The Evolution of Buildings, Buildings Codes & Building

Science:What does it mean for today’s

building professionals?

03.12.2019

ELYSE INGLESETECHNICAL MARKETING MANAGER; INSULATION

TECHNICAL SUPPORTBUILDING CODESSUSTAINABILITY

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• UNDERSTAND CHANGING CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

• BUILDING SCIENCE INFLUENCE ON BUILDING

• UNDERSTAND THE EVOLUTION OF BUILDING CODES

• WHERE ARE WE NOW – WHERE ARE WE GOING

• CURRENT STATUS IN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTH CAROLINA

CHANGES IN CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Construction

US CONSTRUCTION METHODS – FRAMING

BALLOON FRAMING PLATFORM FRAMING

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US CONSTRUCTION METHODS – WALL

FRAMING

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US CONSTRUCTION METHODS

ROOF RAFTERSKEY COMPONENTS

RafterRidge Board (not always)Collar Ties

BENEFITSAllow for finished attic spacesUse for storage

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US CONSTRUCTION METHODS

ROOF TRUSSES

CAN BE BUILT…On RoofOn groundPre-fabricated offsite

BENEFITSEfficient to build

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US CONSTRUCTION METHODS – FLOOR

FRAMING

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OTHER BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION

METHODOLOGIESMANUFACTURED/PRE-FAB

CONCRETE CONSTRUCTIONPoured Concrete WallsInsulating Concrete Forms (ICF)

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OTHER BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION

METHODSSTRUCTURALLY-INSULATED

PANELS (SIPS)Constructed in a variety of options

SUPERIOR WALLSFoundation Systems

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BUILDING METHODOLOGIES – SIDEWALL

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HEAT AIRMOISTURE

Building Science Principals

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Builders are taking a Strategic Approach to…

Meet evolving building code requirements

Balancing approaches to Manage

• Heat Flow• Air Flow• Moisture Flow

Heat

Flow

Air

Flow

Moisture

Flow

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Are Driving

Towards

Building Codes

Heat

Flow

Air

Flow

Moisture

Flow

Increased

Focus

Increased

Risk

IN MANAGING HEAT FLOW,WE TRY TO KEEP IT IN OR OUT…

BUILDING METHODS TO CONTROL HEAT FLOW

CAVITY INSULATION

Fiberglass

Mineral Wool

Cellulose

Spray Foam

Reflective Insulation

Radiant Barriers

Hybrid Systems

INSULATING SHEATHINGS

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)

Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)

Polyisocyanurate (PIR/PUR)

Fiberglass

Stone Wool

BUILDING METHODS TO CONTROL HEAT FLOW

EXTERNAL RIGID FOAM BOARD < 2”

• Advantage: shifts the wooden frame to the inner side of the house

• But requires a high R-value to be efficient

Ex. R5 XPS + R15 Fiberglass, 70F inside, 20F outside 32F on external sheathing (cold!)

• Requires a drainage plane between the sheathing and the insulation

• Complex details at windows/doors and sidewall penetrations

• Cold climates:

XPS or Polyiso: block moisture diffusion towards outside in winter can trap moisture

Concerns with interior Vapor retarder combined with vapor-barrier exterior insulation

If external insulation has to be used, dense Mineral Wool is preferred (safer)

• Hot and humid climates:

Dense foams preferred (EPS, XPS, Polyiso… block moisture from outside)

Source: JLC, 2017

• Challenges attaching cladding and

windows

• Additional anchoring points for cladding

required (larger bending momentum)

• Limited choice of siding (stucco, fiber

cement)

• Can be cost prohibitive in single family

applications

BUILDING METHODS TO CONTROL HEAT FLOW

EXTERNAL RIGID FOAM BOARD >2”

Source:

JLC, 2017

BUILDING METHODS TO CONTROL HEAT FLOW

EXTERNAL CCSPF

• Can be used both in residential and

commercial applications (more

common)

