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// CODE SNIPPET

C402.2 Specific Building Thermal Envelope Insulation Requirements (Prescriptive)

Energy Conservation Code 2018 of Colorado > 4 [CE] Commercial Energy Efficiency > C402 Building Envelope Requirements > C402.2 Specific Building Thermal Envelope Insulation Requirements (Prescriptive)
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Insulation in building thermal envelope opaque assemblies shall comply with Sections C402.2.1 through C402.2.7 and Table C402.1.3.

C402.2.1 Roof Assembly

The minimum thermal resistance (R-value) of the insulating material installed either between the roof framing or continuously on the roof assembly shall be as specified in Table C402.1.3, based on construction materials used in the roof assembly. Insulation installed on a suspended ceiling having removable ceiling tiles shall not be considered as part of the minimum thermal resistance of the roof insulation. Continuous insulation board shall be installed in not less than 2 layers and the edge joints between each layer of insulation shall be staggered.

Exceptions:

  1. Continuously insulated roof assemblies where the thickness of insulation varies 1 inch (25 mm) or less and where the area-weighted U-factor is equivalent to the same assembly with the R-value specified in Table C402.1.3.
  2. Where tapered insulation is used with insulation entirely above deck, the R-value where the insulation thickness varies 1 inch (25 mm) or less from the minimum thickness of tapered insulation shall comply with the R-value specified in Table C402.1.3.
  3. Two layers of insulation are not required where insulation tapers to the roof deck, such as at roof drains.

C402.2.1.1 Skylight Curbs

Skylight curbs shall be insulated to the level of roofs with insulation entirely above the deck or R-5, whichever is less.

Exception: Unit skylight curbs included as a component of a skylight listed and labeled in accordance with NFRC 100 shall not be required to be insulated.

C402.2.2 Above-Grade Walls

The minimum thermal resistance (R-value) of materials installed in the wall cavity between framing members and continuously on the walls shall be as specified in Table C402.1.3, based on framing type and construction materials used in the wall assembly. The R-value of integral insulation installed in concrete masonry units shall not be used in determining compliance with Table C402.1.3 except as otherwise noted in the table. In determining compliance with Table C402.1.4, the use of the U-factor of concrete masonry units with integral insulation shall be permitted.

"Mass walls" where used as a component in the thermal envelope of a building shall comply with one of the following:

  1. Weigh not less than 35 pounds per square foot (171 kg/m2) of wall surface area.
  2. Weigh not less than 25 pounds per square foot (122 kg/m2) of wall surface area where the material weight is not more than 120 pcf (1900 kg/m3).
  3. Have a heat capacity exceeding 7 Btu/ft2 • °F (144 kJ/m2 • K).
  4. Have a heat capacity exceeding 5 Btu/ft2 • °F (103 kJ/m2 • K), where the material weight is not more than 120 pcf (1900 kg/m3).

C402.2.3 Floors

The thermal properties (component R-values or assembly U-, C- or F-factors) of floor assemblies over outdoor air or unconditioned space shall be as specified in Table C402.1.3 or C402.1.4 based on the construction materials used in the floor assembly. Floor framing cavity insulation or structural slab insulation shall be installed to maintain permanent contact with the underside of the subfloor decking or structural slabs.

"Mass floors" where used as a component of the thermal envelope of a building shall provide one of the following weights:

  1. 35 pounds per square foot (171 kg/m2) of floor surface area.
  2. 25 pounds per square foot (122 kg/m2) of floor surface area where the material weight is not more than 120 pounds per cubic foot (1923 kg/m3).

Exceptions:

  1. The floor framing cavity insulation or structural slab insulation shall be permitted to be in contact with the top side of sheathing or continuous insulation installed on the bottom side of floor assemblies where combined with insulation that meets or exceeds the minimum R-value in Table C402.1.3 for "Metal framed" or "Wood framed and other" values for "Walls, Above Grade" and extends from the bottom to the top of all perimeter floor framing or floor assembly members.
  2. Insulation applied to the underside of concrete floor slabs shall be permitted an airspace of not more than 1 inch (25 mm) where it turns up and is in contact with the underside of the floor under walls associated with the building thermal envelope.

C402.2.4 Slabs-On-Grade Perimeter Insulation

Where the slab on grade is in contact with the ground, the minimum thermal resistance (R-value) of the insulation around the perimeter of unheated or heated slab-on-grade floors designed in accordance with the R-value method of Section C402.1.3 shall be as specified in Table C402.1.3. The perimeter insulation shall be placed on the outside of the foundation or on the inside of the foundation wall. The perimeter insulation shall extend downward from the top of the slab for the minimum distance shown in the table or to the top of the footing, whichever is less, or downward to not less than the bottom of the slab and then horizontally to the interior or exterior for the total distance shown in the table. Insulation extending away from the building shall be protected by pavement or by not less than of 10 inches (254 mm) of soil.

