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Definitions
(2024 version of the I-Codes is referenced unless otherwise noted)
- CONTINUOUS INSULATION (ci). Insulating material that is continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings. It is installed on the interior or exterior or is integral to any opaque surface of the building thermal envelope. (IECC Chapter 2 [RE] [CE], ASHRAE 90.1)
- FOAM PLASTIC INSULATION. A plastic that is intentionally expanded by the use of a foaming agent to produce a reduced-density plastic containing voids consisting of open or closed cells distributed throughout the plastic for thermal insulating or acoustic purposes and that has a density less than 20 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) (320 kg/m3) unless it is used as interior trim. (IRC Chapter 2)
- INSULATING SHEATHING. A rigid panel or board insulation material having a thermal resistance of not less than R-2 of the core material with properties suitable for use on walls, floors, roofs or foundations. (IRC Chapter 2)
- INSULATING SHEATHING. An insulating board with a core material having an R-value of not less than R-2. (IRC Chapter 11)
Visit the library of Quick Guides, resources designed to support code compliance.
Select from codes below to find a comprehensive listing of references to foam sheathing in the model building codes from 2012 to the present:
2024
- International Residential Code – Chapter 11 (energy code for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses)
- International Energy Conservation Code – Section R402, Building Thermal Envelope (insulation requirements for residential buildings)
- International Energy Conservation Code – Section C402, Building Envelope Requirements (insulation requirements for commercial buildings)
- International Energy Conservation Code – Section C402.6.2.3.1 Materials (recognizes certain FPIS materials as air-barrier materials and provides performance requirements for those not listed)
- ASHRAE 90.1 - 2022 – Chapter 5 (building envelope insulation, fenestration, and air leakage requirements - alternative to IECC Section C402 for insulation requirements)
- Additional recent versions in ASHRAE 90.1 - 2016 (referenced in 2018 IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1 - 2013 (referenced in 2015 IECC).
2021
(2021 version of the I-Codes is referenced unless otherwise noted)
- International Residential Code – Chapter 11 (energy code for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses)
- International Energy Conservation Code – Section R402, Building Thermal Envelope (insulation requirements for residential buildings)
- International Energy Conservation Code – Section C402, Building Envelope Requirements (insulation requirements for commercial buildings)
- International Energy Conservation Code – Section C402.5.1.3 Materials (recognizes certain FPIS materials as air-barrier materials and provides performance requirements for those not listed)
- ASHRAE 90.1 - 2022 – Chapter 5 (building envelope insulation, fenestration, and air leakage requirements - alternative to IECC Section C402 for insulation requirements)
- Additional recent versions in ASHRAE 90.1 - 2016 (referenced in 2018 IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1 - 2013 (referenced in 2015 IECC).
2018
(2018 version of the I-Codes is referenced unless otherwise noted)
- International Residential Code – Chapter 11 (energy code for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses)
- International Energy Conservation Code – Section R402, Building Thermal Envelope (insulation requirements for residential buildings)
- International Energy Conservation Code – Section C402, Building Envelope Requirements (insulation requirements for commercial buildings)
- International Energy Conservation Code – Section C402.5.1.2.1 Materials (recognizes certain FPIS materials as air-barrier materials and provides performance requirements for those not listed)
- ASHRAE 90.1 - 2019 – Chapter 5 (building envelope insulation, fenestration, and air leakage requirements - alternative to IECC Section C402 for insulation requirements)
- Additional recent versions in ASHRAE 90.1 - 2016 (referenced in 2018 IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1 - 2013 (referenced in 2015 IECC)
2024 IRC
- Section R303 (formerly Section R316) – Foam Plastic (addresses fire protection and material requirements for foam plastics). For additional guidance refer to Fire Performance Applications.
- Section R703.2 – Water-Resistive Barrier (specifically lists qualified FPIS products as a code-recognized WRB system). For additional information, refer to WRB Applications.
- Sections R703.15, R703.16, and R703.17 – Cladding attachments (provides cladding and furring attachment requirements over foam sheathing to wood framing, cold-formed steel framing, and masonry or concrete wall construction). For more guidance refer to ANSI/ABTG FS200.1 standard, ABTG RR No.1503-02, and Cladding Connections Applications.
- Section R702.7 – Vapor Retarders (provides generic vapor retarder requirements and specifically addresses use of the different classes of vapor retarders [or no vapor retarder] with foam sheathing). For more comprehensive guidance for use with all types of vapor retarders refer to ANSI/ABTG FS200.1 standard, Wall Calculators, ABTG RR No. 1410-03, and Water Vapor Control Applications.
