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Air Barrier Installation Guidelines

The document provides guidelines for properly installing air barriers and insulation in building envelopes according to the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code. It lists specific components of the building envelope and the criteria for installing air barriers and insulation in each component. Components include ceilings/attics, walls, windows/doors, rim joists, floors, crawl spaces, shafts/penetrations, narrow cavities, garages, recessed lighting, plumbing/wiring, showers/tubs on exterior walls, electrical boxes, HVAC registers, and fireplaces. For each component, it specifies how to install insulation, seal air barriers, and ensure continuous alignment between insulation and air barriers.

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Joseph Russel Vizmanos
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14 views1 page

Air Barrier Installation Guidelines

The document provides guidelines for properly installing air barriers and insulation in building envelopes according to the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code. It lists specific components of the building envelope and the criteria for installing air barriers and insulation in each component. Components include ceilings/attics, walls, windows/doors, rim joists, floors, crawl spaces, shafts/penetrations, narrow cavities, garages, recessed lighting, plumbing/wiring, showers/tubs on exterior walls, electrical boxes, HVAC registers, and fireplaces. For each component, it specifies how to install insulation, seal air barriers, and ensure continuous alignment between insulation and air barriers.

Uploaded by

Joseph Russel Vizmanos
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

AIR LEAK AGE GUIDE | BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM

Table R402.4.1.1 (2012 IECC). Air Barrier and Insulation Installation*

COMPONENT

CRITERIA*

Air barrier and thermal barrier

A continuous air barrier shall be installed in the building envelope.


Exterior thermal envelope contains a continuous air barrier.
Breaks or joints in the air barrier shall be sealed.
Air-permeable insulation shall not be used as a sealing material.

Ceiling/attic

The air barrier in any dropped ceiling/soffit shall be aligned with the
insulation and any gaps in the air barrier sealed.
Access openings, drop down stair or knee wall doors to unconditioned
attic spaces shall be sealed.

Walls

Corners and headers shall be insulated and the junction of the foundation
and sill plate shall be sealed.
The junction of the top plate and top of exterior walls shall be sealed.
Exterior thermal envelope insulation for framed walls shall be installed in
substantial contact and continuous alignment with the air barrier.
Knee walls
walls shall
shall be
be sealed.
sealed.
Knee

Windows, skylights and doors

The space between window/door jambs and framing and skylights and
framing shall be sealed.

Rim joists

Rim joists shall be insulated and include the air barrier.

Floors (including above-garage and


cantilevered floors)

Insulation shall be installed to maintain permanent contact with


underside of subfloor decking.
The air barrier shall be installed at any exposed edge of insulation.

Crawl space walls

Where provided in lieu of floor insulation, insulation shall be permanently


attached to the crawl space walls.
Exposed earth in unvented crawl spaces shall be covered with a Class I
vapor retarder with overlapping joints taped.

Shafts, penetration

Duct shafts, utility penetrations and flue shafts opening to exterior or


unconditioned space shall be sealed.

Narrow cavities

Batts in narrow cavities shall be cut to fit, or narrow cavities shall be filled
by insulation that on installation readily conforms to the available cavity
space.

Garage separation

Air sealing shall be provided between the garage and conditioned


spaces.

Recessed lighting

Recessed light fixtures installed in the building thermal envelope shall be


air tight, IC rated, and sealed to the drywall.

Plumbing and wiring

Batt insulation shall be cut neatly to fit around wiring and plumbing
in exterior walls, or insulation that on installation readily conforms to
available space shall extend behind piping and wiring.

Shower/tub on exterior wall

Exterior walls adjacent to showers and tubs shall be insulated and the air
barrier installed separating them from the showers and tubs.

Electrical/phone box on exterior walls

The air barrier shall be installed behind electrical or communication


boxes or air sealed boxes shall be installed.

HVAC register boots

HVAC register boots that penetrate building thermal envelope shall be


sealed to the subfloor or drywall.

Fireplace

An air barrier shall be installed on fireplace walls. Fireplaces shall have


gasketed doors.

*In addition, inspection of log walls shall be in accordance with the provisions of ICC-400.

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