CSC Seminar: Air Barriers and Whole Building Air Leakage Testing

Lee Durston, Principal / Senior Building Science Consultant, Aaron Kjeld, Building Science Consultant, will be presenting at this half-day seminar sponsored by the Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) Edmonton Chapter.

Seminar Overview:

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

Throughout the world, 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 become better understood, common design and construction practices will experience shifts toward improved performance.

During this half day seminar, participants will learn the valuable information about air barrier systems including critical points of development, testing, and sustainability. Along with a greater understanding of current air barrier requirements, you will leave this seminar with tools to implement air barrier standards into your upcoming projects.

Areas of focus will include:

• History and Background of Air Barriers
• Air Barrier Design and Construction Administration
• Air Barrier Performance Verification Testing
• Current Energy Codes and Standards in North America

Seminar Schedule:

7:30-7:45am                       Continental Breakfast

7:45-8:00am                       Announcement & Introduction (Julien St-Pierre)

8:00-8:45 am                      Air Barrier 101 – History and Background (Lee Durston)

8:45-9:00am                       BREAK

9:00-9:45am                       Air Barrier 201 – Design and Construction Administration (Lee Durston)

9:45-10:30am                     Air Barrier 301 – Air Barriers in Construction – QA/QC (Lee Durston)

10:30-10:45am                   BREAK

10:45-11:30am                   Air Barrier 401- Performance Testing- Theory and Equipment (Colin Genge, Owner/Founder of Retrotec)

11:30-12:15am                   Air Barrier 402- Performance Testing- Case Studies (Lee Durston & Aaron Kjeld)

12:15-12:30am                   Panel Q &A

12:30-1:00pm                     Lunch