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[CCMC 13494-R] CCMC Canadian code compliance evaluation

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Compliance opinion

It is the opinion of the Canadian Construction Materials Centre that the evaluated product, when used as a wood-fibre thermal insulation board having its low-emissivity (low-E) material installed as specified in the enclosed insulated wall system in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this evaluation, complies with the following codes:

National Building Code of Canada 2015

ID Code provision Solution type
09-25-02-02-01-i-009.25.2.2.(1)(i) Wood Fibre Insulating Boards for BuildingsAcceptable
09-25-02-02-01-i-009.25.2.2.(1)(i) Wood Fibre Insulating Boards for BuildingsAlternative
09-25-04-02-00-0-009.25.4.2.(4) Membrane-type vapour barriers other than ...Alternative
09-25-04-02-00-0-009.25.4.2.(1) Vapour barriers shall have a permeance n ...Acceptable
09-25-04-03-00-0-009.25.4.3. Installation of Vapour BarriersAcceptable

National Building Code of Canada 2020

ID Code provision Solution type
92504020000009.25.4.2.(1) Except as provided in Sentence 9.25.4.2. ...Acceptable
92504020000009.25.4.2.(5) Membrane-type vapour barriers other than ...Alternative
92504030000009.25.4.3. Installation of Vapour BarriersAcceptable

Ontario Building Code

Ruling No. 10-13-250 (13494-R) authorizing the use of this product in Ontario, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Ruling, was made by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on 2010-07-13 pursuant to s.29 of the Building Code Act, 1992 (see Ruling for terms and conditions). This Ruling is subject to periodic revisions and updates.

The above opinion(s) is/are based on the evaluation by the CCMC of technical evidence provided by the evaluation holder, and is bound by the stated conditions and limitations. For the benefit of the user, a summary of the technical information that forms the basis of this evaluation has been included.

Product information

Product name

Enermax™ (thermal insulation)

Product description

 

The product is a 12.5-mm-thick wood-fibre thermal insulation board with a low-emissivity material (aluminized kraft paper) on one side that is adjacent to a furred-air space assembly. It is manufactured in 1 219 mm × 2 464 mm sheets. The combined assembly is installed on the interior side of a conventional insulated wood-frame structure as described below. The exterior side of the insulated wood-frame structure shall be sheathed with the sheathing specified below.

The wood frame is made of 38-mm × 140-mm studs spaced at 400 mm on centre (o.c.). The stud cavities are filled with friction-fit glass-fibre batt insulation with an RSI of 3.3 at a 140-mm reference thickness. The glass-fibre insulation shall comply with the NBC 2015. The exterior sheathing is BP Sheathing with an 11-mm-thick fibreboard corresponding to CCMC Evaluation Listing 12044-L. The product is nailed on the interior side of the wood studs and the joints are sealed with a 50-mm-wide aluminum tape. The furred-air space assembly consists of 19-mm × 64-mm wood furring strips installed horizontally at 400 mm o.c. and is closed with a gypsum board interior finish. The configuration of the wall system is shown in the figure below.

 

the wall assembly installed within the manufacturer's specified wall system

Figure 1. Enermax™ (thermal insulation) adjacent to the furred-air space assembly installed within the manufacturer's specified wall system

  1. BP sheathing (11 mm)
  2. Wood stud (31 mm × 140 mm @ 400 mm o.c.)
  3. Glass fibre insulation RSI 3.3 (140 mm)
  4. Furring strip (19 mm × 64 mm @ 400 mm o.c.)
  5. ENERMAX™ (12.7 mm)
  6. Gypsum board (12.7 mm)

Manufacturing plant

This evaluation is valid only for products produced at the following plant:

Product nameManufacturing plant
Pont-Rouge, QC, CA
Enermax™ (thermal insulation)Product evaluated by the CCMC

Product evaluated by the CCMC Indicates that the product from this manufacturing facility has been evaluated by the CCMC

  Conditions and limitations

The CCMC’s compliance opinion is bound by this product being used in accordance with the conditions and limitations set out below.

  • The product is permitted for use in buildings that fall under the scope of Part 9, Housing and Small Buildings, of the NBC 2015.
  • The product must be installed in accordance with the detailed description given in the Product information section of this evaluation, the manufacturer’s application instructions and Part 9 of the NBC 2015. The joints of the product must be sealed with aluminum tape. The product’s aluminum foil surface must be clean and free of defects.
  • Attachment of the interior gypsum board, furring and exterior sheathing must comply with the requirements of Part 9 of the NBC 2015.
  • The thermal resistance of the wall described in Figure 1 is 4.24 m²·K/W. This value does not take into account interior and exterior air film. See Heat transfer control performance for the design thermal resistance value including the air films. The 4.24 m²·K/W is valid if there are no construction imperfections, no condensation in the cavity and no dust on the surface of the aluminum foil.

    Note: Additional insulation material may only be added outboard of the wall system specified in Figure 1. The thermal resistance provided by the additional insulation cannot be added algebraically to the thermal resistance of the wall system. To determine an accurate thermal resistance of the wall system, including an insulation material added outboard of the specified wall system in Figure 1, testing must be conducted.

