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Darren Gomez Posted: Nov 06, 2007 12:10 AM	New ICC Spray Foam Specs I heard they had specific thickness specs for foam under the "plastics" section. Have you heard of this?
mason Posted: Nov 06, 2007 07:38 AM	Yes and no, Chapter 26 of the IBC & Section 314 of the IRC 2006 (and the 2007 supplement) states that foam plastic must be tested in the maximum thickness to be applied for flame spread and smoke. But, E 84 equipment typically cannot test more than 4 inches (a few labs can go up to 5 or 6 inches) but the exeception section allows greater thicknesses if the foam is tested at 4 inches for smoke and flame and has a maximum flame spread of 75 and smoke or 450, provided the end use is approved in accordance with Section 2603.9 (room corner tests) using the thickness and density intended for use. In other words for thickness greater than 4-6 inches a room corner test would be required to obtain code approval. Another restriction occurs in attics and crawl spaces. If a foam is to be approved without a code described ignition barrier in attics and crawl spaces, it must pass the SWRI attic and crawl space test. But if it does pass, the foam thickness is limited to 6 inches in the walls and 10 inches in the ceiling. If a code approved ignition barrier is used, and the foam is tested in accordance with a code described room corner test and passes, it can be used in greater thickness. Hope this helps And congratulations being the 100 topic on Ask Mason Knowles forum!
Darren Gomez Posted: Nov 06, 2007 09:39 AM	Thanks for the info...Is there a document out there that has thickness equivalencies of foam for a specific R-Value?
mason Posted: Nov 06, 2007 09:15 PM	No the supplier must test their insulation to obtain that information. The acceptance criteria for sprayfoam calls for a one inch sample and a 3 inch sample. The 3 inch sample can be used for thickness greater than 3 inches.

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Comments

Darren Gomez

Posted: Nov 06, 2007 12:10 AM

New ICC Spray Foam Specs

I heard they had specific thickness specs for foam under the "plastics" section. Have you heard of this?

mason

Posted: Nov 06, 2007 07:38 AM

Yes and no,

Chapter 26 of the IBC & Section 314 of the IRC 2006 (and the 2007 supplement) states that foam plastic must be tested in the maximum thickness to be applied for flame spread and smoke. But, E 84 equipment typically cannot test more than 4 inches (a few labs can go up to 5 or 6 inches) but the exeception section allows greater thicknesses if the foam is tested at 4 inches for smoke and flame and has a maximum flame spread of 75 and smoke or 450, provided the end use is approved in accordance with Section 2603.9 (room corner tests) using the thickness and density intended for use.

In other words for thickness greater than 4-6 inches a room corner test would be required to obtain code approval.

Another restriction occurs in attics and crawl spaces. If a foam is to be approved without a code described ignition barrier in attics and crawl spaces, it must pass the SWRI attic and crawl space test. But if it does pass, the foam thickness is limited to 6 inches in the walls and 10 inches in the ceiling. If a code approved ignition barrier is used, and the foam is tested in accordance with a code described room corner test and passes, it can be used in greater thickness.

Hope this helps

And congratulations being the 100 topic on Ask Mason Knowles forum!

Darren Gomez

Posted: Nov 06, 2007 09:39 AM

Thanks for the info...Is there a document out there that has thickness equivalencies of foam for a specific R-Value?

mason

Posted: Nov 06, 2007 09:15 PM

No the supplier must test their insulation to obtain that information. The acceptance criteria for sprayfoam calls for a one inch sample and a 3 inch sample. The 3 inch sample can be used for thickness greater than 3 inches.

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