WALL AREAS


1. Cavity Fill. The batts should fill the cavity completely: no gaps top or bottom.


2. Compression. The insulation should not be overly compressed.


3. Wired Area. Insulation should be split or cut to fit around wired areas.
4. Plumbing. Insulation should be placed between the outside wall and the pipes.


5. R-value. The R-value should be marked on the insulation, faced or unfaced, and be visible for viewing. The R-value must meet or exceed the minimum R-value code requirements.


6. Stapling. Faced batts should be stapled about every 8 to 12 inches. Either inset or face stapling is acceptable. If drywall is glued, face stapling should be avoided. High performance batts do not require stapling.


7. Vapor Retarder Placement. It should be towards the "warm in winter" living area unless in extremely humid areas.


8. Vapor Retarder Integrity. Tears in the vapor retarder should be taped.


9. Separate Vapor Retarder. When required, cover unfaced insulation with a continuous 4 or 6 mil polyethylene sheeting.


10. Narrow Cavities. Batts should be cut to fit.


11. Top Cavities. Ceiling insulation should cover the top plates of exterior walls when possible.


12. Electrical Boxes. Batts should be cut to fit around electrical boxes with a separate cut piece placed behind each box.


13. Bay Window. The outside wall, extended floor, and ceiling must be insulated.


14. Window Areas. Every space around windows should be packed with insulation or caulked. Do not overstuff.


15. Door Frames. Every space around doors should be packed with insulation or caulked. Do not overstuff.


16. Band Joists. Unfaced insulation or insulation with a nonflammable facing should be used for band joists.


CEILINGS AND FLOORS


17. Overhangs. These ceilings and floors also should be insulated.


18. Attic Openings. The attic opening should be insulated with insulated covers or a piece of kraft-faced R-30 batt.


19. Attic Cards. A completed attic card should be placed near the attic opening when blown insulation is installed.


20. Attic Rulers. When blown insulation is used, attic rulers should be installed, one for every 300 square feet of attic area. The installed thickness of blown insulation should not be less than the minimum settled thickness on the attic card.


21. Eave Baffles. Baffles should be installed on eaves with vents.


GENERAL


22. Combustible Sources. Keep insulation at least 3 inches away from combustible sources such as chimneys, non-IC fixtures, and heated flue pipes.


23. Unheated Rooms. The walls, ceilings, and floors between living space and unheated areas should be insulated.


24. Tub Enclosures. Insulation should be installed between tub enclosures and outside walls.


25. Exposed Facings. A flame spread rated facing, such as a foil cap sheet, installed over kraft, standard foil or other non-rated facing is not acceptable for an exposed application. Unfaced or special faced insulation products, such as FSK-25 insulation, are acceptable for exposed applications.

Always consult local codes for specific requirements and manufacturers' recommendations.

These checkpoints are provided as a convenience for informational purposes only. ICAA and/or its members are not responsible for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions or any other cause.

Checkpoints are available in a 3" x 6" laminated pocket card format. Minimum order quantity is 20. $.50 each for members/$1.00 each for nonmembers. Contact ICAA at 703.739.0356 to place your order.