The material is applied, the air barrier is complete, and now all you need is to pass the field quality assurance testing. The air barrier adhesion test is performed and then comes the question: what is the pass/fail criteria? Is it the published number under “material properties” on the manufacturer’s data sheet? Is the ABAA required minimum? Is there a different standard written in the specification? Does a 1 psi difference really matter? This discussion can frequently become a point of contention on the job site at a point when a “fix” is expensive and time consuming for many. This session will be a conversation between a manufacturer and a consultant (with additional input from a contractor and auditor) about what really should be the prevailing criteria. It will include a discussion about what the published data means, how lab data compares to that found by testing in the field and what is required during an ABAA audit. Field application parameters based on the material testing criteria that are critical to the air barrier performance will be discussed. Insights from ABAA auditors will be shared about how to avoid this fight in the field and lessons will be shared. The entire conversation will be had around the premise of ensuring a well-installed, durable air barrier system without putting undo pressure onto installers by requiring them to meet unrealistic requirements.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the ABAA air barrier quality control requirements.
2. Asses the difference between field testing data and what may be published on a manufacturers’ data sheet.
3. Contrast differences between material testing standards and actual field installation conditions and the impact to air barrier performance.
4. Evaluate what will be acceptable pass/fail criteria for a given product before it is tested.

Register Today

Speaker(s):

Andrea Wagner Watts, Research Scientist in Building Science & Product Applications, LEED Green Assoc.

Andrea Wagner Watts is the Commercial Wall Application Technology Leader for DuPont Performance Building Solutions. Andrea started her career in sales at Dow Corning then spent 7 years as an Application Engineer within High Performance Building focusing on preventing air and water infiltration through the building envelope. She has successfully helped to develop products including sealants and air/water barrier system solutions. In her current role, she is focused on improving the overall air/water/thermal performance of the building envelope through application innovation and new product development. Andrea has authored articles, papers and conference presentations relating to building air/water tightness, interface details, building science, durability and resiliency and she has 2 patents. She is a LEED® Green Associate and is active in a number of industry organizations including ASTM and is the Co-Chair of the Technical Committee and a Board Member for ABAA and was named as one of Professional Builders 40 under 40. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Cornell University.