Technical Articles

To further serve the interests of our clients and profession, our consultants regularly research and write articles for publication in the trade press.

The Impact of Impact-Resistant Windows
August 2009 - Major code changes have been enacted in recent years in response to hurricane damage requiring building envelopes to be more weatherproof and impact resistant. In fact, the damaging effects of gusting winds and windborne debris have been so widely documented that the entire Atlantic Coast has been declared a hurricane-prone region. For complete article, click here.

Using physical mockups to identify curtain wall design flaws
September 16, 2009 - In my first article I referenced the four most-common causes of cladding system failure: inadequate design, material failure, poor workmanship and acts of nature. For complete article, click here.

How and why building envelopes fail, from a building
forensics expert
June 8, 2009 - Building Design and Construction.
Part one of a five-part series on diagnosing and avoiding cladding, glazing, and roofing failures from building forensics expert IBA Consultants. For complete article, click here.

Special inspection - Third-party inspections for building envelopes
Glass Magazine, April 15, 2009 - The use of private inspections in lieu of municipal building inspections is a growing trend throughout the country. In areas where a project’s size, complexity and pace of construction are combined with many similar projects, building officials simply don’t have the manpower to keep up or conduct a thorough evaluation. For complete article, click here.

Building Forensics Can Prevent and Solve Water Damage
Mc Morrow Report, February 13, 2009 - Ongoing maintenance and repairs help prolong the overall health of a building’s exterior skin or envelop. But its fate is often predicated on what facilities managers aren’t typically trained to see or predict—until it’s too late. For complete article, click here.

Ace the complex roofing test: think, research and act to solve the problem.
American, School & University, February 1, 2009 - Maximizing school resources and managing a shrinking budget — these are two
important items affected when a building's roofing system doesn't perform properly. For complete article, click here.

Simple steps to extend the service life of existing roofs
American, School & University, February 1, 2009 - Every spring and fall, the custodial staff should check, and correct where possible, the following: For complete article, click here.

"STP1453 - Structural Glazing Failure - 5 Case Study"
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"What Your Caulker Doesn't Know Can Hurt You"
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Consultant's Corner
Doing the Two-Step - Verifying Proper Aluminum Tempering
February 2002 - While most in the glass industry are familiar with the tempering process, many may not know how important it is in the design of aluminum glazing products and materials. Some readers have asked me about this so I am addressing various issues involved with aluminum tempering in this month’s column. For complete article, click here

"Interest in Blast-Resistant Products Intensifies"
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"Learning from Our European Counterparts"
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"Condo Commandos: The Best Defense Against Legal Claims Made Against Condominiums"
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"At the Breaking Point: Working with Poured-and- Debridged Thermal Break"
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"Wind Tunnel Studies: To Test or Not to Test"
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Consultant's Corner
Understanding Edge Clearance
March 2001 - Learn the Basics Now to Avoid Problems Later
What is edge clearance and why is it important?
Edge clearance is the dimension between the glass edge and the nearest component of the framing system. It is required to accommodate building and thermal movement and prevent glass-to-metal contact. For complete article, click here.

"How to Quote and Estimate the Cost of a Special Inspection."
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"High Impact A Look at Impact-Resistant Glazing Standards"
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