IECC 2009 Code Compliance Blower Door Tests and

 Visual Inspections

Adapt Design+Build has HERS certified energy auditors that are authorized to perform jobsite blower door tests and visual inspections. 

 http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=4482

Visual Inspections

• Please remember in order for an auditor to pass a residence, the auditor must be able to visually assess each category i.e. insulation cannot be passed if the drywall is already hung. 
•  During visual inspections contractors will be asked to provide a copy of their ResCheck.  If ResCheck is not available the projects individual components will be assessed based on the criteria from Table 2.
• Visual inspections will be billed at the rate of $50/hour.

Blower Door Tests

• Building envelope tightness and insulation installation shall be considered acceptable when tested air leakage is less than 4 air changes per hour at a house pressure of 50 pascals. (ACH50)
• Testing shall occur after rough in and after installation of penetrations of the building envelope, including penetrations for utilities, plumbing, electrical, ventilation and combustion appliances.
• The following are required during testing

1.      Exterior windows and doors, fireplace and stove doors shall be closed, but not sealed

2.      Dampers shall be closed, but not sealed, including exhaust, intake makeup air, backdraft and flue

            dampers

3.      Interior doors shall be open

4.      Exterior openings for continuous ventilation systems and heat recovery ventilators shall be closed and

           sealed

5.      Heating and cooling systems shall be turned off

6.      HVAC ducts shall not be sealed

7.      Supply and return registers shall not be sealed     

• Blower door tests are $150 additional consultation will be billed at the rate of $50/hour

Information on the 2009 IECC can be found at the following websites:

http://bcap-energy.org/node/330

http://energycode.pnl.gov/EnergyCodeReqs/index.jsp?state=Montana

http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=3799

Air Barrier and Insulation Inspection Component Criteria  Table 1

Insulation and Fenestration Requirements by Component  Table 2

Notes:

1. R-values are minimums. U-factors and SHGC are maximums.  R-19batts compressed into a nominal 2×6 framing cavity such that the R-value is reduced by R-1 or more shall be marked with the compressed batt R-Value in addition to the full thickness R-Value.
2. The fenestration U-factor column excludes skylights.  The SHGC column applies to all glazed fenestration.
3. “15/19” means R-15 continuous insulated sheathing on the interior or exterior of the home or R-13 cavity insulation at the interior of the basement wall.  “15/19” shall be met with R-13 cavity insulation on the interior of the basement wall plus R-5 continuous insulated sheathing on the interior or exterior of the home.  “10/19” means R-10 continuous insulated sheathing on the interior or exterior of the home or R-19 cavity insulation at the interior of the basement wall.
4. R-5 shall be added to the required slab edge R-values for heated slabs. 
5.  For floor insulation: Or insulation sufficient to fill the framing cavity, R-19 minimum
6. “13+5” means R-13 cavity insulation plus R-5 insulated sheathing. If structural sheathing covers more than 25 percent of exterior, structural sheathing shall be supplemented with insulated sheathing of at least R-2
7. The second R-value for “mass wall” applies when more than half the insulation is on the interior of the mass wall.