Recent changes to Building Codes such as the IBC and IRC have been significant. This “Codification” of new requirements for continuous insulation, air barriers, vapor retarders and water resistive barriers, plus a proliferation of new materials, tests and quality assurance procedures, can create sometimes confusing requirements. This pre-recorded webinar attempts to de-mystify this 'codification'.

1. www.icynene.com
Continuous Insulation And
Weather Barriers

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3. SECTION 1
• Section 1: Codes Evolution – Building Envelope
• Section 2: Thermal And Moisture Control Requirements
• Section 3: Fire Safety
• Section 4: Integrated Solutions
• Section 5: Commercial Fire Testing
• Section 6: Health And Safety
• Section 7: Applications

4. 1. Thermal / Moisture Control Requirements
• IRC (Section 806.5 & Chapter 11)
• IECC
• ASHRAE 90.1
2. Fire Safety Requirements
• IRC Section 3.16
• IBC Section Chapter 26
Code Requirements

5. SECTION 2
• Section 1: Codes Evolution – Building Envelope
• Section 2: Thermal And Moisture Control Requirements
• Section 3: Fire Safety
• Section 4: Integrated Solutions
• Section 5: Commercial Fire Testing
• Section 6: Health And Safety
• Section 7: Applications

7. • Introduction of 8 climate zones (simplifies need for Vapor Retarders)
• Introduction of Classes of Vapor Diffusion Retarder (I,II,III)
• Class I or II VDR required on the interior in Climate Zones 5 thru 8
• HERS Target = 100
• Mechanical System Trade-offs allowed
ICC/IECC 2006/7

8. IRC/IBC Climate Zone

9. • Airtightness targets introduced
(7 ACH)
• Insulation levels increased
• Mechanical system trade-offs
not allowed
• Insulation levels in Zones 7 & 8
contain proprietary insulation
R-values (e.g. R-21 walls)
• HERS Target = 85
Required R-
Values
Zone Ceiling Walls Bsmt.
1 30 13 0
2 30 13 0
3 30 13 5/13
4 38 13 10/13
5 38 20 or 13+5 10/13
6 49 20 or 13+5 15/19
7 49 21 15/19
8 49 21 15/19
ICC 2009 is REQUIRED for States to get ARRA funds.
Feature of ICC 2009

10. • Airtightness levels decreasing
(3-5 ACH)
• Airtightness test being
introduced (required on all
houses)
• Insulation levels increasing
• No proprietary insulation levels
• Requirement for continuous
insulation in Colder Zones
(Zones 6-8)
• Mechanical system trade-offs
not allowed
• HERS Target = 70
Required R-Values
Zone Ceiling Walls Bsmt.
1 30 13 0
2 30 13 0
3 38 20 or 13+5 5/13
4 49 20 or 13+5 10/13
5 49 20 or 13+5 15/19
6 49 20+5 or 13+10 15/19
7 49 20+5 or 13+10 15/19
8 49 20+5 or 13+10 15/19
Effect of Moving ICC 2012

11. • Airtightness levels decreasing (3-
5 ACH)
• Airtightness test being introduced
(required on all houses)
• Insulation levels unchanged
• HERS Target = 70
• Trade-offs allowed provided
performance:
Climate Zone Energy Rating Index
1/2 52
3 51
4 54
5 55
6 54
7/8 53
Required R-Values
Zone Ceiling Walls Bsmt.
1 30 13 0
2 30 13 0
3 38 20 or 13+5 5/13
4 49 20 or 13+5 10/13
5 49 20 or 13+5 15/19
6 49 20+5 or 13+10 15/19
7 49 20+5 or 13+10 15/19
8 49 20+5 or 13+10 15/19
Effect of Moving ICC 2015

13. Higher Insulation Levels
Continuous Insulation Layer
Air Barrier
Commercial 2015 IECC Requirements

14. Higher Insulation Levels
Continuous Insulation Layer
Air Barrier
Required R-
Values
Zone Attic Above Grade Walls
Below Grade
Wall
1 30 20 or 13+3.8 c.i. 0
2 30 20 or 13+3.8 c.i. 0
3 38 20 or 13+3.8 c.i. 7.5 c.i.
4 38 20 or 13+3.8 c.i. 7.5 c.i.
5 49
20+3.8 or
13+7.5 c.i. 7.5 c.i.
6 49
20+3.8 or
13+7.5 c.i. 7.5 c.i.
7 49
20+3.8 or
13+7.5 c.i. 10 c.i.
8 49
20+3.8 or
13+7.5 c.i. 10 c.i.
Commercial 2015 IECC Requirements