• More common in applications

incorporating cladding that wouldn’t be

impacted by foam surface

inconsistency (e.g. bricks, stucco…)

BUILDING METHODS TO CONTROL HEAT FLOW

EVOLVING TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES

• Advanced Framing Techniques

• Double-Stud Walls

• Continuous Insulation

• Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

• Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

INSULATION PRODUCTS / SOLUTIONS

IN MANAGING HEAT FLOW,IT IS ABOUT USING ROBUST SOLUTIONS…

This means properly installed and high-quality insulation that:• Reduces heat transfer to improve comfort

• Protects homes from moisture damage which improves durability

BUT HOW CAN WE CONTROL HEAT FLOW…

EFFECTIVE INSULATION

INEFFECTIVE INSULATION

• Misaligned insulation causing gaps and voids. This can cause comfort problems in the home by allowing unwanted air flow.

• Pipes compressing insulation reduce the thermal value and effectiveness.

CONTROLLING THERMAL FLOWINEFFECTIVE INSULATION

CONTROLLING THERMAL FLOWINEFFECTIVE INSULATION

Improperly installed insulation can drop due to gravity.

Controlling Thermal FlowBonus Room over Garage

GRADE I – < 2% compression, no more than 30% of insulation depth

GRADE II – < 2% missing, <10% compression

GRADE III – > 2% < 5% missing, open on one side.

MORE THAN 5% - UN-INSULATED

CONTROLLING THERMAL FLOWIECC AND ENERGY STAR REQUIREMENTS

CONTROLLING HEAT FLOW

COMMON CHALLENGES

Roof/Ceiling System

Walls

Windows

Basements

Crawlspaces

Slabs

Cathedral Ceilings

Knee Walls

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

Insulate & Seal

Avoid Compression

Install Attic Baffles

Pay Attention to Details

IN MANAGING AIR FLOW,WE TRY TO KEEP IT IN OR OUT…

PRESSURE DIFFERENTIALS

Wind Pressure

Stack Pressure

Mechanical Pressure

BUILDING METHODS TO CONTROL AIR FLOW

INTERIOR AIR BARRIERS

Polyamide Film

Polyethylene Film

Spray Foam

Caulking/Sealing

Drywall

EXTERIOR AIR BARRIERS

Roofing Membrane

Peel & Stick Asphalt Membrane

Built-up Modified Asphalt

Plywood

Polystyrene Board (XPS or EPS)

Polyurethane Board

WRB – Weather Resistive Barrier

AIR-FLOW CONTROL ON THE INSIDE…

INTERIOR AIR-SEALING STRATEGIES

Std. Caulk & Seal Packages

Spray-Applied Sealant Systems

Airtight Drywall Approach

Spray-Foam

Poly/SVR Sheetings + tape

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AIR-FLOW CONTROL ON THE OUTSIDE…

EXTERIOR AIR-SEALING SOLUTIONS

WEATHER-RESISTIVE BARRIERS (WRB)• Mechanically-Attached• Self-Adhered• Liquid-Applied• Spray-Applied• Trowel-Applied

INTEGRATED SHEATHINGS & TAPES• e.g. Zip System (Huber)

SPRAY-FOAM

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CONTROLLING THERMAL FLOWTHROUGH CONTROLLING AIR FLOW

Many leakage pathways at windows & junctions between walls and bottom/top plates

Source: Building America report 1506, March 2015, K. Ueno and J. Lstiburek

AIR-FLOW CONTROL ON THE FRAME…

FRAME AIR-SEALING SOLUTIONSEx. NORTON ACCUFRAME PLUS ENERGY SEAL

High performance durable flexible foam,

installed by framers or insulation

contractors

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CONTROLLING AIR FLOWINDEPENDENT TESTING & INSPECTION

Blower Door Testing

conducted by a (HERS)

Home Energy Rater service.

Whether or not a building

passes the Blower Door test

is solely dependent on the

quality of workmanship done

by the insulation contractor

and his / her installers.

