GSA 014025QualityControlTestingforAirBarriersFY15UpdateOct.12014_SolicitationNo.GS-04-P-16-BV-C-7005.docx.pdf

Greenville, SC Courthouse Project Greenville, South Carolina Solicitation No. GS-04-P-16-BV-C-7005

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SECTION 014025 – QUALITY CONTROL TESTING FOR AIR BARRIER SYSTEMS

1.1 SUMMARY

A. This section includes administrative and procedural requirements for accomplishing an airtight building enclosure that controls infiltration and exfiltration of air.

1. The airtight components of the building enclosure and the joints, junctures and transitions between materials, products, and assemblies forming the air-tightness of the building enclosure above and below grade are called “the air barrier system”. Services include coordination between the trades, the proper scheduling and sequencing of the work, preconstruction meetings, inspections, tests, and related actions, including reports performed by Contractor, by independent agencies, and by governing authorities.

2. The Contractor shall ensure that the building enclosure is constructed with a continuous air barrier system to control air leakage into, or out of, conditioned space. The air barrier system shall have the following characteristics:

a. be continuous, with all joints sealed.

b. be structurally supported to withstand expected peak positive and negative air pressures acting on it.

c. have airtight, sufficiently flexible and strong connections between the air barrier system in each assembly and penetrations, joints, and transitions, including but not limited to :

1) Foundations to walls.

2) Walls to windows and doors.

3) Different wall systems.

4) Walls to roofs, especially at parapets.

5) Walls to floors over unconditioned and polluted spaces.

6) Construction, control and expansion joints.

7) Building assemblies to utility, pipe, airtight damper, and duct penetrations.

B. An independent Testing Agency will verify whether the Contractor met the requirements of this section. The service provided by the Testing Agency shall not relieve Contractor of the Contractor’s responsibility for complying with the Contract Documents.

C. Requirements of this section relate to the coordination between subcontractors required to provide an airtight building enclosure, customized fabrication and installation procedures, not to the production of prefabricated assemblies or components. The Contractor shall ensure that each subcontractor is adequately and satisfactorily performing quality control and the testing and procedures required by each section including:

1. Continuity of the air barrier materials, products, and interface of all parts to provide enclosure assemblies.

2. Continuity of all the enclosure assemblies with joints and transition materials to provide a whole building air barrier system.

3. Specific quality-control requirements for individual construction activities

FY15 Update Oct. 1, 2014 Quality Control Testing for Air Barriers 014025 - 2 are specified in the sections of the specifications. Requirements in those sections may also cover production of standard products.

4. The Contractor’s responsibility to provide an airtight building enclosure is not limited by quality-control services provided or required by the Government, its Architect or Engineer or authorities having jurisdiction and is further not limited by provisions of this section or other building envelope details in the contract drawings and other technical specifications herein.

1.2 RELATED SECTIONS

The Government is providing the references included in this sub-section for information purposes only and is not intended to provide a comprehensive, all-inclusive list of any and all potentially relevant portions of the Contract Documents.

A. Division 1 Section Quality Control

B. Division 1 Section Schedule

C. Division 1 Section Meetings

D. Division 3 Section Concrete

E. Division 3 Section Precast Concrete

F. Division 5 Section Light Gauge Metal Framing

G. Division 6 Section Wood Sheathing

H. Division 7 Section Roofing

I. Division 7 Section Air Barrier

J. Division 7 Section Sealants

K. Division 8 Section Windows

L. Division 8 Section Exterior Doors

M. Division 8 Section Curtain Walls

N. Division 8 Section Revolving Doors

O. Division 8 Section Skylights

P. Division 8 Section Storefronts and Entrances.

Q. Division 8 Section Loading Dock Rollup-up Doors

1.3 RESPONSIBILITIES

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A. Contractor Responsibilities: Unless otherwise indicated as the responsibility of another identified entity, Contractor shall provide coordination of the trades, and the sequence of construction to ensure continuity of the air barrier system joints, junctures and transitions between materials and assemblies of materials and products, from substructure to walls to roof. The Contractor shall provide quality control procedures, testing and verification as specified herein.

1. Organize preconstruction meetings between the trades involved in the whole building’s air barrier system to discuss where each trade begins and ends and the responsibility and sequence of installation of all the air-tight joints, junctures, and transitions between materials, products and assemblies of products specified in the different sections, to be installed by the different trades.

2. Build a mock-up before proceeding with the work, satisfactory to the Government and its Architect, of each air-tight joint type, juncture, penetration and transition between products, materials and assemblies.

3. Facilitate inspections, tests, and other quality-control services specified elsewhere in the Contract Documents and required by authorities having jurisdiction and the Government.

4. Install, as specified by the Testing Agency, indoor-to-outdoor pressure taps at various locations across the air barrier and tight-sealing dampers on all ducts carrying air across the air barrier.

