International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC)

The International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) is a non-profit professional association for consultants, architects, engineers and others who design, inspect and assess roofs, waterproofing and exterior walls. It was incorporated in 1983 as the Roof Consultants Institute (RCI), later known as RCI, Inc. On 1 April 2019 it adopted its current name to reflect a wider focus on the whole building enclosure. Its headquarters is in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Credentials

IIBEC runs a set of professional registrations and certifications. Each requires experience and passing an exam:

• RRC – Registered Roof Consultant
• RRO – Registered Roof Observer (for field observation of roof work)
• RWC – Registered Waterproofing Consultant
• REWC – Registered Exterior Wall Consultant
• CBECxP – Certified Building Enclosure Commissioning Provider

Building owners, especially for large commercial and institutional projects, often hire consultants with these credentials to write roof specifications, review contractor submittals and observe installation.

Activities

• Publications. IIBEC publishes the IIBEC Interface journal with technical articles on roofing and enclosure topics.
• Education. It holds an international convention and trade show, symposia, and courses.
• Chapters. It has regional chapters in the United States, Canada and other countries.
• Advocacy. It comments on codes and standards affecting building enclosures.

Role in the roofing process

On many commercial projects, the roofing consultant sits between the owner, the designer and the contractor. They may survey existing roofs, carry out moisture scans or core cuts, prepare repair or replacement designs, and inspect the work in progress. Consultants are usually independent of manufacturers and contractors, though practices differ by country. Similar consultant roles exist in Europe and Australia under different professional titles.