New Insulation Material Not Specifically In The Code - Existing Building

[jar546]

A Level 3 commercial building renovation project is underway, and the contractor has proposed using an innovative new insulation material that is not specifically mentioned in the building code. This material promises superior energy efficiency and durability. The code official is tasked with determining if this alternative material can be approved for use in the project.

As a code official, how would you handle the proposal to use an alternative insulation material that is not specifically listed in the building code?

• What steps would you take to ensure the material meets the necessary standards of quality, strength, effectiveness, durability, and safety as outlined in Section 104.2.3 of the code?
• How would you evaluate and document the compliance of this alternative material with the intent and purpose of the code?
• If tests are required to demonstrate equivalency, what criteria would you use to approve the testing procedures and the party conducting the tests?
• In the event of needing a technical opinion or report, what qualifications would you expect from the preparer of this document?
• How would you ensure that granting approval for this alternative material does not inadvertently waive any specific requirements provided in the code?

 

[steveray]

This is a good topic for discussion...Just a little bigger than I have time for right now.....Who do you trust/ "approve" and why......

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

My first step would be to ask if the new material has an ICC ES Report.

 

[steveray]

First thing I would look for is flame spread and smoke developed and the R Value.....Assuming they both might be required...Then I would see who the testing, or certifying company is....If they are not something familiar....keep digging....But who the hell is UL these days anyway....

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

First thing I would look for is flame spread and smoke developed and the R Value.....Assuming they both might be required...Then I would see who the testing, or certifying company is....If they are not something familiar....keep digging....But who the hell is UL these days anyway....

Also check to see exactly what any testing or listing/labeling agency tested the material for.

A good many years ago a large condominium association in a wealthy town discovered that they owned a HUGE problem. The building was something like 200 or 250 feet long, with a double-stud spine wall extending the full length and full 3 story+attic height of the building. And, it turned out that there was NO firestopping at any floor or ceiling, so they basically had a chimney that was 250 or 300 feet long by about 40 feet high. I don't remember who discovered this or how it was discovered, but their insurance company demanded that it be fixed. I was involved as a code consultant, reviewing proposed fixes.

Someone came up with the bright idea of using a lightweight, aerated concrete foam called (cleverly) FoamCrete as a firestopping material. And they submitted a document saying that the product was listed by [___] and had a BOCA Evaluation Services report approving it. And it did -- the problem being that the BOCA Evaluation report only evaluated the stuff as a foamed-in-place thermal insulation, NOT as a firestop.

The material was non-combustible -- at its base it was cementitious. It made sense that it would work as a firestop material, but it hadn't been tested for that and nobody wanted to pay the cost of running such a test for one building. So we submitted it to the State, and the State Building Official blessed it for use as a firestopping material in combustible-framed wall cavities.

I've had other projects on which architects or contractors propose some magic material and submit a product brochure that lists all kinds of tests that it purportedly met -- listing the tests by number but not by title. Being "that guy," the first thing I would do is look up the tests -- usually finding that they were for using the magic material in an unrelated application.

 

[Paul Sweet]

Back in the 60s & 70s foamed plastic insulation was accepted as being "self-extinguishing" based on tests of small samples using a testing standard for radio cabinets and a small flame. Needless to say, foam plastic insulation was far from "self-extinguishing" when exposed to a building fire instead of a match. That's why a 1/2" gypsum board thermal barrier has been required for the past 50 years or so.