Demystifying Air Control: Performance Beyond Requirement

Track 2: Building Enclosures

Wednesday, May 11, 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Energy codes have recognized the importance of envelope air leakage and water resistance control, and have become mandatory code requirements for the building envelope (ASHRAE 90.1 2010+, IECC 2012+, others). However, simple inclusion of control layers in the design documents does not guarantee performance or durability under field application conditions. Assembly air and water tightness impacts code compliance, building performance, and combustibility requirements. Energy codes generally focus on air tightness and insulation. Owners, manufacturers and designers utilize many tests and specifications to promote durability. Differences between laboratory test conditions and field requirements are important to understand to promote effective and delivered performance in practice.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Upon completion of this course participants will be able to Discuss of how assembly air and water performance impacts code compliance in the building and model energy codes and standards.
  2. Upon completion of this course participants will be able to Explain the desired air and water design specifications by project type and included assembly components.
  3. Upon completion of this course participants will be able to Discuss the methodology of laboratory based air, water, thermal, and fire resistance as materials, assemblies, and whole buildings.
  4. Upon completion of this course participants will be able to Describe examples of how field installation details and testing can impact the performance level for a given enclosure system.
Level of content:
Intermediate
100%

Keith Nelson, NCARB, AIA, CDT, BCXP

ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC, Richmond, VA

Mr. Keith Nelson brings over 18 years of professional experience to technical and complex building enclosure design and failure investigations. He is a Licensed Architect in the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, and Virginia and is an ASHRAE Certified Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP). Keith earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design and Bachelor of Architecture from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He is past a Voting Member of the ASHRAE 90.1 Envelope Subcommittee and current member of ASTM E06.55 Performance of Buildings and ASTM E06.41 Air Barriers. He provides training nationally on the topics of Building Science & Building Enclosures, coauthored Chapter 6 on BECx of The Building Commissioning Handbook (3rd Ed.) form BCxA, and was recently co-chair and co-editor of ASTM STP 1615 “Whole Building Air Leakage: Testing and Building Performance Impacts”. Keith is also the father of three amazing girls, a lover of Star Wars, and husband to a wife he doesn’t deserve.