Comprehensive Building Envelope Assessment for Improved Occupant Comfort

Occupant discomfort was regularly recorded at this residential building due to potential odour issues from pigeon nesting at the site. The Building Envelope Condition Assessment aimed to define the areas of air leakage by discussing the issues with key personnel, followed by investigations of the mechanical systems and building envelope assemblies.

The scope of work included:

• A review of available documents

• Execution of a preliminary visual investigation

• Execution of a detailed building envelope investigation via elevated lift platform

• Preparation of a building envelope condition report with repair recommendations

The four-storey building was constructed in 2012 and has a gross floor area of about 100,000 ft2. The cladding includes masonry veneer and curtain wall systems, as well as punched windows and metal panels. There were small flat roof areas below the curtain wall systems covered with conventional modified bitumen membranes.

The preliminary investigation confirmed the mechanical systems were operating as expected. The detailed building envelope review confirmed several construction issues, including discontinuous joints between the curtain wall and masonry veneer. Cambium recommended repairing the joints and improving the air/vapour barrier transition to prevent the air leakage.

The work provides the client with a comprehensive understanding of the cause of air leakage, and a strategy to repair the issue and improve occupant comfort. The project was completed on-time and on-budget, with Cambium coordinating the supply and operation of the elevated lift platform. Cambium also complied with the client’s summer camp schedule, arriving on-site early in the morning to complete the work prior to the start of camps.