15. Air Barrier Material Options include most board stock materials
along with a variety of proprietary membranes, parging, spray foam,
sheet steel or aluminum and other materials that have an air
permeability of 0.004 cfm/ft2 (0.02 L/s) @ 75 pa. when tested to ASTM
E2178. (IECC Sentence C402.5.1.2.1)
Assemblies must also test with an air leakage not greater than 0.04
cfm/ft2 (0.2 L/s) @ 75 pa. when tested to ASTM E2357, ASTM E1677,
or ASTM E 283. (IECC Sentence C402.5.1.2.2)
Joints must be sealed with materials meeting IECC Sentence
C402.5.1.2.2.
Commercial 2015 IECC Requirements

16. Section 1403.2 calls for a Water Resistive Barrier.
Some building science experts refer to also refer to this as a
“drainage plane” or “Weather Barrier”
Concept is relatively simple—provide a barrier system designed to
prevent the ingress of wind-driven rain. In practice this requires a variety
of materials, systematically lapped in a shingle fashion to keep inner
walls dry and allow outer walls to drain.
Commercial 2012 IECC Requirements

17. International Residential Code 2009
Section 601.3 Vapor Retarders
Class I or II vapor retarders are required on the interior side of frame
walls in Zones 5,6,7,8 and Marine 4. (so not needed in Zones 1,2,3,4)
Exceptions
Basement walls
Below grade portion of any wall
Construction where moisture or its freezing will not damage the materials
Section 601.1 Class III Vapor Retarders
Class III Vapor Retarders shall be permitted where any one of the
conditions in Table R601.3.1 is met.
Vapor Control Requirements

18. Exceptions to the VDR Requirements

19. SECTION 3
• Section 1: Codes Evolution – Building Envelope
• Section 2: Thermal And Moisture Control Requirements
• Section 3: Fire Safety
• Section 4: Integrated Solutions
• Section 5: Commercial Fire Testing
• Section 6: Health And Safety
• Section 7: Applications

20. Foam is assumed to be combustible.
The fact that it contains Fire Retardants and other additives does not make it
non-combustible.
Testing is required to prove the degree to which it or the assembly in which it is
used is non-combustible.
Spray Polyurethane Foam is a Thermoset plastic. Unlike other foams that are
Thermoplastics (e.g. Expanded or Extruded Polystyrene), it does not melt as
temperature increases.
Fire Safety Basic Principles

21. Thermal Barriers
Code [IRC Section R316.4,
IBC Section 2603.4]
prescribes:
• ½” gypsum board
Ignition Barriers
Code [IRC Sections 316.5.3-4, IBC
Section 2603.4.1.6] prescribes:
• 1 ½” mineral fiber
• ¼” plywood/particle board/hardboard
• 3/8” gypsum board
• 0.016” thick sheet metal
1. The Code assumes combustible materials such as foam must be covered
by a Thermal Barrier.
2. In some applications, not directly connected to the occupied zone, where
access is limited, the Thermal Barrier can be omitted and the foam may be
covered by an Ignition Barrier.
Code-Prescribed Ignition and Thermal Barriers

22. Thermal Barriers
Code [IRC Section R316.6, IBC
Section 2603.9] prescribes four
tests for alternate thermal barriers:
– NFPA 286
– FM 4880
– UL 1040, or
– UL 1715
ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria --
AC 377 qualifies the approval
allowing:
– Minimum thickness of coating
– Maximum thickness of foam
– Based on thicknesses tested.
Ignition Barriers
Code [IRC Section 316.6, IBC Section
2603.9] prescribes no specific tests
for alternate ignition barriers only
testing based on “actual end use
configurations”
ICC-ES AC 377 provides:
– Appendix X test (attics and
crawlspaces)
– ASTM E-970 (attic floor)
– Appendix E (crawlspaces)
– Actual end use configurations
Code-Prescribed Ignition and Thermal Barriers
Code References

