2017 ABAA Conference & Tradeshow: Air Barrier – New Energy Code Impacts

Air Barrier: New Energy Code Impacts is presented by J. Lee Durston, Principal and Sr. Building Science Consultant, and Jack Pearson, Building Science Consultant, at this year’s annual Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) Conference & Tradeshow.

The session will take place on Thursday, April 20, at 8 a.m.

Presentation Overview:

Over the past decade, energy codes have brought a number of changes with respect to improving the performance of the building envelope both in design and construction. Most notable is the increasing importance on air-leakage through the enclosure and how this often unknown value affects many energy efficiency metrics that define the performance of the building.

Currently, there are multiple codes and standards requiring varying levels of air tightness, as well as varying performance levels and methods of verification.

As the requirements and performance implications are understood, common design and construction practices will shift toward better performance, as was experienced in the early years of the USACE requirements on which the private sector codes are based.

This presentation will provide a critical review of these codes and standards for validity, impact, and relevance through a review of multiple case studies of current enclosure consulting and whole building air leakage testing.

These case studies will include high-rise, multi-family, and other commercial new and renovation construction.

Learning Objectives:

1. Review the theory and historical progression of air tightness requirements and understand the metrics that provide the baseline for levels of air tightness.
2. Understand the basic phases of holistic enclosure consulting related to air barriers and performance verification of air barriers.
3. Familiarize participants with specific building envelope requirements related to air leakage testing in the recent and upcoming energy codes and how those codes and standards are enforced.
4. Understand validity, impact, and relevance of the wide range of air tightness codes and standards.