Benefits of Specifying NABA
As an Architect, specification writer, consultant or building owner, you want assurance that the job will be done right. In the case of the air barrier system, you are, in most cases, dealing with a non-maintainable building component.
As time progresses, architects, engineers, specification writers and consultants are becoming more and more liable for the buildings they design. In the case of the air barrier system, it is estimated the cost of retrofit and repair of an improper system is 50 - 60 times that of doing it right the first time.
The entire Quality Assurance Program is administered, in all aspects, by third party organizations that specialize in QAP administration for the construction industry. This ensures all contractors and installers must meet the same high standards.
Some of the benefits of including NABA in your contractor specifications are:
- Reduction of liability by making the contractor and installer more accountable. Without NABA, the architect takes on the responsibility for proper installation
- Un-certified installers may mean that they have no prior experience in installing air barriers
- NABA installers are mandated to check all aspects of the installation from substrate conditions to post installation deficiencies so the mind set of the installers is different. Various test methods are used by the installer to confirm his workmanship.
- NABA installers keep mandatory daily work sheets and provide a paper trail of the entire Air / Vapour Barrier Installation. These are kept on file at the NABA office, and the design professional may request copies
- Using the NABA installation specification means that the architect has a confidence level that the installation will be done correctly
- NABA installations will be subject to random field installer audits.
- NABA will provide advice and recommendations for various installation details
- NABA will provide leadership in new and better installation practices and design.
- Architects have limited resources to check past performance or credentials of installers
- Architects have no authority over the installers, they can only recommend non-payment to the contractor if the installation is deficient. NABA has authority over both the installer and the contractor
- Contractors and installers have signed legal agreements with NABA to do the job properly.
- NABA fosters the sharing of expertise amongst the members so that all learn from the experiences of others.
- Architects are limited with time and resources to follow up on the quality of the installation
- NABA acts as a mediator between the contractor and the owner or architect in cases were installation problems arise.