2012 IECC Continuous Insulation Requirement

[brut3]

I'm new to the Energy Conservation Code and have been having back and forth exchanges with an Architect regarding the continuous insulation that he has specified for a wall assembly on a project that we're currently working on. I was hoping that someone may be able to tell me if I am correctly reading Chapter 4 of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), specifically with regards to the continuous insulation requirement. Section C402.1 states that the building thermal envelope needs to meet the R value requirements as specified in tables C402.2 and C402.3. Would I be correct in stating that as long as the R-Value of the as built wall assembly is equal to or greater than that specified in the aforementioned tables then it would comply with the 2012 IECC? Or MUST the insulation be continuous?

Thank you in advance for your input!

 

[urgross]

Equivalent should be acceptable based on U factor. The code is fairly clear on that point. Use the tables in ASHRAE 90.1, Appendix A to calculate assembly U values if based upon wood or metal studs, 16" or 24" OC.

 

[brut3]

urgross,

Thanks for the information! Sounds like I need to get my hands on ASHRAE 90.1. Does ASHRAE 90.1 address the issue of thermal bridging? I know the whole idea of continuous insulation was to minimize the thermal bridges.

 

[urgross]

Yes, that would be the Appendix A tables. The User's Guide goes into more detail for assembly U values.