CIMA Technical Update #1
In 1994 the members and elected leaders of Building Officials and Code Administrators
International (BOCA), the Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI), and
the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) formed the International
Code Council for the expressed purpose of developing a single set of comprehensive and
coordinated national codes. The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association has
been actively involved in the ICC code process to insure that the I-Codes provide for
the proper use of cellulose insulation. This bulletin contains the exact language of
some of key sections of the International Building Code, the International
Residential Code, and the International Energy Conservation Code.
The Basics
Cellulose insulation is covered by a Consumer Products Safety Commission regulation. All
I-codes require conformance with this regulation, 16 CFR Part 1209. CPSC does not address
smoke, so the codes require cellulose insulation to have a smoke-developed index not greater
than 450 per ASTM E 84.
2000 International Residential Code
R320.1 Insulation
Insulation materials, including facings, such as vapor barriers or breather papers
installed within floor-ceiling assemblies, roof-ceiling assemblies, wall assemblies,
crawl spaces and attics shall have a flame-spread index not to exceed 25 with an
accompanying smoke-developed index not to exceed 450 when tested in accordance
with ASTM E 84.
Exceptions:
- When such materials are installed in concealed spaces, the flame-spread and
smoke-developed limitations do not apply to the facings, provided that the facing
is installed in substantial contact with the unexposed surface of the ceiling,
floor or wall finish.
- Cellulose loose-fill insulation, which is not spray applied, complying with the
requirements of Section R320.3, shall only be required to meet the smoke-developed
index of not more than 450.
R320.2 Loose-fill Insulation
Loose-fill Insulation materials that cannot be mounted in the ASTM E 84 apparatus
without a screen or artificial supports shall have a flame-spread rating not to exceed
25 with an accompanying smoke-developed factor not to exceed 450 when tested in accordance
with CAN/ULC-S 102.2.
Exceptions:
- Cellulose Loose-Fill Insulation shall not be required to comply with this test method
provided that such insulation complies with the requirements of Section R320.3.
R320.3 Cellulose Loose-Fill Insulation
Cellulose loose-fill insulation shall comply with CPSC 16 CFR, Parts 1209 and 1404.
Each package of such insulating material shall be clearly labeled in accordance with
CPSC 16 CFR, Parts 1209 and 1404.
R320.4 Exposed Attic Insulation
All exposed insulation materials installed on attic floors shall have a critical
radiant flux not less than 0.12 watt per square centimeter.
R320.5 Testing
Tests for critical radiant flux shall be made in accordance with ASTM E 970.
2000 International Building Code
718.1 General
Insulating materials, including facings such as vapor retarders and breather papers,
similar coverings, and all layers of single and multilayer reflective foil insulations,
shall comply with the requirements of this section. Where a flame spread index or a
smoke-developed index is specified in this section, such index shall be determined
in accordance with ASTM E 84. Any material that is subject to an increase in flame
spread index or smoke-developed index beyond the limits herein established through
the effects of age, moisture, or other atmospheric conditions shall not be permitted.
Exceptions:
- Fiberboard insulation shall comply with Chapter 23.
- Foam plastic insulation shall comply with Chapter 26. Duct insulation and coverings
and insulation in plenums shall comply with the International Mechanical Code.
718.2 Concealed Installation
Insulating materials, where concealed as installed in buildings of any type construction,
shall have a flame spread index of not more than 25 and a smoke-developed index of not
more than 450.
Exception:
Cellulose loose-fill insulation that is not spray applied, complying with
the requirements of Section 718.6, shall only be required to meet the smoke-developed
index of not more than 450.
718.3 Exposed Installation
Insulating materials, where exposed as installed in buildings of any type of construction,
shall have a flame spread index of not more than 25 and a smoke-developed index of not
more than 450.
Exception:
Cellulose loose-fill insulation that is not spray applied complying with the
requirements of Section 718.6 shall only be required to meet the smoke-developed index
of not more than 450.
718.3.1 Attic Floors
Exposed insulation materials installed on attic floors shall have a critical radiant
flux of not less than 0.12 watt per square centimeter when tested in accordance with
ASTM E 970.
718.4 Loose-Fill Insulation
Loose-fill insulation materials that cannot be mounted in the ASTM E 84 apparatus without
a screen or artificial supports shall comply with the flame spread and smoke-developed
limits of Sections 718.2 and 7183 when tested in accordance with CAN/ULC-S 102.2.
Exception:
Cellulose loose-fill insulation shall not be required to comply with this test method,
provided such insulation complies with the requirements of Section 718.6.
