[CCMC 14088-R] CCMC Canadian code compliance evaluation

It is the opinion of the Canadian Construction Materials Centre that the evaluated product, when used as an exterior wall cladding that is designed to be a weather barrier and to provide thermal insulation in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this evaluation, complies with the following code:

National Building Code of Canada 2015

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 name

CANAROCK Lightweight Pre-Finished Insulated Panel System

Product description

The product is a hybrid, non-loadbearing, prefabricated, horizontally installed EIFS-type wall cladding that is manufactured in panel form under controlled factory conditions. The product consists of modular, prefinished expanded polystyrene (EPS) panels that are manufactured in-plant using proprietary extrusion techniques of the coating system.

The product has a tongue and groove design where the panels interlock (see Figures 1 to 5). The product consists of panels with lengths ranging from 1.2 m to 4.9 m and with widths ranging from 0.3 m to 0.7 m.

The product comes with several special accessories and mouldings for finishing the cladding system at edges, corners and interfaces.

Insulation

The system includes CANAROCK PUCC insulation boards, which are Type 1 or Type 2 polystyrene foam insulation boards that are made from 100% virgin materials. They are manufactured and packaged by a CANAROCK-approved and QAI-certified manufacturer/moulder compliant with CAN/ULC-S701-11, “Thermal Insulation, Polystyrene, Boards and Pipe Covering.” The CANAROCK PUCC insulation boards have a geometrically defined drainage cavity (GDDC) design on one side of the EPS board that is made up of a series of circles (Pressure-Utilized Compartmented Cavity System - PUCCS), that are 86 mm in diameter, 10 mm deep and 16 mm apart, with an overall thickness of 63.5 mm (see Figure 2).

Synthetic coating system (lamina) and reinforcing mesh

A proprietary synthetic coating system (lamina) consisting of a base coat (Jewel Stone), a glass-fibre mesh and a finish coat (Gemstone) is applied over the smooth surface of the CANAROCK PUCC insulation boards through proprietary extrusion techniques under controlled factory conditions. The CANAROCK Fibre Mesh embedded in the coating system consists of an alkali-resistant, woven, glass-fibre reinforcing fabric that has a minimum nominal weight of 174 g/m² (5.2 oz./yd.²).

Jewel Stone is a two-component base coat consisting of a dry-mix cementitious powder supplied in 22.7-kg bags and a wet mix polymeric admixture supplied in 19-L/19-kg pails. The material is mixed in a ratio of 4.5:1 (dry mix to wet mix) by weight. The uniform dry thickness of the base coat must not be less than 2.0 mm. The base coat must be sufficiently thick to fully embed the CANAROCK Fibre Mesh.

Gemstone is a proprietary, ready-mix, polymer-based finish coat that consists of coloured quartz aggregates in a clear polymeric resin. The thickness of the finish coat varies from 1 mm to 2 mm. The finish coat may also include metallic flakes intended for architectural purposes.

Note: The finish coat, base coat and mesh also form part of the PUCCS EIFS system in CCMC 12969-R.

Substrate

The product is intended to be applied directly to vertical walls of brick, masonry, monolithic concrete walls, and/or cementitious, glass-mat surfaced gypsum, plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) sheathing boards installed over wood or steel framing. The product is available in an array of different colours and finish textures.

Water-resistive barrier (WRB) and adhesive

The panels are applied on-site over a water-resistive barrier (WRB), CANAROCK Polar Bear, that covers the full surface area of the intended substrates through an adhesive coating^{Table footnote (1)} . This application is similar to the PUCCS EIFS application in CCMC 12969-R. Mechanical fasteners are used to hold the panels in place while the adhesive coating cures.

CANAROCK Polar Bear is a factory-blended, ready-to-use, non-cementitious, polymeric, wet-mix coating supplied in 19-L/25-kg pails. It is intended for use on all types of substrates, including wood. Two coats of CANAROCK Polar Bear are applied over the substrate with a flat, stainless steel trowel. Each coat is applied in a continuous layer to achieve a minimum thickness of 1.2 mm per coat.

When it serves as an adhesive, CANAROCK Polar Bear is applied in a continuous layer with a flat, stainless steel trowel to achieve a minimum thickness of 1.2 mm.

Fasteners

The mechanical fasteners (used to install cladding while the adhesive cures) consist of corrosion-resistant anchoring screws and rectangular, low-profile, high-density polyvinyl chloride (PVC) washers that are used to secure the prefabricated CANAROCK elements. The spacing and frequency of the fasteners varies depending on the type of structural sheathing/substrate. The low-profile plastic washers, along with their fasteners, should be installed within the special grooves incorporated in the design of the panels.

