Building Science Fundamentals is a two-day seminar that teaches the basic knowledge needed to design and build durable, energy efficient, affordable and healthy buildings.

Dr. Joseph Lstiburek and Dr. John Straube will discuss building science principles (such as the control of heat, air and moisture and IAQ) and show you how to apply them to low-energy enclosure design, advanced HVAC systems, forensic investigations, and the repair and retrofit of existing buildings.

Building Science Fundamentals 2009 focuses on commercial, institutional and multi-family buildings. However residential topics relating to unvented roofs/attics, basement and crawl space construction will also be covered and examples relating to single-family construction will be presented. See full seminar agenda below.

The Fundamentals class has been attended by over 1500 builders, architects, engineers, building science consultants, building code officials, facility managers, building product manufacturers and government officials.

Please click one of the links below for detailed hotel information and to register for this course:

June 16-17, Westford, MA
July 14-15, Seattle, WA
October 20-21, Vancouver, British Columbia
November 3-4, Toronto, Ontario
November 17-18, Chicago, IL

Cost: $795 US

Day 1
Schedule Session Speaker
8:00 - 9:00

Historical Perspective
The evolution of building systems, enclosures, assemblies and materials
The role of disaster and failure in the evolution of building design
Why codes and regulations are reactive, not proactive

 Joe Lstiburek
9:00 - 10:00

Environmental Separation
The purpose and historic basis of environmental separation
Appreciate the effect of climate on environmental loadings on building enclosures
Enclosure design principles of energy efficient buildings

 John Straube
Break
10:15 - 11:15 Rain Control

Understanding rain as a design load
Rain control strategies
The consequences of failure ? control problems with brick, stucco, EIFS, manufactured stone veneer and curtain walls

 Joe Lstiburek
11:15 - 12:15

Air Control
Airflow control in terms of smoke, energy, durability, heath, and comfort
Buildings as 3-D airflow networks
Controlling pathways and pressures

 John Straube
Lunch
1:15 - 2:15

Pressures and IAQ
Air quality problems in terms of people, pollutants, paths and pressure
Pollutant sources due to material breakdown caused by heat, moisture, and UV light
Diagnostic procedures for IAQ problems

 Joe Lstiburek
2:15 - 3:15

Heat, Air and Moisture Movement
Mechanisms of heat, air, and moisture movement
The role of heat, air and moisture in building failure
Integrated design for the control of heat, air and moisture

 John Straube
Break
3:30 - 4:30

Walls
Selecting appropriate enclosure wall systems for different climates and occupancies
Identifying critical elements
Avoiding stupid mistakes

 Joe Lstiburek
4:30 - 5:30

Insulation and Thermal Bridges
Using the thermal index for wall assemblies
The temperature (not the heat loss) is key
Interior and exterior insulating sheathings

 John Straube

Evening Session - Building Science Clinic
At the end of an intense first day, enjoy an informal discussion over beer and pizza with Drs. Straube and Lstiburek. Bring drawings, specifications, and photos and ask questions about your most outlandish cases and projects... or just enjoy the pizza and beer.
Day 2
Schedule Session Speaker
8:00 - 9:00

Roofs
How to select appropriate roof systems for different climates and occupancies
How to identify critical elements
Learning from past successes and failures

 Joe Lstiburek
9:00 - 10:00

Foundations
Understanding how to keep ground water and soil gas out of building foundations
Environmental control for building assemblies
The conflict between structural engineering approaches and environmental control approaches

 John Straube
Break
10:15 - 11:15

HVAC
Understanding the primary function of HVAC
The effect of climate on HVAC design and operation
Understanding and managing the conflict between green architecture, IAQ and energy efficiency

 Joe Lstiburek
11:15 - 12:15

Slabs and Flooring
Vinyl composition flooring
Wood and tile systems
Negative side waterproofing

 John Straube
Lunch
1:15 - 2:15

Windows and Curtain Walls
Temperature index for windows
Selecting windows and curtainwalls
Glazing versus frames

 John Straube
2:15 - 3:15

Repair and Retrofit
Insulating mass buildings and freeze-thaw damage
Foundation retrofits
Interior and exterior enclosure repair approaches

 Joe Lstiburek
Break
3:30 - 4:30

Green Building/Sustainability
Understanding the green architect as master builder
What green typically means and what green should mean
How green building and sustainability can either destroy or save architects

 John Straube

 
The handout material for the course is comprised of two parts and consists of 27 documents relating to each of the course sessions. You are welcome to view or print all of them if you choose. You can find them by following the links below to buildingscience.com.

A link to a PDF document of the presentation slides will be available for download and will be emailed to all registrants once each seminar is complete.

Please note that we will not be providing printed hard copies of this material at the course.