- Section R403.3 – Frost-protected shallow foundations (addresses use of FPIS on foundations to reduce footing depths and foundation costs in cold climates while protecting against frost heave; may need to increase insulation for energy code compliance). For additional guidance refer to Foundation & Frost Protection Applications.
- Section R305.4 – Foam plastic protection (addresses use of foam plastics on foundations in areas subject to ‘very heavy’ termite infestation probability). For additional information on protection of buildings against termites, refer to ABTG RR No. 1703-09.
- Section R703.11.2 – Installation [of vinyl siding] over foam plastic sheathing (addresses applications of foam sheathing to coordinate with wind-rating of vinyl siding). For additional guidance, refer to the Quick Guide on application of vinyl siding over foam sheathing.
- Section R703.3.3 – Fasteners (permits fastening of light-weight claddings directly through FPIS to a qualifying nail base sheathing with limitations).
- Section R303.8 – Wind resistance (references compliance with ANSI/ABTG FS100 - 2018 (formerly SBCA FS100) standard for wind resistance rating of FPIS where the sole exterior sheathing and used over open stud cavities)
2021 IRC
- Section R316 – Foam Plastics (addresses fire protection and material requirements for foam plastics)
- Section R703.2 – Water-resistive barrier (permits use of qualified and approved FPIS products as “other approved materials”).
- Sections R703.15, R703.16, and R703.17– Cladding attachments (provides cladding and furring attachment requirements over foam sheathing to wood framing, cold-formed steel framing, and masonry or concrete wall construction).
- Section R702.7 – Vapor Retarders (provides generic vapor retarder requirements, and addresses use of Class II and Class III Vapor Retarders with foam sheathing; for more comprehensive guidance for use with all types of vapor retarders refer to Wall Calculators, ABTG RR No. 1410-03 and Educational Presentation.
- Section R403.3 – Frost-protected shallow foundations (use of FPIS on foundations to reduce footing depths and foundation costs in cold climates while protecting against frost heave; may need to increase insulation for energy code compliance).
- Section R318.4 – Foam plastic protection (addresses use of foam plastics on foundations in areas subject to ‘very heavy’ termite infestation probability).
- Section R703.11.2 – Installation of vinyl siding over foam plastic sheathing (addresses applications of foam sheathing to coordinate with wind-rating of vinyl siding).
- Section R703.3.3 – Fasteners (permits fastening of light-weight claddings directly through FPIS to a qualifying nail base sheathing with limitations).
- Section R316.8 – Wind resistance (references compliance with ANSI/ABTG FS 100 - 2018 (formerly SBCA FS 100) standard for wind resistance rating of FPIS where the sole exterior sheathing and used over open stud cavities).
2018 IRC
- Section R316 – Foam Plastics (fire protection and material requirements for foam plastics)
- Section R703.2 – Water-resistive barrier (permits use of qualified and approved FPIS products as an “other approved water-resistive barrier”)
- Sections R703.15, R703.16, and R703.17 (cladding and furring connection requirements through foam sheathing)
- Section R702.7 – Vapor Retarders (provides generic vapor retarder requirements, but only address Class III Vapor Retarders with foam sheathing; for more comprehensive guidance for use with all types of vapor retarders refer to ABTG RR No. 1410-03 and Educational Presentation.
- Section R403.3 – Frost-protected shallow foundations (use of FPIS on foundations to reduce footing depths and foundation costs in cold climates while protecting against frost heave; may need to increase insulation for energy code compliance).
- Section R318.4 – Foam plastic protection (addresses use of foam plastics on foundations in areas subject to ‘very heavy’ termite infestation probability)
- Section R703.11.2 – Foam plastic sheathing (addresses applications of foam sheathing with vinyl siding to coordinate with wind-rating of vinyl siding)
- Section R703.3.3 – Fasteners (permits fastening of light-weight claddings directly through FPIS to a qualifying nail base sheathing with limitations)
2015 IRC
- Section R316 – Foam Plastics (fire protection and material requirements for foam plastics)
- Section R703.2 – Water-resistive barrier (permits use of qualified and approved FPIS products as an “other approved water-resistive barrier”)
- Sections R703.15, R703.16, and R703.17 (cladding and furring connection requirements through foam sheathing)
- Section R702.7 – Vapor Retarders (provides generic vapor retarder requirements, but only address Class III Vapor Retarders with foam sheathing; for more comprehensive guidance for use with all types of vapor retarders refer to ABTG RR No. 1410-03 and Educational Presentation.
