02-01-16

SECTION 07 27 27
FLUID-APPLIED MEMBRANE AIR BARRIERS, VAPOR RETARDING

SPEC WRITER NOTE:

1. Delete text between // ______ // not
applicable to project. Edit remaining text
to suit project.
2. Follow the recommendations of IBC for
design criteria.
3. For vapor permeable air barriers, use
Section 07 27 26 FLUID-APPLIED MEMBRANE
AIR BARRIERS, VAPOR PERMEABLE. Select
vapor permeable or vapor retarding air
barrier based upon water vapor
transmission analysis of wall assemblies.
4. Establish full building air leakage
rate requirement for project in Section
01 45 29 TESTING LABORATORY SERVICES,
based upon current ASHRAE 90.1 and VA
requirements; coordinate with air
infiltration values used in HVAC
performance analysis.

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1.1.1 SUMMARY
A. Section Includes:
1. Fluid-applied vapor-retarding air barrier at exterior above grade
wall assemblies.
2. Connection to adjacent air barrier components providing a durable,
continuous, full building air barrier.

1.1.1.2 RELATED REQUIREMENTS

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Update and retain

references only when specified elsewhere
in this section.

A. General Quality Assurance and Quality Control Requirements: Section

01 45 29 TESTING LABORATORY SERVICES.
B. General Sustainable Construction Requirements: Section 01 81 13
SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS.
C. Commissioning of Building Envelope Components: Section 01 91 00 GENERAL
COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS.
D. Masonry Unit Air Barrier Substrates: Section 04 20 00 UNIT MASONRY.
E. Membrane Base Flashings and Stripping Air Barriers Requiring Air Barrier
Transitions: // Section 07 51 00, BUILT-UP BITUMINOUS ROOFING // Section
07 52 16 STYRENE-BUTADIENE-STYRENE MODIFIED BITUMINOUS MEMBRANE ROOFING,

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HOT APPLIED // Section 07 52 16.13 STYRENE-BUTADIENE-STYRENE MODIFIED

BITUMINOUS MEMBRANE ROOFING, COLD APPLIED //.
F. Flashing Components of Factory Finished Roofing and Wall Systems Air
Barriers Requiring Air Barrier Transitions: Division 07 roofing and wall
system sections.
G. Metal Flashing Requiring Air Barrier Transitions: Section 07 60 00
FLASHING AND SHEET METAL.
H. Joint Sealants: Section 07 92 00 JOINT SEALANTS.

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Complete specifications

references to suit project.

I. Exterior Wall Openings Requiring Air Barrier Transitions: Division 08

sections for // aluminum-framed entrances and storefronts // aluminum
windows // glazed aluminum curtain walls // louvers and vents //.
J. Wall Sheathings Air Barrier Substrates: Section 09 29 00 GYPSUM BOARD.

1.1.1.3 APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

A. Comply with references to extent specified in this section.
B. Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA):
1. Quality Assurance Program.
C. ASTM International (ASTM):
1. C920-14a - Elastomeric Joint Sealants.
2. C1193-13 - Use of Joint Sealants.
3. D412-06a(2013) - Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic
Elastomers-Tension.
4. E84-15a - Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.
5. E96/E96M-15 - Water Vapor Transmission of Materials.
6. E162-15a - Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat
Energy Source.
7. E783-02(2010) - Field Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed
Exterior Windows and Doors.
8. E1186-03(2009) - Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes
and Air Barrier Systems.
9. E2178-13 - Air Permeance of Building Materials.
10. E2357-11 - Determining Air Leakage of Air Barrier Assemblies.
D. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
1. 40 CFR 59, Subpart D National Volatile Organic Compound Emission
Standards for Consumer and Commercial Products.

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1.1.1.4 SUBMITTALS
A. Submittal Procedures: Section 01 33 23, SHOP DRAWINGS, PRODUCT DATA, AND
SAMPLES.
1. Indicate size, configuration, and fabrication and installation
details.
B. Manufacturer's Literature and Data:
1. Description of each product.
2. Installation instructions.
C. Sustainable Construction Submittals:

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Retain sustainable

construction submittals appropriate to
product.

