Who is responsible for achieving air tightness requirements from a code perspective?

The responsibility for achieving air tightness requirements from a code perspective primarily lies with the Architect of Record or Builder. This designation reflects their role in the overall design and construction process, where adherence to building codes and standards, including those relating to air tightness, is a crucial aspect of their duties.

The Architect of Record is responsible for ensuring that the building design complies with all applicable codes, including energy efficiency standards, which often entail specific airtightness requirements. This includes integrating the necessary materials and construction techniques to meet those standards during the design phase.

On the other hand, the Builder plays a significant role during construction by following the architect's specifications and ensuring that the installation methods used will yield an air-tight structure. They need to assess materials and techniques in practical applications to fulfill the design goals laid out by the architect.

While the Building Owner, General Contractor, and Building Inspector all play important roles in the construction process, their responsibilities do not inherently include direct accountability for meeting air tightness requirements from the code perspective. The building owner has a vested interest in ensuring compliance, but it is the design and construction professionals who are primarily tasked with achieving and validating these requirements in a project.