Facilities Descriptions

The Building Components and Enclosures Research Laboratory (BCERL)

The BCERL Lab features state of the art, full-scale test facilities to advance research on earthquake loading, wind/pressure loading, windborne debris impact resistance, and weathering of building components and enclosure systems.  These facilities are fully computer controlled in order to accommodate a wide variety of tests configurations.

The Building Enclosure Test Laboratory (BETL)

The Building Enclosure Test Laboratory is a facility developed to conduct building science serviceability performance tests on building enclosure systems.  Specimens include but are not limited to complete wall or roof assemblies (or sub-assemblies), windows, and joints.  In this laboratory, tests are done to examine the performance of existing residential building enclosures and to experiment with new systems. 

The Building Environment Simulation and Testing Facility (BEST)

The Building Environment Simulation and Testing Facility  (BEST) is a state of the art installation designed for full scale thermal and air quality research. 

The Indoor Environment Center (IEC)

The Indoor Environment Center (IEC) conducts interdisciplinary research, knowledge transfer and outreach activities to support the development of indoor environments that are more safe, more thermally, visually and acoustically comfortable, and that minimize the use of energy and other resources.

Affiliated Laboratories and Facilities

Additional Penn State laboratories and facilities are available for PHRC use through affiliation. Click here for more information on these affiliated facilities.

For information on how PHRC can meet your laboratory needs please contact Dr. Ali Memari, Director of PHRC or Paul Kremer, Research Associate and Manager of the laboratories of the PHRC and the Department of Architectural Engineering.