MED-Ed Facilities Boston, the healthcare and educational facilities design and construction event for New England, April 7+8, 2015 at the Seaport Hotel Boston Massachusetts announced key building envelope related workshops. Sessions offer LUs and several have HSW credits.

Workshops include:

Curtain Walls for Labs and Medical Facilities 

Curtain walls installed in many health care and laboratory facilities are often required to meet more demanding performance requirements for durability, air and water penetration resistance, and thermal efficiency. To meet these demands, additional provisions that are above and beyond many curtain wall manufacturers' standard details are often necessary. The presenters will discuss glass-and-metal curtain wall technology, including an introduction to "standard" systems and enhancements recommended for hospital and laboratory facilities. Case studies and design examples from recent renovation and new construction projects will be highlighted. Results of in-situ moisture testing and monitoring will be used to bolster design recommendations. Speakers: Josh Kivela P.E. Senior Project Manager Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc & Derek McCowan PE Senior Project Manager Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.

NFPA 285 - Assembly Test of Exterior Walls with Combustible Components 

Changing Energy Codes and increased NFPA 285 material triggers in the Building Code are altering the way many building envelopes are constructed. This course outlines the requirements, methods, materials and techniques to comply with the changing exterior wall expectations. The most common contributing factors to non-compliance of designs requiring NFPA 285 assembly testing include: lack of understanding of applicability of test on exterior wall assemblies vs individual products; recent building and energy code changes causing new triggers for testing; NFPA 285 is the Standard Fire Test Method for Evaluation of Fire Propagation Characteristics of Exterior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components. This seminar will discuss the impact of codes, test parameters and history of NFPA 285, and the definition of what building envelope components trigger NFPA 285 assembly testing requirements. All of these elements combine to demonstrate how to integrate NFPA 285 compliant assemblies into building envelope systems. Speakers: Brian Kuhn, Jr. PE (MA, 7 others), LEED GA Fire and Life Safety Code Consultant Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. & Benjamin Meyer LEED AP, RA Building Science and Sustainability Leader DuPont Building Innovation

Green Roofs and Plaza Decks 

Green roofs and plaza decks are gaining increased usage. This interest is due to declining green space and the ability of such systems to reduce storm water runoff, eliminating the need for retention basins. Improved energy savings, storm water retention, and aesthetic benefits are driving forces behind the growth of green roofs. Significant improvements in the performance of different components including roof repellents, drainage layers, waterproofing membranes, and lightweight growing media and plants have resulted in anticipated service lives of 40 plus years. This presentation will address a variety of sub-grade waterproofing systems including positive and negative side waterproofing, plaza deck assemblies, and green roof technology. Session analyzes the following types of materials including pre-manufactured membranes (e.g. thermoplastics, modified bitumens, bentonite panels), spray-on or brush-applied coatings, and expandable and/or injectable waterstops. We will focus on design concepts, detailing, surface preparations, application methods, and troubleshooting for typical below-grade waterproofing problems. Speaker: Edward Stewart RRC Senior Associate Gale Associates, Inc.

Achieving Long-Term Roof Systems Service Life - Sustainable Through Innovative Design 

The discussion on sustainability is now over a decade long. How this concept relates to roof systems is unique in that the variety of potential solutions is almost endless. Sustainability is more than roof color or about energy; it is about the cohesive performance of all the roof system components as one. If one accepts the conclusion of the CIB/RILEM Joint Committee on Sustainable Low Slope Roofing, that the essence of sustainability is 'Long-Term Service Life', then designers must move beyond current fads and use empirical experience and innovative methods to achieve sustainable roof systems. Presentation addresses two roof system design case studies in which the author called upon his 25 years of roof system design experience, empirical in-field service performance, and architectural background to design roof systems whose long-term service life expectations are 50 plus years. Design concepts, details and photographs from these projects will be presented. Speakers: Thomas Hutchinson AIA, CSI, NCARB Principal / Architect / Roof Consultant Hutchinson Design Group, Ltd.

Designing Air and Vapor Barriers 

Many existing buildings were constructed before current energy and building codes required a continuous air and vapor barrier, and exterior insulation. To improve the thermal performance and interior air quality of these facilities, many building owners are looking to upgrade their existing infrastructure. The presenter recently completed evaluations of several existing higher education facilities with a focus on improving the exterior building enclosures. The presentation will provide an in-depth examination of design considerations, with a focus on addressing ongoing air and moisture infiltration caused by the lack of continuous air barriers and thermal insulation. The presentation will discuss unique solutions to improve the overall building performances and aesthetics, and coordinate construction in an occupied facility. Attendees learn the steps that can be performed at their own facilities to improve building performance. Speakers: Brian Neely AIA, CDT, NCARB Project Architect - Building Envelope Technology Group Gale Associates, Inc.

Case of the Mysterious Leak 

The focus of this presentation and discussion will be several case studies of buildings with reported leaks. Session will provide background, discuss the investigation along with the diagnostic tools and techniques used to investigate and determine the source or sources of leaks. The examples will include roof leaks, wall leaks, and cases of peeling paint. Damage caused will be illustrated and if we were asked to repair, how they were repaired. Speakers William Waterston AIA, RA, CSI, CDT Associate Principal Wiss, Janney, Eltsner Associates, Inc.

Building Enclosures: Science, Design and Commissioning for Energy Efficiency in Institutional Facilities 

Building science of envelope durability, the science portion will focus on the building enclosure's contribution to both energy efficiency and durability, with a focus on the potential impact on long term durability of new energy codes addressing the building enclosure. Durability of the building enclosure is especially critical because its expected service life is longer than that of other building systems (e.g. mechanical, lighting, and water-heating). Achieving Envelope Commissioning (BECx) with ASTM E2813 and the new LEED v4 Credits. The BECx portion focuses on the value and process of BECx and the requirements to fulfill the new LEED v4 EA Enhanced Building Envelope Commissioning Credits, as they apply to the building's thermal envelope. BECx ensures that passive load-defining envelope systems are identified, understood, and verified. Examples of BECx on a range of projects from practice in the local Boston Area and in various other climate zones. Speakers: Benjamin Meyer LEED AP, RA Building Science and Sustainability Leader DuPont Building Innovations & Anita Simon Associate Principal Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. 

Affordable, quality workshops delivered by industry experts.

Conference program available for download. Questions, call 800-996-3863 or email us at info(at)mededboston(dot)com 

Over 80 medical and educational facilities planners, building science experts and many more share their day-to-day experiences in this fast-paced profession. Here's a complete list of speakers to-date http://mededboston.com/conference/speakers/

Sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute, the New England Real Estate Journal, and High Profile Monthly, this event is for the entire New England building industry.

About Us

MED-Ed Facilities is produced in collaboration with Tradeshow Management Services Ltd., a full-service tradeshow company specializing in conferences and tradeshows for the design, building and construction marketplace. TMS has been affiliated with leading events including AEC SYSTEMS, ArchitectureBoston Expo (ABX), Build Boston, Residential Design & Construction, Ecobuild America, Federal Construction Outlook Conference, BIM Expo, and Construction Technology.