1. Low Pollutant-Emitting Materials:

a. Show volatile organic compound types and quantities.
D. Test reports:
1. Submit field inspection and test reports.
E. Certificates: Certify each product complies with specifications.
F. Qualifications: Substantiate qualifications comply with specifications.
1. Manufacturer // with project experience list //.
2. Installer // with project experience list //.
a. Certify installer approval by air barrier manufacturer.

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Retain Installation

Audit paragraph below if retaining
requirement for ABAA certification of
Project.

G. Installation Audit:
1. Submit audit report.

1.1.1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Coordinate work with adjacent and related work to provide continuous,
unbroken, durable air barrier system.
B. Manufacturer Qualifications:
1. Regularly and presently manufactures specified products.
2. Manufactured specified products with satisfactory service on five
similar installations for minimum five years.

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SPEC WRITER NOTE: Retain Accreditation

subparagraph below if ABAA certification
is part of Project requirements. Note that
requirement for ABAA certification may
improve overall quality confidence and
will reduce the number of potential
installers, impact work result assignment
among the trades, and add cost for
ABAA-certified auditing of Project.
Specifier should review ABAA Quality
Assurance Program Manual and coordinate
air barrier and transition requirements in
this and other affected sections.

3. Accreditation by ABAA.
C. Installer Qualifications:
1. Regularly and presently installs specified products.
2. Approved by manufacturer.

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Retain

ABAA subparagraphs below if retaining
requirement for ABAA certification of
Project.

3. Accredited by ABAA.
4. Applicators certified according to ABAA Quality Assurance Program.

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Retain two subparagraphs

below for all Projects.

5. Applicators trained and certified by manufacturer of air barrier

system.
6. Full time on-site field supervisor has completed three projects of
similar scope within last year.

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Delete Certification

subparagraph below if retaining
requirement for ABAA certification of
Project.

7. Field Supervisor: Holds Sealant, Waterproofing, and Restoration

Institute (SWRI) Wall Coating Validation Program Certificate, or
similar qualification acceptable to Contracting Officer’s
Representative.

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SPEC WRITER NOTE: Retain Accreditation

subparagraph below if retaining
requirement for ABAA certification of
Project.

8. Field supervisor accredited by ABAA as Level 3 Accredited Installer.

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Refer to requirements

and notes in Section 01 45 29 TESTING
LABORATORY SERVICES. Retain paragraph
below if Contractor is responsible for
retaining testing agency.

D. Testing Agency Qualifications:

1. Accredited by International Accreditation Service, Inc. or American
Association for Laboratory Accreditation.

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Retain Accreditation

subparagraph below if retaining
requirement for ABAA certification of
Project.

2. Certified perform ABAA Quality Assurance Program installer audits.

3. Staff experienced in installation of specified system and qualified
to perform observation and inspection specified and determine
compliance with project requirements.

1.1.1.6 DELIVERY
A. Deliver products in manufacturer's original sealed packaging.
B. Mark packaging, legibly. Indicate manufacturer's name or brand, type,
production run number, and manufacture date.
C. Before installation, return or dispose of products within distorted,
damaged, or opened packaging.

1.1.1.7 STORAGE AND HANDLING

A. Store products indoors in dry, weathertight, conditioned facility.
B. Protect products from damage during handling and construction
operations.

1.1.1.8 FIELD CONDITIONS

A. Environment:
1. Work Area Ambient Temperature Range: 4 to 32 degrees C (40 to
90 degrees F) continuously, beginning 48 hours before installation.
B. Surface Requirements: visibly dry, and complying with manufacturer's
instructions.

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1.1.1.9 WARRANTY

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Always retain

construction warranty. FAR includes
Contractor's one year labor and material
warranty.

A. Construction Warranty: FAR clause 52.246-21, "Warranty of Construction."

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.1.1.1 SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

A. Air-Barrier Assembly Air Leakage: Maximum 0.2 L/s/sq. m
(0.04 cfm/sq. ft.) of surface area at 75 Pa (1.57 psf) differential
pressure when tested according to ASTM E2357.

