BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- When it comes to protection, Tremco Commercial Sealants & Waterproofing is setting new standards for testing to ensure building envelope protection and life safety. ExoAir 230 Fluid-Applied Vapor-Permeable Air Barrier Membrane, the newest addition to Tremcos comprehensive air barrier system offering, has gone through unprecedented testing to ensure a tested, proven system with more flexibility for designers and greater assurance of protection in the event of a fire.

ExoAir 230 is a monolithic, synthetic vapor-permeable air barrier membrane designed to seal exterior above-grade walls from air infiltration/exfiltration, while serving as a weather-resistive barrier to keep water out yet remaining permeable to the passage of water vapor to prevent moisture from being trapped within the wall. Air infiltration takes a tremendous toll on a building and its occupants. Energy demands increase as heated or cooled air escapes. Moisture droplets in the air can condense and collect in the walls, leading to deterioration of structural members and poor indoor air quality which may be particularly compromising in hospitals, schools, laboratories and other sensitive environments.

In todays construction environment, rainscreen systems with open joints are often incorporated in the design, exposing air barrier membranes to ultraviolet rays or the construction process itself may leave membranes exposed for prolonged periods. Prolonged UV exposure can cause premature deterioration impacting the effectiveness of traditional air barriers. While there is no standard industry test for UV resistance, Tremco subjected ExoAir 230 to twice the number of cycles for accelerated exposure in the QUV-B weatherometer of other leading air barrier manufacturers. ExoAir 230 has passed more than 165 cycles of exposure to UV and water spray, survived more than 2 years of complete exposure to "real-world Cleveland" weathering as well as more than 2 years of exposure to extreme temperature and humidity conditions, all without any visible signs of material degradation.

Life safety is another issue of critical importance in the design of todays built environment. ASTM E 84 testing provides ratings as to flame spread and smoke development of components used in construction. ExoAir 230 ratings demonstrated that it would not contribute to these life-threatening conditions, but air barrier membranes are always used in conjunction with sealants and other connection materials. Though not standard air barrier manufacturer practice to test these other components, Tremco also did ASTM E 84 testing of other components used with it, including Spectrem 1 Silicone Sealant, Tremflex 834 Acrylic Sealant and silicone sheet connections to provide greater assurance of protection of the assembly and not just one part.

Tremco Commercial Sealants & Waterproofing offers the industrys only comprehensive air barrier system, including ExoAir fluid-applied vapor-permeable and vapor-retarding air barrier membranes, sheet-applied air barrier membranes, thru-wall flashing membrane, primer, termination mastic, compatible sealants and low expanding foam as well as Proglaze ETA Engineered Transition Assemblies and silicone sheet connections. Proglaze ETA simplifies transitions from the air barrier system to the window or curtain wall system, providing foolproof continuity and proven durability.

Tremco also set a new industry standard with the inclusion of Proglaze ETA with its air barrier assembly ASTM E2357 (Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage of Air Barrier Assemblies) testing to include measurement of the air leakage that results when the air barrier wall assembly is combined with a window and/or curtain wall system as compared to air leakage through a solid wall with the air barrier assembly. When used as a comprehensive system as tested, Tremco Commercial Sealants & Waterproofing is the only manufacturer to warrant against uncontrolled air and moisture infiltration.