New Tools, Research and Site Quality in the Air Barrier Industry
Learning Objectives:
- Through a review of the air barrier calculator, determine the energy and financial savings obtained by higher level of airtightness and how it impacts the project specifications.
- Analyze the results of recent research projects such as adhesion and fastener penetrations, along with upcoming building code changes.
- Define requirements for quality assurance and control, and typical downfalls of specification language, along with steps that can be taken to improve installation of the air/water resistive barrier.
- Identify key field installation issues for various air barrier products and how specifications can provide further clarity.
Credits:
The presentation will review some of the new tools available in regards to specifying different levels of building airtightness above code mandated minimums. These tools help assess the energy reduction from base levels of building airtightness and the corresponding financial savings, along with quantification of the impacts airtightness has on moisture movement transported by air leakage.
A look into potential changes to building codes and new Whole Building Airtightness test methods, along with a high level review of research conducted and being conducted, on things such as adhesion values for various air barrier materials and fastener penetration testing.
Thirdly, information on the ABAA quality assurance program and how to specify the program properly and exactly what the program entails. Included in this will be a review of the top field related issues that are found during the ABAA site audit process.
Ryan Dalgleish has been involved in the building enclosure and building performance areas of construction in both the commercial and residential sectors for over 20 years. He acts in the position of Chief Operating Officer for the Air Barrier Association of America. Ryan is actively involved in research, training development and delivery, certification management and helping industries increase their professionalism. He obtained credentials in Adult Education, Leadership and Organizational Excellence from the University of Manitoba and has been mentored and trained by some of the best building scientist's in the world. Ryan is a certified Net Zero building instructor, teaches master builder courses to builders across the country and is a frequent speaker at various technical presentations dealing with the building enclosure to various building official associations, city departments, building enclosure councils and chapters of the American Institute of Architects, Construction Specifications Institute and a number of local home builder associations. |