What is an On-Site Quality Assurance Program?

An on-site quality assurance program is the result of a variety of initiatives that provide a level of assurance that a specific product is installed correctly or a specific service is being provided to the highest possible standards. A quality assurance program (QAP) ensures that the product or products have been installed correctly deals with the methods and procedures in place to provide assurance of proper installation.

ABAA's Quality Assurance Program consists of 9 components, all working together to provide you with the highest level of confidence that the air barrier will be installed correctly and to high industry standards. ABAA's QAP is modeled after the standards laid out in the ISO 9000 program.

The 9 Components of the ABAA QAP Consist of:

• Research and Development
• Standards and Specifications
• Manufacturer Accreditation
• Contractor Accreditation
• Installer Training and Accreditation
• Documentation and Reporting
• 3rd Party Audits
• Database Tracking
• Impartial Resource for Help

Why Specify the ABAA Quality Assurance Program?

There are many reasons to specify the ABAA Quality Assurance Program in your projects. Often, the air barrier assembly is a non-maintainable component of the building enclosure. You only have one chance to ensure correct installation prior to the application of other components in the building enclosure. Repair costs can be up to 60 times more expensive than ensuring proper installation the first time around. As such, you want to make sure the job is done right, the first time!

Benefits Include:

• Decrease in liability
• Assurance that the installation meets the specification requirements
• Providing the best for your client in an emerging industry
• Support from an impartial body
• Detailed records of each project from start to finish
• Assistance in project discrepancies
• Technical resources for architects

On any project that incorporates the ABAA QAP, you will receive the following:

ABAA Accredited Contractors:

Only contractors who have met ABAA's mandatory quality assurance and training requirements are awarded accredited contractor status. These contractors have completed air barrier training and are required to sign a licensing agreement to ensure professional conduct and are obligated to meet the requirements of the QAP on a continuous basis. .

ABAA Certified Installers:

Installers are required to complete leading-edge training programs designed to provide them with the skill sets required to perform air barrier installations to the highest degree of quality. Installers are also required to sign a licensing agreement to ensure professional conduct and are obligated to meet the requirements of the QAP on a continuous basis.

On-Site Quality Control:

Installers are required to undertake quality control measures on a daily basis. They have completed air barrier training and utilize equipment to inspect and test the quality of their work to ensure it conforms to the standards outlined in the QAP.

Documentation and Reporting:

The installers document the entire installation process on daily job site reports. These reports include information on the installer, substrates, substrate preparation, products used, ambient and substrate temperature, the location of the air barrier installation, the results of their quality control procedures and testing results. Every job site report is reviewed by the Quality Assurance Program managers and data based.

3rd Party Audits:

Audits take place on every project that specifies the ABAA Quality Assurance Program. Independent auditors review adherence to the QAP, installation instructions, manufacturers' recommendations and the overall quality of the installation of the air barrier. A report is then provided to the design professional. The minimum number of audits ABAA will conduct is based on the contract value of the project. Additional audits may also be conducted, and the design professional may specify as many audits as they wish over and above the ABAA minimum.

We are here to help:

Should a problem arise with an ABAA contractor or installer or on an ABAA specified project, the design professional can contact the ABAA office for assistance.

All managerial and administrative aspects of the ABAA Quality Assurance Program are handled by 3rd party organizations. Everything from accreditation, audits, conflict resolution, paperwork review and the assessment of demerit points are handled through an impartial organization. All members must demonstrate and maintain a high quality of workmanship to be associated with the program.

Rest assured that the program is completely unbiased, fair and equitable for all parties involved.

Read more about the Quality Assurance Program

Download the ABAA Quality Assurance Program

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