Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

[CCMC 14368-R] CCMC Canadian code compliance evaluation

From: National Research Council Canada

In most jurisdictions this document is sufficient evidence for approval by Canadian authorities.

Learn more about CCMC recognition Look for the trusted CCMC mark on products to verify compliance.

Compliance opinion

National Building Code of Canada 2015

ID Code provision Solution type
05-01-04-01-00-0-005.1.4.1. Structural and Environmental LoadsAcceptable
05-01-04-02-00-0-005.1.4.2. Resistance to DeteriorationAcceptable
05-02-02-00-00-0-005.2.2. Structural Loads and Design ProceduresAcceptable
05-04-01-00-00-0-005.4.1. Air Barrier SystemsAcceptable
09-25-03-01-00-0-009.25.3.1. Required Barrier to Air LeakageAcceptable
09-25-03-02-00-0-009.25.3.2.(1) Air barrier systems shall possess the ch ...Acceptable
09-25-03-02-00-0-009.25.3.2.(2) Where polyethylene sheet is used to prov ...Alternative
09-25-03-03-00-0-009.25.3.3. Continuity of the Air Barrier SystemAcceptable
09-27-04-02-00-0-009.27.4.2.(2) Sealants shall conform to ...Acceptable
09-36-02-09-00-0-009.36.2.9.(1) The leakage of air into and out of condi ...Acceptable

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

Si-COAT® 422AB™ – Air Barrier System

Product description

The product is a silicone-based, spray-applied coating identified by CSL Silicones Inc. as the principal plane of airtightness within CSL Silicones Inc.’s proprietary air barrier system. The product is used for spraying over and sealing installed DensGlass® exterior gypsum wall sheathing. The product is a liquid silicone that is moisture-cured, elastomeric and monolithic, and forms a membrane that resists moisture and protects against air infiltration. The product is a low volatile organic compound (VOC) formulation.

Functions

This Report covers the qualification of CSL Silicones Inc.’s “Si-COAT® 422AB™ – Air Barrier System” as the air barrier system that forms the principal plane of airtightness. When this product is installed as the designated air barrier system, it will serve a dual role in the wall assembly in CSL Silicones Inc.’s proprietary air barrier system:

  • first, as a sheathing membrane that does not require other protection from water penetration (covered under CCMC 14102-R), and
  • second, as an air leakage control system once it is installed in conformance with this CCMC evaluation.

Note: When the coating is applied over 12.7 mm thick proprietary DensGlass® exterior gypsum sheathing at the specified thickness, the combination of coating and DensGlass® has a water vapour permeance (WVP) above 60 ng/(Pa·s·m2) (see Conditions and limitations below). However, if the coating is installed too thickly (that is, at a dry film thickness (DFT) greater than 30 mils), the WVP may be below 60 ng/(Pa·s·m2). In such cases, insulation must be installed to comply with the outboard/inboard ratio specified in Article 9.25.5.2, Position of Low Permeance Materials, of Division B of the National Building Code (NBC) of Canada 2015. For more information see the Conditions and Limitations in this evaluation.

Spray application

The product is spray-applied on-site by CSL Silicones Inc.-authorized installers certified by The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC).  The product must be applied to a wet film thickness (WFT) of 0.71 mm to 0.9 mm (28 mils to 35 mils) to produce a DFT of 0.63 mm ± 0.13 mm (25 mils ± 5 mils). The cured coating forms a silver/grey silicone membrane; additional colours are also available. 

Before the final overall coating is sprayed by the SSPC-certified installer, the joints and fastener heads in the DensGlass® gypsum sheathing substrate are to be sealed with “CSL423 Liquid-Applied Air Barrier Flashing Sealant” or “CSL424 Weatherproofing Sealant,” which are applied in a serpentine fashion and then spread to form a 100 mm (4 in.) ribbon over the joint having a WFT of 0.635 mm (25 mils). The rough openings of windows and doors are to be flashed with “CSL423 Liquid-Applied Air Barrier Flashing Sealant.” All applications must be in accordance with the CSL Silicones Inc. publication, “Si-COAT® Fluid-Applied Tri-Functional Air Barrier System – Application Instructions for Building Envelope Solutions” dated 2019-03‑08.

