Building Envelope Commissioning Services

ZERO/SIX Consulting, LLC is an industry leading testing organization providing ISO accredited building performance testing on project sites and at their laboratory

Building Enclosure is defined as “a strict quality-focused process wherein the energy performance of a facility, system or assembly is evaluated and verified against defined objectives and criteria.”

Building Enclosure Commissioning Process (BECx) in USA

The commissioning process begins at project inception stage and continues throughout different construction phases, such as pre-design phase, pre-construction phase and construction phase. Even on completion of the construction project, the process continues and gets implemented on an ongoing basis. The process has been explained in detail in the NIBS Guideline 3-2012 Building Enclosure Commissioning Process BECx.

The BECx process is carried out by a commissioning team. It uses reliable and accurate measures to verify and validate that the project is meeting pre-determined quality requirements. Now there is a standardized process for an independent third-party working directly for the owner to clearly define project goals, ensure air-tightness and vapor control are properly addressed in the construction documents, and verify installation of air-sealing and good vapor control measures during construction. This person is known as the BECx Agent. BECxA full scope of services, as laid out by NIBS, include:

BECx Pre-Design Consulting Services
- Develop Owner’s Performance Objectives (OPO) or Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)
- Develop initial Commissioning Plan / Schedule

BECx Design Phase Services
- Review architect’s design concepts against the Owner’s Performance Objectives (OPO)
- Develop computer simulations for daylighting, solar orientation and energy efficiency
- Assist with material / building product selection
- Review project drawings and specifications for conformance of goals stated in the OPO, and review of LEED/ GPR/ LBC goals.
- Develop enclosure commissioning specification and identify responsibilities of the GC and subcontractors
- Perform final review of bid documents
Construction Phase Services
- Evaluate submittals, shop drawings and RFIs
- Oversee construction of mock-up and perform testing with documentation, observations, comments, and recommendations
- On-site review and field testing of installations
- Attendance at key site meetings
Operations & Maintenance Phase Services
- Review of all warranties, manuals, maintenance instructions, and close-out documentation

Z6 Building Envelope Commissioning Services in USA

Broadly, BECx work involves schematic design, building science, and building testing. Building science includes study of the flow of heat, air and moisture across all 6 sides of the building enclosure – walls, roof and slab. Z6 offers comprehensive BECx services as follows:

Flood Testing of Waterproofing
Wand / Nozzle Testing
Chamber Testing
Forced Entry
Evasive Moisture Survey
Roof Membrane Uplift Resistance Testing
Static Pressure Water Infiltration Testing
Weep Testing of Cavity Wall
Lath and Stucco Investigation

Air Leakage Testing
Adhesion of Sealant Joints
Thermal Imaging
Air Barrier Testing
Emergency Event Response
Failure Analysis – Structural
Failure Analysis – Water Infiltration
On-site Quality Control & Reporting
Electronic Leak Detection (ELD)

Learn more about our Services. For more information, Call us on: 409.740.0090

Bill is the managing and founding partner of W.H. Coltzer International (WHCI), Zero/Six Consulting, LLC (an architecture and exterior building envelope consulting firm), Z6 Commissioning, LLC (a performance testing firm), and Coltzer Company, LLC (construction company). As the son of a general contractor, Bill grew up participating in the family construction business and after graduating from Texas A&M in 1984, became a licensed Architect in 1993. Since the creation of Zero/Six Consulting, LLC in 2003, Bill has participated in the remediation, design, and testing of numerous facilities across the Nation ranging in values of a few million dollars to over a few hundred million. The combination of construction knowledge, architectural training, and real-world experience gives Bill a unique perspective in the dispute resolution process.

Jeff is the Director of Engineering of Zero/Six Consulting, LLC (an architecture and exterior building envelope consulting firm). After graduating from The University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Jeff has used his expertise in the field with roofing, waterproofing, and fenestration inspections, as well as in the office with computer-aided drafting, modeling, and engineering analysis. He has been deeply involved in the testing aspects of building envelope commissioning serving as the Quality Control Manager to ensure the Z6 ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory and team are strictly following international test standards to accurately, objectively, and impartially report on the integrity of building materials and products to certify that the installed systems interface as intended. Jeff has been Appointed Qualified Inspector by The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).