Reading Material
Historical Perspective
BSD-007: Historical Development of the Building Enclosure html pdf (0.5 MB)
BSD-144: Increasing the Durability of Building Constructions html pdf (0.2 MB)
Environmental Separation
BSD-018: The Building Enclosure html pdf (0.2 MB)
Rain Control
BSD-013: Rain Control in Buildings html pdf (0.5 MB)
BSD-105: Understanding Drainage Planes html pdf (1.4 MB)
BSD-111: Flood and Hurricane Resistant Buildings html pdf (2.8 MB)
Air Control
BSD-014: Air Flow Control in Buildings html pdf (1.1 MB)
BSD-104: Understanding Air Barriers html pdf (1.3 MB)
Pressures and IAQ
BSD-109: Pressures in Buildings html pdf (1.2 MB)
BSI-002: The Hollow Building html pdf (1.9 MB)
Heat, Air, and Moisture Movement
BSD-138: Moisture and Materials html pdf (0.3 MB)
Walls
BSD-106: Understanding Vapor Barriers html pdf (3.4 MB)
BSD-146: EIFS - Problems and Solutions html pdf (3.4 MB)
BSI-001: The Perfect Wall html pdf (1.1 MB)
Insulation and Thermal Bridges
BSD-011: Thermal Control in Buildings html pdf (0.3 MB)
Roofs
BSD-102: Understanding Attic Ventilation html pdf (3.6 MB)
BSD-115: Wood Pitched Roof Construction html pdf (0.8 MB)
BSD-135: Ice Dams html pdf (0.6 MB)
Foundations
BSD-103: Understanding Basements html pdf (1.2 MB)
HVAC
BSD-110: HVAC in Multifamily Buildings html pdf (0.7 MB)
BSD-107: Understanding Ventilation in Hot Humid Climates html pdf (0.8 MB)
Slabs and Flooring
BSI-003: Concrete Floor Problems html pdf (1.4 MB)
Windows and Curtainwalls
BSI-004: Drainage, Holes and Moderation html pdf (2.1 MB)
Repair and Retrofit
BSD-108: Investigating and Diagnosing Moisture Problems html pdf (1.4 MB)
BSD-114: Interior Insulation Retrofits for Load-bearing Masonry Walls in Cold Climates html pdf (0.8 MB)
Green Building and Sustainability
BSD-005: Green Building and Sustainability html pdf (0.4 MB)
Looking at Tomorrow
BSD-010: Looking at Tomorrow html pdf (0.1 MB)

 

Building Science Corporation is a registered Continuing Education Provider for many building industry associations. Participants in our Building Science Fundamentals 2009 seminar can receive continuing education credits for the following associations:

AIA The American Institute of Architects is the voice of the architectural profession and the resource for its members in service to society. For more information, see www.aia.org.

AIA members will receive 16 CES Learning Units (LUs) and fulfill the annual health, safety and welfare (HSW) and sustainable design mandatory continuing education (SD). 
AIAQC The American Indoor Air Quality Council promotes awareness, education and certification in the field of indoor air quality. For more information, see www.iaqcouncil.org.

AIAQC members can receive 16 Re-Certification Credits (RCs). 
IICRC The Institute of Inspecting Cleaning and Restoration Certification was formed to serve as an independent, non-profit certification body, to set and promote high standards and ethics; and to advance communication and technical proficiency within the inspection, cleaning and restoration service industry. For more information, see www.iicrc.org.

The seminar provides Continuing Education credits (2 Cleaning/Restoration or 1 Mold) to IICRC members. 
RESNET  RESNET Residential Energy Services NETwork (RESNET) is a national standards making body for building energy efficiency rating systems. For more information, see www.resnet.us.

RESNET members can receive 12 hours of continuing education credit. 
AIBD  AIBD The American Institute of Building Design (AIBD), the nationally recognized association of Professional Building Designers, has provided its members professional and educational resources, and has developed nationwide design standards and a code of ethics for the building design profession. For more information, see www.aibd.org.

AIBD members can receive 16 CE Hours of credit. 
RIA  RIA The Restoration Industry Association, Inc. (RIA) is the leading trade association for cleaning and restoration professionals worldwide, and the foremost authority, trainer and educator in the industry. For more information, see www.restorationindustry.org.

RIA members can receive 1.0 CEC. 
AIBC  AIBC The Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) is an independent, professional self-regulatory body established in 1920. For more information, see www.aibc.ca.

AIBC members can receive 15 Core LU’s. 
OAA  OAA The Ontario Association of Architects is a self-regulating organization governed by the Architects Act, which is a statute of the Government of Ontario. The Association is dedicated to promoting and increasing the knowledge, skill and proficiency of its members. For more information, see www.oaa.on.ca.

OAA members can receive 15 CORE learning hours of credit.

 
If you have any questions about the continuing education arrangements with any of our partners listed above, or you would like to add Building Science Corporation as a continuing education provider for your organization, please contact Jeff Melvin at 978-589-5100.