Masonry Magazine July 2003 Page. 16
Air Barriers Systems
The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Grainger Hall suffered efflorescence in its first winter due to air leakage.
Opportunities and Challenges
WHILE AIR BARRIER SYSTEMS ARE DESIGNED TO SAVE ENERGY AND LOWER ENERGY BILLS, they also present very real business opportunities to mason contractors. Air barrier technology for exterior building envelopes is becoming better understood and appreciated in the United States, as evidenced by both design recommendations and changing building codes. With them comes the need to determine the best-prepared craftworkers for installing them.
Air barrier systems covering the entire building envelope have been required in Canada for nearly two decades. The first in the U.S. to pay attention was Wisconsin, which in 1985 laid out an air barrier requirement for state-owned projects. In 2001, Massachusetts became the first state to require them by code, which became effective July 2001. One year after that, Wisconsin amended its version of the International Building Code (IBC) to include air barriers.
Today, another 21 states are considering air barrier requirements for their respective building codes, according to the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA). ABAA President John Hudson predicts a national code rule within five years.