Past Meetings

This month’s topic will be the use of infrared thermal imaging on existing buildings to diagnose thermal and air barrier discontinuity and the development of procedures to use this technology as a commissioning tool for new buildings. Mike Williams with White Glove Building Maintenance will discuss how the technology works, its possibilities and limitations and what information it provides to those in the design and construction industry to support the goal of high performance envelopes. Mike will be using images from buildings in the Portland metro area as a way of illustrating these particular issues.

Mike Williams with WGBM (White Glove Building Maintenance) owns a high-rise exterior building maintenance company that focuses on building envelopes. Specifically, that focus includes leak investigations, waterproofing, sealant and elastomeric coatings applications and window cleaning services. Mike has over 30 years experience in the construction industry, with 20 years experience working on building envelopes. A principal part of his business includes assisting architects and engineers on facade/envelope investigations. After the earthquake in Olympia at the Capitol, he provided rope rescue, rope access and fall protection for three months for the state of Washington while the damage was assessed and repairs were made. His recent emphasis on thermal imaging as a diagnostic tool is a natural progression in using leading edge technology for investigating problems on building envelopes.

Mike Steffen of Walsh Construction Co. will present a number of case studies to illustrate the application of enclosure design principles on several recent projects. This presentation will build on the discussion of thermal barriers and other critical barriers covered at the November 2008 meeting. Construction types represented will include steel frame, concrete frame and wood frame buildings.

Mike Steffen, AIA, CSI is Vice President and General Manager of Walsh Construction Co./OR. Walsh is a Pacific Northwest general contractor specializing in all types of multi-unit housing, renovation, educational facilities, and resorts - with a commitment to being a leader in the construction of energy-efficient, healthy and durable buildings. Prior to joining Walsh in 1999, Mike spent 13 years working in the fields of architectural and urban design. His experience on both sides of the construction fence provide him with a useful and unique perspective on both design and construction issues. Mike is also an adjunct faculty member with the University of Oregon’s Department of Architecture in Portland where he teaches building enclosure theory and practice.

This presentation takes a look at the brief history of commissioning to help the BEC determine what course of action it could take to prepare its membership for achieving professional status as commissioners of the building enclosure. NIBS has charted a course in developing: NIBS Guideline 3-2006 Exterior Enclosure Technical Requirements for the Commissioning Process that breaks new ground in a field driven by traditional commissioning methods. In this era of Integrated Design, placing a premium on public/private partnerships and Teams with a common goal makes sense as we move toward meeting the 2030 challenge and addressing climate change. The train has left the station but who is out there laying the track? ALL ABOARD!

This month, the Portland BEC continues our series of presentations regarding High Performance Buildings with a discussion of the inter-relationship of the building envelope and mechanical systems. Architects see the envelope as part of the Architecture, while mechanical engineers see the envelope as part of the mechanical system. They are both right.

Conrad Brown, Senior Associate at PAE Engineers will be presenting this month and will be discussing the relationship between the building envelope and the mechanical systems. Mr. Brown will be looking specifically at issues such as the impact of air-tightness on mechanical system design, how air leakage affects whole building energy performance and how to ensure indoor air quality in air-tight buildings. Specific strategies for providing make-up air within multi-unit residential buildings and the relative cost of such options will be discussed along with the impact compartmentalization has on mechanical system effectiveness and efficiency.

Mike Steffen of Walsh Construction Co. will discuss the thermal barrier as it applies to enclosure design and construction. Insulation approaches and materials will be reviewed and the problem of thermal bridging will be discussed. Several case studies will be presented to illustrate the application of thermal barrier design principles on recent projects.

High energy costs are placing increased emphasis on energy conservation within the built-environment driving the need for high performing building assemblies. Air barrier systems are critical to fulfilling these requirements and yet critical transitions often compromise their performance. This month's presentation will build on last month's discussion on air barriers and explore the importance of properly interfacing the air barrier at key building transitions as well as other building conditions where the continuity of the air barrier system may not be self evident.

Time permitting, considerations for retrofitting existing buildings to limit air leakage will also be addressed.

High energy costs are placing increased emphasis on energy conservation within the built-environment; hence there is an increasing need for high performing building assemblies. The building envelope, which separates the indoor controlled environment from the exterior natural environment, must adapt to fulfill these requirements. Are the available codes and standards adequate? This month's presentation will provide an overview of current codes and standards and will discuss the updates and changes that are being applied to design and construction practices. Specifically, Claude Louvouezo of Morrison Hershfield and Rob Kistler of The Facade Group will discuss current directions in building performance.

The May program will feature a panel discussion of the current City of Portland's requirements for veneer on metal studs. This typical construction of metal studs and sheathing, clad with metal panels or brick veneer, must document how the system will accommodate the buildings seismic movement without having material falling off the building. This seemingly simple requirement has significant architectural implications.

The panel will be comprised of: Jed Sampson - Section Manager of the City of Portland's Structural Engineering Group Amit Kumar - Structural Engineer with the Bureau of Development Services Dave Bugni - Structural Engineer and member of the Structural Advisory Board Steve Mortensen - Architect with YGH The panel will be moderated by Rob Kistler

If you are planning to design a brick veneer building in the city of Portland, this meeting will provide direction on how to meet the current structural requirements during the process.