Understanding Air Barrier Assembly Testing
Track 1: Air Barriers
Wednesday, May 11, 11:00am – 12:00pm
As more codes and specifications are requiring air barrier assemblies, components and materials, questions about testing protocols and requirements are increasing. Test protocols and standard specifications have been developed by numerous different industry segments including not only those specifically designated as air barriers, but also other components that control air and water leakage. This presentation will survey and analyze air and water resistance test protocols for building envelope components and assemblies that are included in codes and standards in North America. Included in the survey will be wall assemblies, roof assemblies, windows and curtain walls among others.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the standard test methods and specifications referenced in codes.
- Understand the test method protocols of assembly air leakage assessment.
- Understand the test method protocols of assembly water resistance assessment.
- Understand the durability considerations included in assembly air and water test methods.
Andrea Wagner Watts, LEED Green Associate, ABAA Technical Committee Co-Chair
DuPont Performance Building Solutions, East Aurora, NY
Andrea Wagner Watts is the Commercial Wall Application Technology Leader for Dow Building Solutions. Andrea started her career at Dow Corning as a sales engineer and then continued for 7 years as an Application Engineer within High Performance Building focusing on preventing air and water infiltration through the building envelope. She has successfully helped to develop products including sealants and air/water barrier system solutions. In her current role, she is focused on improving the overall air/water/thermal performance of the building envelope through application innovation and new product development. Andrea has authored articles, papers and conference presentations relating to building air/water tightness, interface details, building science, durability and resiliency and she has 2 patents. She is a LEED® Green Associate and is active in a number of industry organizations including ASTM and is the Co-Chair of the Technical Committee at ABAA. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Cornell University.