Masonry Magazine August 2016 Page. 30
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2016 President of the Air Barrier Association of America
By Karen D. Hickey
RUSS SNOW, BUILDING SCIENCE SPECIALIST FOR W.R. MEADOWS was recently elected president of the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA). He took time away from his busy schedule to speak with Masonry Magazine about the ABAA and its relevance to the masonry industry.
Masonry Magazine (MM): Let's start with an easy question. How does the ABAA differ from the National Air Barrier Association (NABA)?
Russ Snow (RS): The main difference is that NABA is based in Canada, and ABAA is based in the U.S., although some ABAA members are based in Canada. The two groups share a lot ofthe same educational programs, as well as the Quality Assurance Program. There is definitely some overlap.
MM: Why would a mason or mason contractor be interested in the ABAA or become a member?
RS: The ABAA has done a number of demos and training classes across the U.S. for the masonry industry. We've done quite a bit of work with the International Masonry Institute (IMI), partnering with them to train mason contractors on installing air barriers. We also partner with them to conduct half-day and full day general education events. These programs are geared not only toward architects, but also general contractors and trade contractors. The most recent was a half-day ''Air Barrier Education Event" on June 14 in Kansas City. The presentations covered the basic principles of heat, air and moisture flow and how they impact building performance; the challenges faced when installing air
AIR BARRIER~
barrier systems; the basic requirements and design considerations of air barriers; and how the latest R&D is reducing the liability during the design, installation and life of these systems.
MM: What do mason contractors need to know about air barriers?
RS: Mason contractors need to ensure the continuity of the air barrier, so it's important they have a full understand�ing of it. Oftentimes, the mason won't be involved in the installation of the air barrier, so they may not understand the importance ofits continuity, and they may start putting holes in it. The way masons have been working for decades becomes more complex because substrate preparation of the backup CMU has a significant impact on the air barrier installer.
We do have a number of masonry contractors who have begun installing air barriers as a way to increase their po�tential scope of work. Some contractors want to "own the wall" -the backup wall, the air barrier, the insulation and the brick fayade. All these elements are connected, so these contractors see it as a business opportunity. The ABAA is helping to train these individuals.
The ABAA offers training and certification in 10 main air barrier materials. Masons tend to become certified in
28 I MASONRY � August 2016 � www.masoncontractors.org The Voice of the Masonry Industry