Building Science 101, Builders’ Super Week 2017, Canadian Home Builder Association of BC

Builders’ Super Week 2017, organized by the Canadian Home Builder Association of BC (CHBA BC), was held on March 8 to 10, 2017 in Hyatt Regency Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia. Hamid Heidarali from HDB was invited to offer a 4-hour presentation at this event, on the topic of building science, and its application to building envelope design and construction.

An interactive and collaborative approach was utilized in this presentation, supported by a wide range of real and interesting building envelope case studies, photographs, 3D drawings, and material and assembly samples. In addition, various brainstorming sessions were incorporated during the presentation, resulting in a vibrant and engaging learning experience for the audience.

The presentation was received a wide range of positive feedback from the audience, as well as the CHBA BC. Several participants expressed their interest in similar types of presentations in the future since in their opinion, the presentation managed to provide a reasonable balance between the theory and practicality aspects of the building science, and has created a fulfilling and intuitive educational experience.

In addition to Vancouver, Building Science 101 presentation is going to be delivered in several cities in the British Columbia in the coming future. For further information, please refer to CHBA BC website.

The following topics were covered:

  • Building envelope, thermal envelope, conditioned, and unconditioned spaces
  • Control of rain penetration, ground water, heat loss, air leakage, and vapour diffusion
  • Examples of building envelope failures in Canada, and the reasons behind them
  • Building envelope and its impact on thermal comfort of occupants, and indoor air quality
  • Examples of poor, good, and best building envelope practices, and how they compare from the performance standpoint
  • Coordination of overlaps between the building envelope discipline, and other disciplines
  • Various designs for above grade wall, roof, deck, balcony, window, and below grade assemblies, ranging from those meeting the minimum Building Code requirements, to those offering superior performance beyond the Building Code
  • Importance of continuity of the building envelope control layers at building envelope transitions and penetrations
  • Long-term durability and sustainability of the building envelope
  • Working with an energy advisor
  • Energy efficiency and certification programs such as Energuide, Energy Star, Hot 2000, Step Code, etc.