2025 BES Session: Building Enclosure Strategies: Resilience, Sustainability, and Code Compliance in Air Barrier Design (Meyer, Geoffrion)

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

As climate change intensifies, the need for resilient commercial buildings has become increasingly urgent. A continuous, high-performance air- and water-resistive barrier (AWB) assembly serves as a critical defense against environmental stressors, safeguarding building enclosures from air leakage, moisture intrusion, and thermal cycling. This presentation offers practical guidance for building enclosure consultants and designers on integrating resilience into both new construction and retrofit projects. It examines the evolution of energy codes to identify key advancements and anticipate future requirements that shape enclosure design. Through detailed analysis, the presentation compares laboratory-tested and field-proven roof and wall assemblies, emphasizing the importance of material durability under real-world conditions. Additionally, it underscores the role of quality assurance protocols, such as building enclosure commissioning, the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) Quality Assurance Program, and whole-building airtightness testing, in aligning field performance with design intent. By bridging theoretical design with practical implementation, the presentation highlights best practices for achieving adaptable, durable, and energy-efficient building enclosures in the face of climate challenges.

Course Recommended Prerequisite(s)
N/A

IIBEC Core Competencies: Building Enclosure Commissioning

Knowledge Level: Advanced

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

Presenter/Author

Benjamin Meyer, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB

Building Enclosure Business Director

Siplast

Benjamin Meyer serves as building enclosure business director for Siplast. He also serves as chair of the ASHRAE 90.1 Envelope Committee, director of the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA), past member at large on the NIBS BETEC board, past LEED Technical Committee member, and past technical advisor of the LEED Materials (MR) TAG.

Presenter/Author

Luke Geoffrion, PhD

Associate R&D Manager – Innovation

Siplast

Luke Geoffrion has a PhD in applied physics from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he studied thermodynamics and the processing of nanomaterials, and where he published 10 scientific journal articles. During his tenure at Siplast, he was responsible for developing WALLcontrol, Terapro, and roofing adhesives. He enjoys playing video games and hiking with his wife and five pets.

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 8/21/2025
Credit Expiration Date 8/21/2028

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_22_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.