Structural Ventilation of the Building Envelope

Presented by Sam Vacek

Structural Ventilation of the Building Envelope (aka Structural Ventilation) is a system for residential structures, or any other occupied structure, that provides the following benefits. These benefits allow the use of current construction labor, methods, and materials. These benefits are generated by directing interior air through building envelope and to the exterior:

1. Prohibit moisture and mold development within the building envelope.

2. Maintain a positive interior pressure to resist exterior air migration.

3. Provide clean outside air to the interior space at a minimum 0.5 ACH and greater when necessary.

4. Dilute and remove air contaminants from the interior spaces.

5. Provide superlative Hygrothermal Resistances (Rht) of the building envelope such that heat and moisture flow through the building envelope at the roof and walls is near zero and about 30% at windows.

6. Reduce HVAC energy requirements 25-50%.

7. Increase construction costs 10%±

The presentation describes the journey from inception of the system to construction

The Speaker: Sam Vacek

Forty-nine years experience as a Structural/Architectural Engineer with experience in structural design, failure analysis, and construction monitoring of industrial, commercial, and residential structures. Building envelope investigations, analyses, and designs.

Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering

Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Engineering

Registered Professional Engineer in Multiple States

Member of Several Professional Organizations

Chair of the Architectural Engineering Institute AEI Build Enclose Technical Community

Texas Department of Insurance Qualified Windstorm Inspector

City of Houston Special Inspector

Patented Self Sustaining, Fresh Air, Energy Reducing, Mold Resistant Structural Ventilation System

Architectural and Structural Design Engineer 1977-1988

Architectural and Structural Forensic Engineer 1988-Present