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Retain Full Building Air

Leakage Paragraph below if construction
documents stipulate full building testing.

B. Full Building Air Leakage: Refer to Section 01 45 29 TESTING LABORATORY

SERVICES.
C. Provide full system of compatible materials under conditions of service
and application required. Compatibility based on testing by material
manufacturer.
D. Perform as continuous vapor retarding air barrier and moisture drainage
plane.
E. Transition to adjacent flashings and discharge water to building
exterior.
F. Accommodate substrate movement and seal expansion and control joints,
construction material transitions, opening transitions, penetrations,
and perimeter conditions without moisture deterioration and air leakage
exceeding performance requirements.

2.1.1.2 PRODUCTS - GENERAL

A. Provide air barrier system components from one manufacturer.
B. Sustainable Construction Requirements:

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SPEC WRITER NOTE:

1. Section 01 81 13, SUSTAINABLE
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS includes
comprehensive product list setting VOC
limits for low-emitting materials.
2. Retain subparagraphs applicable to
products specified in this section.

1. Low Pollutant-Emitting Materials: Comply with VOC limits specified

in Section 01 81 13, SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS for the
following products:
a. Non-Flooring Adhesives and Sealants.

2.1.1.3 AIR BARRIER

A. Fluid-Applied, Vapor-Retarding Membrane Air Barrier:
1. Elastomeric, modified bituminous or synthetic polymer membrane.
2. Air Permeance: ASTM E2178: 0.2 L/s/sq. m (0.04 cfm/sq. ft.) of
surface area at 75 Pa (1.57 psf) differential pressure.
3. Vapor Permeance: ASTM E96/E96M: Maximum 5.8 ng/Pa/s/sq. m
(0.1 perms).
4. Elongation: Ultimate, ASTM D412, Die C: 500 percent, minimum.
5. Thickness: Minimum 1.0 mm (40 mils) dry film thickness, applied in
single continuous coat.
6. Surface Burning Characteristics: When tested according to ASTM E84S.
a. Flame Spread Rating: 25 maximum.
b. Smoke Developed Rating: 450 maximum.

2.1.1.4 ACCESSORIES
A. Primer: Waterborne primer complying with VOC requirements, recommended
air barrier manufacturer to suit application.
B. Counterflashing Sheet: Modified bituminous, minimum 1.0 mm (40 mils)
thick, self-adhering composite sheet consisting of minimum 0.8 mm
(33 mils) of rubberized asphalt laminated to polyethylene film.
C. Substrate Patching Material: Manufacturer's standard trowel-grade filler
material.
D. Sprayed Polyurethane Foam Sealant: Foamed-in-place, 24 to 32 kg/cu. m
(1.5 to 2.0 pcf) density, with maximum flame-spread index of 25 when
tested according to ASTM E84.

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SPEC WRITER NOTE: Include item below if

not addressed in each applicable Division
08 opening section. Coordinate with
application requirement in Part 3.

E. Flexible Opening Transition: Cured low-modulus silicone extrusion with

reinforcing ribs, sized to fit opening widths, designed for adhesion to
or insertion into aluminum framing extrusions, and compatible with air
barrier system materials and accessories.
F. Joint Sealant: ASTM C920, single-component, neutral-curing silicone;
Class 100/50 (low modulus), Grade NS, Use NT related to exposure,
approved by membrane air barrier manufacturer for adhesion and
compatibility with membrane air barrier and accessories.

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.1.1.1 PREPARATION
A. Examine and verify substrate suitability for product installation.
B. Protect existing construction and completed work from damage.
C. Correct substrate deficiencies:
1. Remove projections and excess materials and fill voids with
substrate patching material.
2. Remove contaminants capable of affecting subsequently installed
product's performance.
D. Prepare and treat substrate joints and cracks according to ASTM C1193
and membrane air barrier manufacturer's instructions.

3.1.1.2 INSTALLATION - AIR BARRIER

A. Install products according to manufacturer's instructions and approved
submittals drawings.
1. When manufacturer's instructions deviate from specifications, submit
proposed resolution for Contracting Officer's Representative
consideration.

