Education Seminar – November 13 2025
IIBEC Mid-Atlantic Chapter Seminar
Soprema Training Center at Convoy Supply
231 W Hampton Place
Capitol Heights, MD 20743
November 13, 2025
*Please email a completed registration form to IIBECMidAtlantic@gmail.com to ensure that you receive an IIBEC CEH Certificate at the end of the Seminar. Be sure to include your Name (First and Last), Email, Company, and AIA Number (if applicable).
1. Waterproofing and Drainage Design for Rooftop Pools and Water Features: Essential Multi-Disciplinary Coordination and New Standards
Presenter: John N. Karras – Principal, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. (SGH)
Abstract: Incorporating swimming pools and water features into the design and construction of a building roof requires coordination and scrutiny to avoid performance problems and other project setbacks. Intentional collaboration is critical among building enclosure/waterproofing specialists, architecture teams, landscape architecture teams, structural/plumbing engineers, delegated pool designers, and other project stakeholders to bring an inherently complex design program together. This course, based on the experiences of the building enclosure consultant, will highlight key requirements, design strategies, and avoidable pitfalls related to waterproofing and drainage (and how they coordinate with other design disciplines) that can help lead to the successful design, coordination, and implementation of a rooftop pool or water feature. The course will also spotlight the relatively new ANSI/PHTA/ICC-10 2021 Standard for Elevated Pools, Spas and Other Aquatic Venues, its relationship to the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) and International Building Code (IBC), and how ANSCI/PHTA/ICC-10 2021 is key to the design discussion about programming swimming pools on rooftops.
Learning Objectives:
– Understanding how fundamental low-slope roofing and plaza waterproofing principles are relevant during rooftop swimming pool and water feature design.
– Establishing an approach for designing the location of the waterproofing system within the amenity roof overburden / overbuilt systems and how this location relates to the swimming pool / water feature waterproofing design.
– Reviewing ANSI/PHTA/ICC-10 2021 Standard for Elevated Pools, Spas and Other Aquatic Venues with respect to its status as a reference to ISPSC and IBC.
– Reviewing key content of ANSI/PHTA/ICC-10 2021 that affects pool waterproofing design, rooftop drainage design, pool structural design, maintenance access, and other related considerations.
About the Presenter:John Karras is a Principal in SGH’s Building Technology division with more than twenty years of building enclosure consulting and construction management experience on commercial, institutional, government, and multifamily buildings. Mr. Karras serves architect, building owner, and contractor clients while designing, investigating, and rehabilitating building enclosure systems on a variety of building types. His responsibilities include design consultation, preparation of design documents, field investigation, and construction administration related to building enclosure systems such as below-grade waterproofing, roofing, exterior wall claddings and weather barriers, and fenestration/glazing systems. John has participated in a number of multi-disciplinary project teams delivering successful amenity/pool rooftops in the Washington Metropolitan Area over the last decade.
2. Connecting the Dots: Air Barrier Transitions
Presenters: Danielle Jackson, MBA, CSI, CDT (York Manufacturing Inc.)
Abstract: Proper control and management of air and water are essential in the development of durable, healthy buildings. With respect to the building air barrier, continuity is required for effective performance. This is why the air barrier design process is often described by the adage, “the pencil must not leave the paper.” This course will focus on the critical transitions between air barrier materials and guide participants through the key considerations when designing an air barrier system.
Learning Objectives:
– Reviewing and discussing the areas of building design with the highest potential for air and water issues.
– Understanding how the air barrier components transition to other systems.
– Demonstrating ways to reduce the risk of water and air infiltration at building envelope transitions.
– Becoming aware of the compatibility issues between the building enclosure’s air barrier components.
About the Presenters: Danielle Jackson is a regional sales manager for York Manufacturing, Inc., producer of York Flashings, and she has experience delivering presentations on flashing compatibility, sustainability, and performance to architectural, engineering, and consulting firms across the country. Ms. Jackson also assists in overseeing and managing York’s independent representatives, provides training for masonry contractors, and performs job site visits to support quality control and quality assurance efforts related to flashing installations.
3. Electronic Leak Detection: Lessons Learned from ELD Testing and Continuous Monitoring
Presenters: Shaun Katz, CSI, AIA Member (Detec Systems)
Abstract: This course will cover the lessons learned from multiple case studies regarding Electronic Leak Detection (ELD) quality control testing as part of new construction, forensic testing in existing buildings with active leaks, and continuous moisture monitoring for conventional roofing. Participants will learn about the principles outlined in the ASTM Standard Guide D7877 and ASTM Standard Practice D8231 and will be able to identify common causes for moisture intrusion.
Learning Objectives:
– Understanding the science, capabilities, and limitations of Electronic Leak Detection (ELD) as outlined in ASTM Guide D7877 & ASTM Practice D8231.
– Recognizing common causes of failures found in numerous types of roofing and waterproofing membranes.
– Identifying potential future design and construction failures based on analyzed data from real time construction monitoring.
– Distinguishing different applications for ELD testing and continuous moisture monitoring for risk mitigation and loss control.
About the Presenters:Shaun Katz, CSI, ASTM member, is the Product Line Manager with Detec Systems. He has more than twenty years of experience in customer service and business administration. Mr. Katz has assisted facility/property managers and building owners, contractors, architects, engineers, consultants, and manufacturers with forensic leak investigation, as well as leak detection in new construction. He has performed ELD product demos and presentations worldwide and won the 2020 Presenter of the Year award from the Chicago Chapter of IIBEC. Katz is an active member of CSI, ASTM, and IIBEC. His goal is to provide a basic understanding of ELD and assist all parties with ensuring valid and conclusive ELD.
4. Window Receptors: Enhancing Building Envelope Performance Through Effective Design
Presenters: Sierra Stewart, P.E. – Consulting Engineer (SGH), and Megan Toumanios, P.E. – Senior Project Manager (SGH)
Abstract: Window receptor frames can play a pivotal role in the water management and accommodation of building structural deflection of the window system. When it comes to establishing project requirements when window receptor frames are included, design professionals can make a considerable positive impact toward a successfully predictable outcome. This includes communicating applicable quality control and quality assurance measures on a project. Despite the importance of this topic, there is limited published literature to guide the development and execution of window design when window receptors are included. This presentation will help design professionals understand the current industry standards, identify where the standards are lacking guidance related to receptors, and consider how to enhance the project-specific design by including project-specific requirements for windows with receptor frames.
Learning Objectives:
– Examining the role and functionality of receptor frames in window systems and identifying the potential benefits and pitfalls of receptor frames in the design.
– Understanding the current industry standards and selecting institutional specifications as they relate to window receptor frames.
– Identifying where the industry standards are lacking guidance related to receptors.
– Strategizing how to enhance and optimize the project design by incorporating applicable beneficial project requirements related to receptors.
About the Presenters: Sierra Stewart’s work includes a variety of design, investigation, and repair of building enclosure systems and historical structures in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, area. Megan Toumanios consults on building enclosure design, rehabilitation, and investigation projects for owners, architects, and general contractors. Ms. Toumanios has contributed to various building enclosure design and construction projects in Washington, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Her work includes new design consultation, construction administration, field investigation, and building enclosure rehabilitation. She is experienced in managing large-scale and small-scale projects that require technical and nuanced solutions to challenging problems.