Blower door testing finally has an established market to analyze bulk data. Lets study this data collected over the past decade from over 1,000 commercial blower door tests and over 6,500 residential unit tests. Data will include pass and fail frequency, common leakage sources, infrared diagnostics, and more! Learning Objectives: Analyze pass and fail frequency […]
The 4 C’s—Clear, Correct, Concise, and Complete—form the foundation of effective technical and specification writing. Building Enclosure Consultants (BECs), however, may not be fluent in the language of specifications, often viewing it as a misunderstood second language. As a result, the work of specification writing becomes doubly challenging when collaborating with BECs. This session explores […]
Did you know that the ABAA has developed a set of educational construction details for the challenging roof-to-wall air barrier connection? These conceptual details have been developed by the Transitions, Terminations, and Flashings committee to act as a technical resource for the industry and we are excited to talk about them! A tremendous amount of […]
This presentation will identify the many difficult critical transitions on complex building types and will give the tools to better understand the reasoning and sequencing needed to complete the installation in order to prevent constructability issues and potential rework in the field through drawing detailing and correlating construction photos of actual installations and explanations of […]
As artificial intelligence reshapes workflows across architecture, engineering, and construction, the demand for more sophisticated and adaptable building enclosures continues to grow. Yet, the built environment remains fundamentally human—designed for people, shaped by context, and realized through collaboration. This presentation offers a multidisciplinary perspective, drawing from the experiences of architects, contractors, and owners to examine […]
Current construction practices have spurred innovation in continuous insulation and air barrier technologies. Specifiers need a solid grasp of continuous insulation and air barrier fundamentals in order to ensure wall systems function as intended. This course will provide an overview of continuous insulation and air barrier technology options for in-field and off-site construction. In addition, […]
This presentation will review the challenges presented when detailing an exterior wall with a reservoir cladding. Because reservoir claddings hold onto moisture by their nature, they create conditions that present different risks than typical drained cladding systems or rainscreen walls. The detailing of your air barrier, flashing, and insulation can all be affected based on […]
As building performance expectations rise, confusion often persists between Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) and Building Enclosure Testing (BET). While both serve to verify performance, they are distinct processes that meet at key points in design and construction. This session clarifies the relationship between BET and BECx and shows how testing requirements should flow from the […]
How does one address an iconic building's systemic water infiltration issues while preserving its unique character? The multi-denominational United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, designed by Walter Netsch of Skidmore Owings and Merrill and completed in 1963, exemplifies modernist architecture with its minimalist style and use of contemporary materials. The Chapel received the AIA’s […]
Fog testing is a practical and revealing method for verifying air barrier performance in building construction. Traditional fog testing demands three key components for meaningful results: a fog generator, an enclosure to contain and create a pressure differential across the assembly, and a variable speed fan to pressurize the enclosure. We have streamlined this process […]
This presentation examines how building enclosure performance requirements have evolved from LEED v4 to LEED v5 through updates to ASHRAE 90.1-2010, -2019, and -2022, and explores the implications of these changes for enclosure design, moisture management, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and overall building performance. As enclosure assemblies have become tighter to meet increasingly stringent […]
Owners don’t reward good intentions—they reward verified performance. This session shows air barrier practitioners, architects, contractors, and Cx providers how to move from drawings to passing results with a clear, repeatable path that works at entry, intermediate, and advanced levels. We start with why now (IECC/ASHRAE drivers and owner risk) and a plain-English methods decoder […]
