IIBEC Online Education

This course is designed for practicing roof consultants, architects and engineers who want to become more knowledgeable about the major factors that affect designing roofs for wind resistance and in order to meet building codes.  The focus of this course is on calculations of wind uplift pressures according to ASCE 7 methodology.  Read more

This course is designed for practicing roof consultants, architects and engineers who want to become more knowledgeable about the major factors that affect designing roofs for wind resistance and in order to meet building codes.  The focus of this course is on calculations of wind uplift pressures according to ASCE 7 methodology.  Read more

This course is designed to develop and improve the understanding of wind theory. The course is based on Factory Mutual 1-49 and 1-52 wind uplift evaluations. Read more

This presentation initially took place at IIBEC's 2022 International Convention and Trade Show in Orlando, Florida. Standing seam roofs (SSRs) behave somewhat differently than other roof coverings when exposed to wind uplift pressures. Their design came under closer scrutiny after Hurricane Andrew struck south Florida in 1992. Since then, our knowledge of SSR wind resistance has increased considerably, such that SSRs can now be properly tested, designed, and installed to meet relatively high wind design pressures, including in perimeter and corner roof areas.    This presentation explains that external seam clamps or wind clamps can substantially increase the wind uplift resistance of an SSR if they properly fit the seam profile and are installed correctly. They may change the failure mode of the SSR, and the limiting factor of the enhanced assembly will likely be the strength of the internal clip. When securing solar panels to an SSR, it is important that the clamps used to secure them be attached to each deck rib to follow the wind load path of the SSR design and prevent overloading internal clips Richard J. Davis, PE FM Global | Manomet, MA Richard J. Davis has been working in loss prevention engineering for 47 years. He has written and revised a number of FM Global data sheets on construction, including the ones for standing seam roofs and roof-mounted solar panels. Davis has also served on many external committees working on codes and standards development, including the ASCE 7 wind load subcommittee for the last three revision cycles. He was task committee chair for the chapter on roof-mounted equipment during the latest ASCE 7 revision, and he contributed to the 2017 revision of the Structural Engineers Association of California’s Wind Design for Solar Arrays (SEAOC PV2). Davis has given numerous presentations on wind design, both internally for FM Global wind specialists and externally to various roofing associations. Read more

This presentation initially took place at IIBEC's 2022 International Convention and Trade Show in Orlando, Florida. Vacuum-insulated glazing (VIG) is an emerging technology that has been in commercial development for the past 20 to 30 years The concept was first described in a German patent application in 1913 and was more seriously studied, with the production of real units, in the 1980s. While some VIG technology has been commercially available since 1996, its presence in the United States architectural market has been minimal. The presentation includes a brief history of VIG technology, describes the typical makeup of VIG and hybrid VIG units, addresses the thermal performance of available products, and discusses considerations for evaluating various products available in the market. The presentation also offers two recent projects as case studies. Sarah Sinusas, PE Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. | New Haven, CT Sarah Sinusas is a senior associate at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. (WJE) in New Haven, Conn. She has specialized in building envelope systems since beginning her career in 2008. Her primary focus is the evaluation and investigation of curtainwall and window assemblies, and she has participated in and led projects that include design, detailing, testing, and monitoring of a variety of cladding and glazing systems. Sinusas led WJE’s assessment of vacuum-insulated glass for the case studies in this presentation. Joseph M. Bukovec, RRO, PE Walker Consultants | New Haven, CT Joseph M. Bukovec is the director of building envelope, forensics, and restoration for Walker Consultants in New Haven, Conn. He has specialized in historic preservation and building enclosure systems since beginning his career in 2005. His primary focus is the investigation and repair design of historic facades, windows, roofing, and waterproofing systems. He has consulted on projects that include the investigation, testing, repair design, and construction administration for architecturally significant facades and roofs. With his previous firm, Bukovec was the project manager for one of the case studies in this presentation, which included the replacement of historic wood-framed windows with state-of-the-art hybrid vacuum-insulated glazing units in thermally broken aluminum frames.   Read more

This presentation initially took place at IIBEC's 2022 International Convention and Trade Show in Orlando, Florida. Tampa General Hospital is an award-winning medical center serving Tampa Bay, Fla. The hospital first opened in 1927 and has since undergone various expansions and renovations. In 2015, facility staff observed near the West Pavilion’s main entrance that brick masonry units had fallen, presenting an overhead safety hazard for hospital patients and visitors. Walter P Moore was retained to evaluate the general condition of the brick facade and recent brick failure, provide repair recommendations, and perform construction administration services during the repair work. The investigative team used more than 30 exploratory openings through the brick facade to observe concealed conditions, and identified several unique issues that necessitated widespread repairs. Unforeseen conditions also surfaced during the repair work, presenting several interesting challenges. This presentation discusses the methods of assessment and repair at the hospital, and how the team overcame the challenges of performing repairs to a facility that remained fully operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. Webb Wright, PE Walter P Moore | Orlando, FL Webb Wright is a senior associate and senior project manager in the Walter P Moore Diagnostics Group with expertise in forensic engineering. He has more than 20 years of engineering experience in diversified aspects of structural engineering analysis, investigation, and evaluation of distressed and failed materials involving a broad range of structural, civil and architectural systems. He has also performed assessments and repairs of various facade cladding systems, reinforced concrete, masonry, prestressed concrete, steel, and timber structures. He routinely provides expert witness services on behalf of insurance companies and property owners. Amaris Beza, PE Walter P Moore | Orlando, FL Amaris Beza is an engineer in the Walter P Moore Diagnostics Group. Her experience focuses on the field of building enclosure consulting and repair of existing buildings. Amaris’s expertise includes evaluating and designing repairs for distress related to concrete structures, building enclosure moisture management, roofing systems, and waterproofing systems. She has developed repair details, repair procedures, and technical specifications for waterproofing, restoration, and rehabilitation projects. Amaris has worked on several building enclosure third-party reviews for clients, reviewing technical specifications and drawings for continuity of building enclosure systems.   Read more