Exception: Where the slab-on-grade floor is greater than 24 inches (61 mm) below the finished exterior grade, perimeter insulation is not required.

C402.2.5 Below-Grade Walls

The C-factor for the below-grade exterior walls shall be in accordance with Table C402.1.4. The R-value of the insulating material installed continuously within or on the below-grade exterior walls of the building envelope shall be in accordance with Table C402.1.3. The C-factor or R-value required shall extend to a depth of not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) below the outside finished ground level, or to the level of the lowest floor of the conditioned space enclosed by the below-grade wall, whichever is less.

C402.2.6 Insulation of Radiant Heating Systems

Radiant heating system panels, and their associated components that are installed in interior or exterior assemblies shall be insulated to an R-value of not less than R-3.5 on all surfaces not facing the space being heated. Radiant heating system panels that are installed in the building thermal envelope shall be separated from the exterior of the building or unconditioned or exempt spaces by not less than the R-value of insulation installed in the opaque assembly in which they are installed or the assembly shall comply with Section C402.1.4.

Exception: Heated slabs on grade insulated in accordance with Section C402.2.4.

C402.2.7 Airspaces

Where the thermal properties of airspaces are used to comply with this code in accordance with Section C401.2, such airspaces shall be enclosed in an unventilated cavity constructed to minimize airflow into and out of the enclosed airspace. Airflow shall be deemed minimized where the enclosed airspace is located on the interior side of the continuous air barrier and is bounded on all sides by building components.

Exception: The thermal resistance of airspaces located on the exterior side of the continuous air barrier and adjacent to and behind the exterior wall-covering material shall be determined in accordance with ASTM C1363 modified with an airflow entering the bottom and exiting the top of the airspace at an air movement rate of not less than 70 mm/second.

Related Code Sections


C402.2 [CE] Commercial Energy Efficiency, Specific Building Thermal Envelope Insulation Requirements (Prescriptive)
Insulation in building thermal envelope opaque assemblies shall comply with Sections C402.2.1 through C402.2.6 and Table C402.1.3 ...
Energy Conservation Code 2015 of Colorado > 4 [CE] Commercial Energy Efficiency > C402 Building Envelope Requirements > C402.2 Specific Building Thermal Envelope Insulation Requirements (Prescriptive)
C402.2 [CE] Commercial Energy Efficiency, Specific Building Thermal Envelope Insulation Requirements (Prescriptive)
Insulation in building thermal envelope opaque assemblies shall comply with Sections C402.2.1 through C402.2.7 and Table C402.1.3 ...
Energy Conservation Code 2018 of Colorado > 4 [CE] Commercial Energy Efficiency > C402 Building Envelope Requirements > C402.2 Specific Building Thermal Envelope Insulation Requirements (Prescriptive)
C402.2.6 [CE] Commercial Energy Efficiency, Insulation of Radiant Heating Systems
thermal envelope shall be separated from the exterior of the building or unconditioned or exempt spaces by not less than the R -value of insulation ...
Energy Conservation Code 2015 of Colorado > 4 [CE] Commercial Energy Efficiency > C402 Building Envelope Requirements > C402.2 Specific Building Thermal Envelope Insulation Requirements (Prescriptive) > C402.2.6 Insulation of Radiant Heating Systems
C402.2.3 [CE] Commercial Energy Efficiency, Thermal Resistance of Above-Grade Walls
The minimum thermal resistance ( R -value) of materials installed in the wall cavity between framing members and continuously on the walls shall ...
Energy Conservation Code 2015 of Colorado > 4 [CE] Commercial Energy Efficiency > C402 Building Envelope Requirements > C402.2 Specific Building Thermal Envelope Insulation Requirements (Prescriptive) > C402.2.3 Thermal Resistance of Above-Grade Walls
C402.2.1 [CE] Commercial Energy Efficiency, Multiple Layers of Continuous Insulation Board
Where two or more layers of continuous insulation board are used in a construction assembly, the continuous insulation boards shall be installed ...
Energy Conservation Code 2015 of Colorado > 4 [CE] Commercial Energy Efficiency > C402 Building Envelope Requirements > C402.2 Specific Building Thermal Envelope Insulation Requirements (Prescriptive) > C402.2.1 Multiple Layers of Continuous Insulation Board
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