Program at a Glance

TUESDAY - OCT. 28, 2014
3:00 pm Registration [Level 100 Foyer]
3:00 pm – 5:30 pm Site Tours
Group 1 – Gemini House [31 Sussex Ave.]

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The Gemini House -  Two Low-Energy Buildings in One - 31 Sussex

The Gemini House is a low-energy retrofit of an 1879 historical, solid masonry home in Toronto that utilizes “nested thermal envelopes” to achieve a low-energy performance.  Traditional approaches to achieving energy-efficiency in cold climates usually involve designing an envelope that is more air-tight and contains more thermal insulation.  However, this is not the only approach to minimizing energy use.  An innovative approach, known as Nested Thermal Envelope Design™ (NTED™), has been utilized in this retrofit.  This approach involves designing and constructing a ‘core’ zone surrounded by a ‘perimeter’ zone that can be independently operated; both zones have been designed to control heat, moisture and air movement. The insulated ‘core’ is heated and cooled year round, while the ‘perimeter’ is intermittently heated and cooled as needed.  Further, when heat is lost from the core zone into the perimeter zone or when solar gains enter the perimeter zone passively, this heat can be efficiently recovered using a conventional inter-zonal heat pump.  

Completed in December 2013, the home is presently being monitored for energy and interior environmental quality.  Preliminary results reveal that when the home is operated in the “Gemini-Mode, the home uses less than 1/3 of the energy of a comparable home built to the current Ontario Building Code. During the tour, attendees will see how these energy savings are achieved as well as several innovative design features including how the façade durability concerns have been addressed while meeting the demands of historical preservation.     

Group 2 – The Green Roof Innovation Testing Laboratory [230 College Street]
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Welcome Reception [Level 100 – Constitution Hall 105-106]

WEDNESDAY OCT. 29, 2014
7:00 am Registration [Level 100 - Foyer]
7:30 am – 3:30 pm Expo [Constitution Hall - 105-106]
7:30 am - 9:00 am Continental Breakfast in Expo [Constitution Hall - 105-106]
8:30 am – 9:15 am OBEC AGM [Constitution Hall - 107]
9:15 am – 10:00 am Opening Ceremonies [Constitution Hall - 107]
Paul J. Pushman, B.Tech. (Arch.Sc.) & Gerald R. Genge, P.Eng., C.Eng., BDS, BSSO, C.Arb., Q.,Med.

Opening Keynote
Where we've Been…..Where are we Going?
Speaker: John Mollenhaurer
Morning Sessions - 10:15 am - 11:45 am

Session A1 – Materials, Assemblies and Testing - Retrofits I [104 A/B]
SESSION CHAIR: Ekaterina Tzekova

  • 10:15 am - 10:45 am - ASSESSING POTENTIAL ENERGY RETROFITS OF MULTI -UNIT RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN THE GREATER TORONTO AREA
    Kim Pressnail, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto
  • 10:45 am - 11:15 am - EVALUATING THE ENERGY SAVINGS OF HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDING ENCLOSURE RETROFITS
    Graham Finch, Dipl.T, MASc, P.Eng, Principal, Building Science Research Specialist, RDH Building Engineering Ltd.
  • 11:15 am - 11:45 am - ENERGY RETROFITTING TORONTO MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS: AIR-SOURCE HEAT PUMPS OPERATING IN ENCLOSED BALCONIES
    Marianne Touchie, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto and Low Carbon Building Science Manager, Toronto Atmospheric Fund

Session B1  - Design and Construction – Energy I [104 C/D]
SESSION CHAIR: Marco Guzzo

