Waterproofing as Part of the Continuous Air Barrier
Track 1: Air Barriers
Wednesday, May 11, 9:45am – 10:45am
ABAA has traditionally addressed air barriers associated with a building’s façade and has not evaluated waterproofing systems used for below grade or horizontal deck waterproofing applications. This presentation will look for those areas of a building’s continuous air barrier that are not covered with traditional ABAA air barrier systems, roof systems or window systems. Recognition that ABAA only addresses a portion of the building’s air barrier begs the question of who/how is the balance of the building’s air barrier being addressed. Below grade and elevated deck waterproofing systems may cover some of these other areas and can be critical to the building’s air tightness. This presentation will review various waterproofing systems and issues associated with their installation.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how waterproofing may be part of a building’s air barrier.
- Review available waterproofing systems, their service life and warranty.
- Review critical installation parameters and challenging details.
- Review field testing methods available for waterproofing systems.
John Posenecker, P.E.
Terracon, Austin, TX
Mr. Posenecker joined Building Exterior Solutions, Inc. (BES) in March of 2015. He is a registered engineer in the State of Texas. His experience includes the design, construction, testing and forensic investigation of building envelope systems. Previously, he was an Estimating Manager with Chamberlin Roofing and Waterproofing from 2005 through 2015, Project Manager for Advanced Environmental Concepts from 1997 through 2005, an Engineering Team Leader at Southern Company Services from 1987 through 1997, and a Senior Engineer with Bechtel Power from 1982 to 1987. Throughout his career, Mr. Posenecker has participated in a wide variety of projects associated with the building envelope that include containment systems for commercial nuclear power plants; noise control systems for commercial and institutional projects; and waterproofing for commercial high-rise office and multi-family buildings, medical and educational institutional projects, and large concrete structural projects. Mr. Posenecker specializes in waterproofing and cladding systems associated with the building envelope. He is an active member in several professional organizations including the Austin Building Enclosure Council (BEC), Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA), International Concrete Restoration Institute (ICRI) and the Austin Association of Facility and Maintenance Engineers (AAFAME).
Trinidad Martinez, RRO, CEI, Sprat I
Terracon, Austin, TX
Trinidad is currently a Senior Staff Architect in Terracon’s Austin, Texas Facilities office. He evaluates the integration of building envelope systems and addresses conditions that may adversely impact the durability and resistance of the building envelope systems to air and water penetration and other specified performance requirements that encompass the building envelope. Trinidad manages various commercial and multi-family projects that pertain to the building envelope during the design and construction phases and evaluates the building envelope with quality assurance field observation and various methods of field testing such as AAMA 502 (ASTM E1105 and ASTM E783), AAMA 501.2, High voltage-ELD, and ASTM D7954. He is also a Level 1 Society of Professional Rope Access Technician (SPRAT) and performs field observations of buildings with difficult access.
Prior to becoming a Building Envelope Consultant in 2016, Trinidad was in the U.S. Army for 8 years as an all-source analyst and attended the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and received an undergrad degree in Architecture. During that time Trinidad also worked in the construction fields performing various task during the construction process. His experiences working in the construction industry at various levels and disciplines bring a unique perspective to any team he is a part of.