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Retain ABAA Paragraph

below if retaining requirement for
ABAA certification of Project.

B. Install air barrier components according to requirements of ABAA Quality

Assurance Program.
C. Apply primer.
D. Install transition strips and accessory materials.
E. Seal air barrier to adjacent components of building air barrier system.

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SPEC WRITER NOTE: Include item below if

not addressed in each applicable Division
08 opening section. Coordinate with
product requirement in Part 2.

F. Install flexible opening transition at each opening perimeter. Extend

transition onto each substrate minimum 75 mm (3 inches).
1. Fill gaps at perimeter of openings with foam sealant.
G. At penetrations, seal transition strips around penetrating objects with
termination mastic.
1. Fill gaps at perimeter of penetrations with sprayed polyurethane
foam sealant.
H. At top of through-wall flashings, seal with continuous transition strip
of manufacturer's recommended material to suit application.
I. Apply air barrier in full contact with substrate to produce continuous
seal with transitions.
J. Apply fluid membrane in thickness recommended by manufacturer, and
minimum specified thickness.
K. Leave air barrier exposed until tested and inspected and tested by
Contracting Officer’s Representative.

3.1.1.3 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Section 01 45 29,

TESTING LABORATORY SERVICES includes VA
provided testing for large projects and
contractor provided testing for small
projects. Coordinate testing
responsibility.

A. Field Inspections and Tests: Performed by testing laboratory specified

in Section 01 45 29, TESTING LABORATORY SERVICES.
1. Perform inspections and tests before concealing air barrier with
subsequent work.
B. Inspections:
1. Compatibility of materials within air barrier system and adjacent
materials.
2. Suitability of substrate and support for air barrier.
3. Suitability of conditions under which air barrier is applied.
4. Adequacy of substrate priming.
5. Application and treatment of joints and edges of transition strips,
flexible opening transitions, and accessory materials.

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6. Continuity and gap-free installation of air barrier, transition

strips, and accessory materials.

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Retain the Testing

paragraph below when project scope or
complexity warrants. Coordinate with
building testing requirements of Section
01 45 29 TESTING LABORATORY SERVICES and
Section 01 91 00 GENERAL COMMISSIONING
REQUIREMENTS if utilized for project.

C. Field Tests:
1. Qualitative air-leakage testing according to ASTM E1186.
2. Quantitative air-leakage testing according to ASTM E783.
D. Inspection and Test Frequency: Determined by installed air barrier
surface area.
1. Up to 900 sq. m (10,000 sq. ft.): One inspection.
2. 901 - 3,300 sq. m (10,001 - 35,000 sq. ft.): Two inspections.
3. 3,300 - 7,000 sq. m (35,001 - 75,000 sq. ft.): Three inspections.
4. 7,001 - 11,600 sq. m (75,001 - 125,000 sq. ft.): Four inspections.
5. 11,601 - 19,000 sq. m (125,001 - 200,000 sq. ft.): Five inspections.
6. Over 19,000 sq. m (200,000 sq. ft.): Six inspections.
E. Submit inspection and test reports to Contracting Officer’s
Representative within seven calendar days of completing inspection and
test.

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Retain Audit paragraph

below if retaining requirement for
ABAA certification of Project.

F. Audit:
1. Provide installer and site inspection audit by ABAA.
2. Coordinate scheduling of work and associated audit inspections.
3. Cooperate with ABAA’s testing agency. Allow access to work and
staging areas.
4. Notify ABAA in writing of schedule for Work of this Section to allow
sufficient time for testing and inspection.
5. Pay for site inspections by ABAA to verify conformance with the
ABAA Quality Assurance Program.
G. Defective Work:
1. Correct deficiencies, make necessary repairs, and retest as required
to demonstrate compliance with specified requirements.

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3.1.1.4 CLEANING
A. Remove masking materials.
B. Clean spills and overspray using cleaning agents recommended by
manufacturers of affected construction.

3.1.1.5 PROTECTION
A. Protect air barrier from construction operations.
B. Protect air barrier from exposure to UV light exposure exceeding
manufacturer's recommendation.
C. Replace overexposed materials and retest.

- - E N D - -

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