Oh No! What Did I Miss? How to Properly Specify an Air Barrier System

Design and Construction documents are one of the first steps towards achieving an effective layer of airtightness to manage moisture and air movement. The importance of a proper specification cannot be understated and a well-articulated document will ensure that the owner is provided with materials, performance and quality. The presentation will review some of the consideration and language that should be reviewed prior to developing a specification and will outline code requirements, performance requirements, what can be done for quality and ensuring material selection meets the intent of design and for crucial coordination with other components of the enclosure.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the various test methods for air barrier materials and assemblies as it relates to air, water, fire and other key requirements
• Analyze the other control functions for a wall assembly and determine if the air barrier also provides vapor control or water resistance
• Identify key language for 3-part specification to articulate performance standards, execution and quality requirements
• Define requirements for quality assurance and control and typical downfalls of specification language

Presenter Info:

Laverne Dalgleish, ABAA Executive Director

• Principal of Building Professionals & Executive Director of the National Air Barrier Association
• Chair – ULC S700 Committee on Thermal Performance in the Built Environment
• Chair – ISO TC163 SC03 Thermal insulation materials, products and systems
• Chair – Building Envelope Task Group for Standing Committee on Energy Efficiency

Mr. Laverne Dalgleish is the Executive Director of the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA). As such, he works to champion energy conservation in buildings while educating the building owners and designers about the benefits of energy conservation such as durability, comfort, reduced maintenance, reduced HVAC equipment costs and the positive impact on the environment.

Mr. Dalgleish travels North America to educate building owners and designers on the benefits of effective and working air barrier systems in buildings. This education mission includes working with standards development organizations, training and education groups, government policy departments, and quality assurance program developers for the construction industry. Mr. Dalgleish is the Secretariat of two ISO Committees, ISO TC61 SC10 Cellular Plastics and ISO TC163 SC3 Thermal Insulation Products. He is also Chair of the ULC Thermal Performance in the Building Environment Standards Committee.

Mr. Dalgleish was the key developer of the ABAA Quality Assurance Program for the installation of air barrier systems in buildings. This program is based on ISO 9000 and ISO 12576-2 but brings the ISO requirements together with practical applications for the air barrier industry.