Installation

The CANAROCK panels must be installed tight-fitting with tongue and groove joints. Venting at bottom of assembly is to be accomplished with 1 in.-wide weep holes at 8 ft.-0 in. o.c. above openings and at the bottom of the wall section, and sealing details as per the manufacturer’s installation instructions and by the CANAROCK-approved installers.

Manufacturing plant

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

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

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

General

• The product is intended for use as an exterior wall cladding on buildings falling under the scope of Parts 5 and 9 of the NBC 2015.
• When used in existing buildings, the applicable or the relevant elements of the existing buildings must comply with the requirements of the NBC 2015.
• Use of the product in Part 5 buildings is limited to buildings three storeys or less in height where combustible cladding is permitted.
• The product must be installed according to CANAROCK installation manual/instructions (Issued: May 23, 2017 – Revised: March 6, 2018) by applicators trained and authorized by the manufacturer.
• The product is not intended for use as below-grade insulation and should terminate at least 200 mm above grade level.

Water penetration control

• The WRB coating, as the designated second plane of protection, must be installed in a two-coat application.
• The continuity of the second plane of protection across joints and junctions at openings, penetrations and expansion joints must be maintained through accessories such as self-adhering membranes and tapes, etc., as specified by the manufacturer, prior to the installation of the system/product.
• The product must be installed with suitable flashing to drain any incidental water from the drainage cavity to the exterior and to protect the exposed top edge of the cladding. Cap flashing must be installed immediately after the installation of the panels.
• Specification of surface sealers must be provided by the manufacturer.
• The drained airspace behind the insulation boards shall remain unobstructed so as to form a clear drainage cavity behind them and it shall terminate in a manner that does not obstruct the dissipation of incidental rainwater to the exterior through the specified vent holes. Note that size and number of the vent holes shall not be exceeded as it may reduce the thermal resistance of the assembly.

Condensation control

• The product may only be used with RSI 3.8 (R-22) back-up walls at locations having 6999 heating degree-days or less as per the requirements of Article 9.25.5.2., Position of Low Permeance Materials, of Division B of the NBC 2015. The maximum ratio of outboard to inboard thermal resistance of 0.35 is reached with an RSI 3.8 (R-22) back-up wall (see the Condensation control table of this evaluation).
• The design of the inboard/outboard insulation of the product must be in accordance with the requirements of Section 9.25., Heat Transfer, Air Leakage and Condensation Control, of Division B of the NBC 2015.
• When used on existing walls, the architect shall ensure compliance to Part 5 of the NBC 2015. The possibility of moisture accumulation within the wall construction is mainly a function of the ability of the wall assembly to deflect bulk water entry. The physical properties of the cladding being installed and its impact on the thermal, air leakage and vapour diffusion characteristics of the existing wall must be in accordance with Note A-5.1.2.1.(1), Application (Environmental Separation), of Division B of the NBC 2015.

Cladding attachment and structural considerations

• The product is intended to be installed by trained installers to apply/adhere product directly to vertical walls of brick, masonry, monolithic concrete walls, and/or cementitious, glass-mat-surfaced gypsum, plywood or OSB sheathing boards installed over wood or steel framing.
• Gaps between the wood sheathing boards of framed walls must not exceed 3.2 mm.
• The product is not suitable for use as a structural sheathing for bracing purposes.
• Use of the product with the adhesive indicated in the Distinctive system components of the product table together with fasteners indicated in the Product information section is limited to geographical areas where Q₅₀, the 1-in-50 reference wind pressure, is less than 1.00 kPa.
• Expansion joints must be carried through the cladding. Movement joints are required to accommodate expansion and contraction of building materials due to thermal changes, moisture, wind, gravity, vibration and seismic activity. Expansion joints must be used in the following situations:
  • at joints that occur in the substrate;
  • at any abutment of the product with other materials;
  • where the substrate changes;
  • where significant structural movement occurs;
  • where deflections in excess of L/240 are expected; and
  • at the floor line in wood-frame constructions (may not be required when using engineered wood beams).
• Closed-cell backer rods should be used at expansion joints so that the low-modulus sealant may be installed as per the sealant manufacturer’s instructions.
• Glass-mat gypsum sheathing must comply with the requirements of ASTM C 1177/C 1177M-13, “Glass Mat Gypsum Substrate for Use as Sheathing,” or must have been evaluated by the CCMC.
• OSB and/or plywood structural sheathing boards used in conjunction with the product must be designed as per CSA O86-14 “Engineering Design in Wood.” In addition, OSB boards must comply with CSA O325-07, “Construction Sheathing,” while plywood boards must comply with CSA O121-08, “Douglas Fir Plywood,” CSA O151-09, “Canadian Softwood Plywood,” and CSA O153-13, “Poplar Plywood.”
• The OSB and/or plywood sheathing boards must have a minimum thickness of 11.1 mm and 12.7 mm, respectively. The boards must have their principal strength direction across the studs, must be continuously supported by framing, and must be gapped at least 2.0 mm and not more than 3.0 mm.
• OSB and/or plywood sheathing boards used in conjunction with the product must be fastened to the framing in conformance with Article 9.23.3.5., Fasteners for Sheathing or Subflooring, of Division B of the NBC 2015.
• When the product is installed over wood by trained installers, the moisture content of the lumber and/or the wood sheathing must not be greater than 19% at the time the WRB is applied.
• A wind load test has been conducted on a wood-frame wall with OSB sheathing. For other substrates, the back-up wall must also be designed to resist the expected wind load. In particular, the glass-mat gypsum sheathing thickness and fastening schedule must be designed to resist the anticipated wind load.