IN MANAGING MOISTURE FLOW,WE TRY TO KEEP IT IN* OR OUT…

Building Methods to Control Moisture Flow

Interior Moisture Barriers

Polyamide Film

Polyethylene Film

Spray Foam

Exterior Moisture Barriers

Roofing Membrane

Peel & Stick Asphalt Membrane

Built-up Modified Asphalt

Plywood

Polystyrene Board (XPS or EPS)

Polyurethane Board

WRBs

KEEPING MOISTURE (VAPOR) IN*…

VAPOR RETARDERS (2012 IRC)R702.7 Vapor retarders.

Class I or II vapor retarders are required on the

interior side of frame walls in Climate Zones 5, 6, 7,

8 and Marine 4.

Exceptions:1. Basement walls.2. Below grade portion of any wall.3. Construction where moisture or its freezing will not damage the

materials.

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MOISTURE MANAGEMENT – VAPOR RETARDER

VAPOR RETARDER (R702.7.2)

Class I: Polyethylene sheet, unperforated aluminum foil

Class II: Kraft-faced fiberglass batts

Class III: Latex or enamel paint

42(MemBrain, Smart Vapor Retarder)

IECC 2015 REQUIREMENTS – VAPOR RETARDERS

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Vapor Retarder Required

MOISTURE MANAGEMENT – VAPOR RETARDER

R702.7.1 CLASS III VAPOR RETARDERS

• Class III vapor retarders shall be

permitted where any one of the

conditions in Table R702.7.1 is met

• Reminder: the moisture performance

of the assembly strongly depends on

the R-value on both sides of the

sheathing

Ex. 70F inside and 20F outside (winter)

R13 inside + R5 outside 34F on sheathing

R24 inside + R5 outside 29F on sheathing

R13 inside + R10 outside 42F on sheathing

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CLIMATE ZONE CLASS III VAPOR RETARDERS PERMITTED FOR:a

Marine4

Vented cladding over wood structural panels.

Vented cladding over fiberboard.

Vented cladding over gypsum.

Insulated sheathing with R-value ≥ 2.5 over 2 × 4 wall.

Insulated sheathing with R-value ≥ 3.75 over 2 × 6 wall.

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Vented cladding over wood structural panels.

Vented cladding over fiberboard.

Vented cladding over gypsum.

Insulated sheathing with R-value ≥ 5 over 2 × 4 wall.

Insulated sheathing with R-value ≥ 7.5 over 2 × 6 wall.

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Vented cladding over fiberboard.

Vented cladding over gypsum.

Insulated sheathing with R-value ≥ 7.5 over 2 × 4 wall.

Insulated sheathing with R-value ≥ 11.25 over 2 × 6 wall.

7 and 8Insulated sheathing with R-value ≥ 10 over 2 × 4 wall.

Insulated sheathing with R-value ≥ 15 over 2 × 6 wall.

Table R702.7.1

TYPES OF CLADDING SYSTEMS

SOLAR DRIVEN MOISTURE

MOISTURE STORAGE CLADDINGS CAN ABSORB LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER

SOLAR ENERGY CAN CAUSE HIGH VAPOR PRESSURES

SMART VAPOR RETARDERS ALLOW WATER VAPOR TO ESCAPE

Weep HoleWeep Hole

Water Resistive BarrierAir / Wind BarrierWater Resistive BarrierAir / Wind Barrier