  • 10:15 am - 10:45 am - ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON BUILDINGS USING THE ENGINEERS CANADA PIEVC PROCESS
    Gerald R. (Jerry) Genge, P.Eng., C. Eng., BDS, BSSO, C.Arb., Q.Med., Principal, GRG Building Consultants Inc.
  • 10:45 am - 11:15 am - A FRAMEWORK AND POLICY IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE AN 80% REDUCTION IN ONTARIO RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION
    Amanda Yip, Master of Applied Science, Dept. of Architectural Science, Ryerson University
  • 11:15 am - 11:45 am - THE IMPLICATION OF ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING ENVELOPE DETAILS FOR ICE AND SNOW FORMATION PATTERNS ON BUILDINGS
    Peter Adams, P.Eng., Principal, Morrison Hershfield Limited Mike Carter, C.E.T., Director - Ice and Snow Specialist, Northern Microclimate Inc.
11:45 pm - 1:30 pm Buffet Luncheon in Expo [Constitution Hall - 105-106]
Afternoon Sessions - 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Session A2 – Materials, Assemblies and Testing – Moisture [104 A/B]
SESSION CHAIR: Marianne Touchie

  • 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm - IMPROVING ACCESS TO THE FROST DILATOMETRY METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING BRICK MASONRY FREEZE THAW DEGRADATION RISK
    Randy van Straaten, AssociateBuilding Science Consulting Inc.
  • 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm - QUANTITATIVELY EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT DRIP EDGE PROFILES
    Jonathan Smegal M.A.Sc, Senior Associate, Building Science Laboratories
  • 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm - FIELD TEST OF HYGROTHERMAL PERFORMANCE OF HIGHLY INSULATED WALL ASSEMBLIES
    Trevor Trainor, M.A.Sc., Building Science Labs in Waterloo
  • 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm - CONDENSATION RISK ASSESSMENT OF WINDOW-WALL FACADES UNDER THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS HEATING SYSTEMS
    TBA

Session B2  - Design and Construction – Heat Transfer[104 C/D]
SESSION CHAIR: Jeremy Nixon

  • 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm - CONTINUOUS INSULATION, AIR BARRIERS AND MOISTURE CONTROLS – NEW OPTIONS FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS
    Paul Duffy, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., Vice President, Engineering, Icynene Inc.
  • 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm - THE IMPORTANCE OF BALCONY AND SLAB EDGE THERMAL BRIDGES IN CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
    Graham Finch, MASc, P.Eng, Principal, Building Science Research Specialist, RDH Building Engineering Ltd.
  • 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm - CONVENTIONAL ROOFS; MEASURING IMPACTS OF INSULATION STRATEGY & MEMBRANE COLOR IN CANADA
    Lorne Ricketts, MASc, EIT, Building Science Research Engineer, RDH Building Engineering Ltd.
  • 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm - ENCLOSURE PERFORMANCE VS. BUILDING FORM IN COLD-CLIMATE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS – WHAT REALLY DRIVES ENERGY-USE?
    Barbara M. Ross, M.Arch., OAA, FRAIC, The Research in Architecture Studio
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Refreshment Break in Expo [Constitution Hall - 105-106]
Afternoon Sessions - 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm (continued)

Session A3 – Materials, Assemblies and Testing - Air Movement [104 A/B]
SESSION CHAIR: Sarah Gray

  • 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm - STATE OF THE ART OF MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL BUILDING AIRTIGHTNESS: TEST PROCEDURES, PERFORMANCE, AND INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
    Graham Finch, MASc, P.Eng, Principal, Building Science Research Specialist, RDH Building Engineering Ltd.
  • 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm - A FIELD STUDY OF AIRFLOW IN MID TO HIGH-RISE MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
    Lorne Ricketts, MASc, EIT, Building Science Research Engineer, RDH Building Engineering Ltd.
  • 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm - THE RELATIONSHIP BET WEEN FLOW EXPONENTS AND FLOW VALUES AND ASSOCIATED IMPLICA- TIONS FOR AIR LEAKAGE TESTING USING FAN (DE)PRESSURIZATION METHODOLOGY
    Robin Urquhart, MBSc, MA NRES, Building Science Technologist, RDH Building Engineering

Session B3  - Design and Construction – Glass I [104 C/D]
SESSION CHAIR: Russell Richman

