2025 Convention Session: Facade Failures: Common Types, Causes, and Lessons Learned (Sujka, Normandeau)

Course Overview
This session was originally presented at the 2025 IIBEC International Convention & Trade Show in Orlando, Florida.  This course includes the following components:

• recording of the live session
• a summative assessment consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions
• two surveys required to claim continuing education credit

Description

Facade systems serve several critical purposes, including establishing the architectural identity and providing protection from the elements. Often unbeknownst to owners, occupants, and the public, the condition of facade systems is frequently compromised due to deficiencies in the original design and construction, and/or deferred maintenance. Various factors contribute to the presence of these conditions including an inability to verify systems’ performance without performing hands-on surveys of elevated areas and challenges with completing destructive testing. Such conditions can lead to performance issues ranging from water leakage and isolated distress to detached cladding elements and collapsed facades that pose life-safety hazards. Although there are countless types of facade systems and causes of performance issues, select facade systems more commonly result in detachment. Understanding the limitations of these systems and components can help reduce future failures. Tailored for owners, property managers, architects, and engineers, this session will provide insights into preventing detachment and collapse of facade systems. Attendees will gain an understanding of facade systems that are more prone to failure and learn about strategies to mitigate potential failures. This session will also cover investigative and analysis strategy to evaluate the extent of failures and the performance of remnant facade systems.

Speaker/Author

Paul Sujka, PE
Senior Consulting Engineer
Simpson Gumpertz and Heger

Paul Sujka has been a part of the construction industry since 2011, with nearly 10 of his years of experience coming from working at Simpson, Gumpertz and Heger (SGH), where he was worked on building enclosure projects of various sizes. He has been involved in all phases of building construction, including investigation, rehabilitation scope, new design scope, and construction administration services. His experience is primarily focused on building enclosure systems, specializing in fenestration systems, waterproofing, roofing, and contemporary wall systems.

Speaker/Author

Matthew Normandeau, PE, LEED AP
Principal
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger

Matthew Normandeau has nearly 20 years of experience at Simpson, Gumpertz and Heger (SGH), where he brings his extensive experience, ingenuity, and forward-thinking to each building enclosure project. Matthew leads multidisciplinary design teams on projects with extensive investigation and rehabilitation scope, including the replacement of building enclosure systems and recladding buildings. He has published papers on various topics related to building enclosures, has lectured at local and national conferences, and is a registered professional engineer. Matt is also the task group chair and technical contact for the ASTM International E06.55 - Standard Guide for Building Enclosure Commissioning.

Course Access
Courses are accessible in LearnUpon for one year from the date of purchase.

Credit Start Date    01/15/25           Credit Expiration Date     01/15/28

Course Recommended Prerequisite(s)
N/A

IIBEC Core Competencies: Exterior Walls

Knowledge Level: Introductory

Continuing Education Credit Statement
This course is approved for 1.0 IIBEC CEH

This course is approved for 1.0 AIA LU/HSW
AIA Course Number: CONV25_07_OD
AIA Provider Number: G024

Continuing Education Credit Claim Information

To claim IIBEC CEHs, learners are required to:

• Achieve a passing score of 70% on the summative assessment (learners are provided unlimited attempts)
• Complete the course Evaluation & Attestation Survey

After completing the Evaluation & Attestation Survey, learners will be able to download a Certificate of Completion.  Learners are responsible for self-reporting IIBEC CEH credit by uploading their Certificate of Completion to their IIBEC Portal. For assistance in self-reporting CEHs, please reach out to: cehs@iibec.org

To claim AIA LU, learners are required to complete the above requirements, as well as:

• Complete the AIA Survey (AIA member number is required)

AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members.

AIA CES Provider statement

IIBEC is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider G024. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs.  Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.