Testing & Commissioning

Building Enclosure & Facade

Testing & Commissioning

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What is Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx)?

Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) is a quality assurance and quality control process that verifies the building enclosure is designed, installed, tested, and maintained to meet the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) and long-term performance goals. The building enclosure includes the roof, walls, windows, waterproofing systems, and foundations that protect the building from air, water, thermal, and moisture intrusion.

A successful BECx process begins during pre-design and continues through occupancy, helping owners reduce risk, improve energy efficiency, enhance occupant comfort, and extend building service life.

Benefits of Building Enclosure Commissioning

Reduces construction defects, water intrusion, and performance failures
Supports compliance with evolving energy codes and sustainability requirements
Assists with LEED®, IECC, and ASHRAE commissioning requirements
Improves building durability, resilience, and energy performance
Minimizes costly repairs and warranty claims
Provides documentation and training for long-term facility management
Enhances occupant comfort and indoor environmental quality

Pre-Design Phase

Establishing project goals and performance requirements early creates the foundation for a successful enclosure system.

Develop and review Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)
Participate in design charrettes and project planning meetings
Develop the Building Enclosure Commissioning Plan
Evaluate enclosure concepts against performance objectives
Identify project-specific performance criteria for air, water, vapor, and thermal control

Design Phase

Lerch Bates works with project teams to identify enclosure risks and optimize performance before construction begins.

Basis of Design (BOD) review
Technical peer review of drawings and specifications
Building enclosure detail reviews at key design milestones
Development of BECx specifications and testing requirements
Hygrothermal and condensation risk analysis
Thermal bridge evaluation
Constructability and durability reviews
Support for code compliance and sustainability certification objectives

Preconstruction Phase

Proactive coordination helps reduce risk before enclosure systems are installed.

Submittal and shop drawing reviews
Review of enclosure materials and assemblies
Preconstruction coordination meetings
Mock-up planning and testing review
Contractor quality control planning
Development of project-specific testing matrices and documentation procedures

Construction Phase

Construction phase services verify that enclosure systems are installed according to design intent.

Quality assurance site observations
Installation verification using enclosure checklists
Contractor and subcontractor coordination meetings
Deficiency tracking and resolution management
Witnessing and coordination of field performance testing
Mock-up testing observation
Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)
Review of Operations & Maintenance documentation
Development of Building Enclosure Systems Manual

Occupancy & Turnover Phase

The commissioning process continues beyond construction to ensure long-term building performance.

Final Building Enclosure Commissioning Report
Building Enclosure Systems Manual
Owner and facilities staff training
Warranty review and support
10-month/post-occupancy enclosure assessment
Maintenance and service-life planning recommendations

What are the types of Field Performance Testing?

ASTM E779 Whole Building Air Leakage Testing

Measures overall building airtightness through fan pressurization
Verifies compliance with air leakage performance criteria
Supports energy code and sustainability requirements

ASTM E1105 Water Penetration Testing

Evaluates water resistance of installed windows, curtain walls, storefronts and exterior wall assemblies
Identifies installation deficiencies before occupancy

ASTM E783 Air Infiltration Testing

Measures air leakage through installed windows and doors
Verifies compliance with specified performance requirements

AAMA 501.2 Water Spray Testing

Quality assurance testing for storefronts, curtain walls and glazing systems
Used to identify localized leakage pathways and installation concerns

ASTM D7877 Electronic Leak Detection

Locates breaches in waterproofing and roofing membranes
Supports verification of roofing and below-grade waterproofing systems

Infrared Thermography & Diagnostic Testing

ASTM C1060 Thermographic Inspection
ASTM E1186 Air Leakage Detection
ISO 6781 Thermal Anomaly Identification

Building Enclosure & Facade

What is Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx)?