Investigating known problems or deficiencies with a building enclosure is the foundation of AEC. This commonly includes identifying sources of water leakage, condensation, and cladding distress/deterioration. The investigation often includes diagnostic water testing using calibrated spray equipment, thermal computer modeling, laboratory analysis, comprehensive surveys, and the creation of exploratory openings to better understand the underlying conditions and assembly, often pinpointing the source(s) of the problem and extrapolating the necessary repair scope. AEC often continues through design of the repair by assembling a set of repair or bid documents, assisting with bidding or negotiating with a pre-selected contractor, and providing construction period services.

Enclosure consulting, often referred to as envelope consulting or acting as a waterproofing consultant, is also a primary service offered by AEC. As building enclosures become more complicated, a greater number of Division 7 products being offered from manufacturers, the building code with respect to the envelope becoming more detailed, and as design architects are being stretched thin, the expertise of focusing on the building enclosure becomes a more valuable and utilized service. We may be asked to provide a single pass of a late milestone set of construction drawings and specifications, act as an enclosure consultant by becoming integrally involved during the development of the design, or have the architect-of-record delegate the design for portions of the enclosure to us. We apply the lessons learned from our years of forensic engineering experience and assistance during the construction phase to the new construction in an effort to simplify the assembly and transitions, while providing more reliable enclosure.

AEC commonly provides construction phase services to supplement design review/ consulting services to review the quality of the work, comprehension and completeness of the contractor’s work relative to the construction documents, and to help work through unforeseen conditions or other conditions not adequately captured within the construction documents. Further, AEC can provide quality assurance testing, most often water penetration resistance testing of glazing systems (AAMA 501.2 and ASTM E1105) and ASTM C1715 wall drainage testing of through-wall flashings.

Unfortunately, not all buildings are constructed perfectly and deficiencies can occur, or at least be alleged. AEC approaches each litigation project in the same manner, regardless of client, claim, or building type. The concerns are thoroughly reviewed, the construction is evaluated (where permitted), and opinions are rendered to be clear and concise.

Contact us at any time, as AEC routinely performs other architectural and engineering services that may not fall into the above listed categories, such as condition assessments, pre-construction surveys, and others.