Engineering Judgement are a necessary tool to provide and ensure the fire protection and life safety of buildings. The exponential number of wall assembly combinations and detailing of enclosure assemblies in the built environment prevents the opportunity to confirm fire performance through direct testing. This is especially true with the required investment of time, effort, and cost of larger scale tests such as NFPA 285. Qualified Fire Engineering teams in partnership with third-party labs and the product manufacturers offer the opportunity to extend successful test results beyond the tested specimen through a Letter of Engineering Judgement. This presentation will discuss the opportunity, challenges and limitations present when considering acceptance of test data extended to support substitution or modification to an assembly....
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It is an expectation that today’s buildings have to be more than just aesthetically pleasing: they have to provide measurable environmental benefits. This course outlines how insulated concrete forms (ICFs) help meet sustainable design objectives and examines the advantages that ICFs and ICF technology have over conventional construction materials for building envelopes in all building types....
NFPA 285 is defined as: the Standard Fire Test Method for Evaluation of Fire Propagation Characteristics of Exterior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components. NFPA 285 assembly tests are required when exterior non-combustible walls contain combustible components per the International Building Code (IBC). The scope of materials classified by the IBC requiring NFPA 285 testing is increasing. Combined with more stringent energy code requirements, the use of combustible materials is also growing in exterior walls. The most common contributing factors to non-compliance of designs requiring NFPA 285 assembly testing include: −Lack of understanding of applicability of test on exterior wall assemblies. −Recent building and energy code changes causing new triggers for the test. −Lack of understanding of assembly vs. product results for NFPA 285 tests. This seminar will discuss the impact of the NFPA 285 Test on buildings using IBC-2018, the parameters and history of NFPA 285, which building envelope components are combustible and require NFPA 285 testing per IBC, and the paths to NFPA 285 code compliance that a designer can take. These elements all combine to integrate NFPA 285 compliant assemblies into building envelope systems....
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Our nation's buildings are aging. Modernization of those aging buildings can preserve and protect them while also maintaining historical integrity and accuracy. Metal roofs and walls can offer the benefits of low weight, flexibility, energy efficiency, wind resistance, fire safety, and easy solar attachment for the purpose of restoring or preserving aging structures. In this session, we will uncover why metal is a great choice for older structures....
This course provides a comprehensive overview of green roof systems, focusing on the critical roles of drainage devices, root barriers, and water retention layers. Participants will explore the three primary types of green roofs—extensive, intensive, and semi-intensive—and gain insights into the two main installation methods: modular systems, which utilize pre-planted trays or mats, and loose-laid (built-up) systems, where components are assembled on-site....
We will explore the evolution of technology in low-slope roofing systems and its significance for buildings. Past low-slope roofing typically ignored air tightness, focusing on vapor restriction. This presentation will describe the importance of air tightness and vapor restriction to protect the building, your assets, and its occupants. Gain comprehensive insights into the anatomy of low-slope roofing assemblies and common low-slope roofing systems in the modern world or construction. We will provide the knowledge to make informed decisions about the usage of air/vapor retarders versus vapor barriers in low-slope roofing applications, enhancing your proficiency in creating resilient and sustainable building envelopes....
In this one-hour presentation, we explore materials transparency and outline how material selection affects our built environment and the health, safety and welfare of applicators and building occupants. Attendees will learn how to review transparency documents including HPDs and Declare Labels and be able identify important information on those documents. In addition to increasing document literacy, we map how materials transparency and transparency documentation contributes to programs like LEED, LBC, and WELL. Finally, we examine case studies that have capitalized on the benefits of materials transparency....
Knowing the importance of preserving existing buildings and material, as explored in “Re-Solution Part I: A Carbon Case for Building and Material Re-use” this course will examine which strategies are best for different structures and situations. We will explore different [a host] of scenarios and case studies, with an eye towards the potential for improvement across the board. Carbon (dioxide) is a hot topic these days and will be a companion of sorts, though we will be sure to include H20 (oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen) since all of these work interdependently in buildings, colluding as an all-too-often overlooked enemy of sustainability: moisture damage. If a building leaks, it is not sustainable. Here we will brush with a broader stroke, emphasizing the need for good design and detailing, while exploring examples of successful wall and roof assemblies. In “Re-solutions III: Facilitating Architectural Re-use and Wiser Wood in New Construction,” we will hone in on specific factors which can help hedge successes and minimize pitfalls in implementing reuse strategies....
The trend towards more sustainable, healthier, energy-conserving enclosures has brought building science and moisture management to the forefront of daily conversation for professionals in the construction industry. In this course, we will delve into the science behind the practice and explore the role of building envelopes, optimal wall assemblies, and enclosures in vapor, water, air, and thermal control....
In this presentation, participants will learn about NFPA 285 and how it is used to assess the fire performance of exterior wall assemblies containing combustible materials. A brief historical review of NFPA 285 development will be provided so participants understand the basis for the test method development as well as how it is applied and what are the limitations. Recent, significant changes that have been made to NFPA 285 to standardize the testing and evaluation of deviations in project wall assemblies from tested assemblies will be reviewed in the context of how this affects compliance. Examples of this engineering evaluation process using current Engineering Analysis documents will be provided to illustrate how changes in materials and configurations can affect compliance with NFPA 285. The reasons behind the regular changes to product engineering evaluation reports will be discussed to highlight the importance of using the most up-to-date materials, configurations, and constructions....
