ASTM C1744-10
(Practice)Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Radiant Barrier Systems (RBS) in Commercial/Industrial Building Construction
Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Radiant Barrier Systems (RBS) in Commercial/Industrial 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 commercial/industrial 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 commercial/industrial 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.
1.6.1 When the installation or use of radiant barrier materials, accessories, and systems may pose safety or health problems, the manufacturer shall provide the user appropriate current information regarding any known problems associated with the recommended use of the company’s products and shall also recommend protective measures to be used in their sage utilization.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation:C1744–10
Standard Practice for
Installation and Use of Radiant Barrier Systems (RBS) in
Commercial/Industrial Building Construction
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1744; 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 responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This practice has been prepared for use by the designer,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
specifier, builder, and the installer of radiant barrier systems
precautionary statements see Sections 5 and 7.
(RBS) for use in commercial/industrial building construction
1.6.1 When the installation or use of radiant barrier mate-
not otherwise restricted from use. The scope is limited to
rials, accessories, and systems may pose safety or health
recommendations relative to the use and installation of RBS,
problems, the manufacturer shall provide the user appropriate
including a surface(s) normally having an emittance of 0.1 or
current information regarding any known problems associated
less, such as metallic foil or metallic foil deposits, mounted on
with the recommended use of the company’s products and shall
substrates. Some examples that this practice is intended to
also recommend protective measures to be used in their sage
address include: (1) low-emittance surfaces in vented building
utilization.
envelope cavities intended to retard radiant transfer across the
airspace: (2) low-emittance surfaces at interior building sur-
2. Referenced Documents
faces intended to retard radiant transfer to, or from, building
2.1 ASTM Standards:
inhabitants; and (3) low-emittance surface at interior building
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
surfaces intended to reduce radiant transfer to, or from, radiant
C1313 Specification for Sheet Radiant Barriers for Building
heating or cooling systems.
Construction Applications
1.2 This practice covers the installation process from pre-
2.2 NFPA Standards:
installation inspection through the post-installation procedure.
NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code
Itdoesnotcovertheproductionoftheradiantbarriermaterials.
NFPA 211 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces and Vents
(See Specification C1313.)
2.3 Other Document:
1.3 This practice is not intended to replace the manufactur-
CPSC Product Safety Fact Sheet No. 18 “The Home Elec-
er’s installation instructions but shall be used in conjunction
trical System”
with such instructions. This practice is not intended to super-
cede local, state, federal, or international codes.
3. Terminology
1.4 This practice assumes that the installer possesses a good
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this prac-
working knowledge of the applicable codes and regulations,
tice, refer to Terminology C168.
safety practices, tools, equipment, and methods necessary for
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
installation of radiant barrier materials. It also assumes that the
3.2.1 applicator, n—person or persons who apply radiant
installer understands the fundamentals of commercial/
barrier materials in buildings.
industrial building construction that affect the installation of
3.2.2 conditioned space, n—any space in a building that is
RBS.
served by a heating or cooling system.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.2.3 girts, n—typically, 1 or 23 nominal lumber, installed
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
over rafters or trusses, to be used for securing both the RBS
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and metal decking, which is used on wall assemblies for
and are not considered standard.
securing metal siding.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
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/C1744–10. 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.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
C1744–10
3.2.4 open air space, n—vented building cavity (for ex- 6.1.1 Inspect the roof, wall, ceiling, and floor building
ample, an open-ended wall or ceiling assembly) or a large materials, in both steel and wood structures, to identify areas in
conditioned or unconditioned building space. which previous or existing moisture problems have caused
3.2.4.1 Discussion—A large building space is defined as paint peeling, lumber warpage, staining, rusting, corrosion,
one whose minimum dimension exceeds 2 ft (0.6 m). visible fungal growth, rotting, or other structural damage. Do
3.2.5 purlins, n—steel or wood structural members that are not install the RBS in such areas until the owner/builder has
used to support the buildings primary structural load above the beeninformedandhascertifiedthattheseconditionshavebeen
floor. corrected and their source(s) eliminated.
3.2.6 radiant barrier system, RBS, n—building construction 6.1.2 In areas where an RBS is to be installed, components
assembly consisting of a lowemittance (0.1 or less) surface of the electrical system shall be in good condition. If there is
bounded by an open air space on one or both sides. reason to believe the electrical system is faulty, do not install
3.2.6.1 Discussion—Discussion—An RBS is used for the RBS in such areas until the owner/builder has been informed
sole purpose of limiting heat transfer by radiation into or out of and qualified inspection and repair has been accomplished.
a building assembly. An RBS is not specifically intended to
NOTE 1—TheCPSCProductSafetyFactSheetNo.18hasidentifiedthe
reduce heat transfer by convection or conduction.
following signs of potential electrical deficiencies: lights dimming, fuses
3.2.7 subpurlins, n—secondary steel or wood structural
blowing,circuitbreakerstrippingfrequently,electricalsparksandglowing
members that are used primarily to support the roofing and from receptacles, lights flickering, and cover plates on switches and
outlets that are warm or hot to the touch.
siding of a building and may be identified as “Z purlins,” “C
channel,” “I beams,” or other structural configurations based
6.1.3 InareaswhereanRBSistobeinstalled,theapplicator
on their cross-section appearance.
shall locate and plan for installation around ventilation open-
3.2.8 thermal break, n—low-conductivity product such as
ings. The applicator shall not install RBS that will obstruct or
wood or polystyrene used to separate two higher conductivity
block existing ventilation openings, such as gable ends, dor-
products that may be metal in an effort to reduce heat gain or
mers, ridge, off ridge, soffit vents, or any others.
loss and prevent possible condensation problems.
