November 2026 Monthly Meeting

For the November 2026 monthly meeting the Air Barrier Association of America and the Portland BEC will be collaborating on a partial-day, in-person only symposium. The event will be at the EcoTrust Building in our usual space. 4 AIA HSW continuing education credits will be provided by the ABAA. This event will include lunch and some afternoon snacks. Attendance is limited and there will be a $25 registration fee.

10:00 - 10:30 PM - Registration & Welcome

10:30 - 11:30 AM - Presentation
Laverne Dalgliesh
Groundhog Day: Recurring Field Installation Issues with Air Barriers
Everyone knows that air barriers are important, they know what they do and that they need to be installed correctly. We have heard it for 20 years and no longer need a presentation to remind us of that. With that being said, how do we give them a chance of success?

One of the most common risk management strategies used is a robust quality assurance program in the specifications that requires certified contractors, trained and certified installers, evaluated materials and on-site third-party audits. This presentation will discuss the role of the quality assurance audits, and point out what to look for when doing site observation and quality control. It will also provide real life examples that can help you identify installation issues on your project, what caused them, and what corrective action can be taken. 1.0 LU/HSW

11:30 - 11:45 AM - Break

11:45 - 12:45 PM - Presentation
Denali Jones
Looking Beyond Code Language: Practical Limitations of Air Tightness Testing
There have been air barrier requirements in IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 for almost 20 years, but until recently field testing of the installed air barrier has only been an option and not a requirement throughout most of the United States, although there are several jurisdictions that have required testing for many years. Both IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 now require some type of testing for many buildings, but there is some flexibility in what testing should be done and little guidance on what type of test is appropriate. These options include different test standards such as ASTM E779, ASTM E1827, or ASTM E3158. Within these test standards there are different procedural options relating to data collection and building preparation, and different limits on weather conditions. There are also options within the codes that allow for testing the entire building, representative portions of the building, or a sampling of dwelling units for Group R or I occupancy types. This ambiguity sparks questions among specifiers, contractors, owners, and testing agencies. Are all of the ASTM test standards listed in the codes for whole building testing interchangeable? Should buildings be tested under pressurization or depressurization? Or both? Should intentional openings be sealed or not? Should office buildings be tested differently than multifamily buildings of similar size? Should high rise buildings be tested as a whole building or floor by floor?

These questions are not addressed in code language, leading to inexperienced testers using test methods that are not appropriate for their specific scenario. The various testing options listed in the current versions of IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 will be explained in detail, diving into the specifics of each test method and why it may or may not be suited to certain building types. While some test methods may be possible in certain building types, there are practical limitations which make these methods exceedingly difficult and expensive to produce meaningful results. The differences between the code-referenced ASTM whole building test standards will be explained in practical terms, showing the limitations of each standard and what scenarios might require alternate methods. 1.0 LU/HSW

12:45 - 1:45 PM - Lunch

1:45 - 2:45 PM - Presentation
Scott Wood
Optimizing Performance with a Continuous Air Barrier
Modern high performance buildings demand more than independent envelope components. They require a coordinated air control strategy that begins with the details to the final building air leak testing. This course examines the role of continuous air barriers in improving energy efficiency, durability, and occupant comfort in commercial construction. Participants will explore how air leakage increases condensation risk, reduces thermal efficiency and impacts long-term building performance.   This course will review best practices for detailing critical transitions such as roof-to-wall and wall to below-grade connections, where discontinuities often lead to failures. Special attention will be given to vapor permeable air barrier systems and their ability to maintain airtightness while supporting drying potential within the assemblies. 

Through discussion of real-world projects across mission-critical facilities, large-format industrial buildings, multi-family housing, and commercial construction, attendees will learn how integrated, permeable enclosure strategies support long-term resilience, effective moisture management, and reduce building failure risk. 1.0 LU/HSW

2:45 - 3:00 PM - Break

3:00 - 4:00 PM - Presentation
Laverne Dalgleish
It’s Not Raining – Where is the Water Coming From?
Roof leaks and even water in wall assemblies is not good for the building. The first reaction is let’s fix the leak, but then you realize that it is not raining. If there is no rain, you should not get bulk water entry. We overlook the real reason for water in building assemblies because we do not consider all means of moisture transport. Many people then jump to the conclusion that the material used as a water restive barrier does not have a high enough Perm rating. This presentation will cover all the ways that moisture moves in a building, show why you should not rely on the Perm rating of a single material, and show you where you will get thousands of gallons of water into the building envelope. 1.0 LU/HSW

4:00 - 5:00 PM - Networking & Event Conclusion