  • 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm - HIGH OR LOW-E? LOW-E COATED GLASS FOR APARTMENT BUILDINGS
    George Torok, C.E.T., BSSO, Building Science Specialist, Project Manager, Facade Engineering Group, Morrison Hershfield
  • 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm - DESIGN IMPLICATION OF GLAZING RATIO RESTRICTIONS
    Stéphane P. Hoffman, M. Arch., M. Eng., P. Eng., Principal, Senior Building Science Specialist, Façade Engineering Practice Leader, Morrison Hershfield
  • 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm - GUARDS IN BUILDINGS – THE CANADIAN CHALLENGE
    Greg Hildebrand, C.E.T., M.Sc. (Eng), Head, Facade Engineering Group, Assistant Division Manager, exp Services Inc.
    Petr Vegh, Ph.D., P.Eng., LEED AP, Division Manager, Head, Structural Group, exp Services Inc.
6:30 pm – 11:00 pm Gala Dinner
OEBC Awards Presentation with Guest Speaker: Simon Cotter
[Constitution Hall - 107]

THURSDAY OCT. 30, 2014
7:00 am Registration [Level 100 - Foyer]
7:30 am – 3:30 pm Expo [Constitution Hall - 105-106]
7:30 am – 8:30 am Continental Breakfast in Expo [Constitution Hall - 105-106]
7:30 am - 8:30 am NBEC Meeting [Constitution Hall - 107]
Morning Sessions - 8:30 am - 10:00 am

Session A4 – Materials, Assemblies and Testing - Moisture II [104 A/B]
SESSION CHAIR: Dale Kerr

  • 8:30 am – 9:00 am - PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM FIELD EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF RAIN LOAD AND PENETRATION INTO WOOD-FRAME WALL SYSTEMS AT WINDOW SILL DEFECTS
    Elsa Ngudjiharto, B.Sc., Dipl.Tech., MASc. Candidate, Concordia University
  • 9:00 am – 9:30 am - STRUCTURAL AND HYGROTHERMAL ANALYSIS OF HYBRID WALL SYSTEMS
    Aaron Grin M.A.Sc., P.Eng., Senior Associate, Building Science Consulting Inc.
  • 9:30 am – 10:00 am - WIND-DRIVEN RAIN ON THE WALLS OF BUILDINGS IN METRO VANCOUVER: PARAMETERS FOR RAIN PENETRATION TESTING
    TBA

Session B4  - Design and Construction – Durability [104 C/D]
SESSION CHAIR: Peter Adams

  • 8:30 am – 9:00 am - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ROOFING SYSTEMS: 10 LIFE-CYCLE INDICATORS
    Jonathan Dickson, M.Eng, P.Eng., BSSO, LEED GA, Project Engineer, Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd.
  • 9:00 am – 9:30 am - ARTIFICIAL WEATHERING OF PORTUGUESE GRANITES EXPOSED TO ACIDIC SOLUTIONS
    MSc Maria Isabel Borges, Instituto Politécnico de Portalegre
  • 9:30 am – 10:00 am - INSULATED RAMMED EARTH FOR A COLD CLIMATE
    Terrell Wong, OAA, Stone's Throw Design Inc. Sylvia Cook, Aerecura Rammed Earth Builders
10:00 am – 10:30 am Refreshment Break in Expo [Constitution Hall - 105-106]
Morning Sessions - 10:30 am – 12:00 pm (continued)

Session A5 – Materials, Assemblies and Testing – Glass II [104 A/B]
SESSION CHAIR: Bonnie Dong

  • 10:30 am – 11:00 am - ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF WINDOWS: NAVIGATING NORTH AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN WINDOW STANDARDS
    Robert LePage, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., RDH Building Engineering Ltd.
  • 11:00 am – 11:30 am - COOLING LOADS AND OCCUPANT COMFORT IN HIGHLY GLAZED BUILDINGS AND THE EFFECTIVE EVALUATION OF WINDOW RETROFITS
    Scott R Armstrong, Dipl. Arch. Tech., CET, LEED®AP, Manager, Associate, Building Science & Sustainability, MMM Group Limited
  • 11:30 am – 12:00 pm - OVERCOMING CHALLENGES WITH BARREL ARCH SKYLIGHTS
    Fred Edwards, BSc, P.Eng., LEED® AP BD+C, Project Enginee, Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd.