Smart Vapor RetarderSmart Vapor Retarder

Ventilated Air / Drainage Space

Gypsum SheathingGypsum Sheathing

Moisture Storage Cladding /Brick Façade

Moisture Storage Cladding /Brick FaçadeFlashingFlashing

Gypsum BoardGypsum Board

Fiber GlassFiber Glass

Steel StudsSteel Studs

BUILDING MATERIALS – VAPOR PERMEANCE

EVOLUTION OF BUILDING CODES

Building Codes

Building Code - Evolution

• OCCUPANT SAFETY – FIRE

• STANDARDIZES CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES

• CLIMATE ZONE SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS

• BUILDING ENERGY CONCERNS

• OCCUPANT HEALTH AND COMFORT

• ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Presentation title50 /

Fire

THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE OF 1874

Presentation title51 /

Standardization Types of Construction

• TYPES I AND II • Require non-combustible building

materials, such as iron, steel, concrete and masonry

• TYPE III & IV • Require non-combustible construction

for exterior walls and code-permitted wood construction for interior walls

• TYPE V• Any code-permitted materials

Presentation title52 /

Climate Zone Consideration

Presentation title53 /

Building Energy Use

Presentation title54 /

Occupant Health and Comfort

Presentation title55 /

Environmental Impact

WHERE ARE WE NOWWHERE ARE WE GOING

Building Codes

Building Codes and Standards

Energy Code

Energy Code

Compliance Path - Commercial•ASHRAE 90.1 -2016

•PRESCRIPTIVE (SAME AS 2012 AND 2015)

•C402, C403, C404, C405 and (1) efficiency option in C406

•PERFORMANCE

•Evaluates entire building as a system (by cost)

•C407, C402.5, C403.2, C404 and Mandatory lighting

sections

•Building energy cost < 85% of standard reference building

•PERFORMANCE ALTERNATIVE

•COMCheck

Compliance Path - Residential

Energy Code

Energy Code

Energy Code – State Adoption

2012-18 IECC INCLUDES MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

• AIR LEAKAGE RATE (ACH – AIR CHANGES/HOUR)

• SECTION R402

Climate Zones 1 & 2: 5 ACH

Climate Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8: 3 ACH

Reported at 50 Pascals

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MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

Controlling Air FlowAir Flow Basics

Chases

Plumbing Penetrations

Dropped

Ceilings

Access

Panels

Ceiling fixtures

Ducts

Sill Plates

Vents

Window Openings

Door Openings

BUILDING CODE IN NORTH CAROLINA BUILDING CODE IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Current Status

North Carolina

North Carolina

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CODE: 2018 NORTH CAROLINA ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE

EQUIVALENT TO: 2015 IECC WITH AMENDMENTS

EFFECTIVE: 1/1/2019

North Carolina

• Commercial Amendments – Less efficient than 2015 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 -2007

• Table C402.1.3 – R-value requirements• Weakens metal building roof requirements in CZ3. • Increases wood frame ceiling requirements for CZ 4 and CZ5 to R42 (light

commercial). • Add new row of requirements for steel framed roofs. • Increases mass wall R-value in CZ5. • Revises metal building walls to generally less stringent (although All Other in CZ3 is

slightly more stringent). • C402.2.5 – slab insulation protection requirements eliminated. • C403.2.9 – Duct leakage – equations modified.

North Carolina

• Residential Amendments – Less efficient than 2015 IECC

• R403.3 – Duct Leakage Testing (new exception) – duct systems smaller than 750 ft2 do

not have to be tested. This exception excludes small duct systems and thus represents a

weakening of the code.

• R406.2 – ERI Mandatory requirements (modification) – change mandatory duct insulation

from R-6 to R-8 or R-4 or R-0, depending on location of ducts.

• R402.1.1 – Vapor retarder – deleted.

• Table R402.1.2 – R-values – Mixed bag – some up some down, although mostly down. .

• Table R402.1.4 – U-factors – same mixed bag, but mostly decrease in stringency.

• R402.2. Air leakage testing – weakens requirements for NC from 3 to 5 ACH50.

• R403.3 – Duct Insulation – modifies duct requirements with some up and some down.

• R403.3 – Duct Tightness – weakens duct leakage from 5 to 4 for total leakage.

South Carolina

South Carolina

COMMERCIAL ENERGY CODE: 2009 IECC OR ASHRAE 90.1-2007

RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CODE:2009 IECC

EFFECTIVE: 7/1/2013

THANK YOU