Quality Installation of Insulation: Contractor Scope of Work

Home	Insulation and Infiltration

Introduction

The purpose of envelope insulation is to provide a continuous thermal barrier to minimize heat flow through the walls, ceiling and floor. Insulation serves to keep a home comfortable and reduce costs for heating and cooling. The home will not be as comfortable and energy costs will be increased if insufficient insulation is installed, or it is installed incorrectly, such as being compressed or installed with gaps. Furthermore, it is not difficult to install insulation correctly. Recent studies have found that over a third of new homes have lower levels of insulation installed than specified and an additional fifth have serious installation problems that will result in significantly decreased effectiveness of the insulation. In addition, virtually all of the homes studied were found to have numerous insulation installation defects that reduce the performance of the insulation well below its rated R-value. All of these problems can lead to defect litigation. These cost-effective procedures will improve comfort, reduce

energy use, and reduce potential defect liability exposure.

How to use this Fact Sheet

The purpose of this document is to provide the tools to ensure insulation is properly specified and installed, resulting in a comfortable, energy-efficient home.

Builder: Include these materials in your bidding and contracting documents. It is meant to form the basis of a scope of work for both bidding and contracting. Its use will help ensure consistent bids and quality installations. Attachment I-1 and I-2 are to be followed by the insulation contractors.

Attachment I-2 is an installation checklist to be completed by the site superintendent.

Contractor: Follow Attachment I-1; use Attachment I-2 to check installation quality.

Field Superintendent: Complete Attachment I-2 to check installation quality and send completed copy to the project manager or general superintendent.

Criteria for a Quality Thermal Envelope

Insulation should:

1. Provide a continuous barrier between the inside conditioned space and the outside,

2. Be installed to the proper R-value,

3. Be installed without gaps,

4. Avoid excessive compression,

5. Be properly labeled or be proper depth to indicate proper R-value.

Procedures to Install Insulation for a Quality Thermal Envelope

The following steps should be followed in the installation of insulation to ensure efficiency and comfort (for details, see Attachment I-1):

1. Work with the architect and framer to minimize spaces that are difficult to insulate.

2. Use materials that meet California quality standards.

3. Install R-values that meet or exceed design specifications.

4. Install insulation to completely fill all cavities without gaps and with minimal compression.

5. Account for special characteristics of the materials used, such as settling, flammability, or water permeability.

6. Inspect the final job using the accompanying checklist (Attachment I-2) to ensure a quality installation.

I-1: INSULATION INSTALLATION PROCEDURES

WALL INSULATION

Unfaced batt installation; batts shall be:

• correctly sized to fit snugly at the sides and ends
• installed to completely fill the cavity
• cut to fit properly - there should be no gaps, nor should the insulation be doubled-over or compressed
• non- standard-width cavities shall be filled by batt insulation cut approximately one inch (1”) wider than the space to be filled.
• cut to butt-fit around wiring and plumbing, or be split (de-laminated) so that one layer can fit behind the wiring or plumbing and one layer fit in front

Faced batt installation, where used as a vapor barrier: additional instructions:

• facing should be placed toward living spaces
• faced insulation must be properly stapled over the face of the studs; it must be continuous with no penetrations
• stapling: the batt flange should be stapled to the face of the framing; flanges from adjacent cavities should overlap per manufacturers specifications on facing
• each batt should be stapled approximately every eight (8) inches, or according to manufacturers specifications on facing
• all tears or breaks in the facing six (6) inches or longer shall be sealed with duct tape or other waterproof tape. Tears and breaks in the facing should be minimal.

Narrow-framed cavities and “chinking”:

• non-standard-width cavities shall be filled by batt insulation cut approximately one inch (1”) wider than the space to be filled.
• narrow spaces (2” or less) at windows, between studs at the building’s corners, and at the intersections of partitions and walls shall be filled with small pieces of insulation; care should be taken not to compress the insulation

Special situations:

Installations prior to exterior sheathing or lath

• all exterior channels (e.g., at wall junctions and corners) must be filled with insulation
• all exterior walls adjacent to tubs and showers must be filled with insulation 2.

Obstructions

• insulation shall be cut to fit around wiring and plumbing without compression
• insulation shall be placed between the sheathing and the rear of electrical boxes
• insulation shall be cut to fit around junction boxes
• in cold climates water pipes shall have at least two thirds of the insulation between the water pipe and the outside. If the pipe is near the outside, as much insulation as possible shall be placed behind the pipe and no insulation shall be placed between the pipe and the inside.

