BCAB #1945 – Insulation Material, Acceptable or Alternative Solution
Last updated on December 23, 2024December 19, 2024
Re: Insulation Material, Acceptable or Alternative Solution
Project Description
The project is the design and construction of a new Part 9 house of wood frame construction. The exterior walls have staggered stud construction and are proposed to contain thermal insulation. The proposed insulation is Light Density, Open Cell Spray Applied Semi-Rigid Polyurethane Foam complying with CAN/ULC-S712.1.
Applicable Code requirements (BCBC 2024)
Sentence 1.1.3.1.(1), Division A, Appendices, Notes and References to Appendices and Notes have No Legal Effect
(1) Except for Notes A-Table 9.23.3.5.-B and A-9.23.13., including Table A-9.23.13. in Division B, Notes to Parts of this Code have no legal effect.
Sentence 1.2.1.1.(1), Division A, Compliance with this Code
(1) Compliance with this Code shall be achieved by
(a) complying with the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B (see Note A-1.2.1.1.(1)(a)), or
(b) except as required by Sentence (3), using alternative solutions, accepted by the authority having jurisdiction under Section 2.3 of Division C, that will achieve at least the minimum level of performance required by Division B in the areas defined by the objectives and functional statements attributed to the applicable acceptable solutions (see Note A-1.2.1.1.(1)(b)).
Sentence 1.3.1.2.(1), Division A, Scope of Division B
(1) Division B contains the acceptable solutions of this Code.
Sentence 9.25.2.2.(1), Division B, Insulation Materials (excerpt)
(1) Except as required in Sentence (2), thermal insulation shall conform to the requirements of
(h) CAN/ULC-S705.1, “Standard for Thermal Insulation - Spray Applied Rigid Polyurethane Foam, Medium Density – Material Specification” . . .
A-9.36.2.4.(1), Division B, Calculating the Effective Thermal Resistance of Building Envelope Assemblies. (excerpt)
| Insulation Materials (6) (continued) | Thickness of Material | Thermal Resistance (RSI), (m2 xK)/W per mm | Thermal Resistance (RSI), (m2 xK)/W for thickness listed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Spray-applied insulation |
|||
|
Sprayed polyurethane foam |
|||
|
medium density (CAN/ULC-S705.1) |
25 mm | 0.036 | 0.90 |
| 50 mm | 0.036 | 1.80 | |
|
light density (CAN/ULC-S712.1) |
25 mm | 0.026 | 0.65 |
Decision being appealed (Local Authority’s position)
As acceptable solutions, Part 9 of the Code provides a prescriptive list of insulation materials and Light Density, Open Cell Spray Applied Semi-Rigid Polyurethane Foam (CAN/ULC-S712.1) is not on the list.
Use of the material to provide the thermal insulation that is required by the BC Building Code would require an alternative solution acceptable to the local authority.
Appellant's position
Light Density, Open Cell Spray Applied Semi-Rigid Polyurethane Foam (CAN/ULC-S712.1) is listed within Table A-9.36.2.4.(1)-D, Division B. Division B contains the Code’s acceptable solutions.
The insulation is an acceptable solution and an alternative solution is not required.
Appeal Board Decision #1945
The Board confirms the decision of the local authority.
It is the determination of the Board that Light Density, Open Cell Spray Applied Semi-Rigid Polyurethane Foam (CAN/ULC-S712.1) is not an acceptable solution and its use to provide the required thermal insulation would require an alternative solution approved by the local authority.
Reason for decision
Part 9 of the Code provides a prescriptive list of Standards to which thermal insulation materials must comply. The material proposed for use in this project does not comply with any of the Standards included in the list so is not an acceptable solution.
Alternative solutions, acceptable to the local authority, can be used in lieu of compliance with the acceptable solutions.
Reference to the proposed material is in the Notes to assist with calculating the effective thermal resistance of building envelope assemblies. With limited and listed exceptions, the information in the Notes is explanatory material and has no legal effect.
Don Pedde
Chair, Building Code Appeal Board