Some of us SOA-tians went to a Lunch & Learn a couple weeks ago about Building Envelope Commissioning (BECx) that was pretty interesting.
We got a more in-depth look at the importance of establishing envelope performance standards through an Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) document, and testing and verifying those standards throughout the design, construction, and occupancy phases of a project.
In order to avoid the headaches of leaks or drafts in a building, BECx has to be implemented before design even begins, in the form of the Owner’s Project Requirements. (Guidelines for creating an OPR can be found in ASTM E2813.) The OPR establishes performance standards for a building envelope and sets testing limits for air and moisture trespass. If these standards are established from the outset with your architect and adhered to throughout the design and construction process, you’ll save the time and cost of repairs in the future. For example, testing window assemblies for leaks before full installation can reveal factory defects that should be addressed before installation. Digital testing and partial mock-ups should be viewed as an investment up-front with lifecycle payoffs. In fact, you can estimate overall savings with a lifecycle cost analysis, which can help clarify the benefits of commissioning before, during, and after construction, as opposed to paying later for repair or redesign that could’ve been avoided.