Building Envelope Forum

8:00 a.m.
Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:45 a.m.
Introduction & Opening Remarks

Bob Passmore, President, Alberta Building Envelope Council (ABEC)

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Building Science: The Building as a System

Premature building envelope failures in Canada have cost billions of dollars to repair. This presentation will focus on the building envelope as a system and provide an overview of the most important challenges – how to keep water out, heat in, and provide a durable envelope. The mechanisms that allow water to infiltrate and heat to exfiltrate the building envelope will be examined in simple and practical terms using examples from the prairie climate. Common building envelope pitfalls and failures, and how to avoid them, will be presented via practical case study examples. The next generation of building envelopes that capture solar energy will also be examined.

Rob Dumont, Dumont and Associates

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Refreshment Break

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
How Roofs Can Contribute to Sustainable Construction

Roofing is a key component of any building and one whose failure, if it occurs prematurely, can result in business losses associated with the downtime needed for repair. Accordingly, the roofing system plays a significant role in achieving sustainable construction. While many believe sustainable roofs, green roofs, white roofs or reflective roofs are new – these have been around for more than 30 years. Good roofing practices have always been promoted by roofing associations and industry. Roof systems can be designed in such a way that there is an emphasis throughout their entire lifecycle on the efficient use of natural resources and protection of the environment. This presentation will discuss sustainable roofs, green roofs, and white/reflective roofs.

Ralph Paroli, Director, Building Envelope and Structure,
National Research Council Institute for Research in Construction

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Networking Luncheon

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Mould, Moisture and Related Problems

Perhaps the most significant statement ever made about building science was that “Except for structural failure, about 90% of all building problems are related to moisture in some way”. This presentation will examine the various mechanisms by which moisture can damage buildings, their occupants and their wallets. And, more importantly, techniques to reduce these problems will be discussed. Both new and existing buildings will be considered.

Gary Proskiw, P. Eng., Proskiw Engineering Ltd.

2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Refreshment Break

2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Cost Effective Building Envelope Maintenance Strategies

This session will priorize measures to be taken to effectively tighten the building envelope of existing buildings. Considerable experience has shown that tightening these buildings judiciously can be extremely cost effective. Case studies, methodology and cost justification will be discussed to cover all aspects of the building envelope including the top, bottom, vertical shafts, the side walls and, last but not least, the issue of compartmentalization. Issues such as smoke, odour, dirt and bug control frequently become part of the justification for doing this work. Window retrofit measures including low-e film, weatherstripping replacement, interior sill sash, insulating glass unit replacement, as cost-effective alternatives to replacing windows will also be discussed.

Randy Smith, P. Eng., Principal, A.D. Williams Engineering Inc.

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Litigation and the Building Envelope: Assessment of the Critical Issues

Evaluation of an existing Building Envelope and structure is a crucial area with dealing with litigation issues. Hear from leadings experts from the construction side and the legal side, as they pinpoint and discuss building envelope performance. This presentation will draw from conclusions based on analysis, and make predictions for future residential and commercial building envelopes in this city. Key examples will be referenced outlining critical issues involved in the litigation process.

John Singleton, Q.C., Partner, Singleton Urguhart
Nick Trovato, Managing Principal, Building Science and Restoration,
Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd

4:30 p.m.
Conference Adjourns