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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Posts
    1,088

    Default Conditioned Crawlspace Requirements?

    Had the opportunity to inspect a conditioned crawl today. There was 1/2 inch bubble wrap on the exterior walls. I am used to seeing 2 inch Styrofoam on the walls. Can any one point the way to the insulation requirements for a conditioned crawl? Cant seem to find it in the IRC 2012. Buy the way this is new construction.

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    "The Code is not a peak to reach but a foundation to build from."

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Conditioned Crawlspace Requirements?

    Bubble wrap, like for packing stuff?

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Posts
    1,088

    Default Re: Conditioned Crawlspace Requirements?

    Quote Originally Posted by Scott Patterson View Post
    Bubble wrap, like for packing stuff?
    Yep. About 1/4-3/8 inch thick with a heavier white plastic covering. More like the bubble wrap envelopes. It appeared to be made as an insulation product. It was about 3 feet tall and ran all the way around the exterior foundation.

    After some more poking around it looks like Table N1102.1.1 says the crawl space walls should be 5/13. Meaning is must be at least R-5 in cavities with a total of R-13 as a wall system if I read the note C correctly.

    DSCN1855.JPG

    Last edited by Bruce Ramsey; 12-03-2014 at 07:56 PM.
    "The Code is not a peak to reach but a foundation to build from."

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Conditioned Crawlspace Requirements?

    I have not come across bubble wrap insulation... I have no clue.

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Memphis TN.
    Posts
    4,311

    Default Re: Conditioned Crawlspace Requirements?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bruce Ramsey View Post
    Yep. About 1/4-3/8 inch thick with a heavier white plastic covering. More like the bubble wrap envelopes. It appeared to be made as an insulation product. It was about 3 feet tall and ran all the way around the exterior foundation.

    After some more poking around it looks like Table N1102.1.1 says the crawl space walls should be 5/13. Meaning is must be at least R-5 in cavities with a total of R-13 as a wall system if I read the note C correctly.

    DSCN1855.JPG
    Check Here Ecofoil Crawl space Insulation - Encapsulate Your Crawl space scroll down for the white.

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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Rolla, MO
    Posts
    136

    Default Re: Conditioned Crawlspace Requirements?

    Bruce,

    Some manufacturers, mostly from outside the US, are putting R-values on the label or brochures. These are misleading to the consumer. An "apparent" R-value can be given for a radiant barrier assembly, however the true R value of the material is typically 1 or less. The assembly is a mock-up or prototype that was tested in a lab. These assemblies are various combinations of reflective barrier material separated by one or more air spaces. Since heat flow through the air spaces in these mock-ups is different depending on the heat flow direction, up, down or sideways, there can be multiple tests performed. You can guess which data gets printed on the brochure. They typically use the mock-up with the highest "apparent" R-value for heat flow down and one for the heat flow up. The uninformed consumer thinks the "apparent" R-value listed on the package means this material can be placed anywhere and expect to get the R-value listed on the package. What these manufacturers don't print is these values are for a very specific application and they have to install the material exactly like the mock-up. You have to read the technical literature buried in their websites often referenced by tiny asterisks on the package. The deception is like the weight loss commercials, with the fine print at the bottom that states your results may be different and you must include exercise and a sensible diet.

    Randy Mayo, P.E.
    Residential Engineering & Inspection Services
    http://www.rlmengineers.com

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