IIBEC Online Education

In the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, several disciplines have seen how small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) or drones can make critical, and sometimes dangerous, tasks more efficient, precise, and accessible. This includes using drones to perform thermal imaging scans to detect air, moisture, and heat leakage from a building enclosure—the glass, concrete, insulation, and other materials separating the inside and outside environments. Leaky buildings can be costly and dangerous, leading to damaged finishes, increased energy costs, and mold growth within walls and roofs. Infrared thermography is a relatively cost-effective, easy-to-use, non-destructive tool for these types of conditions, but requires expert interpretation. SGH has implemented the use of drones on many projects, and by using drone technology, AEC professionals can get detailed results to make informed recommendations that address underlying building concerns. In this paper/presentation, we will explore how the AEC industry has implemented drone use to conduct thermal imaging scans of buildings, discuss some of the nuances with using drones around building enclosures, and discuss the differences compared to handheld scanning techniques. We will review industry standards and guidelines and share common project challenges and opportunities through a series of case studies. Kelsey Dunn, PE Simpson Gumpertz ​&​ Heger | Boston, MA Kelsey A. Dunn joined SGH in September of 2013 and is a senior staff engineer in SGH’s building technology group in Boston, MA. Dunn has been involved in a variety of projects involving investigation, design, and construction administration for existing building repair projects, rehabilitation of historic buildings, and new construction building-enclosure consulting. She has performed many partial and whole-building infrared scans using both the handheld and sUAS/drones while at SGH. Christopher Grey, PE Simpson Gumpertz ​&​ Heger | Boston, MA Christopher N. Grey joined SGH in 2011 and is a senior project manager in SGH’s building technology group in Boston, MA. His experience includes investigating, rehabilitating, and designing building enclosure systems on a wide range of project types, from historic buildings to contemporary high-rise structures. He specializes in the design, integration, construction administration, and in-situ testing of complex building enclosure systems with a focus on design efficiency, constructability, and performance. He works directly with architects, owners, contractors, and manufacturers in both the field and office through all project phases. Grey has performed many partial- and whole-building infrared scans, assists with managing SGH’s internal sUAS/drone usage and standards, is a certified sUAS Level I Thermographer, and also a contributing member of the American Architectural Manufacturer’s Association, serving on several industry standard task groups. Read more

Cladding and building enclosure component connection details are important to the overall performance of a building enclosure, including its resistance to loads and durability. However, they must also be coordinated with energy code insulation requirements, which are increasingly requiring and recognizing the benefits of continuous insulation. Continuous insulation provides a means to improve energy efficiency (minimize thermal bridging) and provide a thermally stable and dry environment for the enclosed building components when coordinated with improved water and vapor control methodologies in the latest building codes. But, cladding connection must extend through this layer of continuous insulation. This presentation will review the research and latest prescriptive code requirements for attaching claddings through a layer of exterior continuous insulation. It will also present a generalized design procedure that can allow various types of connections through foam plastic insulating sheathing, including the attachment of cladding, furring, and even structural components like roof and deck ledgers. These building code advancements provide building enclosure designers with the means to efficiently design and detail various cladding and component connection options in coordination with energy code requirements to maximize the continuity of the thermal enclosure and overall integrity of the building enclosure. Jay Crandell, PE ARES/ABTG | Shady Side, MD Jay Crandell has over 30 years of experience in construction, engineering, and innovative building technology research for private and public sector clients. He has conducted benchmark studies of major natural disasters and conducted research to address significant structural, energy, and building science challenges. His work has helped to propel many innovative technologies into the International Codes and consensus standards. He is widely published on various engineering, construction, and building science topics. For additional information visit www.aresconsulting.biz and www.appliedbuildingtech.com. Read more

