Design Review - Consulting - Mock-Up Testing - Envelope QC - Failure Analysis

407-948-4983

Recon Independent Assessments has a broad base of knowledge from years of experience in the Building Envelope Consulting field.  Whether your project is on the board going through design phase or construction is beginning Recon Independent Assessments has the skill set and experience to provide real time actionable recommendations to help your team deliver the very best watertight building envelope to your client.

An overview of some of our current projects includes:

Two federal projects in Virginia; one under construction and another undergoing renovations to correct issues related to water intrusion after occupancy.

A project in North Carolina that encompasses three new buildings under construction where Recon Independent Assessments is assisting the Building Envelope Commissioning Agent by providing field testing and consulting to ensure roof systems, cladding and fenestration are performing to meet design criteria.

A project in Florida on a state university campus assisting an the Architect tasked with developing a remedial plan for a dormitory that is being adversely affected by high moisture levels within the structure.

Four projects in Florida providing field quality control testing on various residential multi-family low rise and high rise structures for the General Contractor to ensure the glazing subcontractor meets the design criteria for installed fenestration.

A project in Florida encompassing multiple buildings for a Regional Public Transportation System's Maintenance facility to document successful installation of various window systems using ASTM E -1105 Field Testing for Water Penetration Resistance.

A project in Florida where new construction of a municipal Police Department requires field testing of punched openings, storefront and curtain wall systems to meet the project specifications design criteria.

Two healthcare projects in Maryland; providing building envelope consulting, design review and field testing on one and providing field testing and consulting on the other.

Recon Independent Assessments is available to assist on your project should the need arise.

Contact us to discuss your project:

407-948-4983

Fear Driven Testing Is Counterproductive

COUNTERPRODUCTIVE: tending to hinder the attainment of a desired goal

The goal of field testing newly installed fenestration is to deliver a watertight building envelope to the owner.  The field testing standards and procedures most often seen in Division 8 Specifications includes the fenestration as well as the surrounding construction to determine if the perimeter where the two join is executed in a manner that makes it water resistant.

Manufacturers of the fenestration have designed, built and laboratory tested their products to ensure their products keep water out.  Quality control measures at their facility are in place to deliver a consistent product that remains watertight.

Recon Independent Assessments has seen a shift by some manufacturers to push for field testing that does not include the perimeter.  By excluding the surrounding structure and sealant they hope to achieve "successful" testing results each and every time.

Recon believes the underlying motive behind the shift is to protect their brand and reputation.  A flawed logic of believing that field testing "failures" that include the surrounding structure and sealant somehow reflect poorly on their product seems to be driving their opinion of which test method to use.

Recon Independent Assessments will test to whatever standard is selected and report the results as required. 

Unfortunately, when the "fenestration only" testing is completed, the underlying goal of field testing the newly installed fenestration to help ensure the building envelope is watertight may not have been achieved.

As an Owner's Representative, Superintendent, Project Manager, or Engineer be aware of  the correct test methods and procedures that serve the Ultimate Goal:  A watertight building envelope.

Review your Division 8 Specifications and understand the Field Quality Control section to ensure the Field Testing you see performed is not counterproductive.

If You're Not Sure Call Recon To Help Understand Your Field Testing Specifications