Masonry Magazine August 2016 Page. 31
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self-adhered, spray polyurethane foam, and fluid-applied air barriers. We've trained hundreds ofmasonry contractors over the years.
ABAA also offers a Quality Assurance Program that can dis�tinguish qua)Lfied mason contractors from the rest of the pack.
MM: You've mentioned the Quality Assurance Program twice now. Tell us more about the program and its benefits.
RS: The QAP, as we call it, aims to provide the highest level of confidence that the air barrier will be installed correctly and to the highest industry standards. ABAA's QAP is modeled after the standards laid out in the ISO 9000 program.
The air barrier assembly is often a non-maintainable component of the building enclosure. There is one chance to ensure correct installation prior to the application of other components in the building enclosure. Repair costs can be up to 60 times more expensive than ensuring proper installation the first time around. As such, the job must be done right the first time.
Only contractors who have met ABAA's mandatory qual�ity assurance and training requirements are awarded accred�ited contractor status. These contractors have completed air barrier training. They are required to sign a licensing agree�ment to ensure professional conduct and are obligated to meet the requirements of the QAP on a continuous basis.
The QAP is widely promoted by ABAA to architects, en�gineers, building envelope specialists, general contractors and owners. The intent of the program is to create a level playing field for contractors to compete on quality, rather than simply on price.
www.masonrymagazine.com
Half-day ABAA/IMI air barrier workshop in Kansas City.
INSET:
Air barrier installer training for mason contractors, Chicago.
An architect who specifies ABAA accredited contractors and the QAP reaps the following benefits:
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Decrease in liability.
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Assurance that the installation meets the specification requirements.
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Providing the best for your client in an emerging industry.
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Support from an impartial body .
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Detailed records of each project from start to finish .
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Assistance in project discrepancies.
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Technical resources for architects .
In addition, ABAA's website provides an online search tool to locate the accredited ABAA contractor in your area, or a manufacturer or distributor of a specific product.
The Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) is a national, not-for-profit trade association for the building enclosure industry. Their membership includes manufac�turers, architects, engineers, trade contractors, researchers, testing and audit agencies, consultants and building own�ers. Their mission is to promote the use and benefits of air barrier systems, educate the public about air barrier sys�tems and develop a professional air barrier specialty trade and industry dedicated to the installation of effective air barrier systems in buildings on a nationwide scale.
ABAA offers training, certification, product evaluations, contractor accreditation and site quality control audits. ABAA is active in the areas ofresearch, education, standards development, building codes and technical resources for the air barrier industry. IMAS
For more information, visit www.airbarrier.org.
August 2016 � MASONRY I 29