Fire protection

• The use of the product is limited to combustible cladding, permitted on a maximum 3-storey building, conforming to:
  • Article 9.10.14.5., Construction of Exposing Building Face and Walls above Exposing Building Face, of Division B of the NBC 2015, for a building within the scope of Part 9 of the NBC 2015; and
  • Articles 3.1.5.5., Combustible Cladding on Exterior Walls, and 3.2.3.7., Construction of Exposing Building Face, for a building within the scope of Part 5 of the NBC 2015 (i.e., when the maximum area of unprotected openings permitted is greater than 50%).
• The polystyrene thermal insulation boards must have a flame-spread rating of not more than 500 when tested in accordance with the requirements of CAN/ULC-S102.2-10, “Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Flooring, Floor Coverings, and Miscellaneous Materials and Assemblies.” Please refer to QAI Listing B1061-1 (https://qai.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3.-B1061-1-Edition-2-Amvic-EPS-AmDRY-PEX-PANEL-Listing-Page.pdf) for the flame-spread rating of the polystyrene thermal insulation used in the panel system.
• The polystyrene insulation must be protected from the inside of the building in accordance with Clauses 3.1.4.2.(1)(c), Protection of Foamed Plastics, and 9.10.17.10.(1)(c), Protection of Foamed Plastics, of Division B of the NBC 2015.
• The product should be kept at least 50 mm, or as required in building regulations and safety codes, from heat-emitting devices, such as recessed light fixtures and chimneys.
• The requirements of the NBC 2015 regarding fire blocks must be implemented.

Thermal properties and effective R-value

• The effective R-value of the product, when installed as described in the Installation section of this evaluation, is equivalent to the thermal resistance of 50-mm-thick flat EPS insulation and it is in the order of RSI 1.3 (R7.38). Please refer to the Estimated thermal resistance (R-value) table of this evaluation for details.
• In cases the design professional uses the product on existing walls, the addition of thermal insulation onto existing exterior walls will increase the thermal efficiency and airtightness of the wall. However, deficiencies in flashing and other elements in the building assembly, including mechanical systems, may result in detrimental effects of moisture accumulation, as highlighted in Note A-9.25.2.4.(3), Loose-Fill Insulation in Existing Wood-Frame Walls, of Division B of the NBC 2015. As a result, once the EIFS (the product evaluated in this report) is installed, the existing exterior walls must meet the requirements of the NBC 2015 for heat transfer, air leakage and condensation control.
• The product can provide additional thermal insulation to the wall assembly with no detrimental effects if properly installed with knowledge of the existing wall configuration and performance.
• The product alone may not provide the full amount of the required wall insulation. The thermal resistance of the wall system must conform to the energy requirements of the applicable building code. The wall system may have to conform to the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2015 at minimum to meet technical requirements of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
• The polystyrene thermal insulation boards must conform to the requirements of CAN/ULC-S701-11 as certified by QAI. The polystyrene thermal insulation boards must be cut from moulded blocks manufactured using 100% virgin raw materials. The polystyrene thermal insulation boards must be in conformance with the dimensional tolerances specified in Section B2.2 of CAN/ULC S 701.1-17, “Thermal Insulation, Polystyrene Boards,” which supersedes CAN/ULC-S701-11. The polystyrene thermal insulation blocks, prior to being cut into insulation boards for use in the product, must be aged in conformance with Section B2.2 of CAN/ULC S701.1-17, which supersedes CAN/ULC-S701-11.

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

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