6.2 Preparations:
6.2.1 All electrical wiring at, or near, radiant barrier mate-
4. Significance and Use
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 soffit ventilation exists in wood frame construc-
4.2 Improper installation of an RBS will reduce the thermal
tion, and new or existing ceiling insulation will be compro-
effectiveness, cause fire risks and other unsafe conditions, and
mised by the installation of an RBS, vent baffles shall be
promote deterioration of the structure in which it is installed.
installed at the soffits.
Improper installations include fires caused by: (1) heat buildup
7. Installation Guidelines
in recessed lighting fixtures, (2) deterioration or failure of
7.1 Material Handling:
electrical wiring components, and (3) deterioration in wood
7.1.1 The radiant barrier material shall be handled in accor-
structures and paint failure as a result of moisture accumula-
dance with the manufacturer’s instructions, shall be kept dry,
tion.
and shall not be in contact with the ground or sources of water.
4.3 This practice provides recommendations for the instal-
7.1.2 The radiant barrier material shall not be placed in
lation of RBS products in a safe and effective manner. Actual
contact with corrosive building materials.
conditions in existing buildings vary greatly and care shall be
7.2 Performance Considerations:
taken to ensure safe and effective installation.
7.2.1 The performance of the RBS depends on adherence to
4.4 In this practice, requirements are presented that are both
manufacturer’s recommendations. Manufacturer’s installation
general and specific in nature and considered practical. They
instructions and all applicable building codes shall be fol-
are not intended as specific recommendations unless so indi-
lowed.The manufacturer shall provide the product information
cated. The user shall consult the manufacturer for recom-
sheet(s) that specify the product’s intended use(s), application
mended application and installation methods. The require-
method(s), health and safety considerations, and material
ments in this practice shall be considered as the minimum
properties per Specification C1313.
material and installation requirements for RBS.
7.2.2 The performance of the RBS is dependent on the
5. Pre-Installation Inspection and Preparation
presence of an open airspace adjacent to at least one low-
emittance surface.
5.1 Theapplicatorshallwearproperclothingandequipment
asrecommendedbythemanufacturerandshallfollowalllocal, 7.2.3 The performance of the RBS will be adversely af-
fected by foreign materials on the lowemittance surface.
state, and federal codes and safety regulations for building
construction sites, for example, hard hats, safety goggles Before installation, foreign materials shall be removed using
manufacturer’s instructions, taking care not to damage the
respiratory protection, and other safety items.
radiant barrier material.
6. Safety Precautions
7.2.4 The performance of a radiant barrier will be reduced
6.1 Pre-Installation Inspections: New and Retrofit Build- by a corrosive environment. In some instances, severe pollut-
ings: antsreactwiththelow-emittancesurfacecausinganincreasein
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
C1744–10
the emittance of the material. When such conditions exist, the 7.4.1.1 Testing and certification—The materials shall meet
owner/builder shall be informed that these conditions may all the requirements of Specification C1313 as well as comply
result in material degradation and a decrease in RBS perfor- with all certification and codes governing the use and installa-
mance. tion of radiant barriers.
7.4.1.2 Ventilation—In all installation methods, regardless
7.2.5 In some instances, the performance of a radiant barrier
of the type of framing or roofing, materials, or methods of
will be reduced by the presence of moisture on the low-
installation,inspectallventilationopeningsandpathwaystobe
emittance surface. Such conditions may be temporary or long
term and the manufacturer shall be consulted to determine the sure they are not blocked by the installation of the RBS
systems.
applicability of RBS when these conditions are expected to
occur. 7.4.1.3 Venting ratio—It recommended that a minimum
2 2
net-free ventilation of not less than 1 ft (0.09 m ) of vent area
7.2.6 The performance of the RBS will be adversely af-
2 2
for each 150 ft (14 m ) of floor area (ground level only) be
fected by the accumulation of dust over time on the low-
used in both new and retrofit construction whenever practical.
emittance surface. RBS shall be installed to avoid the settle-
ment of dust on the radiant barrier surface. Dust is not a
Installation
concern on a downward facing RBS.
7.5 The installer or applicator shall install the RBS accord-
7.2.7 Damaged areas will result in loss of performance and
ing to the manufacturer’s installation guidelines. In addition,
shall be repaired in accordance with the manufacturer’s in-
the following minimum guideline shall be used when installing
structions.
an RBS in specific areas of the structure such as:
7.3 Precautions:
7.5.1 Wood frame buildings with wood roof decks—There
7.3.1 In areas in which radiant barrier materials are to be
are various methods of installing an RBS:
installed, the applicator shall provide clearance around lighting
7.5.1.1 Factory applied (laminated) or field-applied RBS
fixtures, motors, fans, blowers, heaters, flues, chimneys, and
(stapled) to the underside of the roof deck facing towards the
other heat-producing electrical and mechanical devices.
interior(Fig.1).Aperforated(vaporpermeable)RBSisalways
7.3.1.1 The applicator shall provide 3-in. (75-mm) mini-
required for this type of installation. A single- or double-sided
mum clearance around all sides of recessed lighting fixtures
radiant barrier material shall be used in the deck-applied
unless such fixtures are approved for installation in direct
installation, as long as a low-emittance surface (dull or shiny)
contact with radiant barrier materials. Such fixtures include
faces downward;
fixture wiring compartments, ballasts, and other heat-
7.5.1.2 Draped over the rafters or trusses (top chord) before
producing devices. These devices shall not be covered unless
sheeting the roof (Fig. 2);
they are specifically approved for operation when covered.
7.5.1.3 Installed between the rafters or top chords of the
7.3.1.2 The applicator shall provide the minimum clear-
trusses (Fig. 3);
a
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