ASTM C1744-19(2024)
(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
4.1 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 proper installation.
4.2 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.
4.3 This practice provides direction 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.
4.4 In this practice, requirements are presented that are both general and specific in nature and practical. They are not intended as specific instructions unless so indicated. The user shall consult the manufacturer for application and installation methods. The requirements in this practice shall be 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 instruction 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements see Sections 5 and 7.
1.7 When the installation or use of radiant barrier materials, accessories, and systems has the potential to pose safety or health problems, the manufacturer shall provide the user appropriate current information regarding any known problems associated with the use of the product of the company and shall also specify protective measures.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with inte...
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C1744 − 19 (Reapproved 2024)
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 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This practice has been prepared for use by the designer,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
specifier, builder, and the installer of radiant barrier systems
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
(RBS) for use in commercial/industrial building construction
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
not otherwise restricted from use. The scope is limited to
For specific precautionary statements see Sections 5 and 7.
instruction relative to the use and installation of RBS, includ-
1.7 When the installation or use of radiant barrier
ing a surface(s) normally having an emittance of 0.1 or less,
materials, accessories, and systems has the potential to pose
such as metallic foil or metallic foil deposits, mounted on
safety or health problems, the manufacturer shall provide the
substrates. Some examples that this practice is intended to
user appropriate current information regarding any known
address include: (1) low-emittance surfaces in vented building
problems associated with the use of the product of the company
envelope cavities intended to retard radiant transfer across the
and shall also specify protective measures.
airspace: (2) low-emittance surfaces at interior building sur-
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
faces intended to retard radiant transfer to, or from, building
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
inhabitants; and (3) low-emittance surface at interior building
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
surfaces intended to reduce radiant transfer to, or from, radiant
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
heating or cooling systems.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.2 This practice covers the installation process from pre-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
installation inspection through the post-installation procedure.
It does not cover the production of the radiant barrier materials.
2. Referenced Documents
(See Specification C1313.)
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 This practice is not intended to replace the manufactur-
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
er’s installation instructions but shall be used in conjunction
C1313 Specification for Sheet Radiant Barriers for Building
with such instructions. This practice is not intended to super-
Construction Applications
cede local, state, federal, or international codes.
2.2 NFPA Standards:
1.4 This practice assumes that the installer possesses a good
NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code
working knowledge of the applicable codes and regulations,
NFPA 211 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces and Vents
safety practices, tools, equipment, and methods necessary for
2.3 Other Document:
installation of radiant barrier materials. It also assumes that the
CPSC Product Safety Fact Sheet No. 18 “The Home Elec-
installer understands the fundamentals of commercial/
trical System”
industrial building construction that affect the installation of
RBS.
3. Terminology
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
practice, refer to Terminology C168.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
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
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.21 on Reflective the ASTM website.
Insulation. Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
Current edition approved March 1, 2024. Published March 2024. Originally Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
approved in 2010. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as C1744 – 19. DOI: Available from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 4330 East
10.1520/C1744-19R24. 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
C1744 − 19 (2024)
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: methods. The requirements in this practice shall be the mini-
3.2.1 applicator, n—person or persons who apply radiant mum material and installation requirements for RBS.
barrier materials in buildings.
5. Pre-Installation Inspection and Preparation
3.2.2 conditioned space, n—any space in a building that is
5.1 The applicator shall wear proper clothing and equipment
served by a heating or cooling system.
as specified by the manufacturer and shall follow all local,
3.2.3 girts, n—typically, 1 or 2× nominal lumber, installed
state, and federal codes and safety regulations for building
over rafters or trusses, to be used for securing both the RBS
construction sites, for example, hard hats, safety goggles
and metal decking, which is used on wall assemblies for
respiratory protection, and other safety items.
securing metal siding.
6. Safety Precautions
3.2.4 open air space, n—vented building cavity (for
example, an open-ended wall or ceiling assembly) or a large
6.1 Pre-Installation Inspections: New and Retrofit Build-
conditioned or unconditioned building space.
ings:
3.2.4.1 Discussion—A large building space is defined as one
6.1.1 Inspect the roof, wall, ceiling, and floor building
whose minimum dimension exceeds 2 ft (0.6 m).
materials, in both steel and wood structures, to identify areas in
which previous or existing moisture problems have caused
3.2.5 purlins, n—steel or wood structural members that are
paint peeling, lumber warpage, staining, rusting, corrosion,
used to support the buildings primary structural load above the
visible fungal growth, rotting, or other structural damage. Do
floor.
not install the RBS in such areas until the owner/builder has
3.2.6 radiant barrier system, RBS, n—building construction
been informed and has certified that these conditions have been
assembly consisting of a lowemittance (0.1 or less) surface
corrected and the cause of the condition repaired.
bounded by an open air space on one or both sides.
6.1.2 In areas where an RBS is to be installed, components
3.2.6.1 Discussion—Discussion—An RBS is used for the
of the electrical system shall be in good condition. When there
sole purpose of limiting heat transfer by radiation into or out of
is reason to believe the electrical system is faulty, do not install
a building assembly. An RBS is not specifically intended to
RBS in such areas until the owner/builder has been informed
reduce heat transfer by convection or conduction.
and qualified inspection and repair has been accomplished.
3.2.7 subpurlins, n—secondary steel or wood structural
NOTE 1—The CPSC Product Safety Fact Sheet No. 18 has identified the
members that are used primarily to support the roofing and
following signs of potential electrical deficiencies: lights dimming, fuses
siding of a building are often identified as “Z purlins,” “C
blowing, circuit breakers tripping frequently, electrical sparks and glowing
channel,” “I beams,” or other structural configurations based
from receptacles, lights flickering, and cover plates on switches and
outlets that are warm or hot to the touch.
on cross-sectional appearance.