  • The performance of the product as an air barrier material is specified in the CCMC evaluation 13356-R.
  • The product must be installed in compliance with the Building Products of Canada’s proprietary air barrier system, which must be approved by the building official. Otherwise, the product application requires a separate air barrier system to comply with Subsection 9.25.3., Air Barrier Systems, of Division B of the NBC 2015.
  • The exterior wall sheathing must be the BP Sheathing specified in the Product information section or a board-type sheathing that provides a thermal resistance of at least RSI 0.18 and complies with Subsection 9.23.17., Wall Sheathing, of Division B of the NBC 2015.
  • The product must be protected at all times by a 12.7-mm-thick gypsum board interior finish that conforms to Subsection 9.29.5., Gypsum Board Finish (Taped Joints), of Division B of the NBC 2015. The air space must also be sealed at the interior finish to prevent any air change between the furred air space and the interior space. Sealing the air space at the perimeter of the wall, around outlets, etc., must be done in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.
  • The heat transfer, water vapour diffusion and air barrier control details between the floor joists at the rim board must meet NBC 2015 requirements.
  • The product packaging must include the following information:
    • the manufacturer's name or logo; and
    • the phrase “CCMC 13494-R” in reference to a drawing of the evaluated wall system including Enermax™ (thermal insulation).

  Technical information

This evaluation is based on demonstrated conformance with the following criteria:

Evaluation requirements
Criteria number Criteria name
CCMC-TG-072131.04-15CCMC Technical Guide for Foundation and Above-Grade Wall Systems with Low Emissivity Material and Furred-Airspaces Assembly
CCMC-TG-072131.04-20CCMC Technical Guide for Foundation and Above-Grade Wall Systems with Low Emissivity Material and Furred-Airspaces Assembly

The evaluation holder has submitted technical documentation for the CCMC’s evaluation. Testing was conducted at laboratories recognized by the CCMC. The corresponding technical evidence for this product is summarized below

Material requirements

Insulation board for heat transfer control

The Enermax™ (thermal insulation) fibreboard used within the wall assembly shown in Figure 1 conforms to CAN/ULC-S706-09, “Standard for Wood Fibre Insulating Boards for Buildings,” Type II, Class 7, as presented below.

Table 1. Fibreboard properties
Property Unit Requirement Result
Dimensions and tolerances — thickness % ± 9% of 12.5 mm (the declared value) 12.2

Dimensions and tolerances — length

 mm/m 0 to -5 Pass

Dimensions and tolerances — width 

 mm/m 0 to -5 Pass
Straight edge mm/m 2.0 1.6
Water vapour permeance ng/(Pa∙s∙m2) Maximum 60 9.6
Air permeance at 75 Pa pressure difference L/(s∙m2) Maximum 0.02 < 0.001
Water absorption by volume

%

 Maximum 10 5.7
Linear moisture expansion % Maximum 0.5 0.1
Thermal resistance for a 25-mm-thick panel (m2∙K)/W Minimum 0.410 0.55
Transverse load at rupture N Minimum 62 89.2
Tensile strength — parallel to the surface,  machine direction kPa Minimum 1000 2 874
Tensile strength — parallel to the surface, cross-machine direction kPa Minimum 1000 2 228
Tensile strength — perpendicular to the surface kPa n/a for Type II, Class 7 38.8
Compressive strength at 10% deformation kPa n/a for Type II, Class 7 255.8

 

Low-emissivity material (foil facer) for heat transfer control

Table 2. Low-emissivity material properties
Property Unit Requirement Result
Applicable standard - CAN/CGSB-51.33-M89 - Pass Pass
Emissivity - Report value 0.04
Water vapour permeance ng/(Pa·s·m2) ≤ 60 2.49
Adhesion strength N Report value 3.70

 

Durability for heat transfer control

Table 3. Durability
Property Unit Requirement Result
Emissivity after weathering and heat aging - within 5% of original value No measurable change
Water vapour permeance after weathering and heat aging ng/(Pa·s·m2) ≤ 60
  • 9.48 (Enermax™)
  • 1.26 (foil alone)
Adhesion strength after weathering and heat aging % > 85% of original value 89
Performance requirements

Heat transfer control with a furred-air space assembly

The wall system was tested in accordance with ASTM C 1363-05, “Standard Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building Materials and Envelope Assemblies by Means of a Hot Box Apparatus,” for a weather-side air temperature of –35°C and a room-side air temperature of 20°C. The test results were used to determine the thermal performance of the wall system, which is reported in the table below. The measured weather- and room-side air temperatures are also reported in the table below. The measured air temperature differential was 54.6°C. 