Substrates and required insulation

As per the test results in the Technical information section of this Report, the product is semi-vapour permeable and provides a breather-type performance when installed at the specified WFT over 12.7-mm DensGlass®. The combined WVP is 187 to 236 ng/(Pa·s·m2), which exceeds the greater than 60 ng/(Pa·s·m2) requirement. Therefore, at the specified WFT, the composite WVP of the coating and DensGlass® remains breathable. As a result, no insulation is required, but insulation may be installed to improve the thermal resistance of the wall assembly. However, if the applicator applies a coating thickness that exceeds the specified thickness, the composite WVP may be below the 60 ng/(Pa·s·m2) NBC 2015 restriction for low air- and water-vapour-permeance materials installed on the cold side of the assembly, whereby insulation meeting the outboard/inboard ratio must then be installed. See Conditions and Limitations.

Installation

The product and CSL Silicones Inc.-specified sealant accessories shall be installed in accordance with the CSL Silicones Inc. publication, “Si-COAT® Fluid-Applied Tri-Functional Air Barrier System – Application Instructions for Building Envelope Solutions” dated 2019-03‑08. The CSL Silicones Inc.-authorized installers are trained and certified SSPC installers. The card-carrying SSPC installers shall have their certification cards on hand, and a copy of the CSL installation instructions shall be on site for review by building officials during their inspection. The WFT gauge shall be used to confirm that the WFT is within the target limits of 0.63 mm to 0.9 mm (25 mils to 35 mils). (Some details of the product are shown in Figures 1 to 3 for information purposes only.)

A cross-section of a wall system showing the components of the air barrier system.
Figure 1. Cross-section of Si-COAT® 422AB™ – Air Barrier System
  1. Storefront assembly
  2. CSL424 weatherproofing sealant
  3. Backer rod
  4. Shim
  5. CSL423 liquid-applied air barrier flashing sealant
  6. Interior drywall
  7. Backer rod
  8. CSL424 weatherproofing sealant
  9. Steel studs
  10. Batt insulation
  11. Exterior grade gypsum sheathing
  12. Metal flashing
  13. SI-COAT® 422AB Fluid-Applied Tri-Functinal™ coating
  14. Exterior insulation
  15. Metal panel cladding
Wall detail showing the components in the air barrier system
Figure 2. CSL Silicones Inc. base of wall detail
  1. Exterior insulation
  2. SI-COAT® Fluid-Applied Tri-Functional™ coating
  3. CSL423 Liquid-Applied air barrier flashing sealant
  4. CSL423 Liquid-Applied air barrier flashing sealant
  5. Metal flashing mechanically fastened at 20 cm C/C with non-corrosive fasteners through sheathing (not shown for clarity)
  6. Grade
Cross-section of window detail for the air barrier system
Figure 3. CSL Silicones Inc. window sill detail
  1. Continuous interior galvanized metal angle (min. 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm × 3.2 mm) to support CSL423 liquid-applied air barrier flashing sealant.
  2. Continuous bead of CSL424 weatherproofing sealant as air seal between window frame and CSL423 liquid-applied air barrier flashing sealant.
  3. CSL424 weatherproofing sealant with backer rod.
  4. Closure flashing – shim to provide drainage to exterior.
  5. CSL423 liquid-applied air barrier flashing sealant applied on sill, up back angle and 10 cm down face of wall sheathing, for full perimeter of window.
  6. Si-COAT® Fluid-Applied Tri-Functional™ coating lapped 5 cm minimum over CSL423 liquid-applied air barrier flashing sealant
  7. Exterior insulation – 2 layers staggered to minimize gap in thermal barrier.

Manufacturing plant

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

Product nameManufacturing plant
Guelph, ON, CA
Si-COAT® 422AB™ – Air Barrier SystemProduct 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.

