Company Profile

Building Envelope Consulting, LLC is a highly qualified consulting and functional performance testing firm. We specialize in the diagnosis and remediation of building envelope defects, including facades, balconies, windows/doors, roofing, waterproofing, and any other system separating the interior from the exterior of the building. Using our in-depth knowledge of building defects, we assist our clients throughout the planning, development, design, construction, and occupancy phases of new construction. We help prevent problems, provide practical and affordable solutions within budget, and build better buildings!

Consists of a variable speed fan with a built-in flow measuring sensor which will show the amount of air leakage that would occur if an enormous wind blew or drew with equal force at all sides of the building:

• Fans can be temporarily sealed into a single exterior doorway or multiple doorways

• Multiple fans can be used to test large multi-story buildings.

• Testing is assisted by thermography and smoke tracer pens to identify breached locations or specific air leakage locations.

When is testing performed?

Testing is performed as part of the Building Envelope Commissioning (BECx) Process:

• Pre-Design/Design Phase: Expert Document Review/Assist OPR/Provide BECx Plan scope & budget/Third Party Peer Review/ Assist, Update & Document OPR, Enclosure BOD, & BECx Plan

• Pre-construction Phase: Review & Assist with the evaluation of enclosurerelated requests/ Scheduling, Phasing, and Coordination, QA/QC programs/Update & Document OPR, Enclosure BOD, & BECx Plan

• ***Construction Phase***: Expert Document Review/Coordination/Progress Meetings / Construction Observation / Document / Review Drawings / Submittals / Develop BECx project closeout documents

• Occupancy and Operations Phase: Visual Survey/Functional Performance Testing/ Access Materials/Recommendations to reestablish enclosurerelated durability, integration, and performance

Why is it required?

Commercial Construction projects for:

• General Services Administration (GSA) Public Building Service P-100 (2015)

• United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

• Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC)

• Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC)

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

The following govern building air tightness requirements:

• Public Buildings Amendments of 1988, 40 U.S.C. 3312

• Executive Order 13693: Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade

• Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

• Energy Policy Act of 2005

• Guiding Principles for Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings

Where do you test?

• Commercial & Government Buildings

• GSA: Federal Office Buildings, Federal Courthouses, Land Ports of Entry, Child Care Centers.

• New construction/renovation projects requiring whole building pressurization testing.

• Forensic investigation to locate air leaks in conjunction with infrared or smoke tracers.

Additional Benefits of Tight Buildings:

• Lower HVAC due to reduced air loss

• Increase thermal comfort for occupants due to fewer drafts

• Reduce the chance of mold and rot because moisture is less likely to enter and become trapped in cavities

Test Preparation

Building Air Tightness Pre-Test Checklist

Building Air Tightness

Allowable Air Leakage Example

• Single-story building with low-slope roof 200x100x22 = 53,200 sf

• Air leakage testing rate of less than 0.25 cfm/sf at 75 Pa

• 53,200 sf * 0.25 cfm = allowable leakage rate of 13,300 cfm

Doorway Configurations

BEC, LLC is also proud to offer other building envelope services:

Functional Performance Roof Testing:

• ASTM D7877 Electronic Leak Detection

• ANSI SPRI 1-A1 Roof Uplift/Adhesion Testing

• ANSI SPRI FX-1 Fastner Pull Testing

• ASTM D5957 Roof/Drain Flood Testing

• Infrared Survey Membrane Smoke Testing

• Moisture Survey Core Cuts

See something on this list you think you'll need or have questions about other services not listed here? Just ask, we are here to help!