Home > Mandatory Requirements > 2006 and 2009 IECC Envelope Requirements

2006 and 2009 IECC Envelope Requirements

Documenting Compliance

Indicate component R-values or U-factors and the solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC ) of windows and skylights on your project plans.

Complete and sign the Envelope Compliance Certificate, generated by clicking Reports using the View/Print Report or Save Report option under the File menu.

 Air Leakage Requirements

All joints and penetrations in the building envelope that are potential sources of air leakage must be caulked, gasketed, weatherstripped, or otherwise sealed in an approved manner.

Recessed lighting fixtures must be gasketed and IC rated; i.e., rated for direct contact with insulation.  2009 IECC:  Recessed lighting fixtures must be gasketed or caulked and IC rated.

Cargo doors and loading dock doors must be equipped with weather seals.

All doors separating conditioned from unconditioned space must be equipped with vestibules.  The vestibules must have self-closing doors, and must be designed so that interior and exterior doors cannot open at the same time.  EXCEPTIONS:

Doors in buildings in Climate Zones 1 and 2

Doors not intended for use as entrance doors (such as those for mechanical and electrical rooms)

Doors that open directly into dwelling or sleeping units

Doors that open into spaces less than 3,000 square feet

Revolving doors

Vehicle or material-handling doors and adjacent personnel doors.

The following areas must be sealed:

Exterior joints around window and door frames

Between wall sole plates, floors, and exterior-wall panels

Openings for plumbing, electricity, and refrigerant and gas lines in exterior walls, floors, and roofs

Openings in attic floors (such as where ceiling panels meet interior and exterior walls and masonry fireplaces)

Service and access doors or hatches

All other similar openings in the building envelope.

Maximum air leakage rates for manufactured windows and doors are specified in the table below.  Windows and doors certified by an accredited laboratory (such as the National Wood Window and Door Association [NWWDA] or the Architectural Aluminum Manufacturers Association [AAMA ]) meet these requirements and are labeled.  For noncertified windows and doors, check manufacturers' test reports to verify compliance with these air leakage requirements.

Maximum Allowed Air Leakage Rates

Building Component Certification

All manufactured fenestration products must have U-factor , SHGC, and air leakage rate identified on a permanent nameplate installed on each product by the manufacturer, or a signed and dated certification.

All manufactured doors installed between conditioned space , semi-heated space , unconditioned space and exterior space must have U-factor and air leakage rate identified on a permanent nameplate installed on each product by the manufacturer, or a signed and dated certification.   

Installed components must be certified through any of the following methods:

Product labels; for example, insulation R-value printed directly on the insulation, striping codes, or manufacturers' labels on windows

Contractor statements certifying the products they have installed

Local certification requirements (check with your local building official for requirements on certifying building components in your jurisdiction).

Installed Insulation Certification

For blown or sprayed insulation, the type of insulation, manufacturer, rated R-value, initial installed thickness, settled thickness, coverage area, and number of bags used must be clearly posted at the job site.

Loose-fill or blown insulation is only allowed in ceilings that have a slope not exceeding three in twelve.

For components without a manufacturer's guaranteed R-value rating, contact the Insulation Contractors Association of America for an approved way to ensure proper insulation levels are obtained.

All insulation requirements assume the insulation is installed at its standard thickness.  If insulation is compressed, the R-value is reduced and the building may not meet the requirements.  

2009 IECC:  R-value of insulation to be determined in accordance with the US Federal Trade Commission R-value rule (CFR Title 16, Part 460, May 31, 2005) in units of h x ft2 x degree F/Btu at a mean temperature of 75 degrees F.

Fiberglass Batt Insulation R-Values And Standard Thicknesses