Learn How to Performance Test Light Commercial Buildings

How to Meet Air Barrier Requirements & Beat the Air Leakage Performance Test for New Commercial Buildings

NCBPA held this workshop on March 13th in Raleigh to educate residential and commercial contractors, architects, commissioning agents, product suppliers and industry professionals on the ins and outs of meeting the newly mandated air barrier requirements in North Carolina’s commercial energy code, effective January 1, 2019. The new air barrier requirements for new construction in NC creates new opportunities for industry professionals to learn these valuable skills and sell their services to customers across the state! The workshop provided hands-on instruction on how to: identify common air barrier problems during the design phase, anticipate common flaws observed during the construction phase and how to resolve these to meet the new code requirements.

The first half of this workshop provided a code presentation outlining the new air leakage and barrier requirements with real examples from our trainers and sponsors. The second half of this workshop provided an in-field whole building test, performed by the pros from High Performance Building Solutions! Want to read more? Click here to read an article by NCBPA Allied Partner Retrotec.

Registration for the workshop also included:

10% off next purchase of Retrotec testing equipment
4 AIA HSW credits approved
2 BPI credits approved

Want to bring this workshop to your area?

We do, too! Contact us to discuss offering this workshop where you work. The workshop is great for code officials, builders and developers, architects and all types of contractors. Sponsor and exhibitor opportunities are available!

Learning Objectives

Understand the 2018 NCECC Commercial MANDATORY Air Leakage Requirements including a breakdown of the building envelope and barrier requirements.
Learn the two options of compliance for air leakage design (prescriptive and ASTM E 779) followed by case study examples.
Learn how to prep, test and analyze a full air leakage performance test on an existing commercial building.
Understand the how’s and why’s behind performance testing, the resources you need to pursue more detailed tests and information on various products that are available for in-field testing.

Exhibitors

These companies were on-hand to offer additional insight into how their products and services can help your business performance test buildings:

Retrotec: manufacturer of building diagnostic tools including blower doors and duct testers, software and manufacturer’s certifications
Tnemec Company: manufacturer of coatings and coating systems for exterior and interior environments.
Spirit Sales Group: independent manufacturers’ representatives specializing in construction products and building envelope systems in the Carolinas and Virginia.
Mosher Engineering: full-service engineering firm servicing new buildings, renovations and historic remodels across the mid-Atlantic.
CSI Raleigh-Durham Chapter: the mission of CSI is to advance building information management and education of project teams to improve facility performance.

Photos from the Workshop

: NCBPA’s Abby Coulter, who organized the event, kicks off the presentations

: Sam Myers of Retrotec and Meghan McDermott of High Performance Building Solutions are both NCBPA Board Members

: The educational workshop contained a wealth of technical information including how to produce and read testing charts and graphs using software programs

: Attendees learned how to interpret testing results live

: Steve Shanks of Mosher Engineering, one of the event’s sponsors, speaks to the importance of industry standards and codes

: Sam Myers of Retrotec taught attendees how to prepare and test commercial buildings for air leakage

: Attendees benefited from question and answer sessions with industry experts including Meghan McDermott and Francis Conlin of High Performance Building Solutions

: After the workshop, attendees and NCBPA members enjoyed a networking event right next door at Trophy Brewing Co.

Questions?

Have questions? Please contact us at Info@BuildingNC.org or 919-841-6207.