BECx can be beneficial from the viewpoint that testing will identify deficiencies that may exist with a product (such as a window that does not meet the design criteria when installed) during construction stage, providing the owner and contractor with the opportunity to have deficiencies repaired before the end of the project or before product and workmanship warranty periods end. Too often it seems, products installed on site do not meet the requirements of the project specifications and contracts agreed between owner and contractor. Even for projects that are not seeking LEED certification, BECx can be a requirement set out by the design authority or owner, to verify whether the performance of the final product complies with the design requirements of the project. LEED requires that the commissioning process (CxP) for the building’s envelope is completed in accordance with ASHRAE Guideline 0–2005 and the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Guideline 3–2012, Exterior Enclosure Technical Requirements for the Commissioning Process, as they relate to energy, water, indoor environmental quality and durability. “The enhanced commissioning credits are mandatory, with additional options for Enhanced and monitoring-based commissioning, and Envelope commissioning1. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system. BECx can involve testing the building as a whole (whole building air leakage testing, thermography) or a specific component or assembly such as a window (water penetration/air leakage testing) or wall.Ĭurrently the Government of Alberta requires all new construction and major renovation projects to meet a minimum of Silver certification under LEED V4, the U.S. Not something anyone wants to see or have to deal with shortly after the completion of a new building.īuilding Envelope Commissioning (BECx) is a great way to test the performance level of a building envelope and verify that the envelope was constructed in general conformance to the project documents, and will perform to a level that will meet the demands of weather conditions the envelope will be exposed to. Imagine you are part of a project team that finishes a project and, shortly after completion, you get a call back because of water leakage issues during a storm. Z6 Consulting provides comprehensive field testing and offers experienced testing teams with multifaceted expertise on the building envelope.By Niall McCarra, Bsc., CET, LEED AP BD+C As a result, we can ensure your facility adequately addresses moisture preventative measures and that the sequencing, handling and installation of the envelope during construction support an air and watertight facility. Our dedicated teams bring a quality of service that is unmatched in the industry, and the experience to guarantee your building envelope performs at the highest level. With a sole focus of performance assurance, the Z6 Consulting team is comprised of personnel with expertise in all facets of the building envelope. With our distinctive background in the building envelope industry standards of performance testing, we have built an expansive knowledge of envelope materials, systems, installation, and warranties allowing us to provide owners with weather resistant and energy-efficient facilities. Z6 Consulting puts the building envelope system to the test so that designers and installers “understand” that their products and workmanship must meet the international standards of performance.
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