23. One prescribed solution
[IRC Section R316.4, IBC Section 2603.4]
½” gypsum board
Non-prescriptive (equivalent) TB’s must be approved by
room-size fire testing (UL 1715, NFPA 286, FM 4880 or UL 1040).
[IRC Section R316.6]
If the coating has been demonstrated to resist temperature rise
(via ASTM E119) it can be applied over ANY foam.
[IRC Section R316.4, IBC Section 2603.4]
If it has only been demonstrated to remain in place during the room-size testing,
the approval is SPECIFIC to the FOAM TESTED.
[IRC Section R316.6, IBC Section 2603.4]
Thermal Barriers on ES-Reports

24. 1. Several prescribed solutions
[IRC Section R316.4, IBC Section 2603.4.1.6]
• 1 1/2” mineral fiber
• ¼” plywood/particle board/hardboard
• 3/8” gypsum board
• 0.016” thick sheet metal
2. Non-prescriptive (equivalent) IB’s must be approved by
testing based on “actual end use configurations”.
[IRC Section R316.6, IBC Section 2603.9]
• Attic: AC 377 Appendix X or other end use configurations
• Floor of Attic: ASTM E-970 or other end use configurations
• Crawlspace: AC377 Appendix X or Appendix E or other end use configuration tests
3. Approval is specific to the foam and coating tested.
• Maximum thickness of foam
• Minimum thickness of coating
Ignition Barriers on ES-Reports

25. 1. Assembly must be tested and shown to be non-combustible.
• NFPA 285: Standard Fire Test Method for Evaluation of Fire Propagation
Characteristics of Exterior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Assemblies Containing
Combustible Components
1. Potential Heat of combustibles must be known.
• NFPA 259: Standard Test Method for Potential Heat of Building Materials
1. If a fire rating is required across the assembly, the assembly must be
assessed in terms of fire rating and temperature rise.
• ASTM E119 - 12a Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building
Construction and Materials
Used of Foam in Non-Combustible Assemblies

26. SECTION 4
• Section 1: Codes Evolution – Building Envelope
• Section 2: Thermal And Moisture Control Requirements
• Section 3: Fire Safety
• Section 4: Integrated Solutions
• Section 5: Commercial Fire Testing
• Section 6: Health And Safety
• Section 7: Applications

27. Formed-in-place: Liquid components that are poured or sprayed in place
that expand into a foam plastic material that insulates and air seals.
What is Spray Foam?

28. Low Density
• Half pound (½ lb/cu.ft.)
• Open Cell
• Soft, flexible foam
Medium Density
• Two pound (2 lb/cu.ft.)
• Closed Cell
• Hard, rigid foam
Spray Foam Differences

29. Low Density Medium Density
• Evaluated to AC 377 by ICC-ES
• Can by used in Types I-V construction
• Must be installed by trained installers
Spray Foam Approvals

30. Low Density
• Open Cell (<90%)
• Half pound (0.5-1.5 lb/cu.ft.)
• Water 100%???
(+blowing agent???)
• R 3.7- 4.5 per inch
Medium Density
• Closed Cell (>90%)
• Two pound (1.5-2.5 lb/cu.ft)
• Captive blowing agent
(low ODP but high GWP)
• R 6.2-7.0 per inch
Spray Foam Differences (ICC-ES AC 377)

31. Low Density
• High expansion (80:1 or more)
• Spray in one pass
• Easy to trim
• Full fill / scarf off excess in walls
Medium Density
• More controlled
expansion (30-40:1)
• Spray in 2”-3” layers
• More difficult to trim
• Typically under-fill cavities
to avoid trimming
Spray Foam Differences…
The Rest of the Story

32. Depends on:
• Design objectives
• Application
• Available space
• Needed R-value
• Needed properties.
• Cost etc.
Which Foam is Best?

