This month our Portland BEC President, Dave Young, will present information on blistering in polyurethane membranes.

Water-filled blisters under cold-applied, asphalt-modified elastomeric polyurethane waterproofing membranes have been discovered on numerous buildings in the Pacific Northwest in recent years, often requiring replacement of the membrane. This presentation explains the phenomena of osmotic flow through polyurethane waterproofing membranes and presents strategies for addressing this problem through design.

The Portland BEC is hosting a local broadcast of this nationally sponsored webcast by BETEC/NIBS and AIA.

Portland BEC Members: free, plus BEC will submit your name for AIA CEU credits Non-members: $15 at the door Lunch will be provided for the first 30 attendees.

For more information

from the course description Program Information

The first two BEC presentations for this year focus upon what project specific conditions warrant using an enclosure consultant and what conditions do not warrant inclusion of an enclosure consultant. The first panel discussion focuses more upon the working relationship setup and strategies, and the second panel discussion (October 2011) focuses more on the working management and roles.

The second of two BEC presentations for this year focusing on what project specific conditions warrant using an enclosure consultant and what conditions do not warrant inclusion of an enclosure consultant. The first panel discussion focused on the working relationship setup and strategies, and the second panel discussion (October 2011) focuses on working management and roles.

Mac Sheldon will present information on the use of spray foam insulation. He will focus on design considerations pertinent to thermal performance and evolving energy codes.

Spray foam insulation provides the opportunity to contribute to the thermal barrier, air barrier, and moisture barrier of envelope assemblies. However, it also presents challenges for proper design and installation. Topics will be examined relating the use of open and closed cell spray foam and methods for installation and common applications for wall and roof assemblies.

December’s presentation will outline two technologies related to high performance glazing. Speaker Michael Gainey, from Azon USA in MI, will discuss structural thermal barriers for aluminum window framing, and warm-edge spacer technology for insulating glass.

Discussion of challenges with continuous exterior insulation

Traditionally precast panel wall assemblies have been designed as face seal systems. In these systems weather tightness relies on water repellence treatment of the panels and on the detailing of the panel joints, such as binary sealant joints. More recent designs have attempted to incorporate rainscreen principles in the design of precast panel wall assemblies. In a typical rainscreen construction, the backup wall is installed first and then weatherproofed prior to the cladding installation.

As the trend toward re-using buildings grows, re-skinning buildings will become ever more prevalent.  Presenters from SERA, Howard S. Wright, and Benson will give a very brief presentation and then a tour of the building emphasizing the story of the envelope.  The tour and presentation will tell the story of the project and the envelope.  Please bring a hard had and construction appropriate footwear.