Session B5  - Design and Construction - Ventilation [104 C/D]
SESSION CHAIR: Alen Vrabec

  • 10:30 am – 11:00 am - A STUDY OF CROSS CONTAMINATION OF IN-SUITE VENTILATION SYSTEMS USED IN MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
    Sandra Dedesko, MASc. candidate, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto
  • 11:00 am – 11:30 am - RESIDENTIAL VENTILATION: A REVIEW OF ESTABLISHED SYSTEMS AND A PRELIMINARY LABORATORY INVESTIGATION OF AN INNOVATIVE FINE WIRE HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATOR
    Sam van Berkel, MASc, Operations Manager, Watershed Technologies Inc.
  • 11:30 am – 12:00 pm - A CONTROLLED VENTILATION STRATEGY FOR ONTARIO HOMES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ENERGY-USE, AIR QUALITY AND ECONOMICS
    Adam Di Placido, BASc, MASc Candidate, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Buffet Luncheon in Expo [Constitution Hall - 105-106]
Afternoon Sessions - 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Session A6 – Materials, Assemblies and Testing – Monitoring [104 A/B]
SESSION CHAIR: Ian Miller

  • 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm - CAPICITANCE-BASED WIRELESS MOISTURE CONTENT SENSORS FOR SANDSTONE
    Jason Teetaert, P.Eng., V.P. Business Development, SMT Research
  • 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm - TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY DISTRIBUTIONS IN A MID-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING SUITE
    Dr. Fitsum Tariku, Director, Building Science Centre of Excellence, British Columbia Institute of Technology
  • 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm - PRACTICAL ISSUES ASSOICATED WITH THE USE OF INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY FOR DETECTION OF HEAT, AIR AND MOISTURE DEFICIENCIES IN BUILDING ENVELOPES
    Greg McIntosh, P.Eng., Managing Director, Snell Infrared Canada
  • 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm - INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND ENVELOPE MONITORING OF FIRST NATION HOMES ON AN URBAN RESERVE: A PILOT STUDY
    TBA

Session B6  - Design and Construction – Control Layers [104 C/D]
SESSION CHAIR: Graham Finch

  • 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm - FIELD STUDY OF PERFORMANCE FACTORS OF VACUUM INSULATED PANELS IN INTERIOR RETROFIT ASSEMBLIES
    Jon Kimberlain, Application Specialist, Dow-Corning Robert Lepage, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., Research Engineer, RDH Building Engineering
  • 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm - RADON - SOIL GAS INFULTRATION CONTROL: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF RADON RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION, MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS AND OPTIONS IN ONTARIO
    Bruce Decker, CET, ROHT, BSSO, Senior Project Manager / Technical Advisor, Safetech Environmental Ltd.
  • 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm - A CRITICAL REVIEW OF LONG-TERM THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF VACUUM INSULATION PANEL IN BUILDING ENVELOPE CONSTRUCTION
    Melissa Morlidge, B. Arch.Sc., M. BSc., Project Associate, Halsall Associates
  • 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm - SELECTION TOOL FOR WATER-RESISTIVE BARRIERS WITH SUITABLE VAPOUR PERMEABILITY
    John Straube, Building Science Consulting Inc.
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Refreshment Break in Expo [Constitution Hall - 105-106]
Afternoon Sessions - 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm (continued)

Design and Construction – Retrofits II [Constitution Hall - 107]
SESSION CHAIR: Sandra Burnell

  • 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm - IMPROVING THE ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF AN HISTORIC SINGLE-FAMILY HOME: THE GEMINI HOUSE
    Ekaterina Tzekova, B.A.Sc., EIT, University of Toronto
  • 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm - TORONTO CITY HALLWINDOW RETROFIT: CONVERSION OF SINGLE GLAZED WINDOWS TO A DOUBLE GLAZED SYSTEM ON A HERITAGE BUILDING
    Rob Wood, P.Eng., President, C3 Polymeric Limited
  • 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm - TOWARDS A LIMIT STATES APPROACH TO INSULATING SOLID MASONRY WALLS IN A COLD CLIMATE
    Nastassja Pearson, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., Halsall Associates
5:00 pm Closing Remarks
Gerald R. Genge, P.Eng., C.Eng., BDS, BSSO, C.Arb., Q.,Med..
[Constitution Hall - 107]