ASTM C1743-10
(Practice)Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Radiant Barrier Systems (RBS) in Residential Building Construction
Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Radiant Barrier Systems (RBS) in Residential Building Construction
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
In this practice it is recognized that effectiveness, safety, and durability of an RBS depends not only on the quality of the materials, but also on their proper installation.
Improper installation of an RBS will reduce the thermal effectiveness, cause fire risks and other unsafe conditions, and promote deterioration of the structure in which it is installed. Improper installations include fires caused by: (1) heat buildup in recessed lighting fixtures, (2) deterioration or failure of electrical wiring components, and (3) deterioration in wood structures and paint failure as a result of moisture accumulation.
This practice provides recommendations for the installation of RBS products in a safe and effective manner. Actual conditions in existing buildings vary greatly and care shall be taken to ensure safe and effective installation.
In this practice requirements are presented that are both general and specific in nature and considered practical. They are not intended as specific recommendations unless so indicated. The user shall consult the manufacturer for recommended application and installation methods. The requirements in this practice shall be considered as the minimum material and installation requirements for RBS.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice has been prepared for use by the designer, specifier, builder, and the installer of radiant barrier systems (RBS) for use in (multi- and single-family) residential building construction, not otherwise restricted from use. The scope is limited to recommendations relative to the use and installation of RBS, including a surface(s) normally having an emittance of 0.1 or less, such as metallic foil or metallic foil deposits, mounted on substrates. Some examples that this practice is intended to address include: (1) low-emittance surfaces in vented building envelope cavities intended to retard radiant transfer across the airspace: (2) low-emittance surfaces at interior building surfaces intended to retard radiant transfer to, or from, building inhabitants; and (3) low-emittance surface at interior building surfaces intended to reduce radiant transfer to, or from, radiant heating or cooling systems.
1.2 This practice covers the installation process from pre-installation inspection through the post-installation procedure. It does not cover the production of the radiant barrier materials. (See Specification C1313.)
1.3 This practice is not intended to replace the manufacturer’s installation instructions but shall be used in conjunction with such instructions. This practice is not intended to supercede local, state, federal, or international codes.
1.4 This practice assumes that the installer possesses a good working knowledge of the applicable codes and regulations, safety practices, tools, equipment, and methods necessary for installation of radiant barrier materials. It also assumes that the installer understands the fundamentals of residential building construction that affect the installation of RBS.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements see Sections 5 and 7.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:C1743–10
Standard Practice for
Installation and Use of Radiant Barrier Systems (RBS) in
Residential Building Construction
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1743; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
1.1 This practice has been prepared for use by the designer,
precautionary statements see Sections 5 and 7.
specifier, builder, and the installer of radiant barrier systems
(RBS) for use in (multi- and single-family) residential building
2. Referenced Documents
construction, not otherwise restricted from use. The scope is
2.1 ASTM Standards:
limited to recommendations relative to the use and installation
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
ofRBS,includingasurface(s)normallyhavinganemittanceof
C1313 Specification for Sheet Radiant Barriers for Building
0.1 or less, such as metallic foil or metallic foil deposits,
Construction Applications
mounted on substrates. Some examples that this practice is
2.2 NFPA Standards
intended to address include: (1) low-emittance surfaces in
NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code
vented building envelope cavities intended to retard radiant
NFPA 211 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces and Vents
transfer across the airspace: (2) low-emittance surfaces at
2.3 Other Document:
interior building surfaces intended to retard radiant transfer to,
CPSC Product Safety Fact Sheet No. 18 “The Home Elec-
or from, building inhabitants; and (3) low-emittance surface at
trical System”
interior building surfaces intended to reduce radiant transfer to,
or from, radiant heating or cooling systems.
3. Terminology
1.2 This practice covers the installation process from pre-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this prac-
installation inspection through the post-installation procedure.
tice, refer to Terminology C168.
Itdoesnotcovertheproductionoftheradiantbarriermaterials.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
(See Specification C1313.)
3.2.1 applicator, n—person or persons who apply radiant
1.3 This practice is not intended to replace the manufactur-
barrier materials in buildings.
er’s installation instructions but shall be used in conjunction
3.2.2 conditioned space, n—any space in a building that is
with such instructions. This practice is not intended to super-
served by a heating or cooling system.
cede local, state, federal, or international codes.
3.2.3 open air space, n—vented building cavity (for ex-
1.4 This practice assumes that the installer possesses a good
ample, a vented attic) or a large conditioned or unconditioned
working knowledge of the applicable codes and regulations,
building space.
safety practices, tools, equipment, and methods necessary for
3.2.3.1 Discussion—A large building space is defined as
installation of radiant barrier materials. It also assumes that the
one whose minimum dimension exceeds 2 ft (0.6 m).
installer understands the fundamentals of residential building
3.2.4 radiant barrier system, RBS, n—building construction
construction that affect the installation of RBS.
assembly consisting of a low-emittance (0.1 or less) surface
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
bounded by an open air space on one or both sides.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.2.4.1 Discussion—A RBS is used for the sole purpose of
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
limiting heat transfer by radiation, into or out of a building
and are not considered standard.
assembly. An RBS is not specifically intended to reduce heat
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
transfer by convection or conduction.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal the ASTM website.