718.6 Cellulose Loose-Fill Insulation
Cellulose loose-fill insulation shall comply with CPSC 16 CFR, 1209 and CPSC 16 CFR, 1404.
Each package of such insulating material shall be clearly labeled in accordance with CPSC
16 CFR, 1209 and CPSC 16 CFR, 1404.
Fire Resistance
Several sections of the I-Codes recognize the superior fire resistance of walls insulated
with cellulose insulation.
2000 International Building Code & 2001 Amendments to the IBC
711.3.1 Through Penetrations
Through penetrations of fire-resistance-rated walls shall comply with Section
711.3.1.1 or 711.3.1.2.
Exception:
Where the penetrating items are steel, ferrous or copper pipes or steel conduits,
the annular space between the penetrating item and the fire-resistance-rated wall
shall be permitted to be protected as follows:
- [Not relevant to cellulose insulation]
- The material used to fill the annular space shall prevent the passage of flame
and hot gases sufficient to ignite cotton waste where subjected to ASTM E 119 time
temperature fire conditions under a minimum positive pressure differential of 0.01
inch (2.49 Pa) of water at the location of the penetration for the time period
equivalent to the fire-resistance rating of the construction penetrated.
Tests conducted by Omega Point Laboratories (Project No. 16094-105451) on
October 25, 1999, qualify cellulose insulation per Exception 2.
711.3.2 Membrane Penetrations
Membrane penetrations shall comply with Section 711.3.1. Where walls and partitions
are required to have a minimum 1-hour fire-resistance rating, recessed fixtures shall
be installed such that the required fire resistance will not be reduced.
Exceptions:
- Steel electrical boxes that do not exceed 16 square inches (0.0103 m2) in area
provided the total area of such openings does not exceed 100 square inches (0.0645 m2)
for any 100 square feet (9.29 m2) of wall area. Outlet boxes on opposite sides of the
wall shall be separated as follows:
- By a horizontal distance of not less than 24 inches (610 mm);
- By a horizontal distance of not less than the depth of the wall cavity where the wall cavity is filled with cellulose loose-fill or mineral fiber insulation;
Section 720 Calculated Fire Resistance
Table 720.6.2(5)
Time Assigned for Additional Protection |
| Description of Additional Protection | Fire resistance (min) |
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Add to the fire resistance rating of wood stud walls if the spaces between the studs
are completely filled with glass fiber, mineral wool batts weighing not less than
2 lb/cu ft (0.6 lb/sq ft of wall surface) or rock wool or slag material wool batts
weighing not less than 3.3 lb/cu ft (1 lb/sq ft of wall surface), or cellulose
insulation having a nominal density not less than 2.6 lb/cu ft.
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Moisture Protection
The latest findings of building science indicate that many traditional moisture
control practices are not only ineffective, but may actually be detrimental to the
moisture performance of building assemblies. The IBC and the IECC give building officials
latitude to apply the growing base of moisture performance information to allow moisture
control strategies that are appropriate for their jurisdictions and the design and
components of specific assemblies. It is the position of CIMA and most cellulose
insulation manufacturers that vapor retarders are unnecessary, and may actually cause
moisture problems, with cellulose insulated walls in all but the most extreme cold climates.
2000 International Building Code
1403.3 Vapor Retarders
An approved interior non-corrodible vapor retarder shall be provided. Vapor retarders
shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E96.
Exceptions:
- Where other approved means to avoid condensation and leakage of moisture are provided.
2000 International Energy Conservation Code
502.1.1 Moisture Control
The design shall not create conditions of accelerated deterioration from moisture
condensation. Frame walls, floors and ceilings not ventilated to allow moisture to
escape shall be provided with an approved vapor retarder having a maximum permeance
rating of 1.0 perm (5.72 x l0-8 g/Pa s m2) when tested in accordance with Procedure
A of ASTM E 96. The vapor retarder shall be installed on the warm-in-winter side of
the thermal insulation.
Exceptions:
- In construction where moisture or its freezing will not damage the materials.
- Where the county in which the building is being constructed is considered a
hot and humid climate area and identified as such in Figures 302.1(1) through 302.1(51).
- Where other approved means to avoid condensation in unventilated framed wall,
floor, roof and ceiling cavities are provided.
Cellulose....it's naturally better insulation
CIMA Technical Bulletins & Updates:
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If you have any questions regarding commercial or home insulation please do not hesitate
to call us at: (330) 753-8394. We will be more than happy to assist you.
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