2025 BES Session: Sealing the Deal: Avoid Getting Blown Away by the New IECC Air Leakage Requirements (Kosis)

Course Overview
This session was originally presented at the 2025 IIBEC Building Enclosure Symposium in St. Louis, Missouri.  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

Recent iterations of the IECC have prioritized the reduction of building enclosure air leakage as a means of energy efficiency. Historically, code requirements for building enclosures have focused on water leakage, which is the leading cause of construction claims in the United States, and thermal value, which energy models use to predict building performance. However, as the field of building science continues to evolve, the industry has recognized that these measures alone may not result in an efficient enclosure due to the potential of air leakage to cause moisture issues, by means of condensation, and thermal inefficiencies, by means of air leakage bypassing insulation materials. As a result, recent changes to the energy code now dictate that commercial buildings undergo “verification” or testing in an effort to reduce the energy and performance loss associated with air leakage. It is critical that designers, contractors, and consultants understand how and when to implement the new air leakage requirements on their projects to avoid schedule delays and cost overruns. This presentation will cover each IECC air leakage compliance path, nuances of the various air leakage testing standards, and common challenges encountered in the process.

Course Recommended Prerequisite(s)
Previous experience with enclosure energy code requirements, air leakage testing standards/procedures, and typical mechanisms of building air leakage would be beneficial for the learner.  

IIBEC Core Competencies: Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx)

Knowledge Level: Intermediate

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

Speaker/Author

Alex Kosis, PE, Legacy LEED AP

Associate Principal

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.

Alex Kosis has extensive experience as a building enclosure consultant, specializing in roofing and waterproofing system design and repair and in thermal analysis for optimal building performance. He leads Simpson Gumpertz & Heger’s (SGH) building technology presence in the US Mountain Region, working with clients and project partners to solve technical challenges on a range of new design, failure investigation, and repair and rehabilitation projects. He brings wide-ranging expertise and insights to his technical work gathered from his practice as a senior engineer and project lead in Denver, Colorado; the San Francisco Bay Area; Southern California; and Washington, DC.

Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in the session content at the 2025 IIBEC Building Enclosure Symposium are those of the content author(s)/speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC). IIBEC makes no warranty, whether express or implied, as to the completeness, accuracy or validity of the information provided.

Credit Start Date 5/22/2025         
Credit Expiration Date  5/22/2028

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: BES25_06_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: [email protected]

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 ([email protected] 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.