B. Associated Services: The Contractor shall cooperate with Testing Agency in the Testing Agency’s performance of inspections, tests, and similar services, and provide reasonable auxiliary services. The Contractor shall notify the Testing Agency sufficiently in advance of operations to permit assignment of testing personnel. Auxiliary services to be provided by the Contractor required include, but are not limited to:

1. Providing access to the Work, including scaffolding or swing staging systems.

2. Furnishing incidental labor and facilities necessary to facilitate inspections and tests.

3. Taking adequate quantities of representative samples of materials that require testing or assist the agency in taking samples.

4. Delivering samples to testing laboratories as selected by Testing Agency.

5. Providing security and protection of samples and test equipment at the Project Site.

C. Duties of the Testing Agency: The Testing Agency hired by the Contractor to perform inspections, sampling, and testing of air barrier materials, components and assemblies specified in individual Sections shall cooperate with the Government’s on-site Construction Manager, the Government’s Architect and the Contractor. The Testing Agency shall provide qualified personnel to perform required inspections and tests. The qualifications of such personnel are subject to the approval of the Contracting Officer, whose reasonable discretion will not be withheld.

1. The Testing Agency shall provide prompt written to the Government, the

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Government’s Construction manager, the Government’s Architect, and the Contractor of any irregularities or deficiencies observed in the Contractor’s work. The Testing Agency is limited to providing written notice only and shall not perform any work to remedy the irregularity or deficiency.

2. The Testing Agency is not authorized to release, revoke, alter, or enlarge requirements of the Contract Documents or approve or accept any portion of the Work.

D. Coordination: The Contractor shall coordinate the sequence of activities to accommodate required services with a minimum of delay. Coordinate activities to avoid the necessity of removing and replacing construction to accommodate inspections and tests.

1. The Contractor is responsible for scheduling times for inspections, tests, taking samples, and similar activities.

1.4 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

A. Compliance Alternatives:

a. Materials used for the air barrier system in the opaque enclosure shall have an air permeance not to exceed 0.004 cfm/ft2 under a pressure differential of

0.3 in. water gauge (1.57psf) (0.02 L/s*m2 @ 75 Pa) when tested in accordance with ASTM E 2178.

b. Assemblies of materials and components in opaque assemblies shall have an air permeance not to exceed 0.04 cfm/ft2 under a pressure differential of

0.3 in. water gauge (1.57psf) (0.2 L/s*m2 @ 75 Pa) when tested in accordance with ASTM E 2357 or E283.

c. The air leakage rate of the entire building shall not exceed 0.4 cfm/ft2 under a pressure differential of 0.3 in. water gauge (1.57psf) (2.0 L/s*m2 @ 75 Pa) when tested according to ASTM E 779 or E1827 or CGSB 149.15.

1.5 SUBMITTALS

A. The Testing Agency and/or Contractor shall submit a certified written report, in duplicate, of each inspection, test, or similar service to the Government using the ePM system.

Provide courtesy copies to the Government’s Architect.

1. Submit additional copies of each written report directly to the governing authority, when the authority so directs.

2. Report Data: Written reports of each inspection, test, or similar service include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Date of issue.

b. Project title, location, and number.

c. Name, address, and telephone number of testing agency.

d. Dates and locations of samples and tests or inspections.

e. Names of individuals making the inspection or test.

f. Designation of the Work and test method.

g. Identification of product and Specification Section.

h. Complete inspection or test data.

i. Test results and an interpretation of test results.

j. Ambient conditions at the time of sample taking and testing.

k. Comments or professional opinion on whether inspected or tested

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Work complies with Contract Document requirements.

l. Name and signature of laboratory inspector.

m. Recommendations on retesting.

1.6 QUALITY CONTROL & ASSURANCE

A. Qualifications for Air Barrier Testing Agencies: Engage air barrier inspection and testing service agencies, including independent testing laboratories, that are prequalified and that specialize in the types of air barrier system inspections and tests to be performed.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

A single-component, low VOC, 25 mil thick synthetic polymer fluid-applied product with superior elasticity and flexibility providing resistance to air flow, bulk water and wind driven rain yet allows moisture vapor to escape. The air barrier must be sourced from the same manufacturer providing any non-metallic window and wall flashing components that tie into it. In addition, the air barrier material must continue to meet the performance requirements in section 1.4 under the temperatures expected in the wall assembly without any distortion or deterioration of the membrane.

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.1 REPAIR AND PROTECTION

A. Upon completion of inspection, testing, sample taking and similar services, the Contractor shall repair any damaged construction and restore substrates and finishes. Comply with Contract Document requirements for Division 1 Section "Cutting and Patching."

B. The Contractor shall protect construction exposed by or for quality-control service activities, and protect repaired construction.

C. Repair and protection is Contractor's responsibility, regardless of the assignment of responsibility for inspection, testing, or similar services.

3.2 TESTING AND INSPECTION

A. The Testing Agency will observe and inspect installation of the air barrier system.

B. Testing and Inspection:

a. Provide daily reports of observations to the Government using the

Government’s ePM system.

b. Conduct a qualitative evaluation of the continuity of the air barrier system throughout the building enclosure with an emphasis on determining the existence or presence of any gaps or holes.

