#DEFINE BUILDING ENVELOPE PROFESSIONAL#

First and foremost, I try to identify the wall system as a barrier wall or a water-managed wall (see ASTM 2128 Standard Guide for Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls). Also, ask for any warranties usually you get one for the roof but also ask for manufacturer warranties for the window systems and the below-grade waterproofing system.īeing more comfortable with facades, I usually flip to sections to find details (or the lack thereof) on the wall systems. In this case, in order to access some of the history of the structure, you interview management, maintenance staff and tenants, in addition to reviewing the maintenance and project file. It is hoped, they have drawings to review but with older structures these may not be available. I usually let them know I am going to need thses before showing up so they can find them, organize them, unbury them, etc. I start this step by asking for a set of drawings. Regardless of when and whom you get the call from, what is a good way to tell if the building envelope will have problems? A large majority of calls are from clients who have recently acquired structures, new property managers, new condominium board members, new church business managers or new building engineers-each of whom has just taken over a property and found that something is leaking or falling off the building. Unfortunately proactive investigations are still rare, especially when the economy and real estate markets are booming and deal making is fast and furious. Armed with this information, he can renegotiate the price, accept the risk while being aware of the financial needs, or walk away from the deal. With good information from an investigation, a client can make a prudent business decision prior to purchasing a structure. Clients typically look at the roof, but rarely go into the remaining elements of the building envelope.

#DEFINE BUILDING ENVELOPE PROFESSIONAL#

In a perfect world before clients purchased a structure, they would engage a professional with building envelope knowledge to inspect the structure and determine the potential building envelope investment that may be required. As complex and intricate as the building envelope seems to be, how can you tell if building envelope is going to have or is already having problems? The definition sounds simple enough, but in reality-because of the thousands of complex products and systems specified and the multiple trades involved-the chance of error is high.

Define building envelope