BECx Fundamentals: What It Is and Why It Matters

This session provides a summary of Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx), focusing on its role in delivering the building owner’s vision by achieving a high-performing, durable building envelope. It explores the structured BECx process, outlining how BECx providers, contractors, architects, and owners collaborate to meet performance goals throughout each project phase.

Emphasizing the critical role of air barriers, the session highlights their functions and illustrates how BECx supports air barriers in performing as intended. Essential documentation –such as design reviews, field testing, deficiency tracking, and final acceptance reports –will be outlined to establish efficient communication and issue resolution. Key industry standards, including ASTM and ASHRAE Guideline 0, will be introduced as benchmarks for BECx performance.

Standard testing methods, including air leakage and water penetration, will be examined with a focus on early identification of air barrier deficiencies to safeguard envelope integrity. Additionally, a brief comparison between BECx and mechanical commissioning will clarify their distinct scopes, showcasing BECx’s value in achieving building durability, sustainability, and quality aligned with the owner’s vision.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the Roles and Responsibilities in a BECx Project: Participants will be able to identify the roles of key stakeholders, allowing them to collaborate effectively and align on project goals and responsibilities throughout the commissioning process.
2. Outline Key Documentation and Verification Methods in BECx: Participants will be able to interpret essential documentation, using real-world examples to outline verification methods like BECx forms and field testing to confirm compliance with specifications.
3. Discuss Relevant Standards and Guidelines for BECx: Participants will be able to identify relevant standards applicable to the BECx process, enabling them to interpret and adhere to building envelope commissioning guidelines.
4.  Identify BECx’s role in addressing deficiencies in the building enclosure: Participants will be able to recognize how BECx contributes to identifying and mitigating envelope deficiencies and perform as intended.

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Alessandra Valerio, B. Arch, PMP, BECxP, CxA+BE, Building Science Consultant, Project Manager, Stantec

Alessandra Valerio is a Building Science Consultant at Stantec, specializing in Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) and building envelope systems. With over eight years of experience in the construction industry, she is dedicated to empowering stakeholders to succeed in better construction practices and helping building owners achieve their requirements.
She began her career coordinating high-rise commercial building projects, managing project compatibility and ensuring alignment with project requirements, quality standards, and client expectations through technical solutions, inter-disciplinary coordination, and activity monitoring –all while focusing on advancing construction technology and production management.
Transitioning into consulting as a technical consultant representing building materials manufacturers, Alessandra gained in-depth knowledge of building materials while providing guidance to architects across diverse building types during the design and construction phases, ensuring compliance with project objectives.

As a Building Enclosure Commissioning Provider (BECxP) specialist, Alessandra supports the performance of building envelope systems. She collaborates with project teams to verify design intent and checks that materials and construction methods meet performance standards and owners’ requirements. This thorough approach improves the quality and durability of the building envelope.

Alessandra holds a degree in Architecture and Urbanism from the University of São Paulo and a postgraduate qualification in Building Construction Management from the Politecnica of São Paulo. She has also completed coursework in Building Science Specialist (BSS), Project Management Professional (PMP) at the University of Toronto and Commissioning Building Enclosure Assemblies and Systems (BECx) at Wisconsin University-Madison. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Building Envelope Council (OBEC).