Formatted Title
Why Overlooking QA/QC is a Risky Mistake for Vapor Barrier Installations
Background/Objectives
Background/Objectives. Effective quality control/quality assurance (QA/QC) measures are pivotal to the success of a contaminant vapor intrusion mitigation (VIM) project. There are crucial reasons why implementing QA/QC measures before, during, and after the vapor barrier installation will help guarantee long-term efficacy for safe and effective contaminant VIM systems designed to protect occupants and indoor air quality. Neglecting a QA/QC plan can lead to significant repercussions, including wasted time, financial losses, and the underperformance of the mitigation system.
Approach/Activities
Approach/Activities. All aspects of a vapor barrier installation, ranging from material selection to workmanship through the lens of QA/QC best practices will be presented. The multifaceted and thorough approach provided outlines an analysis of industry and regulatory guidelines, a detailed exploration of both successful and unsuccessful case studies, and insights gathered from contractors experienced in installing VIM systems. This discussion will also provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the critical components of the QA/QC process and the potential consequences of not following proper processes.
Results/Lessons Learned
Results/Lessons Learned. While contaminant vapor barrier systems are commonly evaluated based on their chemical resistance and ease of installation, the often underestimated third factor is the QA/QC process applied through installation. Even the most chemically resistant contaminant vapor barrier system can be rendered useless by a poor installation. When this occurs, it raises the fundamental question: why take that risk?