Member Spotlight: Eric Murrell

Eric Murrell

The Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) dives inside the career of Eric Murrell.

Name: Eric Murrell

Title: Principal Consultant

Firm: SME

City: Plymouth, MI

ABAA member for 2 years

Eric A. Murrell provides enclosure consulting services to clients who expect a lot from their buildings. With 38-years of experience, he provides design review and forensic assessment services to help solve enclosure issues either before or after the building is completed.

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    When did you earn your Certified Air Barrier Specialist (CABS) certification from the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA)?

    A: March 16, 2024

    What inspired you to pursue the CABS program with ABAA?

    A: I provide Independent Design Review for my clients. Although things are improving, I still see a general lack of detailing with regard to the air control system. The CABS program provided me with additional insight to help address the shortfall.

    How has the CABS certification impacted your career or professional development?

    A: I believe the credential will help my client’s differentiate me and my team from the more generalist professionals.

    What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered in air barrier field and how as your certification helped you address them?

    A: Someone has to design the details. It seems like everyone thinks “someone else” will take responsibility for the design of the air barrier system.

    What advice would you give to someone considering pursuing the CABS certification with ABAA?

    A: Its not all in the study guide. You need experience with system design and installation.

    In your opinion, what are the most crucial aspects of effective air barrier system design and installation?

    A: 1. Full documentation of the air barrier system is crucial. Don’t scrimp on the details. 2. Design with constructibility in mind. Think carefully about how the contractor will work to achieve the system intent.

    Any additional insights about your certification experience or working in the air barrier industry?

    A: Climates around the US and around the world are diverse and changing. We need to be prepared to think in terms of what is it that we want to achieve in an envelope and apply critical thinking; it is not the same answer everywhere. We may work in places without codes, or codes that don’t address barriers, or places where barriers are not beneficial. We need to be educated on how too much or too little barriers affect envelopes, and we need to be able to respond creatively when resources are limited.