Commissioning and Design Assistance

Building Envelope Commissioning is a process for developing systems and criteria that meets defined objectives that are measurable and verifiable and interface with all aspects of a building's performance. This includes performance criteria, quality control and durability. The building envelope commissioning process can begin before the schematic design phase of a project, continuing throughout design and construction into the operational phase of a building.

Building Envelope Commissioning services for glazing, exterior walls, waterproofing and roofing may include:

Pre Design Phase

Identify desired performance metrics.
Assess site or existing building conditions as they relate to the building envelope.

Schematic Phase:

Project Meetings: Attend design team kick-off meetings and any required subsequent project meetings.
Building Code Review: Review local codes and site requirements as they relate to the exterior building envelope.
Design Criteria: Develop appropriate design criteria for wind, water, seismic and other environmental hazards.
Schematic Design Review: Provide preliminary review comments.
Cost Estimates: Provide square foot estimates for building envelope items.

Design Development Phase:

Design Development Sketches and Details: Consult to develop details, sections and drawings, as required.
Outline Specifications: Assist with the preparation of a set of Outline Specifications, identifying basic performance requirements and generic material types.
Project Meetings: Attend design team project meetings as required.
Peer Review of design development documents to verify compatibility with performance requirements.
Cost Estimates: Assist with the preparation of budget construction cost estimates for exterior building envelope components.

Construction Documents Phase:

Assist with Development of Working Drawings.
Assist with the Development of Specifications: Assist with the completion of specifications. Recommend appropriate materials, manufacturers and performance criteria.
Fifty Percent Review: Comprehensive review of plans and specifications at fifty percent of completion with written comments and suggestions, as required.
Ninety Percent Review: Comprehensive review of plans and specification at ninety percent of completion with written comments and suggestions, as required.
One Hundred Percent Review: Comprehensive review of plans and specifications at one hundred percent completion with written comments and suggestions, as required.
Project Meetings: Attend design team project meetings as required.
Cost Estimates: Assist with the preparation of final construction cost estimates for exterior building envelope components.

Bidding and Negotiation Phase:

Review Proposals: Review relevant building envelope subcontractor proposals to verify they are in compliance with the project documents and provide written comments as required.
Value Engineering Proposals: Review and analyze value engineering proposals for building envelope components and provide written comments and recommendations.
Review Subcontractor Qualifications: Research and qualify prospective subcontractors for major building envelope components, including verification of past performance on similar projects and checking references within the industry.
Project Meetings: Attend pre-bid and pre-award project meetings, as required.

Construction Phase (Administration):

Witness Mock-ups and Tests: We will observe the construction of laboratory mock-ups and test specimens and witness laboratory testing to verify constructability and compliance with the project requirements.
Review Submittals: We will review contractor submittals required by the project documents for building envelope components and provide written comments.
Respond to RFI's: We will review and respond to relevant RFI's to help provide the requested information.

Construction Phase (Quality Control):

These services are often provided directly to the Owner or Construction Manager.

Change Order Review: Provide review and comments for Change Order requests, as required.
Site Inspections: Conduct periodic site inspections to review the quality of work and check for conformance with the project requirements. We provide a written report upon completion of each inspection.
Moisture Surveys to verify building interiors are dry during the construction process and at completion.
Field Water and Air Infiltration Tests: Conduct field tests of representative glazing and wall system assemblies to verify acceptable performance. We use ASTM E 1105 test method for water infiltration tests and ASTM E 547 for air infiltration tests.
Project Meetings: We will attend and participate in project meetings at the site, as required.

Building Operations Phase:

Training of Building Operations Professionals to review warranty obligations, maintenance requirements and quality control checks.
Warranty Inspections (typically at 11 months) of building envelope systems and components including glazing, waterproofing, sealants and roofs to verify performance.
Moisture survey to confirm building interiors are still dry.
Continuing inspections and training to insure durability and performance of systems.

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