- Section R403.3 – Frost-protected shallow foundations (use of FPIS on foundations to reduce footing depths and foundation costs in cold climates while protecting against frost heave; may need to increase insulation for energy code compliance).
- Section R318.4 – Foam plastic protection (addresses use of foam plastics on foundations in areas subject to ‘very heavy’ termite infestation probability)
- Section R703.11.2 – Foam plastic sheathing (addresses applications of foam sheathing with vinyl siding to coordinate with wind-rating of vinyl siding)
- Section R703.3.2 – Fasteners (permits fastening of light-weight claddings directly through FPIS to a qualifying nail base sheathing with limitations)
2012 IRC
- Section R316 – Foam Plastics (fire protection and material requirements for foam plastics)
- Section R703.2 – Water-resistive barrier (permits use of qualified and approved FPIS products as an “other approved water-resistive barrier”)
- Section R702.7 – Vapor Retarders (provides generic vapor retarder requirements, but only address Class III Vapor Retarders with foam sheathing; for more comprehensive guidance for use with all types of vapor retarders refer to ABTG RR No. 1410-03 and Educational Presentation.
- Section R403.3 – Frost-protected shallow foundations (use of FPIS on foundations to reduce footing depths and foundation costs in cold climates while protecting against frost heave; may need to increase insulation for energy code compliance).
- Section R318.4 – Foam plastic protection (addresses use of foam plastics on foundations in areas subject to ‘very heavy’ termite infestation probability)
- Section R703.11.2 – Foam plastic sheathing (addresses applications of foam sheathing with vinyl siding to coordinate with wind-rating of vinyl siding)
- Section R703.4 – Fasteners (permits fastening of light-weight claddings directly through FPIS to a qualifying nail base sheathing with limitations)
2024 IBC
- Chapter 26 – Plastics (Section 2603 addresses fire protection, material requirements, and assembly performance requirements for foam plastic insulation, including foam sheathing products). For additional guidance refer to Fire Performance Applications.
- Section 603 – Combustible Material in Types I and II Construction (permits use of FPIS in non-combustible building construction types in accordance with Chapter 26, particularly Section 2603.5).
- Section 1403.2 – Water-resistive barrier (specifically lists qualified FPIS products as a code-recognized WRB system). For additional information, refer to WRB Applications.
- Section 1403.12 – Foam plastic insulation (permits use of FPIS in exterior wall covering assemblies in compliance with Chapter 26, particularly Section 2603).
- Section 1404.3 – Vapor retarders (provides generic vapor retarder requirements and specifically addresses use of the different classes of vapor retarders [or no vapor retarder] with foam sheathing). For more comprehensive guidance for use with all types of vapor retarders refer to ANSI/ABTG FS200.1 standard, Wall Calculators, ABTG RR No. 1410-03, and Water Vapor Control Applications.
- Section 2603.10 – Wind resistance (references compliance with ANSI/ABTG FS100-2012 [R2018] standard for wind resistance rating of FPIS where the sole exterior sheathing and used over open stud cavities).
- Sections 1404.5.1, 1404.5.2, and 1404.5.3 – Cladding attachments (provides cladding and furring attachment requirements over foam sheathing to masonry or concrete wall construction, cold-formed steel framing, and wood framing). For more guidance refer to ANSI/ABTG FS200.1 standard, ABTG RR No.1503-02, and Cladding Connections Applications.
- Section 1809.5 – Frost Protection (references ASCE 32 standard for use of FPIS to reduce foundation depths and foundation cost in cold climates while protecting against frost heave). For additional guidance refer to Foundation & Frost Protection Applications.
- Section 2603.8 – Protection against termites (addresses use of foam plastics on foundations in areas subject to “very heavy” termite infestation probability). For additional information on protection of buildings against termites, refer to ABTG RR No. 1703-09.
2021 IBC
- Chapter 26 –Plastics (Section 2603 addresses fire protection, material requirements, and assembly performance requirements for foam plastic insulation, including foam sheathing products).
- Section 603 – Combustible Material in Types I and II Construction (permits use of FPIS in non-combustible building construction types in accordance with Chapter 26, particularly Section 2603.5).
