BUILDING ENVELOPE CONSULTING

We understand complex building systems.
The building envelope is one of a building’s most complex systems and requires a thorough understanding of how the components fit and work together. An understanding of this complexity is essential during the design and construction phases of the building process. Unfortunately, coordination of drawings and specifications, material selection and fast-track construction often become significant contributors to building failures. As a result, your structure may experience substantial energy loss, moisture problems and degradation, or accrue expensive repairs. Correcting poor-performing buildings can be costly for owners, builders and property managers. Our building scientists are ready to help you address these complex systems and provide solutions to enhance building performance.

Quality buildings require a commitment.
At Braun Intertec, our building science consultants understand that quality buildings start with good design, followed by quality control measures during construction. By working with designers, contractors and building operations, we can help you reduce potential building component failures. We accomplish this by providing you with an understanding of how different materials and systems work under various conditions. With this knowledge, your design and construction team can achieve a better building.

We perform the following consulting services for evaluating your building enclosure:

• Technical plan reviews
• Constructability reviews
• Design assistance to architects and contractors:
  • Roofing design
  • Waterproofing
  • Air barriers
  • Flashings/rain screens
  • Window/curtainwall/skylight assemblies
• Building envelope evaluations:
  • Temperature gradients
  • Dewpoint analysis
  • Water/moisture retention
  • Drainage systems
  • Construction document development for exterior building envelope repair projects

When your projects are underway, we work with you to provide with a wide range of field testing and inspection services including:

• Building air infiltration testing (blower doors)
• Air infiltration and water penetration testing for windows, skylights, curtainwalls (using AAMA and ASTM industry standards)
• Air barrier inspection and testing
• Roof inspections and testing
• Waterproofing inspections
• Thermographic (infrared) inspection and analysis

BUILDING ENVELOPE COMMISSIONING SERVICES

Inspection and review services to save time and money.

The building envelope commissioning process includes design reviews and construction inspections and testing. When we perform building envelope commissioning services, we evaluate your material selections, the joining of materials and the proper location of material components in the assembly within the structure. By analyzing the collected data, we make recommendations that help you optimize building performance, realize energy savings, lower operating costs and call backs, and improve occupant comfort. Our building science consultants perform the following building envelope commissioning services:

• Peer (plan) review during design development and construction documents
• Constructability reviews with the designer, contractor and subcontractors
• Window, curtainwall and skylight testing for air leakage, insulation gaps and thermal bridging
• Building air leakage testing (combined with infrared inspections, this service can be used to locate air bypasses and water intrusion)
• Air barrier field inspection and testing
• Periodic field inspections