ABAA Contractor Accreditation Why and How? - Air Barrier ...

The Air Barrier Association of America Inc.ABAA ContractorAccreditationWhy and How?The Air Barrier Associationof America (ABAA) consistsprimarily of stakeholders in thebuilding enclosure industry.ABAA is focused on leadingthe industry into the futurein a progressive andprofessional manner.

Why become an ABAA Accredited Contractor?Overview of the Air Barrier Association of AmericaThe Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) was incorporated in the State of Massachusettsin 2001 and consists primarily of stakeholders in the building enclosure industry. ABAA isfocused on leading the industry into the future in a progressive and professional manner.Overview of the Quality Assurance Program (QAP)MISSION: Develop a professional air barrier industry dedicated to installingeffective air barrier systems.• Program based upon principles of ISO 9000• Industry funded, volunteer program• Specified by owners or architects in their project specifications• Risk management• ABAA specified projects in over 30 U.S. states and countingKey components include:• Research and development• Standards and specifications• Manufacturer evaluated products• Contractor accreditation• Training and education• Documentation• 3rd party field audits• Site testing• Database tracking• Appeal process• Certification of installersAccredited Contractor BenefitsABAA promotes our accredited contractors to design professionals across America.We encourage the professional community to adopt the ABAA Quality Assurance Programand specify the ABAA accredited contractors in all air barrier projects.• Compete on a level playing field• Bid and work on projects specified to utilize ABAA Accredited Contractorsand the ABAA Quality Assurance Program• Help reduce call-backs• Help reduce liability and subsequent related costs• Website listing as accredited contractor• Be promoted as one of the premier air barrier contractors to building ownersand the professional community

How to become an ABAA Accredited Contractor?Contractor Requirements1. Join ABAA as a contractor member and pay membership fee ($1,000)2. Apply to become an Accredited Contractor by submitting a Contractor Application Form3. Pay accreditation fee ($700)4. Employ an ABAA Level 3 Certified Installer*5. Minimum $2,000,000 in Commercial General Liability6. Provide evidence of bonding ability of at least $300,0007. Have one individual attend a QAP administration training program ($195)8. Sign Accredited Contractor Licensing Agreement* An ABAA Level 3 Certified Installer has attended an ABAA Installer Certification Training course and has successfully passed thewritten test including the Plans & Specs section. They have a minimum 3,000 hours of air barrier field installation or related tradeexperience. They can supervise up to 5 employees and must be present on the job site at all times when the air barrier materialis being installed on an ABAA specified project.Installer RequirementsPrequalification:Have at least 3000 hours of air barrier field installation experience OR related trade experience.Related trade experience can be experience installing spray insulations, spray waterproofing,painting, sheet membranes, torch applied membranes, damp proofing, flashing, etc.1. Attend an ABAA training program in the product you wish to become certified in– 3 day course2. Write a written test and achieve an overall average of 80% and no less than 65%in any core section (Level 3’s must complete the Plans & Specs section)3. Submit the Installer Certification Application and submit registration payment ($250)4. Submit signed Affidavit indicating field experience5. Sign a Certification Licensing Agreement

Related Costs to Participate in ProgramInitial CostsItemCostAssociation Membership $1,000Contractor Accreditation Fee $700Installer Initial Certification Fee $250Training Related Costs:QAP Administrator $195Spray Foam / Self-Adhered MembraneInstaller 3 Day Program $995Liquid Membrane / Self-AdheredMembrane Installer 3 Day Program $995Yearly Renewal CostsAssociation Membership $1,000Contractor Accreditation Fee $700Installer Certification Renewal Fee $100Project Related Fees for ABAA QAP ProjectsWhen bidding on ABAA QAP Projects and to be included in bid price:ItemIndustry Development Fund3rd Party Site Audits* $0.085 / sq. ft. of the total air barrier material installed.Cost$0.085 / sq. ft*$2,000 (flat rate)NOTES: The Industry Development Fund is used to administer the Quality Assurance Program and to furtherthe industry. You only pay these fees when you are working on an ABAA specified project.The audit cost is a flat rate and ABAA subsidizes the cost of the audit should the actual cost be over $2000.The number of audits required for a project is based on the total square footage of the air barrier materialapplied on an ABAA specified project. If the architect specifies a different amount of audits in the specification,that amount is to be followed, unless it is below the minimum as identified in the table below.Required Site Audits are calculated as follows:Square Footage of ProjectNo. of AuditsUp to 10,000 110,001 to 35,000 235,001 to 75,000 375,001 to 125,000 4125,001 to 200,000 5200,001 and over 6IDF and Audit costs are notapplicable for non-ABAA specifiedair barrier projects. You only paythese fees when working on anABAA specified project.For more information visit our web site or email us:abaa@airbarrier.orgwww.airbarrier.orgPrices subject to change.ABAA 115-70 Rev 2