33. SECTION 5
• Section 1: Codes Evolution – Building Envelope
• Section 2: Thermal And Moisture Control Requirements
• Section 3: Fire Safety
• Section 4: Integrated Solutions
• Section 5: Commercial Fire Testing
• Section 6: Health And Safety
• Section 7: Applications

34. The complete wall assembly needs to be tested for combustibility
Example Assembly Configuration:
Interior
5/8” Gypsum Type X
6” Open Cell spray foam or 6” closed cell spray foam insulation
½” DensGlass Gold
Exterior
Icynene Classic
NFPA 285 Test for Combustibility

35. Assembly configuration example
Assembly Configuration:
Interior
5/8” Gypsum Type X
6” Open Cell spray foam or 6” Closed Cell
½” DensGlass Gold
4” Brick
Exterior
Result: PASSED 1 Hour Rating
NFPA E119 Test for Hourly Rated Assemblies:

36. Continuous Insulation

37. Cavity and Continuous Insulation

38. Cavity and Continuous Insulation
Interior - Exterior

39. 1. Can be used as a whole building insulation and Air Barrier
Material. Controls air leakage, interstitial convection and can
bond to adjacent framing to form an integral part of an Air
Barrier System.
2. Can be used as part of design strategy to
limit wetting and allow drying of
assemblies as part of a Durability Plan.
3. Can be used as a Vapor Diffusion
Retarder (VDR).
4. Can form a key element for a Water
Resistant Barrier system.
Why Choose Spray Foam?

40. SECTION 6
• Section 1: Codes Evolution – Building Envelope
• Section 2: Thermal And Moisture Control Requirements
• Section 3: Fire Safety
• Section 4: Integrated Solutions
• Section 5: Commercial Fire Testing
• Section 6: Health And Safety
• Section 7: Applications

41. • High Pressure Foam
• Truck Based Spray Rigs
• Product sold in “sets”—two 55 gallon drums (A-side
“ISO”, B-side “Resin”)
Applications

42. • High Pressure Equipment
(1000 psi +)
• Reactive Components
• Aerosolized particles
• Trace VOC’s
• Unique Product Characteristics
Spray Foam Training / Safety

43. • All foams are not the same. The material selections on the B side make foam
systems very different. ISO’s are not compatible from system to system or
from one manufacturer to the next.
• Resin dictates physical properties
(rise, yield, operating temps, water absorption etc.)
• Not only are formulations different, but also, approvals vary between
manufacturers.
A-Side (ISO)
B-Side (Resin)
Isocyanate
Polymeric MDI
(pMDI)
Polyols
Catalysts
Surfactants
Flame Retardants
Water
Blowing Agent
Foam is NOT Foam

44. General:
1. Confine workspace.
• Turn of HVAC
• Block/seal inlets/outlets in
work area
• Provide barriers to entry
2. Outfit workers with proper
PPE.
3. Ventilate during and after spray
application.
4. Protect occupants and their
possessions.
5. Do work in accordance with
best practices
Source: American Chemistry Council
What are We Trying to Achieve?

45. Important NEW Clarifications:
1. If installer ventilates work area at a rate of 1 ACH,
unprotected workers can re-enter after 12 hours.
2. If installer ventilates work area at a rate of 10 ACH,
unprotected workers can re-enter after 4 hours.
3. If installer ventilates work area at a rate of 40 ACH,
unprotected workers can re-enter after 1 hour.
Important NEW Clarifications:
3. Specific manufacturers have approved products
that if used and work area is ventilated at 40 ACH,
area can re-occupied after 2 hours. CHECK
WITH THE MANUFACTURER
Spray Foam Safety –
Installers
Spray Foam Safety –
Everyone Else

46. SECTION 7
• Section 1: Codes Evolution – Building Envelope
• Section 2: Thermal And Moisture Control Requirements
• Section 3: Fire Safety
• Section 4: Integrated Solutions
• Section 5: Commercial Fire Testing
• Section 6: Health And Safety
• Section 7: Applications

47. LD OR MD FOAM IN CAVITY SPACES
Thermal Barrier required on interior
IRC R316.4, IBC 2603.4
• Foam in wall cavity tested to NFPA 259 IBC 2603.5.3
• Types I-IV More than one storey wall assemblies must be
tested to NFPA 285 and ASTM E119 IBC 2603.5.1-5
Exterior Walls Above Grade

48. MD FOAM CONTINUOUS ON EXTERIOR
• Transition membranes at windows, control
joints, thru-wall flashings, etc.
• Sealants and single component foams at
penetrations and small gaps for touch-ups etc.
Continuous Medium Density Foam

49. • Foam in wall cavity tested to NFPA 259
IBC 2603.5.3
• Types I-IV More than one storey wall
assemblies must be tested to NFPA 285
and ASTM E119 IBC 2603.5.1-5
Complex Construction

