Air Barrier Specifications

Design professionals can purchase AIA Master Specifications for Self-Adhering Sheet Air Barriers and for Fluid-Applied Membrane Air Barriers by visiting the Arcom online catalog at http://www.arcomnet.com/visitor/order/catalog.html

The Air Barrier Association of America develops master specifications for various air barrier assemblies that will provide guidance to the design professional for developing the final project specifications. These assembly specifications combined with proper details will provide the tools and guidance for building construction professionals to incorporate air barrier assemblies and to develop a system for their buildings.

NOTICE

Please note that the information provided in ABAA Master Specifications, based on current customs and practices of the trade, is offered in good faith and believed to be true, but is made WITHOUT WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO FITNESS, MERCHANTABILITY, OR ANY OTHER MATTER. ABAA DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE ARISING OUT OF ITS USE. Individual manufacturers and contractors should be consulted for specific information. Nominal values which may be provided herein are believed to be representative, but are not to be used as specifications nor assumed to be identical to finished products. ABAA does not endorse the proprietary products or processes of any individual manufacturer, or the services of any individual contractor.

ABAA has developed a Position Paper to encourage placing all the requirements for air barriers in a separate section where a single contractor can be responsible for the air barrier assembly.

ABAA has also developed a Division 1 Specification which provides administrative and procedural requirements for accomplishing an airtight building enclosure that controls infiltration or exfiltration of air, inspection and testing services required to verify compliance with requirements specified or indicated, necessary information for the coordination between subcontractors required to provide an airtight building enclosure, customized fabrication and installation procedures, not production of standard products: The Air Barrier System: Section 01410

ABAA Master Specifications of Air Barrier Assemblies

Combined Air And Vapor Barrier Systems

These specifications are for combined air and vapor barrier assemblies. These materials also provide the vapor barrier and water resistive barrier and in one case the heat barrier (thermal insulation) function in the wall assembly. The purpose of these specifications is to focus on the air barrier function. The design professional shall consider where these materials shall be placed in the wall assembly based on the function(s) they are intended to provide and the climatic conditions where the project will be located.

Vapor Permeable Air Barrier Assemblies

These specifications are for air barrier assemblies that are vapor permeable. These materials also provide the water resistive barrier function, but they do not provide the vapor barrier function. The purpose of these specifications is to focus on the air barrier function. The design professional shall consider where these materials shall be placed in the wall assembly based on the function(s) they are intended to provide and the climatic conditions where the project will be located.

Other Air Barrier Assemblies

These specifications are for an air barrier assemblies consisting of various materials which may or may not be vapor permeable. Depending on the material used, it may also provide the vapor barrier, the water resistive barrier and or the heat barrier (thermal insulation) function in the wall assembly. The purpose of these specifications is to focus on the air barrier function. Where these materials provide more than the air barrier function, the design professional shall consider other requirements for the material to fully deliver the intended function. The design professional shall consider where these materials shall be placed in the wall assembly based on the function(s) they are intended to provide and the climatic conditions where the project will be located.

Section 07266 Mechanically Fastened Boardstock Air Barrier Specification

Single Wythe Block Construction

Questions arise on how single wythe block can meet the requirements for the Energy Code for various states. A report has been generated to provide guidance.

Single Wythe Block Construction: Single Wythe Block

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