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This course reviews the importance of weather-resistive barriers (WRBs): why they are critical and the technology considerations specifiers should use when evaluating WRB’s performance. It will also outline several of the most important building code and industry requirements related to air barriers and what they mean....
This presentation will discuss the importance of a properly prepared substrate for floor covering installation. Accurate floor preparation helps keep floors leveled, sealed, durable and long-lasting, which can reduce cost and material consumption in construction. The presentation provides an overview of the history of gypsum, best floor installation practices and latest technology in the substrate market....
Exterior wall systems are the dividing line between the exterior and the interior and must address several fundamental performance goals of the building envelope. This course reviews traditional rainscreen design and examines why, with its single-component construction, an insulated composite backup wall system is a vast improvement over traditional multicomponent building technology....
Net zero energy ready buildings are a popular topic in today's world of climate change. This course explores how energy efficiency has expanded toward exterior wall assemblies, where thermal bridging and thermally broken subframing systems are becoming the new norm....
Rough openings will leak - learn how to properly sequence rough opening installation materials and allow the “leaks” to drain out and away from the building structure....
Underslab moisture is something that designers need to take into consideration in both the design and construction phases of a building project. It can cause many problems for the building and the health of its occupants over the course of its life span; however, if properly addressed during design and construction, many of these issues can be mitigated. This course looks at the different types of moisture movement that exist below the slab, examines solutions for a variety of site conditions, and reviews best practices for managing moisture....
Currently, buildings are the single biggest contributor to GHG emissions, accounting for roughly half of all energy consumption in the U.S. and globally. It is crucial to reduce this level of consumption by including high-performance envelope strategies such as shading systems in all new building designs. In this course, we look at shading systems, examine shading and design strategies, and learn tips for successful selection and design....
This program is designed to provide the design community with an understanding of how energy efficiency impacts water management in wall systems and how to address the control layers of the envelope. The presentation will cover building science, code for bulk water, air, thermal, and vapor, and practical solutions for WRBs, drainage, and flashing....
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Some types of roofing systems can provide you with a roofing option that’s good for the environment and your wallet. Roofing systems don’t have to be disposable. By maximizing system longevity and recycling at the end of its useful life, roofing systems no longer have to be looked at as another thing to add to a landfill....
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The trend toward more sustainable, healthy, and energy-conserving enclosures has brought building science and moisture management to the forefront of daily conversation for professionals in the construction industry. In this course, we delve into the science behind current practices and explore the role of building envelopes, optimal wall assemblies, and enclosures in vapor, water, air, and thermal control....
Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects (driving toward six standard deviations between the mean and the nearest specification limit) in any process – from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service. Companies no longer have the luxury of business as usual. Businesses with the disciplined approach across all functions, whether manufacturing, supply chain or research have found the improved quality, operating efficiencies, and increased customer satisfaction. Six Sigma has proven to deliver value in all these areas and has been in use at global companies across many sectors, such as automotive, chemical and electronics....
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Vacuum insulation panels (VIP) offer higher thermal resistance per unit thickness than traditional insulation materials. This means a building envelope can meet the effective R Values for the enclosures required by the energy codes without having to increase the thickness of walls roofs or floors. This course discusses how VIPs work, why they are effective and the impact the properties of the materials used to construct a VIP can have on its performance. VIP installations and the latest developments in VIP technology are reviewed to illustrate the advantages of using VIP's as thermal insulation in the design of energy-efficient buildings...
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With the coming of the 2009 and 2012 International Energy Conservation Codes (IECC), insulating sheathing has played a growing role in the drive to make homes more energy efficient and comfortable for their occupants. The pressure is on for builders, home designers, and architects to find cost-effective construction methods and materials to meet these ever-growing performance standards. Educating one’s self and remaining current on building science trends, technologies and materials has proven to be a powerful measure of success in today’s residential construction markets. The following presentation “Why Use Insulating Sheathing”, aims to educate attendees on the flexibility of using foam sheathing in various Type V construction assemblies in order to meet stricter energy code minimums. Additional learning takeaways from this presentation include investigating common faults in Type V wood-framed walls from a framing, moisture, thermal bridging, and air sealing perspective; and how insulating sheathing can help correct these faults. Attendees will walk away with a thorough understanding of the advantages of using insulating sheathing in residential walls and be able to effectively communicate these advantages to their customers. Additionally, attendees will also leave with a solid understanding of the basic science behind any insulating material and how to better utilize these materials in various environments....
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This course provides specifiers of masonry veneer walls the description of a complete high performance wall system that meets the wall systems requirements ASTM E2357 (Air Leakage), ASTM E331 (Water Penetration), and NFPA 285 (Fire Propagation). The wall components associated with moisture management and interactions with other system components are highlighted. Additionally, an effective and efficient means to specify such walls is presented....
From research to optimization, Kingspan explores the in and outs of real fire examples, insulation comparisons, the science of fire, and how to accurately test your design for fire safety. This course's broad view on the fire performance of insulation boards and the necessary steps needed to adhere to industry standards will give readers the general concepts, skills, and practices to retain high level strategic thinking when ensuring fire safety....
