The building enclosure is a critical component of a building’s overall energy usage and the primary protection of the structure and its contents and occupants from the effects of weather. Achieving the desired performance to meet both owner wishes and needs and architect`s vision for the building involves significant understanding of the building function, enclosure materials performance and, climatic conditions besides code-compliance, constructability and durability.

CCI is a Texas Registered Architectural firm exclusively assisting our clients with building enclosure consulting on design, construction, performance analysis, maintenance, and remediation and restoration of the building enclosure. Our services and expertise are about the science, design, construction and performance of exterior wall systems of all types of cladding and fenestration materials, air, water, and thermal barrier components, and roofs of all materials and types. Our focus is directly related to durability, moisture penetration, air infiltration, thermal performance, and structural issues. We provide building enclosure design consulting assistance, building enclosure commissioning (BECx), condition assessments, construction quality assurance consulting and inspection, testing, and performance analysis services. For BECx we provide design and construction reviews, material submittal reviews, conduct onsite QA/QC inspections and testing, including whole building air barrier testing with blower door fans.

Services provided for existing building enclosures include, condition analysis and assessments of exterior walls and roofs for due diligence, and repair and maintenance budgeting. CCI also produces the design and remediation contract documents of specifications and detail drawings, project management, and quality assurance inspections during the course of the work.

Testing and annual inspection certification services are provided for our building owner and property management clients for the exterior wall maintenance equipment (davits and tieback anchors) in accordance with OSHA requirements.

CCI’sclients include Real Estate Developers, Building Owners and Managers, Government Agencies, Architects, General Contractors, Attorneys, and Insurance Companies and Adjusters. Services focus on the building enclosure and are tailored to each client’s needs and property types. They may include:

• Architectural design and construction document review.
• Product submittal review
• Construction quality assurance inspections and testing.
• Property condition assessment inspections and testing.
• Investigation of defects, damage, and failures.
• Commissioning (Cx).

Our architectural design and construction document reviews primarily focuses on specification sections and drawings related to the building enclosure. Specification sections most often reviewed are within Division 1 - General Requirements, 4 - Masonry, 7 - Thermal and Moisture Protection, 8 - Doors and Windows. There may also be sections in Division 3 - Concrete, Division 4 - Metals, and Division 9 - Finishes that may be reviewed. Drawings reviewed include the various building floor and roof plans, building exterior elevations, and exterior wall sections and details, and roof details.

Product submittal reviews are for the various products incorporated into the building enclosure and as specified in the various specification divisions named above.

Construction quality assurance inspections and testing involve visiting the construction site and meeting with our client and the contractor(s). A review of the constructiondrawings of the areas to be inspected is done. Next, a visual review is performed of the construction work of installation of the various products involved. Testing of identified areas or items is performed in accordance with the specification requirements, or as may be appropriate for the materials and/or fenestrations involved in accordance with industry test standards. The Contractor generally must provide access to the areas of inspection and testing.

Property condition assessment inspections and testing are done for a variety of purposes that may include due diligence for property transfer and/or financing, to determine extent of maintenance or repair requirements, or for a change in property use. Most of the time a visual review is all that is necessary, but testing may be recommended based on conditions observed.

Investigation of building enclosure defects, damage, and failures are most often done when water penetration of the exterior walls or roof is occurring, or a condition of concern become apparent with the exterior wall cladding or windows, or a storm, accident, fire, or other event occurs that causes damage to the building enclosure and interior. The investigation is most often prompted by an insurance claim of some type.

The Commissioning (Cx) of the building enclosure is a relatively new service and can be done for new or existing buildings. The purpose is to verify the performance of the building enclosure and involves inspections, and may also include thermographic analysis, whole building blower door air barrier leak testing, and water penetration testing. The performance of the building enclosure related to thermal resistance performance (insulation) and air leakage (air barriers) has a significant impact on the operation performance and efficiency of the HVAC system. We conduct whole building blower door testing for air barrier performance for U.S. Government military and civil projects and LEED certification requirements.

CCI is a widely recognized company for our expertise in the Building Enclosure Quality Assurance and Commissioning (Cx), providing consulting, inspections, and testing for building enclosure water penetration, air leakage, and thermal and structural performance to Architects, Real Estate Developers, Building Owners and Managers, General and Specialty Contractors, Attorneys, Insurance Companies and manufacturers of windows, doors, curtain walls, wall cladding and waterproofing products.

Our services include peer review of the architectural design and construction documents for the exterior walls and roof including the wall cladding, fenestrations, flashings, and air, water and thermal barriers. We decide on the variety of required AAMA, NFRC, and ASTM tests in the field including whole building air barrier leak tests and thermographic analysis. With the changes in the building codes requiring air barriers and verification testing for LEED, we would be delighted to discuss our services and work with you on building construction projects