Rim joists

• all rim joists shall be insulated to the same R-value as the walls
• as necessary, insulation shall be cut to fit into the rim joist
• an alternative to fitting insulation in a web truss located at the rim joist is to completely cover the truss with insulation, snug to the upper and lower floors

Knee walls and Skylight shafts with framing that will support insulation

• all knee walls and skylight shafts shall be insulated to a minimum of R-19.
• the insulation shall be installed without gaps and with minimal compression
• for steel-framed knee-walls and skylight shafts, external surfaces of steel studs must be covered with batts or rigid foam unless otherwise specified on the CF-1R and documented by a form 3R generated by EZFRAME

Knee walls and Skylight shafts without framing that will support insulation

• for steel-framed knee-walls and skylight shafts, external surfaces of steel studs must be covered with batts or rigid foam unless otherwise specified on the CF-1R and documented by a form 3R generated by EZFRAME
• the house side of the insulation shall be in contact with the drywall or other wall finish. The attic side shall be covered with, and supported by a facing rated for attic exposure to stop air intrusion into the insulation.

HVAC/Plumbing closet

• insulate all walls of interior closets for HVAC and/or water heating equipment the same R-value as the exterior walls

BATT CEILING INSULATION

Unfaced batt installation:

• batts shall be correctly sized to fit snugly at the sides and ends
• batts should fill the cavity
• where necessary, batts shall be cut to fit properly - there should be no gaps, nor should the insulation be doubled-over or compressed. When batts are cut to fit a non-standard cavity, they should be cut to be one inch (1”) wider than the cavity.

• batts should be cut to butt-fit around wiring and plumbing, or be split (de-laminated) so that one layer can fit behind the wiring or plumbing and one layer fit in front
• for batts that are taller than the trusses, full-width batts should be used so that they expand to touch each other over the trusses
• the insulation must cover the wall top plates
• hard covers or draft stops should be placed over all deep drops and interior wall cavities to keep insulation in place and stop air movement. If hard covers or draft stops are missing or incomplete, they should be completed before insulation is completed.
• required ventilation must be maintained: for eaves or soffit vents, one-inch (1”) of unblocked free air space between the roof sheathing and the insulation is required.
• where necessary, use baffles to keep the insulation from blocking the passage of air
• insulation shall cover all IC rated lighting fixtures
• fixtures that are not IC rated (e.g., halogen lamps, heat lamps) need to be enclosed in an airtight box that meets fire codes, and the box covered with insulation. If fixtures are not IC rated and not enclosed in such a box, they should be replaced or boxed before insulation is completed.

Faced batt installation, where used as a vapor barrier: additional instructions:

• facing should be placed toward living spaces
• stapling: the batt flange is stapled to the face of the framing; flanges from adjacent cavities should overlap
• each batt should be stapled approximately every eight inches (8”) or per manufacturer’s specifications on the facing
• all tears or breaks in the facing six inches (6”) or longer shall be sealed with appropriate tape approved by the insulation manufacturer. Tears and breaks in the facing should be minimal.

Special situations:

Insulation at bridging (cross bracing)

• batts shall be split lengthwise at the center and packed half into the lower opening and half into the upper opening of bridging (cross bracing) of ceiling and/or floor joists
• alternatively, insulation is butted to the bridging and the space is filled with scrap insulation
  
  

Rafter ceilings

• an inch of air space should be maintained between the insulation and roof sheathing, if necessary to meet local codes
• facings and insulation should be kept three inches (3”) away from heated flue pipes or chimneys; follow flue manufacturer’s recommendations
  
  

HVAC platform

• verify that appropriate batt insulation is placed below any plywood platform or walks for HVAC equipment installation and access

Attic access

• permanently attach rigid foam or a batt of insulation to the access cover using adhesive or mechanical fastener

BLOWN-IN CEILING INSULATION

· baffles must be placed at eaves or soffit vents to keep insulation from blocking attic ventilation; required ventilation must be maintained: for eaves or soffit vents, one-inch (1”) of unblocked free air space between the roof sheathing and the insulation is required.

