The ABAA’s job site Quality Assurance Program (QAP) aims to drastically reduce costly facade repairs by ensuring proper air barrier material selection.

ABAA evaluated materials have been pre-tested and determined to meet the industry’s most stringent codes and performance standards.

Discover, in our short video, how ABAA Evaluated Materials meet the demands of today’s complex building requirements.

Today’s air barrier code is basic, mandating that materials block air according to ASTM 2178 tests, which solely measure air permeance (leakage) without considering other physical and architectural properties.

Air barriers must withstand a myriad of physical and architectural properties such as building movement, wind, UV exposure, climate differentials, and water resistance.

Climate differentials, wind, and weather

Building movement, expansion, and contraction

Air pressures from stack effect and mechanical systems

Water resistance

ABAA ensures that all evaluated materials meet air barrier requirements through:

• Rigorous testing in accredited labs
• Compliance with industry performance standards
• Validation by an independent third party

Adhesion Testing

Air Leakage of Materials

Fire Testing

Air Leakage of Assemblies

Thermal Characteristics

Strength

Water Vapor Transmittance

Water Resistance Testing

ASTM E96 Desiccant

Procedure A – Dry Cup (desiccant method)
The test specimen is sealed to the open mouth of a test dish containing a desiccant and the assembly placed in a controlled atmosphere. Periodic weighing determine the rate of water vapor movement through the specimen from the controlled atmosphere (50%RH) into the desiccant (0%RH). Desiccant pellets at the bottom of the cup and weighed in the chamber. 

ASTM E96 Water

Procedure B – Wet Cup (water method)
The test specimen is sealed to the open mouth of a test dish containing water and the assembly placed in a controlled atmosphere. Periodic weighing determine the rate of water vapor movement through the specimen from the water (100%RH) to the controlled atmosphere (50%RH).