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c. Conduct a qualitative evaluation of the continuity of the structural support of the air barrier system to withstand design air pressures.

d. Inspect masonry and concrete surfaces to confirm they are smooth, clean and free of cavities, protrusions and mortar droppings.

e. Report on site conditions regarding appropriate temperature and dryness of substrates for the application of air barrier materials and sealants.

f. Compare length of exposure time of materials to ultra-violet deterioration to manufacturers’ requirements.

g. Observe if surfaces are properly primed.

h. Observe if laps in material are more than or equal to the minimum required by manufacturer, shingled in the correct direction (or mastic applied on exposed edges), and installed with no fish-mouths.

i. Observe that approved mastic or sealant is applied on cut edges.

j. Observe that roller has been used to enhance adhesion as needed.

k. Measure application thickness of liquid-applied materials to manufacturer’s specifications for the specific substrate and/or confirm the materials used are the same as called for in the specifications

l. Indicate if materials used are compatible with others they are in contact with.

m. Report that transitions at changes in direction, and structural support at gaps are provided.

n. Report that connections between assemblies (membrane and sealants) for cleaning, preparation and priming of surfaces, structural support, integrity and continuity of seal.

o. Confirm that all visible penetrations are sealed.

2. The Testing Agency shall perform all of the following quantitative tests:

a. Test the completed building and demonstrate that the air leakage rate of the building enclosure does not exceed 0.4 cfm/ft2 (2.0 L/s/m2) at a pressure differential of 0.3” w.g.(75 Pa). The test method used should be developed for each specific project by the Testing Agency, and approved by the Government (or representative). Existing methods such as ASTM E779, Determining Air-tightness of Buildings Air Leakage Rate by Single Zone Air Pressurization ASTM E-1827 Standard Test Methods for Determining Air-tightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door or CGSB 149.15 Determination of the Overall Envelope Air-tightness of Buildings by the Fan Pressurization Method Using the Building's Air Handling Systems modified as necessary shall be used.

1) Note: Tests can be conducted using either pressurization or depressurization: conducting both provides diagnostic information. The building shall not be tested until the Testing Agency verifies that the Contractor has installed the continuous air barrier system per the design in accordance with installation instructions.

b. The Government and its Architect shall be notified at least three

FY15 Update Oct. 1, 2014 Quality Control Testing for Air Barriers 014025 - 7 working days prior to the air tightness tests to provide the Government and its Architect the opportunity to witness the tests.

c. Prepare and deliver a written report that includes information about all of the test equipment, its capacity and accuracy, the procedure, the weather conditions, the test personnel, any observers, and the results. Divide the volume of air leakage in cfm @ 0.3” w.g. (L/s @ 75 Pa) by the area of the air barrier system including roof or ceiling, walls and floor to produce the air leakage rate in cfm/ft2 @ 0.3” w.g. (L/s.m2 @ 75 Pa) of enclosure area.

Identify the height of the building, the number of stories, the roof area, and the below-grade area. Provide the Government with the test report.

d. The Testing Agency shall inform the Government in writing if the air leakage exceeds the target values and provide a detailed description of corrective work that needs to be performed by the Contractor to achieve the whole building air leakage rate specified in (a) above. The air leakage pathways can be determined as per ASTM E1186-03 Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems or similar.

Perform Infrared thermography for diagnostics check. Use infrared cameras with a resolution of 0.1deg C or better. Perform testing on the building enclosure in accordance with ISO 6781:1983 and ASTM C1060-90(1997). If a retest is required, the Testing Agency’s report shall include a brief description of the remedial work undertaken since the last test. The Contractor shall pay for the costs of any re-testing and reporting required as the result of the building failing to meet the air tightness requirements.

3. For all qualitative testing, the Testing Agency shall follow the standards listed below:

a. Material air permeance, ASTM E 2178.

b. ASTM E 283, Determining rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior

Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors under Specified Pressure Differences Across the Specimen.

c. Assemblies, ASTM E 2357, test pressure and allowable air leakage rate to be determined by design professional for design conditions and location of project.

d. CAN/CGSB Standard 149.10, Determination of the Air-tightness of Building Envelopes by the Fan Depressurization Method.

e. CAN/CGSB 1996 Standard 149.15 Determination of the Overall Envelope Air-tightness of Office Buildings by the Fan Depressurization Method Using the Building’s Air Handling System.

f. Whole building, floors, or suites Air-tightness, ASTM E779, Determining Air-tightness of Buildings Air Leakage Rate by Single Zone Air Pressurization.

g. E-1827 Standard Test Method for Determining Air-tightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door

h. Windows and connections to adjacent opaque assemblies, ASTM E783

i. Tracer gas testing, ASTM E741

j. Pressure test, ASTM E330

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k. Bond to substrate, ASTM D4541

l. ASTM E 1186 “Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Retarder Systems.”

1) Infrared scanning with pressurization/depressurization.

2) Smoke pencil with pressurization/depressurization.

3) Pressurization/depressurization with use of anemometer

4) Generated sound with sound detection

5) Tracer gas measurement of decay rate

6) Chamber pressurization/depressurization in conjunction with smoke tracers

7) Chamber depressurization using detection liquids

END OF SECTION 014025