- Section 1403.2 – Water-resistive barrier (permits use of qualified and approved FPIS products as “other approved materials”).
- Section 1403.13 – Foam plastic insulation (permits use of FPIS in exterior wall covering assemblies in compliance with Chapter 26, particularly Section 2603).
- Section 1404.3 – Vapor retarders (provides generic vapor retarder requirements, and addresses use of Class II and Class III Vapor Retarders with foam sheathing; for more comprehensive guidance for use with all types of vapor retarders refer to Wall Calculators, ABTG RR No. 1410-03 and Educational Presentation.
- Section 2603.10 – Wind resistance (references compliance with ANSI/ABTG FS 100 - 2018 standard for wind resistance rating of FPIS where the sole exterior sheathing and used over open stud cavities).
- Sections 2603.11, 2603.12, and 2603.13 – Cladding attachments (provides cladding and furring attachment requirements over foam sheathing to masonry or concrete wall construction, cold-formed steel framing, and wood framing).
- Section 1809.5 – Frost Protection (references ASCE 32 standard for use of FPIS to reduce foundation depths and foundation cost in cold climates while protecting against frost heave)
- Section 2603.8 – Protection against termites (addresses use of foam plastics on foundations in areas subject to ‘very heavy’ termite infestation probability).
2018 IBC
- Chapter 26 – Foam Plastics (fire protection and material requirements for foam plastics, including foam sheathing products)
- Section 603 – Combustible Material in Types I and II Construction (permits use of FPIS in non-combustible building construction types in accordance with Chapter 26)
- Section 1403.13 – Foam plastic insulation (permits use of FPIS in exterior wall covering assemblies in compliance with Chapter 26)
- Section 1404.3 – Vapor retarders (provides generic vapor retarder requirements, but only address Class III Vapor Retarders with foam sheathing; for more comprehensive guidance for use with all types of vapor retarders refer to ABTG RR No. 1410-03 and Educational Presentation.
- Section 2603.10 – Wind resistance (references compliance with ANSI/ABTG FS 100 - 2018 (formerly SBCA FS 100) standard for wind resistance rating of FPIS).
- Sections 2603.11, 2603.12, and 2603.13 (provides cladding and furring attachment requirements through FPIS to steel framing, wood framing, and concrete/masonry)
- Section 1809.5 – Frost Protection (references ASCE 32 standard for use of FPIS to reduce foundation depths and foundation cost in cold climates while protecting against frost heave)
- Section 2603.8 – Protection against termites (addresses use of foam plastics on foundations in areas subject to ‘very heavy’ termite infestation probability
2015 IBC
- Chapter 26 – Foam Plastics (fire protection and material requirements for foam plastics, including foam sheathing products)
- Section 603 – Combustible Material in Types I and II Construction (permits use of FPIS in non-combustible building construction types in accordance with Chapter 26)
- Section 1404.13 – Foam plastic insulation (permits use of FPIS in exterior wall covering assemblies in compliance with Chapter 26)
- Section 1405.3 – Vapor retarders (provides generic vapor retarder requirements, but only address Class III Vapor Retarders with foam sheathing; for more comprehensive guidance for use with all types of vapor retarders refer to ABTG RR No. 1410-03 and Educational Presentation.
- Section 2603.10 – Wind resistance (references compliance with ANSI/ABTG FS 100 - 2018 (formerly SBCA FS 100) standard for wind resistance rating of FPIS).
- Sections 2603.11, 2603.12, and 2603.13 (provides cladding and furring attachment requirements through FPIS to steel framing, wood framing, and concrete/masonry)
- Section 1809.5 – Frost Protection (references ASCE 32 standard for use of FPIS to reduce foundation depths and foundation cost in cold climates while protecting against frost heave)
- Section 2603.8 – Protection against termites (addresses use of foam plastics on foundations in areas subject to ‘very heavy’ termite infestation probability
2012 IBC
- Chapter 26 – Foam Plastics (fire protection and material requirements for foam plastics, including foam sheathing products)
- Section 603 – Combustible Material in Types I and II Construction (permits use of FPIS in non-combustible building construction types in accordance with Chapter 26)
- Section 1809.5 – Frost Protection (references ASCE 32 standard for use of FPIS to reduce foundation depths and foundation cost in cold climates while protecting against frost heave)
- Section 2603.9 – Protection against termites (addresses use of foam plastics on foundations in areas subject to ‘very heavy’ termite infestation probability)