Table 4. Heat transfer control performance 
Property Unit Requirement Result
Weather-side air temperature °C Report value –34.1
Room-side air temperature °C Report value 20.5
Wall thermal resistance m²·K/W Report value 4.24Table footnote (1)
Thermal resistance of the wall including weather- and room-side air film data obtained from testing m²·K/W Report value 4.43Table footnote (2)
Design thermal resistance of the wall including interior and exterior air film data from ASHRAE HandbookTable footnote (3) m²·K/W Report value 4.39Table footnote (4)
Contribution in the thermal resistance of the wall due to the furred-air space assemblyTable footnote (5) m²·K/W Report value 0.5

 

Water vapour diffusion control

Table 5. Water vapour permeance
Property Unit Requirement Result
Water vapour permeance ng/(Pa·s·m²) ≤ 60 1.50

 

 

 

Administrative information

Use of Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) assessments

This assessment must be read in the context of the entire CCMC Registry of Product Assessments, any applicable building code or by-law requirements, and/or any other regulatory requirements (for example, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, etc.).

It is the responsibility of the user to confirm that the assessment they are using is current and has not been withdrawn or superseded by a later version on the CCMC Registry of Product Assessments.

Disclaimer

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has evaluated only the characteristics of the specific product described herein. The information and opinions in this evaluation are directed to those who have the appropriate degree of experience to use and apply its contents (such as authorities having jurisdiction, design professionals and specifiers). This evaluation is valid when the product is used as part of permitted construction, respecting all conditions and limitations stated in the evaluation, and in accordance with applicable building codes and by-laws.

This evaluation is provided without representation, warranty or guarantee of any kind, expressed or implied, and the NRC provides no endorsement for any evaluated product. The NRC accepts no responsibility whatsoever arising in any way from any and all use of or reliance on the information contained herein or the use of any evaluated product. The NRC is not undertaking to render professional or other services on behalf of any person or entity nor to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to another person or entity.

Language

Une version française de ce document est disponible.
In the case of any discrepancy between the English and French version of this document, the English version shall prevail.

Copyright

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the National Research Council of Canada, 2024

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the CCMC.

CCMC recognition

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Most Canadian authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) consider CCMC product assessments acceptable as evidence for product approval.

CCMC assessments are recognized by construction authorities across Canada:

The CCMC provides code compliance assessments to Canadian code requirements, consulting nationwide with construction regulators to elicit regional variations in code requirements as well as provincial and local interpretations. Users are advised to review the technical information presented in CCMC assessments when making approval decisions. Learn more about how the CCMC provides a unique service for Canada.

For more information, contact the CCMC by phone at (613) 993-6189 or by email at ccmc@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

NOTICE

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By downloading this PDF you acknowledge that:

  • this PDF is intended for record-keeping purposes only,
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References to this CCMC assessment (in product literature, on websites, etc.) must be made by linking to the evaluation webpage. This PDF must not be used as a means of distributing this assessment to an audience.

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Code compliance as an acceptable solution

Code Compliance via Acceptable Solutions

If a building design (e.g. material, component, assembly or system) can be shown to meet all provisions of the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B (e.g. it complies with the applicable provisions of a referenced standard), it is deemed to have satisfied the objectives and functional statements linked to those provisions and thus to have complied with that part of the Code.

National Building Code of Canada, Sentence A-1.2.1.1.(1)(a)

The CCMC has determined that compliance with this provision of the Code has been demonstrated as an Acceptable Solution. The evaluation report provides a summary of the basis of CCMC's compliance opinion.

CCMC's code compliance opinions

All CCMC evaluation reports are opinions of code compliance established in accordance with the National Building Code of Canada, Subsection 1.2.1. "Compliance with this Code," which requires compliance to be achieved by:

  • complying with the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B, or
  • using an alternative solution that will achieve at least the minimum level of performance required by Division B in the areas defined by the objective and functional statements attributed to the applicable acceptable solutions.

The CCMC assesses compliance with Canadian building, energy and safety codes, and is trusted by over 6,000 regulators across Canada.

Code compliance as an alternative solution

Code Compliance via Alternative Solutions

Where a design differs from the acceptable solutions in Division B, then it should be treated as an "alternative solution." A proponent of an alternative solution must demonstrate that the alternative solution addresses the same issues as the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B and their attributed objectives and functional statements. However, because the objectives and functional statements are entirely qualitative, demonstrating compliance with them in isolation is not possible. Therefore, Clause 1.2.1.1.(1)(b) identifies the principle that Division B establishes the quantitative performance targets that alternative solutions must meet. In many cases, these targets are not defined very precisely by the acceptable solutions [...] Nevertheless, Clause 1.2.1.1.(1)(b) makes it clear that an effort must be made to demonstrate that an alternative solution will perform as well as a design that would satisfy the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B—not “well enough” but “as well as.”

National Building Code of Canada, Sentence A-1.2.1.1.(1)(b)

The CCMC has determined that compliance with this provision of the Code has been demonstrated as an Alternative Solution. The evaluation report provides a summary of the basis of CCMC's compliance opinion.

CCMC's code compliance opinions

All CCMC evaluation reports are opinions of code compliance established in accordance with the National Building Code of Canada, Subsection 1.2.1. "Compliance with this Code," which requires compliance to be achieved by:

  • complying with the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B, or
  • using an alternative solution that will achieve at least the minimum level of performance required by Division B in the areas defined by the objective and functional statements attributed to the applicable acceptable solutions.

The CCMC assesses compliance with Canadian building, energy and safety codes, and is trusted by over 6,000 regulators across Canada.

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