Prefabricated Systems: Where Intent Versus Reality Collide

With the ever-developing challenges of accelerated project schedules and reduced project costs, prefabricated components and systems are becoming more and more widespread in the marketplace. Fabricating a portion or entire system prior to installation on the project site not only assists with project schedule and costs but also increases quality control and quality assurance and other project controls. However, the success of these prefabricated assemblies can immediately become compromised after fabrication resulting in ineffective performance, installation issues, additional unforeseen additional work, and consequently undermining the benefits of these systems.

A brief history of common prefabricated building envelope assemblies will be reviewed to allow the audience to understand the origin and design of these systems. Next, the various types of modern prefabricated building envelope systems and components will be reviewed. Then, the modern prefabricated elements will be compared to their historic counterparts to emphasize the current problems in the actual effectiveness and final performance of these systems. Methods of evaluating the use of prefabricated assemblies will be provided, as well as safeguards to avoid potential performance and coordination issues. Finally, the author will provide case studies from representative projects to demonstrate the challenges that the prefabrication trend presents.

Amy Peevey, RRO, REWC, PE CDT

Vidaris, Inc., Houston, TX

Ms. Peevey is a building enclosure engineer with over 20 years of experience in the new design, investigation/evaluation, and restoration of building enclosure systems. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin and is a registered professional engineer. She spent a majority of her career performing forensic investigations and developing new designs, as well as providing expert litigation support for below-grade and plaza waterproofing, cladding, fenestration, roofing systems and building science related problems. Her forensic engineering background has enabled her to understand the performance of building enclosures and causes for material, system, and integration related performance failures, as well as the need to coordinate the building exterior with the other building systems (MEP, structural, civil, etc.), which in turn provides a high level of technical insight into new building enclosure design. Her new design experience has reinforced her technical knowledge and grown her understanding of new technology and innovation in materials, components, trends, construction methods, etc. as it applies to both new construction and restoration of building envelopes. Ms. Peevey is a seasoned presenter and published member of several technical trade associations and active contributor to the building enclosure community.