The main purpose of building codes in Canada (e.g. Ontario Building Code) and in the USA (e.g. International Code Council) is to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures.
Insulation is a major topic covered by all building codes, which specify the minimum R-value that various parts of the house (e.g. exterior walls, ceilings, floors and foundations) must meet during winter conditions. For example, walls might require a R-19 insulation and ceilings, a R-38 insulation.
Ideally building codes should mandate how R-values are to be determined, yet in reality they just don’t. Although there are a multitude of products on the market, there are two basic types of insulation: open cell and closed cell. Fiberglass is an OPEN CELL insulation because the air pockets are not fully enclosed and air can enter and escape freely. In comparison, expanded polystyrene (EPS) used in Thermapan SIPs is a CLOSED CELL insulation where air cannot enter and escape at all.
Pages
Part 1 - R-Values in Today's Building Codes
Part 2 - Designing R-Values: In the Lab
Part 3 - Air Infiltration
Part 4 - "Real Time" R-Values
Part 5 - Oak Ridge National Laboratory Study
Part 6 - Brock University Study
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