Building Enclosure Council Event on Parapet Design, Issues & Repair Expected to Draw a Wide Audience

February 10, 2014- Parapet walls, the architectural decorative termination to building facades, come in many different styles and forms. Parapets, exposed on three surfaces to wind and weather, are often significantly high in order to hide unsightly rooftop equipment —but faulty or damaged parapets often lead to moisture migration into buildings.

The Building Enclosure Council (BEC-Chicago) is a committee of the American Institute of Architects Chicago, organized as "a community of people within the construction industry with interest and expertise in the design and construction of building enclosures."

The BEC-Chicago's stated goal is to improve the design and construction of buildings in our region by promoting approaches to enclosure design that are reliable, durable, constructible and cost-effective.

Parapet Design, Issues & Repair, the BEC-Chicago's upcoming event on Friday, February 14, will draw interest from manufacturers, facility managers, building owners, property managers and, of course, a large number of architects and contractors.

"If not detailed, constructed or maintained properly, parapet walls can be a source of water infiltration into the building and/or result in structural insufficiencies of the facades and structural roof system," BEC-Chicago writes in their event abstract, concluding, "Repairs can be intrusive and expensive."

The event, led by Matthew E. Novesky, R.A. with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., will include a discussion of general design principles and considerations and case studies covering economic and aesthetic issues as well as parapet repairs and replacements.

The BEC-Chicago's learning objectives for the event are outlined as follows:

1. Understand design considerations for loads implied on parapet walls

2. Understand the difference between pre-1950 and post-1950 masonry wall water management systems

3. Understand different types of distress mechanisms in masonry walls

4. Understand flashing detail issues that can be encountered at parapet walls

Carnow Conibear's own Nolan Day will be attending the event and is looking forward to answering your questions regarding the environmental concerns due to faulty or damaged parapets and moisture migration into buildings.

Information about the BEC-Chicago Parapet Design, Issues & Repair event is available here.

Non-BEC Chicago members interested in attending the Parapet Design, Issues & Repair event are asked to contact jdiqui@stocorp.com.

Carnow Conibear and Associates is a demonstrated leader in the occupational and environmental health professions since 1975. To find out more, click here or call us at (800) 860-4486.