building code issues that are being used in construction litigation claims by […] Read More
A Framework to Determine a Climate-Dependent Durability Index for the Building Enclosure September 19, 2024 A Framework to Determine a Climate-Dependent Durability Index for the Building Enclosure BUILDING ENCLOSURE COMPONENTS are exposed to extreme weather shocks. Currently, component properties are measured based on existing standards. The majority of standards account for neither the occurrences of weather shocks nor variations in the climate zones. The development of a protocol combining […] Read More
Through the Lens of Time: A Longitudinal Review of Energy Efficiency September 19, 2024 Through the Lens of Time: A Longitudinal Review of Energy Efficiency THE UNITED NATIONS’ Sustainable Development Report 20221 ranks the US 41st out of 163 nations based on the 2022 SDG Index score of 74.6 (SDG Index is an assessment of the country’s overall performance on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs], giving equal […] Read More
Mysterious Moisture Marks: Assessment of Water Stains at Window Glazing August 02, 2024 By Patrick St. Louis, LEED; Krishna Sai Vutukuru, PhD This paper was presented at the 2023 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show. ©2024 International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) Mysterious Moisture Marks: Assessment of Water Stains at Window Glazing Online exclusive EVERY YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 1 in every 50 homeowners in the United States claims […] Read More
Historic Industrial Building Reuse and the Building Enclosure August 02, 2024 The Industrial Revolution in the US brought about large-scale facilities throughout the country, but over time, these facilities were often abandoned due to shifting industries. With a focus on sustainability and preservation, reuse of these facilities has become more prevalent. Read More
