About BCRA Building Science

As an industry expert, BCRA’s building science group incorporates a working knowledge of proven thermal, air and moisture barrier techniques into the design, construction, forensic evaluation, and testing of the building envelope. This provides insights into hidden or unforeseen problems, eliminates unnecessary repair and schedule set-backs during construction, and provides overall cost savings, occupant comfort and lower building maintenance over the lifetime of the building. BCRA is frequently retained to provide Independent Technical Reviews (ITR) to alleviate and correct errors in the design phase before they are implemented. Additionally, BCRA sets contractor meetings and field observation visits to help define the expectations, requirements and rationale behind technical envelope design details. Through investigation of a failed building, BCRA has found that a large percentage of enclosure related problems could have been corrected at either the design phase or construction phase if the proper ITR and field audits had been conducted. BCRA leads the industry in design, construction administration, and testing of building envelopes. BCRA’s building science group can be used in LEED accreditation to earn points towards innovation in design. BCRA provides technical services throughout the investigation, design, construction, and performance verification phases to ensure a successful and acceptable building.

Experience & Expertise

BCRA implements the unique discipline of building science through all phases of project development. Performance specifications from ASHRAE 90.1 require energy management.To provide these specifications, a comfortable and durable building requires a coordinated effort in the design, installation and maintenance for the three main building barriers: Thermal, Air, and Moisture. Air Barrier performance is ultimately evaluated upon completion of the building, however, to achieve real energy savings, a comfortable environment and reliable maintenance schedule requires a coordinated effort from the preliminary investigation, design, construction, and final performance testing. Air barriers need close attention in design, evaluation, and construction as well as performance verification of a building’s envelope to effectively control thermal loss, air loss, and moisture leakage. BCRA’s initial investigation, coupled with the latest infrared thermography equipment and training, allow for an unprecedented nondestructive evaluation of the building’s condition.