Building Enclosure Control Layer Fundamentals
Intro to Heat, Air, Moisture, and Vapor Management of Assemblies
Sponsored by Air Barrier Association of America | Presented by Keith A. Simon, FAIA
Webinar On-Demand
Modern high-performance building enclosures utilize control layers to manage heat, air, water, and vapor transport through walls, roofs, waterproofing, and fenestrations. This presentation will provide an introduction to the building science of these key four phenomena of building physics, the mechanism for how they work, and strategies for controlling their transport in assemblies. The goal of this presentation is that each participant will be able to identify how common building materials (e.g. WRBs, insulation, curtain wall, concrete, etc.) are able to control air, heat, water, and vapor and describe which metrics are used to quantify those movements. These metrics will be shown in the context of the requirements of common buildings codes and industry standards. Recent building science research will be shared along with developments and upcoming changes to these metrics.
Photo courtesy of Terracon
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An expert in building enclosure technology, Keith Simon addresses the critical and often unmet need for ensuring and improving building performance, resilience, and durability by guiding design teams, educating future architects, and facilitating interdisciplinary exchange. Keith joined Building Exterior Solutions, Inc. (a division of Terracon) in 2014. He is a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), Legacy LEED AP, Building Enclosure Commissioning Provider (BECxP), and Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) with over 20 years’ experience in architectural design and building enclosure consultation. His experience includes peer review, design assistance, durability analysis, construction administration, testing, and forensics of building envelope issues. Keith was the founder of the AIA Austin Building Enclosure Council (BEC: Austin) and currently serves as a board member for BEC: Austin and the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) Alliance Austin Chapter. He also serves as the Vice Chair for the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Building Enclosure Technology and Environment Council (BETEC) executive committee and is the South Region Representative for the PHIUS Alliance Executive Council. |
The Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) is a national, not-for-profit trade association comprising a broad cross section of stakeholders in the building enclosure industry. Their membership, which is over 650 member companies, includes manufacturers, architects, engineers, trade contractors, researchers, testing & audit agencies, consultants and building owners. ABAA is the national voice of the air barrier industry and the number one resource for anything to do with air and moisture barriers.
Originally published in Building Enclosure
Originally published in November 2023
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Cover the mechanisms of heat, air, bulk water, and vapor and how they transport through building assemblies.
- Recognize the importance of air barriers and common challenges with their installation.
- Cover the benefits of continuous insulation and common challenges to achieving it in the field.
- Explore key strategies for achieving durable, energy-efficient, and thermally comfortable wall, roof, and below-grade assemblies.