6.1.3 In areas where an RBS is to be installed, the applicator
3.2.8 thermal break, n—low thermal conductivity product
shall locate and plan for installation around ventilation open-
such as wood or polystyrene used to separate two higher
ings. The applicator shall not install RBS that will obstruct or
conductivity products that are most often metal in an effort to
block existing ventilation openings, such as gable ends,
reduce heat gain or loss and prevent the potential for conden-
dormers, ridge, off ridge, soffit vents, or any others.
sation problems.
6.2 Preparations:
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
and durability of an RBS depends not only on the quality of the
will not contact the electrical wiring system.
materials, but also on proper installation.
6.2.2 When soffit ventilation exists in wood frame
4.2 Improper installation of an RBS will reduce the thermal
construction, and new or existing ceiling insulation will be
effectiveness, cause fire risks and other unsafe conditions, and
compromised by the installation of an RBS, vent baffles shall
promote deterioration of the structure in which it is installed.
be installed at the soffits.
Improper installations include fires caused by: (1) heat buildup
in recessed lighting fixtures, (2) deterioration or failure of
7. Installation Guidelines
electrical wiring components, and (3) deterioration in wood
7.1 Material Handling:
structures and paint failure as a result of moisture accumula-
7.1.1 The radiant barrier material shall be handled in accor-
tion.
dance with the manufacturer’s instructions, shall be kept dry,
4.3 This practice provides direction for the installation of
and shall not be in contact with the ground or sources of water.
RBS products in a safe and effective manner. Actual conditions 7.1.2 The radiant barrier material shall not be placed in
in existing buildings vary greatly and care shall be taken to
contact with corrosive building materials.
ensure safe and effective installation.
7.2 Performance Considerations:
4.4 In this practice, requirements are presented that are both 7.2.1 The performance of the RBS depends on adherence to
general and specific in nature and practical. They are not manufacturer’s specifications. Manufacturer’s installation in-
intended as specific instructions unless so indicated. The user structions and all applicable building codes shall be followed.
shall consult the manufacturer for application and installation The manufacturer shall provide the product information
C1744 − 19 (2024)
sheet(s) that specify the product’s intended use(s), application transmission. High vapor permeable house wraps and perfo-
method(s), health and safety requirements, and material prop- rated products are examples.
erties per Specification C1313.
7.3.1.4 In wood or steel framed buildings (new or retreofit),
a perforated radiant barrier shall always be used when insula-
7.2.2 The performance of the RBS is dependent on the
tion is installed (warm-winter side), such as in the roof or
presence of an open airspace adjacent to at least one low-
sidewall installations (Fig. 9), in direct contact with the radiant
emittance surface.
barrier (cold-winter side). When the radiant barrier is below, or
7.2.3 The performance of the RBS will be adversely af-
next to, an unfaced insulation, in the wall or roof (warm-winter
fected by foreign materials on the low-emittance surface.
side), a nonperforated radiant barrier shall be used.
Before installation, foreign materials shall be removed using
7.3.1.5 Regardless of construction type, all radiant barrier
manufacturer’s instructions, taking care not to damage the
materials that are installed with the low-emittance material(s)
radiant barrier material.
in direct contact with other metals shall be separated by an
7.2.4 The performance of a radiant barrier will be reduced
acceptable thermal break.
by a corrosive environment. In some instances, severe pollut-
ants react with the low-emittance surface causing an increase in
7.4 Installation Requirements:
the emittance of the material. When such conditions exist, the
7.4.1 Determine that the RBS material and installation meet
owner/builder shall be informed that these conditions have the
the following criteria:
potential to result in material degradation and a decrease in
7.4.1.1 Testing and certification—The materials shall meet
RBS performance.
all the requirements of Specification C1313 as well as comply
7.2.5 In some instances, the performance of a radiant barrier with all certification and codes governing the use and installa-
will be reduced by the presence of moisture on the low- tion of radiant barriers.
emittance surface. Such conditions are potentially temporary or 7.4.1.2 Ventilation—In all installation methods, regardless
long term and the manufacturer shall be consulted to determine
of the type of framing or roofing, materials, or methods of
the applicability of RBS when these conditions are expected to installation, inspect all ventilation openings and pathways to be
occur.
sure they are not blocked by the installation of the RBS
systems.
7.2.6 The performance of the RBS will be adversely af-
fected by the accumulation of dust over time on the low-
Installation
emittance surface. RBS shall be installed to avoid the settle-
7.5 The installer or applicator shall install the RBS accord-
ment of dust on the radiant barrier surface. Dust is not a
concern on a downward facing RBS. ing to the manufacturer’s installation guidelines. In addition,
the following minimum guideline shall be used when installing
7.2.7 Damaged areas will result in loss of performance and
an RBS in specific areas of the structure such as:
shall be repaired in accordance with the manufacturer’s in-
7.5.1 Wood frame buildings with wood roof decks—There
structions.
are various methods of installing an RBS:
7.3 Precautions:
7.5.1.1 Factory applied (laminated) or field-applied RBS
7.3.1 In areas in which radiant barrier materials are to be
(stapled) to the underside of the roof deck facing towards the
installed, the applicator shall provide clearance around lighting
interior (Fig. 1). A perforated (vapor permeable) RBS is always
fixtures, motors, fans, b
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