50. LD OR MD FOAM TO PROTECT
STRUCTURE AND/OR SERVICES
• TB may be required over garage
• Keep plumbing and mechanicals
within the conditioned boundary
(heating climates)
Cantilevered Floors

51. • Thermal Barrier required on interior (1/2” drywall minimum or 5/8”
Type X for rated assemblies.)
• Wall Cavities – Up to 6” foam in wall tested/approved
• Continuous Exterior – Up to 5 ½” MD foam on ext.
tested/approved
• Transition Membranes – tested for compatibility, detailing specific
to products/manufacturer.
• Non-combustible cladding
Summary of Typical Components of
Above Grade Commercial Assemblies

52. • Increasing Insulation Levels
• Use of Continuous Insulation in all Climate Zones
• Avoidance of the Need for Vapor Diffusion Retarders by choice of
materials and / or details.
• Use of LD foam as Insulation, Air Barrier, Vapor Control (control of
wetting/drying)
• Use of MD foam as Continuous Insulation, Air Barrier, Vapor
Diffusion Retarder and Water Resistive Barrier.
Summary of Trends

53. Continuous Insulation And
Weather Barriers
Questions?
Thank You for Attending!
This concludes the American Institute of Architects Continuing
Education System Program
www.icynene.com

54. AIA PRESENTATION IS NOW OVER
The AIA presentation is officially over and attendees are now allowed to
leave. Credits will be posted and certificates will be emailed within one
week of today’s date.
We would like to welcome anyone to stay for a further
presentation to learn more about Icynene.

55. Thank you for participating.
The official AIA course is now complete.
So why choose Icynene
spray foam insulation?

56. Why Icynene?
Our challenge is to go beyond the building regulations and offer much more to our
customers. Available in more than 30 countries, Icynene was the first
manufacturer to offer innovative spray foam products that do not contain harmful
gases or formaldehyde. Our commitment to quality and innovation is recognized
globally.
•Multiple commercial products meet the performance criteria of ASHRAE 90.1
•Commercial Fire Tested to meet a large variety of NFPA 285 Wall Assemblies
•Three open cell and two closed cell SPF products to meet a variety of
commercial applications. Unique new closed cell water blown product.
•Closed-cell products are deemed water resistant for commercial applications
as approved by FEMA.

58. Industry’s Finest Customer Service
400+ Installers In North America

59. Our Product Portfolio
CLASSIC
• Soft, flexible composition
maintains an air seal even after
seasonal expansion/ contraction
of building assembly
• Vapor permeable, supports
bi-directional drying of
assemblies
• Ideally suited for interior roof
deck commercial applications.
• Approved for construction types:
I, II, III, IV, V
• R-value of R3.7 per inch

60. Our Product Portfolio
• APortion of the polyol formula
has been substituted with
castor oil to reduce the need for
petroleum-based polyol
• Vapor permeable, supports bi-
directional drying of assemblies
• Approved for construction
types: I, II, III, IV, V
• Open-cell, light density 0.5 lb.
spray foam insulation material
• R-value of R3.7 per inch
• Offers the best in class R-Value: R-
4 per inch
• Achieve R-22 in a 2 x 6 wall
assembly
• Higher density foam - 0.7lbs/ft3
• Ideal for use on a broad range of
substrates, temperatures, and
humidity conditions
• No limitations of thickness per pass
• Provides code compliant assemblies
for areas requiring higher R-value
per inch as per local building codes

61. Our Product Portfolio
• Highest available R-value - R7
per inch
• One formulation suitable for year
round use
• Improved yield for more coverage
during application with an average
yield of 4,750 board feet
• Higher initial pass of 3” to achieve
R21 in one pass
• Standard ‘A Side’, allowing for
better inventory control
• Approved for Types I-V
Construction
• No ozone-depleting blowing agent,
100% water blown
• No hydrofluorocarbons or
• polybrominated diphenyl ethers
• Tested in NFPA 285 approved wall
assemblies for more design flexibility
• Wide range of cost effective ASTM
E119 tests of rated assemblies for
ultimate flexibility
• One hour, two hour as well as three
hour fire ratings appropriate for a
greater range of structure types
• One formulation with superior adhesion
to common building substrates

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