Historically, one of the most common and most expensive areas of building failure is the exterior enclosure.
When applied systematically and geared toward the project’s specific needs, the building enclosure commissioning (BECx) process can significantly reduce the risk of future water infiltration; improve facility operation and maintenance; and reduce the life-cycle cost of the facility. The process confirms building enclosure system and assembly functionality, durability, constructability, design and installation quality, and interoperability to meet the owner’s project requirements.
The appropriate level and comprehensiveness of BECx services should match the complexity of the project. For example, a warehouse project with a $5 million budget and four typical enclosure assemblies needs a much different set of BECx commissioning services than a hospital with a $100 million budget and dozens of typical enclosure assemblies.
BECx commissioning requirements currently extend from the federal level (General Services Administration, US Army Corps of Engineers) to state (New York, California, Oregon, Indiana, Washington) and local (New York City; Seattle, Wash.) levels. In addition, there are sustainability-driven codes and standards (such as ASHRAE 189.11 or the International Green Construction Code2), and large and small private companies have created their own internal commissioning requirements that include BECx in part or in whole.
These requirements vary from full cradle-to-grave comprehensive approaches to limited or focused commissioning or testing of specific enclosure components, usually related to air barriers or energy codes.
BECx commissioning benefits the entire project team by reducing risk, improving durability, providing vetted designs, validating performance, and reducing long-term costs, including maintenance costs.
These benefits explain why sustainability programs are promoting and rewarding owners for engaging in the BECx process.
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