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Our European technical design experience, bridging the gap between the architectural design and submittals, makes us a proactive partner in a design team exploring new horizons and pushing the edge of a facade design. We have confidence in our opinions based on the solid fundations of the European Facade Engineering and we are not afraid of the paper track; paper is the chief media of the design. This attitude sets us apart from our reactive and risk-averse competitors.

Architects don't like to listen about limitations of a typical design; they prefer to push the edge of THEIR design, unlike any others. They prefer to have a partner who instead of whining challenges them with the newest research and engineering, opening their eyes to the possibilities that they have not dreamed of yet , even if these options may be eventually discarded on the altar of economic or programmatic compromises.

Testimonials

Karol works for us as a building enclosure consultant on the Veteran’s Administration Hospital project in New Orleans, LA . It’s a large project, encompassing 8 buildings connected by a central concourse. From the beginning of this assignment, Karol began to re-define our expectations of a building enclosure consultant. He started by delivering presentations on fundamental principles of façade design, described the performance characteristics of the building enclosures, and made suggestions for how these characteristics could be achieved. He helped us in the choice of building enclosure materials and systems to fit our project requirements, researched manufacturers, and sketched solutions to accommodate the desired proportions and alignments of the facades. He accommodated our consultation requests quickly and efficiently, even though he was on a deadline on other projects. His recommendations were well received and soon implemented by our architectural staff, appreciative of the value of his contribution and his unique skills in façade engineering. We look forward to working with him in the future.

Pam Holmes, RA, LEED® AP
Senior Associate
NBBJ

(...) your assistance with our LEED certified project, Claude Pepper Community Center was invaluable in resolving our complex issues related to the sloped windows and storefronts. When it comes to questions about facade engineering, energy conservation, curtain walls and sloped glazing, I would highly recommend your expertise.

I hope more professionals will take advantage of your experience as a building enclosure professional since your understanding of the facade construction market and building codes would provide them an edge on designing a workable assembly.

Matilde E. Reyes, AIA, LEED Accredited Professional
Associate/ Senior Architect
Corzo Castella Carballo Thompson Salman, P.A.

We collect data in the field, conduct field observations, perform quality tests, review submittals, and monitor construction in progress for conformance with the approved submittals and good industry practices.

Download the printable scope of construction services. (PDF, size 77 kB)

We also help contractors, and owners identify unclear design intent requiring a request for information (RFI) and assist architects in responding to RFIs.

The typical scope:

Bid and submittal reviews, substitution analyses,
RFI development and research
Waterproofing compatibility research
Proactive monitoring of construction in progress,
Witnessing QA and QC tests and verification of procedures,
Air, water, thermal, and structural testing,
Construction dispute resolution,
Commissioning of building enclosures (BECx)
Construction defect evaluation,
Negotiations with contractors,
Ownership transition (take-over) assessments,

Download the printable scope of construction services. (PDF, size 77 kB)

We collect data in the field, conduct field observations, perform quality tests, causation and condition assessments, perform simulations of failures, and recommend remediation procedures and materials.

We also contribute our knowledge and experience to solve disputes among parties of construction process and serve as expert witnesses.

Read more.

Typical Scope of Services:

• Assistance in evaluation of casualty & property damage
• Cause & origin investigations/analyses
• Restoration design and Construction Administration
• Preliminary cost estimates
• Like-kind repair analyses
• Review of building documentation
• Code analyses
• Building-code violations
• Identification of standard of care
• Risk management analyses
• Due diligence audits
• Ownership transition (take-over) assessments
• Underwriting assistance
• Negotiations with contractors
• Air, water, thermal, and structural testing
• Construction dispute resolution assistance
• Pre-existing conditions evaluation
• Failure, damage, wear and tear evaluation
• Depositions and court testimony
• Computer simulations of failures and damage Read more.
• Finding visual match for broken glass Read more.
• Reserve studies,

Download the printable scope of forensic services. (PDF, size 73 kB)

We assist adjusters and attorneys in evaluation of casualty & property damage. We conduct cause & origin observation and analysis, as well as determination of code requirements with regard to the repairs and alterations of grandfathered buildings. We separate damage from pre-existing conditions. We perform like-kind repair analyses and preliminary cost estimates, particularly in those areas which are known to be poorly covered by standard estimating tools such as Xactimate. We are experts in architectural glazing, which is the frequently misrepresented area. We understand insurance policies language, having insurance adjuster's training. We also peer-review work of others.

The interested reader may be interested in our complimentary article titled "How To Write and Read a Forensic Report. Review of Typical Issues and Solutions Associated with Engineering Assessment Reports." This article is intended for education and amusement of both authors and recipients of reports describing deficiencies of building enclosures. It may also prove useful in other areas of expertise, as number of issues are fairly universal.