Flanged windows are typically considered a product for low-rise residential buildings, and un-flanged window systems (curtainwall, window wall, storefront) are typically considered products for commercial and high-rise construction. However, a new type of window system is becoming more common on high-rise construction: flanged, aluminum windows designed for high-rise buildings. While numerous industry standards exist to guide the installation of flanged windows in low-rise construction, virtually no guidance exists to inform best practices for the installation of higher-performance flanged windows in high-rise construction. Terracon Consultants, Inc. and JE Dunn Construction partnered in 2017 to perform water penetration and air leakage testing of flanged window details, which resulted in a chapter in the ASTM publication entitled Whole Building Air Leakage: Testing and Building Performance Impacts Manuscript ID STP-2018-0028.R4. While valuable conclusions resulted from that collaboration, the team was limited in their testing capability. Therefore, Terracon and JE Dunn have now partnered with Tremco to expand upon our previous research efforts. Tremco has a large, sophisticated testing facility in Cleveland, OH, that can provide more accurate and a much greater quantity of tests. This research and collaboration effort regarding window details is part of a greater effort to establish a high-rise detailing manual badly needed by our industry.   Keith Simon, AIA, CPHC, LEED AP, BECxP Terracon | Austin, TX Keith Simon joined Building Exterior Solutions, Inc. (a division of Terracon) in April of 2014. He has over 15 years’ experience in architectural design and building enclosure consultation, including peer review, design assistance, durability analysis, construction administration, testing, and forensics of building enclosure issues. Simon was the founder of the Austin Building Enclosure Council (BEC: Austin) on whose board he sits, as well as on the Passive House Austin Chapter. He is secretary of the national executive committee for the Building Enclosure Technology and Environment Council (BETEC). Simon has served as Terracon’s subject matter expert for hygrothermal modeling and building enclosure commissioning. John A. Posenecker Terracon | Austin, TX John Posenecker joined Terracon in March of 2015 and is a registered mechanical engineer. He is on the Building Enclosure Council (BEC) National Board and is a board member and Technical Committee co-chair for the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA). His experience includes the design, construction, testing, and forensic investigation of building enclosure systems. Posenecker has participated in a wide variety of projects associated with enclosures that include containment systems for commercial nuclear power plants, noise control systems for commercial and institutional projects, and waterproofing systems for a wide variety of commercial high-rise and low-rise buildings. Read more

This panel discussion of industry leaders and manufacturers will provide learners with a better understanding of how the supply chain crisis is impacting manufacturers and building enclosure consultants. A discussion will take place on how building enclosure consultants can work with manufacturers to determine appropriate workarounds while ensuring they do not violate warranties. Read more

Recent changes in building energy codes include enclosure criteria that minimize building enclosure thermal loads and, in turn, reduce a building’s energy consumption. These changes require modifications in traditional building enclosure designs to meet evolving energy code requirements. Unfortunately, some energy-efficient designs, while code compliant, may adversely impact a building’s durability. The minimum requirements in green standards alone, such as LEED, Green Globes, and IgCC, may lack comprehensive measures to ensure long-term durability of the enclosure assemblies. Optional and required credits included in green standards are beginning to address moisture durability and, in this paper, are compared regarding the scope and impact of the building enclosure across the project phases: • Material selection • Design and procurement • Construction activities • Performance testing • Operation and maintenance • Enclosure commissioning This paper reviews various aspects among the green standards, including gaps and similarities in the rating systems, and strategies to utilize the best parts of each rating system to improve project performance related to moisture durability. Detailed roof system examples will also be provided demonstrating how these measures can enable energy-efficient and durable enclosure assemblies. Jennifer Keegan, AAIA GAF | Parsippany, NJ Jennifer Keegan is the director of building and roofing science for GAF, focusing on overall roof system design and performance. She has over 20 years of experience as a building enclosure consultant specializing in assessment, design, and remediation of building enclosure systems. Keegan provides technical leadership within the industry as the chair of the ASTM D08.22 Roofing and Waterproofing Subcommittee, and the education chair for IIBEC; and as an advocate for women within the industry as an executive board member of National Women in Roofing and a board member of Women in Construction. Benjamin Meyer, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP GAF | Moseley, VA Benjamin Meyer is a building and roofing science architect with GAF. Previous experience includes enclosure consultant principal, technical management for enclosure products, commercial design, real estate development, and construction management on a range of projects that included residential, educational, offices, and DuPont industrial projects. Industry positions include voting member of the ASHRAE 90.1 Envelope and Project Committees, LEED Technical Committee member, past technical advisor of the LEED Materials (MR) TAG, and director of the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA). Read more

Description This seminar focuses on plaza deck systems, surface-applied waterproofing, and below-grade waterproofing. The course will review the differences between roofing, dampproofing and waterproofing. The seminar will include a discussion of waterproofing materials and accessories, design and specification, and application. The seminar is designed for the practicing waterproofing consultant and those who are aspiring to become a Waterproofing Consultant. The course will focus on plaza deck, surface-applied, and below-grade waterproofing. IIBEC Core Competency Tag(s): Below Grade/Waterproofing Subtopics: Below Grade/Waterproofing, 2021 convention, Codes & Standards, Site Management, Site Drainage, Inspection/ Quality Control, Document Review & Assessment Knowledge Level: Intermediate Recommended Course Prerequisites: None Author/Presenter Paul Buccellato, F-IIBEC, RWC, REWC, FASTM, AIA Henshell & Buccellato, Consulting Architects.  Credit Start Date: June 10, 2025 Credit Expiration Date: June 10, 2028 Original Credit Start Date: June 15, 2021 Course Access: Courses are accessible in LearnUpon for one year from the date of purchase. Content Review Information Review Date: March 17, 2025 Reviewer:  Samir Ibrahim, F-IIBEC, AIA Continuing Education Credit Statements This course is approved for 6.0 IIBEC CEH This course is approved for 6.0 AIA LU HSW AIA Program Number: WPPF_2025_OD AIA Provider Number: G024 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.   Read more