ASTM E2813 and the Owner’s Project Requirements

The BECxA could be part of various enclosure commissioning activities for both fundamental and enhanced routes, depending on the required level of involvement. With the exception of the aforementioned key differences, the services provided in both processes are nearly identical. They include:

Pre-design phase

• provide technical assistance to owner and AOR to develop written OPR for the enclosure;
• evaluate durability, serviceability, performance, and sustainability of various types of enclosure elements;
• target key elements related to the building enclosure to be incorporated into the design documents (e.g. below-grade waterproofing, WRBs, air barriers, vapor retarders, claddings, and roof assemblies);
• attend project planning/kickoff meetings to discuss the building enclosure system, review OPR, and ensure its consistency with Basis of Design (BOD) for the project; and
  – submit a preliminary plan defining:
  – scope and budget of commissioning activities;
  – BECxA roles and responsibilities; and
  – how BECxA relates to the owner, AOR, project manager, contractor, and commissioning agents.

Design phase

• develop BECx specification to be included in the construction documents;
• review enclosure-related design documents (quantity and timing dependent on whether the commissioning is fundamental or enhanced);
• establish quantifiable test standards and performance metrics to be included in the CDs, including protocol for required additional testing due to test failures;
• evaluate performance of untested or questionable assemblies via thermal and vapor flow analysis (Figure 5); and
• document advantages, disadvantages, and summary discussion of related design decisions adopted by AOR during design phase.

Pre-construction phase

• assist, as required, owner/AOR in the bidding and award process;
• attend pre-bid conference and evaluate bidder RFIs;
• aid in the development of addenda related to building enclosure-related RFIs (this ensures information included is consistent with OPR); and
• document, after bid awarded, pre-construction-phase OPR, enclosure BOD, and revised BECx plan for owner review and approval.

Construction phase

• review enclosure-related shop drawings and technical submittals to ensure compliance with OPR;
• participate in pre-installation meetings related to the building enclosure;
• develop site observation and documentation protocols requiring timely identification and remediation of unanticipated field conditions;
• observe progress of enclosure-related work and provide reports for site visits;
• attend BECx meetings with the general contractor/AOR/owner;
• maintain documentation on performance testing milestones; and
• develop BECx closeout documents.

Occupancy and operations phase

• meet with owner and building representatives to discuss project history and current open items, as well as an evaluation and maintenance schedule; and
• provide owner and building representatives with a routine evaluation and maintenance schedule that aims to preserve the enclosure’s as-built durability and performance.

BECx performance testing requirements
Table A2.1 in ASTM E2813 Annex 2 includes a comprehensive list of BECx performance testing requirements. Approximately 90 test standards are listed, including those from:

• ASTM;
• AAMA;
• ASHRAE;
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI);
• Glass Association of North America (GANA);
• Canadian Standards Association (CSA);
• National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC);
• Underwriters Laboratories (UL); and
• U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).