Air barriers and the new energy code | Tech TodayMark S. Graham
The International Energy Conservation Code,® 2012
Edition (IECC 2012) includes a new requirement intended to
limit air leakage through buildings' thermal envelopes, including
roof assemblies. The requirement, a change from IECC 2009, will
significantly affect the design and installation of certain roof
assemblies.
IECC 2012
IECC 2012 Section C402.4—Air Leakage (Mandatory) requires
all commercial (nonresidential) buildings, except those in climate
zones 1 through 3, to include a continuous air barrier. Climate
zones 1 through 3 include Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana,
Mississippi and South Carolina and portions of Arizona, Arkansas,
California, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma,
Tennessee, Texas and Utah.
The required air barrier is permitted to be located on the
inside or outside of the building envelope, located within
assemblies composing the building envelope and any combination
thereof. The air barrier is required to be across all joints and
assemblies comprising the building envelope. Air barrier joints and
seams need to be sealed, including sealing transitions and changes
in materials. Special provisions are provided for sealing recessed
lighting fixtures, air barrier penetrations, doors and access
openings, and outdoor air...
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