Building Enclosure Consulting
At KE|AD Building Consultants, we provide expert architectural and engineering consulting services for Building Enclosures (BE). Our team can provide clients with the required BE documents and conduct field and testing services per state requirements. In addition to fulfilling state requirements, we have extensive experience addressing and resolving construction defects in re-roof and re-cladding projects. If we come across any construction defects during our investigation, we have the expertise to diagnose, provide a scope of repair and manage the repair. Our team also has experience being retained as an expert witness to support your case as it pertains to the complexities of building enclosures.
We ensure all aspects of the analysis align with the specific requirements and guidelines outlined in your state’s regulations. Scroll down to learn about state requirements for Condominiums in Hawaii and Washington State.
Building Types:
- Condominiums
- Commercial Buildings
- Retail
- Warehouses
- Storage Facilities
- Privately held custom homes
- Publicly held institutional properties
- Governmental Structures
Building Enclosure Elements:
- - Exterior walls: These are the walls that form the perimeter of the building and provide structural support and weather resistance., Testing and Reporting: Our foundation is in root cause failure analysis and forensic investigations. Our targeted investigations include document review, system performance testing, commissioning review, data logging, and ASTM testing. Diagnosing issues with advanced troubleshooting knowledge and tools is our specialty.
- - Roofing systems: This includes materials and structures used to cover and protect the building from precipitation, such as shingles, tiles, membranes, or metal panels.
- - Windows and doors: These are openings in the building enclosure that allow for access, ventilation, and natural light. Inspections may include checking for proper installation, weather sealing, and energy efficiency.
- - Exterior finishes: This encompasses the materials and finishes applied to the exterior surfaces of the building, such as siding, stucco, brick, or stone.
- - Insulation: Insulation materials are installed within the building enclosure to provide thermal resistance and enhance energy efficiency.
- - Vapor barriers and air barriers: These are components of the building envelope that help control moisture and air movement to prevent condensation, mold growth, and energy loss.
- - Decks/Lanai
- - Stairs & raised walkways
Condominium State Requirements:
WA State: Washington State Chapter 64.55 RCW addresses the required BE documents and construction field and testing services for multi-family buildings over 2 units. We frequently work with community managers and associations to fulfill this state requirement.
Hawaii: According to Hawaii Revised Statutes 514B-146, condominium associations are mandated to conduct a reserve study at least once every five years. Our team of architects and engineers are located on island, making them easily accessible to conduct the required evaluations and produce the appropriate documentation per the HI code.
About Us
Our team is our advantage. Our support team of expert mechanical, structural, materials, metallurgical, corrosion, architects, construction administrators and technicians sets us apart. We pride ourselves on effective communication, and we work closely with our clients every step of the way to ensure they are fully satisfied with the answers and solutions we provide.
Experts and Associates
James N. Reinhardt is the principal architect of Architectural Diagnostics. He has been active in construction defect investigation since the early ‘80’s and focused on problems relating to building codes and construction standards, EIFS problems, CC&R disputes and roof problems.
Mr. Reinhardt received a BA from Dartmouth College and a B. Arch from the University of Washington. Mr. Reinhardt is licensed in Hawaii, Washington and Colorado.
Brad is a well-rounded mechanical engineer, focusing his efforts in the areas of plumbing and HVAC system and forensics. Brad’s experience includes failure analysis, process engineering, corrosion engineering, product design, scope of repair for plumbing and HVAC.
Serving Clients Across a Variety of Specialties
At KE|AD, we are dedicated to providing expert services in building diagnostics and repair, condition assessment, and expert witness consulting, focusing on architecture, construction, building enclosures, and building systems. The firm’s primary mission is to offer professional and technically rigorous engineering, architectural and management services, emphasizing thorough investigation and effective problem solving.
Our staff of architects, engineers and construction administrators lend their range of specialties and deep expertise to each aspect of a building or system, identifying and analyzing failures in order to help represent our clients well and help build new, better, more efficient, and safer systems.
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