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.21 on Reflective Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
Insulation. Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2010. Published December 2010. DOI: Available from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 4330 East
10.1520/C1743–10. West Hwy., Bethesda, MD 20814, http://www.cpsc.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C1743–10
4. Significance and Use 6.2.1 All electrical wiring at, or near, radiant barrier mate-
rial attachment surfaces shall be either moved, or protected, to
4.1 In this practice it is recognized that effectiveness, safety,
ensure that fasteners used to install the radiant barrier material
anddurabilityofanRBSdependsnotonlyonthequalityofthe
cannot contact the electrical wiring system.
materials, but also on their proper installation.
6.2.2 When attic ventilation and new, or existing, ceiling
4.2 Improper installation of an RBS will reduce the thermal
insulation will be compromised by the installation of an RBS,
effectiveness, cause fire risks and other unsafe conditions, and
vent baffles shall be installed at the soffits of the attic such that
promote deterioration of the structure in which it is installed.
attic ventilation air flows are maintained in accordance with
Improper installations include fires caused by: (1) heat buildup
applicable building codes.
in recessed lighting fixtures, (2) deterioration or failure of
electrical wiring components, and (3) deterioration in wood
7. Installation Guidelines-New and Retrofit Buildings
structures and paint failure as a result of moisture accumula-
tion. 7.1 Material Handling:
4.3 This practice provides recommendations for the instal- 7.1.1 The radiant barrier material shall be handled in
lation of RBS products in a safe and effective manner. Actual accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, shall be kept
conditions in existing buildings vary greatly and care shall be dry, and shall not be in contact with the ground or sources of
taken to ensure safe and effective installation. water.
7.1.2 The radiant barrier material shall not be placed in
4.4 In this practice requirements are presented that are both
contact with corrosive building materials.
general and specific in nature and considered practical. They
are not intended as specific recommendations unless so indi- 7.2 Performance Considerations:
cated. The user shall consult the manufacturer for recom- 7.2.1 The performance of the RBS depends on adherence to
mended application and installation methods. The require-
manufacturer’s recommendations. Manufacturer’s installation
ments in this practice shall be considered as the minimum instructions and all applicable building codes shall be fol-
material and installation requirements for RBS.
lowed.The manufacturer shall provide the product information
sheet(s) that specify the product’s intended use(s), application
5. Safety Precautions method(s), health and safety considerations, and material
properties per Specification C1313.
5.1 Theapplicatorshallwearproperclothingandequipment
7.2.2 The performance of the RBS is dependent on the
asrecommendedbythemanufacturerandshallfollowalllocal,
presence of an open airspace adjacent to at least one low-
state, and federal codes and safety regulations for building
emittance surface.
construction sites, for example hard hats, safety goggles
7.2.3 The performance of the RBS will be adversely af-
respiratory protection, and other safety items.
fected by foreign materials on the low-emittance surface.
Before installation, foreign materials shall be removed using
6. Pre-Installation Inspection and Preparation
manufacturer’s instructions, taking care not to damage the
6.1 Pre-Installation Inspections: New and Retrofit Build-
radiant barrier material.
ings:
7.2.4 The performance of a radiant barrier will be reduced
6.1.1 Inspect the roof, wall, ceiling, and floor building
by a corrosive environment. In some instances, severe pollut-
materials to identify areas in which previous or existing
antsreactwiththelow-emittancesurfacecausinganincreasein
moisture problems have caused paint peeling, lumber warpage,
the emittance of the material. When such conditions exist, the
staining, visible fungal growth, rotting, or other structural
owner/builder shall be informed that these conditions may
damage. Do not install the RBS in such areas until the
result in material degradation and a decrease in RBS perfor-
owner/builder has been informed and has certified that these
mance.
conditions have been corrected and their source(s) eliminated.
7.2.5 In some instances, the performance of a radiant barrier
6.1.2 In areas where an RBS is to be installed, components
will be reduced by the presence of moisture on the low-
of the electrical system shall be in good condition. If there is
emittance surface. Such conditions may be temporary or long
reason to believe the electrical system is faulty, do not install
term and the manufacturer shall be consulted to determine the
RBS in such areas until the owner/builder has been informed
applicability of RBS when these conditions are expected to
and qualified inspection and repair has been accomplished.
occur.
7.2.6 The performance of the RBS will be adversely af-
NOTE 1—TheCPSCProductSafetyFactSheetNo.18hasidentifiedthe
following signs of potential electrical deficiencies: lights dimming, fuses fected by the accumulation of dust over time on the low-
blowing,circuitbreakerstrippingfrequently,electricalsparksandglowing
emittance surface. RBS shall be installed to avoid the settle-
from receptacle, light flickering, and cover plates on switches and outlets
ment of dust on the radiant barrier surface. Dust is not a
tha
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