Meeting/Event Information

The Greater Lehigh Valley CSI is excited to bring you a deep dive discussion of air barriers including design needs, types, and new materials.  This presentation is approved for 1 AIA LU.    

Learning Objectives:

1. Define air leakage and moisture movement along with their methods of transport through the building envelope and the issues associated with this.
2. Identify the four control layers in a building envelope and their importance in the control of air and moisture movement.
3. Recognize several design options to help prevent air leakage and control of moisture movement.
4. Discuss the types of materials used as an air barrier material within a wall assembly.

Other possible topics:

• Basic introduction to why air barriers are needed, and specifically in our Northeast climate;
• Basic wall design/design needs for the Northeast
• Review building enclosure assembly types with insulation and air barrier placement; why do they vary? Should they?
• When to use permeable vs impermeable
• How to evaluate products; which characteristics to look at? which ASTM’s are important?
• What to do when comparable products use different ASTM’s or test methods
• Discuss how specs are affected when a new technology is introduced
• Discuss new materials and technology
• STPE, poly-hybrids, asphalt co-spray, permeable sheets, etc

Presenter - Russ Snow is the building envelope specialist for W.R. MEADOWS and does product development.  Russ is a Fellow and former President of the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA), as well as numerous other industry organizations.  In his spare time, he is an avid soccer player while living in Canada.  He is well known all over North America for his contriburtions to the industry.