• hard covers or draft stops must be placed over all deep drops and interior wall cavities to keep insulation in place and stop air movement. If hard covers or draft stops are missing or incomplete, they should be completed before insulation is completed.
• small, inaccessible openings shall be hand packed with pieces of batt insulation
• attic rulers appropriate to the material installed must be placed around attic to verify depth: 1 ruler for every 250 square feet, evenly distributed around the attic and clearly readable from the attic access
• insulation shall be blown to a uniform thickness throughout the attic, with no high or low spots
• labels from the insulation bags should be cut out and stapled to a truss vertical near the attic opening
• insulation must go underneath and on both sides of obstructions such as cross-bracing and wiring
• insulation shall be applied all the way to the outer edge of the wall top plate
• insulation shall cover IC rated lighting fixtures
• fixtures that are not IC rated (e.g., heat lamps) need to be enclosed in a drywall box and the box covered with insulation. If fixtures are not IC rated and not enclosed in a drywall box, they should be replaced or boxed before insulation is completed.
• there shall be no excessive compression of insulation material
• clearances around fossil-fuel appliances and heat-exhaust vents shall follow local fire protection codes
• no insulation or facing shall be placed in air spaces surrounding metal chimneys or fireplaces; follow manufacturer’s recommendations
• batt or rigid foam insulation shall be installed in areas where blown-in insulation has not been applied, such as access panels and doors

Special situations:

HVAC platform

• pressure-fill the areas under any plywood platform or walks for HVAC equipment installation and access or verify that appropriate batt insulation has been installed

Attic access

• permanently attach rigid foam or a batt of insulation that is equal or exceeds the R-value of the insulation on the attic floor to the access cover using adhesive or mechanical fastener

RAISED FLOORS AND FLOORS OVER GARAGES

• batts must be correctly sized to fit snugly at the sides and ends, but not be so large as to buckle - batts should be no more than one inch (1”) wider than the cavity
• batts must be cut to fit properly - there should be no gaps, nor should the insulation be doubled-over or compressed
• batts should fill the cavity
• batts should be cut to butt-fit around wiring and plumbing, or be split (de-laminated) so that one layer can fit behind the wiring or plumbing and one layer fit in front
• where there is an air space between the insulation and flooring, the headers and band-joists must be insulated
• if faced, facing should be placed toward living spaces
  
  

MATERIALS SHALL:

• comply with Uniform Building Code (including but not limited to 1997 UBC Section 707) and installed to meet all applicable fire codes
• meet CA Quality Standards for Insulating Material, Title 24, Chapter 4, Article 3 listed in the California Department of Consumer Affairs Consumer Guide and Directory of Certified Insulating Materials
• comply with flame spread rating and smoke density requirements of Sections 2602 and 707 of the Title 24, Part 2: All exposed installations must use fire retardant facings which have been tested and certified not to exceed a flame spread of 25 and a smoke development rating of 450. Insulation facings that do not touch a ceiling, wall, or floor surface and faced batts on the undersides of roofs with an air space between the ceiling and facing are considered exposed applications.
• be installed according to manufacturer specifications and instructions
  
  

R-VALUE AND U-VALVE SPECIFICATIONS: See CF-1R for minimum requirements; for non-standard assemblies, also see applicable form 3R.

CERTIFICATES: A Insulation Certificate (IC-1) signed by the responsible party shall be provided that states that the installation is consistent with the plans and specifications for which the building permit was issued. The certificate shall also state the installing company name, insulation manufacturer’s name and material

identification, the installed R-value, and, in applications of blown-in insulation, the minimum installed weight-per-square-foot consistent with the manufacturer’s labeled installed-design-density for the desired R-value.

Fact Sheet Source

The material in this fact sheet was developed by ConSol, Inc. and is public domain.

I-2: INSULATION INSPECTION CHECKLIST

q Insulation Certificate, signed by responsible party stating:

Manufacturer’s name

Installed R-values for Walls, Ceiling and Floors

For Blown-in insulation: minimum weight per square foot 4.

Walls

q No gaps

q No compression

q Insulation cut around obstructions 3.

q Stapling correct: no gaps, cavity filled

q External channels, corners, and areas around tubs and showers insulated

q Small spaces filled

q Rim-joists insulated

Ceiling Batts

q No gaps

q No compression

q Insulation cut around obstructions

q All draft stops in place

q Batts cover trusses

q All top plates covered

q All venting clear: minimum 1” clearance

q IC rated fixtures covered

q Attic access insulated

Ceiling Blown-in

q All draft stops in place

q All drops covered with hard covers

q Insulation covers entire surface

q Insulation uniform depth

q Insulation at proper depth - insulation rulers visible and indicating proper depth

Note: cellulose insulation settles. Nominal settling for loose fill cellulose is 20% and for stabilized 5%; installers should either over-blow by these percentages or to manufacturer’s specifications

q Insulation covering cavities, drops, scuttles, bracing, and IC rated fixtures

q Insulation covering top plates

q Baffles installed and eaves vents or soffit vents clear: minimum 1’ clearance 3.

q Bag labels cut out and stapled to truss vertical near attic access

q Attic access insulated

Floor

q Batts snug but not compressed or buckled

q All spaces insulated

q If web trusses, rim joists insulated