Air Barriers

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What functions must an air barrier perform? It may be more than the obvious. Learn about the types, functions, performance, difficulties, and details for air barriers to be effective. Air barriers must be carefully selected to provide the correct expected performance. Carefully crafted details and specifications are required to ensure expectations are met by the installed assembly.

Visit our website at http://www.conspectusinc.com/publications.htm to view or download B2010-Air Barriers 10.04.01. Each Tech Tips file is titled using the UniFormat system and assembly designation to facilitate filing and future reference.

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Great article David. In addition to what Standards you referenced, ASHRAE 189, that was published this past January, requires a continuous air barrier in section 7.4.2.10. The Henry Company provides both fluid appied and sheet applied membranes that are permanently UV stable. We are involved with many pressure equalized rain screen projects with open gaps. As you referenced, detailing is critical and that is why it is important to specify a manufacturer that provides all the components of the assembly and ASTM E2357.

Todd, thank you for the comments. I am happy to see you discussing ASHRAE 189. I understand that this standard will be an alternative compliance path for the new International Green Construction Code. This will give even more importance to air barriers as jurisdictions adopt the new ICC code.

David, great article. One question I had was the requirement in the IECC for a vapor barrier for all buildings in Zone 4 or greater. Is that correct? I wonder if that is really a good idea to REQUIRE a vapor retarder instead of doing a condensation analysis to see if it is really necessary. Any thoughts to why the code requires this?

Brian, thank you for the comments. Yes the 2006 IECC requires a vapor retarder for commercial construction framed walls, floors, and ceilings that are not ventilated. See IECC 502.5. Climate zones 1, 2, and 3 are listed as an exception to the code requirement.

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This page contains a single entry by David Stutzman published on April 27, 2010 6:00 AM.

Specifying Process was the previous entry in this blog.

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