Education Seminar – 2025 April 24
IIBEC Mid-Atlantic Chapter Seminar
Hosted by Structural Technologies
10150 Old Columbia Road
Columbia, MD 21046
1. Below-Grade Building Envelope Water Mitigation Techniques
Presenter: Brent Anderson, P.E. – Senior Engineering Consultant (Structural Technologies)
Abstract: This course highlights the importance of controlling groundwater during construction and throughout the lifecycle of a structure and the appropriate mitigation techniques for below-grade water infiltration. Attendees will learn about the 5 classic techniques for addressing below-grade infiltration and the criteria to help a consultant confidently select the most appropriate technique for a reliable solution. This course will also include guidance on how and why concrete cracks, criteria for intermittent and continuous water pressures on envelope components, classic approaches to leak mitigation, classic chemical grout injection procedures, and limitations of chemical grout injection procedures for leak mitigation.
About the Presenter: Brent Anderson has extensive experience in below-grade and plaza deck waterproofing products, chemical grouting with urethanes, micro-fine cements, bentonites, acrylamides, acrylics, and epoxies. He is experienced in supporting forensic foundation engineering for concrete problems (cracking, corrosion, excessive deflection, soil settlement), water leakage claims (roofs, cavity walls, air / vapor barriers, floors), and evaluation of parking garage deterioration issues.
2. Building Enclosure Commissioning – The Purpose, The Value, and The Future
Presenters: Brian Rose, P.E. – Senior Project Manager (SGH), and Sierra Scott, P.E. – Consulting Engineer (SGH)
Abstract: This course will outline Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx), a quality-focused process for enhancing the delivery of a project. The process focuses upon verifying and documenting that the building systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR). Using established guidelines and project examples, the course will describe the BECx process, outline the roles and responsibilities of the BECx Provider, discuss the value inherent with the BECx process, and examine the future of BECx.
About the Presenters: Brian Rose is experienced with enclosure consulting and commissioning for new construction, rehabilitation, preservation, and investigation for a variety of owners, architects, and general contractors. Alongside Brian in SGH’s Washington DC office, Sierra Scott has contributed to a variety of building enclosure projects in the Mid-Atlantic area. Her work includes field investigations, functional performance testing,design and monitoring of repairs, building enclosure commissioning, and design consulting for new building enclosure systems.
3. Sustainability and the Contributions of Commercial Roofing
Presenter: Jeff Moore – Sustainable Solutions Business Manager (Soprema)
Abstract: Sustainability is the balance between the environment, equity, and economy. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Project stakeholders involved with constructing new or renovating existing buildings increasingly prioritize sustainability when making design decisions related to project scope and material choices. This mindset also holds true for one of the subsets of building construction/renovation, commercial roofing. In the context of evolving dynamics related to building designs, this course will provide information related to how commercial roofing decisions can affect sustainable approaches including: reviewing common terminology and how embodied carbon is measured, explaining the role of sustainability in sourcing (e.g., what to look for in roofing products and manufacturing practices), reviewing sustainability metrics commonly used in industry certifications (e.g., LEED), and reviewing commercial roofing options to maximize sustainable product attributes.
About the Presenter: Jeff Moore leads the Soprema Group in developing sustainable processes with its products, systems and technologies. He is a degreed civil engineer with over 30 years of practical experience working with architects and engineers to innovate products and services across many markets in the construction industry. In addition to building products that support LEED® certification, Moore’s background includes developing renewable energy technology and working with Fortune 500 companies to capture and divert organic waste materials to produce CNG clean energy for motor vehicle fuel.
4. Preserving Baltimore City Hall’s Marble Façade – A Case Study
Presenter: Patrick O’Brien, P.E. – Director (BECS)
Abstract: Baltimore City Hall, occupying the city block between East Lexington and East Fayette Streets, has stood as a symbol of civic pride since its completion in 1875. Clad in robust brick masonry and crowned with distinctive mansard slate roofing, the building is also adorned with Maryland marble quarried at the Beaver Dam. Over time, leaky roofs, crumbling marble, and outdated systems cried out for attention. In 2016, BECS was engaged as principal consultant on a comprehensive restoration project involving a range of treatments, from deep cleaning the masonry to replacing damaged stones with carefully matched originals or salvaged pieces. This case study tells a firsthand preservation story and features key building history, prior renovations history, information regarding the 2016 lightning strike that triggered the latest renovation, and a summary of BECS’s investigation and design work including stone analysis, mockups, repairs, and how they addressed unanticipated challenges.
About the Presenter: Patrick O’Brien is a building enclosure consultant and registered Professional Engineer overseeing BECS’s Baltimore Branch consultancy operations. Patrick is Team Lead and Sr. Project Manager providing technical and management support to both clients and colleagues throughout a project’s lifecycle. Brian’s professional focus is on building enclosure restoration engineering and historic preservation/adaptive reuse. Brian currently leads AIA Baltimore’s Historic Resources Committee as Co-Chair, and recently served as Marketing Co-Chair for the Association of Preservation Technology (DC Chapter).