Building Professionals

On December 16 2011, the DC Construction Codes Coordinating Board (CCCB) voted 7-1 to adopt the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).  For commercial buildings, this means continuous air barriers will be required in many buildings.  After the meeting, one of the board members expressed the importance of all the support letters that were received, and passed along his thanks and appreciation.

The code will now go under administrative review and legislative process, with adoption likely in the second half of 2013.  The Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) was among 12 other associations who signed a recommendation letter for the amendment.

Congratulations to all those involved on this achievement!

Building Professionals Training has been green since way before green was groovy.  We have 35 years of experience in the areas of building science, building envelopes and green building as it relates to education and training, quality assurance, personnel certification and industry collaboration.  Our experience provides a unique value to our clients.  With decades of growth and development, we will assist companies and organizations in tackling the future in an effective and strategic way.

Since long before everyone thought green was the new black, we’ve stuck to our principles of building quality, building energy efficiently and building green.  Contact us to see how we can help you get your groove on!

Building Professionals will have a booth set up at the 10th Annual Better Building Conference & Exhibition April 20 and 21, 2011 right here in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

Come check us out!!

The National Association of Home Builders published a National Green Building Standard in 2008 to define what it means for a building to be green and establish a means to provide levels – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald.  This standard covers everything from lot selection to energy efficiency.  As this standard has been developed under the ANSI process for standard developing organizations, the standard needs to be updated on a regular basis.  Work is now underway for a 2012 version.  The work is being done by a main Consensus Group for forty one members and seven Task Groups.  All proposed changes will be circulated for public comment before they are finalized.  Laverne Dalgleish is a member of the Consensus Committee and the Multi Family Task Group.  Laverne also is participating in the Energy Task Group and the Renovations Task Group.

The Manitoba Building Envelope Council (MBEC), the Manitoba Chapter, Canada Green Building Council (MBCaGBC) and Red River College (CARSI) held a hands-on, first ever in Canada, Air Barrier Rodeo Workshop which explored the design, installation and performance of various air barrier assemblies.  The purpose of the Rodeo was to give the participants a creative venue for information and technology exchange related to air barrier construction and testing.

The Rodeo consisted of a maximum twelve teams tasked with the design and installation of their assigned air barrier assembly onto a pre-assembled 6′ x 8′ panel that included a window penetration.  The panels were then tested for air leakage in accordance with ASTM E 783.

Teams were assigned a specific air barrier material assembly (self adhered, fluid applied, mechanically fastened) that they subsequently designed and built in a full day workshop.  Every group was provided with an enclosure mock-up with a window opening.  The teams were asked to design and install an air barrier assembly that conforms to the air barrier manufacturers’ installation instructions as well as applicable building codes and standards.

This was a unique opportunity to both learn about and test materials, installation and details.

Building Professionals was proud to be part of the organizing team and platinum sponsor for the event.

Following the rodeo, the winners were announced at a follow up event.  There was an overall winner for the best airtightness result and then a winner was selected based upon the product type they installed.  It was nice to see a team of students from Red River college awarded an award for their mechanically attached membrane.

Download the complete story published in a recent edition of the SAB magazine

SAB PUBLICATION

Quote from Ryan Dalgleish, Chair of MBEC

“In the world of never ending 1 to 2 hour presentations on various construction topics, it was refreshing to be involved in a learning experience that focused on providing individuals with an intimate and “hands on” knowledge of air barrier assemblies.  I would hazard to guess that individuals learned more in that one day than in the previous 3 to 5 years on air barrier installation and critical details of the building envelope.  It was a great event that showcased how collaboration between two organizations (MBEC and MBCaGBC) can produce tremendous results.  I cannot wait until the next one.”

Quote from Marten Duhoux, Chair of the MBCaGBC

“It is important for industry to be concerned with the tightness of the building envelope; homes can loose up to 40% of their energy due to air leakage.  The Manitoba Chapter, CaGBC was thrilled to be involved in the 1st Canadian Air Barrier Rodeo.  The event was a great success and a great learning / teaching platform for all those involved.  We hope this will become an annual event that we will participate in.”

Mock-up Testing