Download the printable scope of forensic services. (PDF, size 73 kB)

We provide takeover assessments and construction defect observations and analysis. We review building documentation, verify code compliance with the code in effect when building was permitted, and identify applicable standard of care. We present our findings in a way understandable to laymen. We also provide architectural restoration design and reserve studies.

The interested reader may be interested in our complimentary article titled "How To Write and Read a Forensic Report. Review of Typical Issues and Solutions Associated with Engineering Assessment Reports."

See also our GALLERY OF CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS

Download the printable scope of simulation services. (PDF, size 109 kB)

We assist designers and attorneys in analysis and presentation of physical processes before or after these processes occurred in the buildings.

Many of these state-of-the-art computer generated analysis are unique worldwide. E.g., we are recognized as a world-class leader in the field of 3-dimensional computer simulations. We are a direct provider, which is the reason why our prices are low and quality is high. Read more.

Download the printable scope of simulation services. (PDF, size 109 kB)

We established enviable reputation in curtain wall design and engineering. We analyze architectural designs for client's performance objectives, and match with systems available on the markets. We also optimize an existing design or engineer a new system from a scratch if necessary to meet project requirements. Due to our intimate knowledge of many proprietary facade systems, we are known for careful detailing of transitions between each two facade systems, to assure the established performance criteria are met at these traditionally weakest locations. We specialize in unusual cases, such as two-directional curvatures, non-conservative infill and framing materials, performing feasibility and availability research and engineering simulations.

We refer the interested reader to our relevant publications.

Sloped Glazing and Skylights combine two challenges: of a curtain wall and a roof. We found sloped glazing and skylights to be universally misunderstood by designers, engineers, manufacturers, and installers. Not surprisingly, in our experience they are also the #1 problem assembly in buildings, ranging from water condensation and leakage to structural collapses. We investigated such prominent cases as the collapse of a monumental skylight above a courtyard of an upscale hotel in Maryland, which made headlines several years ago.

Sloped glazing and skylights are a good example of assemblies where the source of leak may be obvious; however, you still need an expert to identify the REASON of the leak and come up with a working remedial design. This is why we devoted a separate line of our business exclusively to sloped glazing. We teach designers how to design and specify them, we help design them, and we investigate them in the field. We refer the interested reader to our seminar titled "Sloped Glazing."

We perform two types of tests: in the real world and in the virtual world. For the latter, please see the our webpage dedicated to computer simulations.

We perform and witness physical tests in the field to identify potential deficiencies and their sources. We normally follow procedures established by major industry associations and Florida Building Code. We also develop custom tests and modify the equipment to address specific field conditions. We calibrate our testing equipment before each test. We also offer calibration service for other field testers.

The most typical tests include:

• Thermal imaging of building envelope assemblies, by ASTM C 1060 "Standard Practice for Thermographic Inspection of Insulation Installations in Envelope Cavities of Frame Buildings,"
• Water and air tests for diagnosing cladding and fenestration leaks:
• ASTM E1105 "Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of Installed Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls",
• ASTM E783 "Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed Exterior Windows and Doors,"
• AAMA 501.2 "Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing Systems,"
• Thermal imaging for wet materials, insufficient or wet insulation, and air leaks, following the ASTM standard C1153, titled "Standard Practice for Location of Wet Insulation in Roofing Systems Using Infrared Imaging,"
• Hydrostatic pressure (flood) tests for roofs and waterproofing ASTM D5957 "Standard Guide for Flood Testing Horizontal Waterproofing Installations,"
• Hydrostatic pressure tests for storm drainage and other plumbing leaks following IBC and FBC plumbing code,
• Wind field uplift resistance tests for hurricane winds following TAS 114 and 124,
• Non-invasive roof wetness evaluation using capacity, infrared, and nuclear testing,
• Glass evaluation and measurements of scratches and other potential blemishes and deficiencies,
• Window and door framing evaluation and measurements for straightness and other potential deficiencies.
• Air leakage tests using "blower door" fan pressurization ASTM E779, and ASTM E 1827 "Standard Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door,"
• Theatrical smoke tests for air and water leaks,
• Acoustic tests for air and water leaks.
• Borescope (narrow scope camera) investigations of concealed spaces such as the air gap behind cladding (also including sewer camera tests).
• Sealant pull tests by ASTM C1193 "Standard Guide for Use of Joint Sealants,"
• Coating pull tests by ASTM D 4541 "Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers,"
• Glass VLT and SHGC measurements in the field,
• Monitoring and datalogging of psychometric conditions, weather condtions, and moisture content over a period of time,
• Magnetic Field Measurements.

We also expanded our in-house laboratory to perform the following types of tests:

• Water Content Determination of Construction Materials
• Salt Resistance of Construction Materials
• Spectrophotometric (UV-VIS-NIR-IR) Testing of Materials.
• Adhesion strength of adhesives and coatings.