Another of our areas of expertise includes the assessment and restoration of building facades and envelopes. This experience includes the cleaning of historical building facades and the evaluating of protective measures.

Because of the inherent number of variables in the investigation of building envelopes, assessments are often complex. It is not uncommon for duress to become visible only after problems are well advanced. A good example of this is masonry falling from a façade due to corrosion of the steel ties. Another example is water damage to drywall; it is not always discernable whether the damage is attributable to wind-driven rain or condensation within the wall assembly. In our experience, the observed point of water damage on the interior can be well removed from the physical point of entry on the exterior face of the building.

Our Methodology
Crosier Kilgour & Partners has developed a structured program to review and assess the condition of building envelopes. Only once the causes of the observed duress have been identified, can a cost-effective program of remediation be developed.

• A close up review of the components provides a vital role in inspecting the building envelope. Rather than utilizing a time consuming swingstage to access the face of buildings, Crosier Kilgour & Partners are experienced in rappelling down building faces using a bosun's chair. Use of rappelling equipment greatly reduces the cost associated with inspection of building faces.
• In order to examine the wall cavity, fibre optic boroscopes are utilized. This investigative tool allows visual observations of the interior of walls through a 5/8" diameter hole. Invasive inspection recesses - which can permanently scar the exterior face of the building - are minimized as a result.
• Building envelope assessments also routinely utilize thermographic scans of the facility wall surfaces to identify areas of poor thermal performance or excessive air exfiltration. Depending on the results, air exfiltration testing of select areas of the envelope utilizing fan depressurization methods is employed to pinpoint the path of air movement.

These assessment techniques are invaluable in determining the most appropriate and cost effective methods of intervention.