Reducing air leakage in buildings is a cost-effective strategy for improving energy performance. Yet, until recently, energy codes did not have quantitative requirements for air leakage control. Mandatory Air Barrier requirements were recently introduced in the main energy codes such as ASHRAE 90.1, IECC. However, most of these energy codes use an air barrier material compliance option, which does not provide high level of confidence on the performance of an installed air barrier.
In order to improve air barrier practices and increase the effectiveness in air leakage control, Air Barrier Association of America introduced an air barrier evaluation protocol which requires manufacturers to provide third party test reports for air barrier materials and assemblies. This initiative is a huge step in the right direction towards developing minimum performance standards for installed air barriers.