The air barrier is one of the most critical components within the building enclosure assembly. Many times, if not all, it performs more than the air barrier function. This would include things such as the water-resistive barrier, the vapor barrier, and even sometimes your insulation. It is controlling air, moisture, and heat in some cases.

As the air barrier is located within the wall assembly and not easily accessed from the exterior or interior, it takes a lot of time and effort to remediate problems and is a costly endeavor for the building owners.

One of the risk management strategies is to include a quality assurance program in the specifications that require certified contractors, evaluated material, and on-site 3rd party audits. This presentation will discuss the role of the quality assurance audit, point out what to look for, and provide real-life examples that can help you identify installation issues on your project.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how site quality assurance audits fit into an overall quality assurance and risk management strategy.
2. Identify when and the frequency of the audit process during a construction project.
3. Identify typical issues found during an audit process in the installation of a variety of air barrier systems by visual inspection.
4. Through the use of job site photos, demonstrate the physical testing that can be done on a variety of air barrier systems.

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Tom Kita, CDT, CMT, ABAA

Tom Kita is the Principal Consultant and CEO and founder of BD Hatchman Inc and its subsidiary Building Envelope Solutions LLC., with 21 years of providing professional consulting services, to the Construction Industry.

Tom is a top-industry professional competent in roofing, FM Global windstorm validation / hail damage assessment, exterior wall waterproofing, below earth waterproofing, air barriers, fireproofing, masonry, and lightweight insulating concrete technologies. He regularly collaborates with Owners, Architects, Structural Engineers, Consultants, School Districts, Universities, City, State, Federal Agency’s, General Contractors, and Sub-Contractors. He has generated hundreds of specifications and details for projects throughout Texas and Oklahoma.

Tom provides Building Envelope Consulting to the Institutional, Industrial, Commercial, and Residential communities. His peers have bestowed local, regional, and national awards in acknowledgement of his dedication to the construction industry.

Tom Kita is active in the ABAA as a Licensed Field Auditor and Co-Chair of the QAP Committee and member of the Marketing Committee. Tom is an advocate for the advancement of air barrier technology in the Construction Industry.