New Building Code Information

[peteadams]

Second Rob's observations on insulation. It happened that we had hot, sunny days during our house construction in 2005. As soon as we installed the first few structural insulated roof panels (metal panels sandwiching 2.5" foam), the crew would get underneath them for a little cooling off. Even though the rest of the house was open to the sky it was obviously several degrees cooler directly under the roof panels. Having the Protec material as the walls helped also (cement board sandwiching 4" foam). Now the house is cooler by day and warmer by night even though we maintain a constant flow of air with lots of screened windows.

[hotinhawaii]

Rob, I agree that insulation can be a good thing but I can find nothing in the code which says that it is for conditioned spaces. It applies to all new homes, air conditioned or not.

I also found that the ceiling insulation requirement for homes above 2400 ft. elevation is at least R-19 or 2" foam. There is not exception at that elevation for radiant barriers or cool roofs.

[Rob Tucker]

I am not expert on the new code yet but I found this on page 84:

"8) Amending Section 402.4.1. Section 402.4.1 is amended by adding Section 402.4.1.1 to read:

402.1.1. Non-conditioned building exemption. Non-conditioned residential buildings are exempt from compliance with Section 402.4....."

Now I am not quite sure what Sec. 402.4 is yet. Perhaps someone can find that section.

[hotinhawaii]

Section 402.4 refers to the International Energy code and is about the air-tightness of the building envelope. That is all that is exempted. It is not referring to insulation R-values, only air infiltration.