Air barrier system

  • The product shall be installed in conformance with the CSL Silicones Inc.-specified installation instructions “Si-COAT® Fluid-Applied Tri-Functional Air Barrier System – Application Instructions for Building Envelope Solutions” dated 2019-03-08. 
  • If the WFT is excessively over-specifications  (i.e., > 35 mils) during installation, the WVP may be below 60 ng/(Pa·s·m2), and insulation must then be installed to comply with the outboard/inboard ratio specified in Article 9.25.5.2. of Division B of the NBC 2015.
  • All exterior wall penetrations must be sealed, as per the CSL published details, before the product is installed over the entire surface.
  • When the product is installed on concrete, the concrete must be fully cured. 
  • For the use of CSL423 and CSL425, penetrations with mechanical fasteners are not permitted unless those fasteners are completely sealed/covered by a layer of the product.
  • The cladding fasteners must be installed at stud locations as exterior DensGlass® is not approved for cladding attachment.
  • In the above-mentioned specified steel stud construction, the product has demonstrated sufficient strength to resist wind loads so it can be used in the following height of buildings in geographical locations where:
    • the wind pressure Q50 ≤ 550 Pa (1-in-50-year wind pressure return period found in Appendix C of the NBC 2015), for a maximum building height of 120 m;
    • the wind pressure Q50 ≤ 650 Pa, for a maximum building height of 100 m;
    • the wind pressure Q50 ≤ 750 Pa, for a maximum building height of 40 m;
    • the wind pressure Q50 ≤ 1 000 Pa, for a maximum building height of 20 m;
    • the maximum deflection recorded for the steel stud assembly was 16.27 mm for a gust wind load of ± 2 320 Pa.
  • A copy of the installation instructions must be available on the job site at all times during the installation for review by building officials. All installers must present their SSPC-certified installer card upon request by the building official.
  • The product must be identified with the manufacturer’s name or logo and the phrase “CCMC 14368-R.”

The installation must be conducted by SSPC-certified installers to ensure the product is sprayed to a WFT range of 0.63 mm to 0.90 mm (25 mils to 35 mils) to produce a DFT of 0.63 mm ± 0.13 mm (25 mils ± 5 mils). The manufacturer should be contacted if the installation does not conform to the CSL Silicones Inc. specifications.

Air barrier system – field quality assurance

When the product is applied as the designated air barrier system, CSL Silicones Inc. requires that the installer be CSL Silicones Inc.-trained to ensure:

  • the approved accessories are being used;
  • proper installation of the transition membrane by conducting periodic tension testing as part of the CSL Silicones Inc.-specified quality control;
  • proper continuity details and substrate conformance as part of the quality control procedure for the product;
  • proper application of the product; and
  • daily work records are maintained for the product installation.

  Technical information

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

Evaluation requirements
Criteria number Criteria name
CCMC-TG-072709.01-15CCMC Technical Guide for Air Barrier Systems for Exterior Walls of Buildings

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

Performance requirements

The results of testing the product, conducted on four representative specimens, are summarized in the tables below in this section.  The performance resulting from these tests has been deemed applicable to the product based on equivalency testing.

The performance of the product has been tested in accordance with the CCMC Technical Guide for qualification for use as an air barrier system.

To qualify, a conforming air barrier system must:

  • have an acceptably low air leakage rate;
  • be continuous;
  • be durable;
  • have sufficient strength to resist the anticipated air pressure load; and
  • be buildable in the field.
Table 1. Results of testing the air leakage rate of the product
  DensGlass® / metal stud walls
CAN/ULC-S742 classificationTable footnote (1) A1 (≤ 0.05 L/s∙m2)
Air leakage rate after wind loading at ΔP = 75 PaTable footnote (2) 0.027 L/s∙m2
Air leakage rate after wind loading at –20°C and ΔP = 75 Pa 0.035 L/s∙m2Table footnote (3)

 

Table 2. Permissible air leakage rateTable footnote footnote (1)
Water vapour permeance (WVP) of outermost layer of wall assembly (ng/(Pa·s·m2)) Maximum permissible air leakage rate (L/s·m2) at ΔP = 75 Pa
15 < WVP ≤ 60 0.05
60 < WVP ≤ 170 0.10
170 < WVP ≤ 800 0.15
> 800 0.20

Durability of air barrier system components
Table 3. Results of durability testing of components in air barrier system
Component Requirement Result
Si-COAT® 422AB™ – Air Barrier System

Air permeance before and after aging (ASTM E 2178): < 10% increase

 Passed
WVP before heat aging (ASTM E96) 184 ng/s∙m2∙Pa
WVP before heat aging (ASTM E96) 270 ng/s∙m2∙Pa
CSL423 liquid-applied air barrier flashing sealant Adhesion to steel and concrete before heat aging > 110 kPa

752 (concrete)

308 (steel)
Adhesion to steel and concrete before heat aging > 110 kPa

878 (concrete)

347 (steel)
Adhesion to DensGlass® before and after heat aging, panel failure – report value (kPa)

368 (before aging)

280 (after aging)
Visual observation, no cracking, flaking, discoloration or other physical defects after UV and heat aging Pass
Watertightness, no leak Pass
Self-sealing ability, no water entry Did not passTable footnote (1)
Crystallization temperature (Tc) before and after UV and heat aging. Tc below –50°C and within 5°C of the unaged material

–65°C (unaged)

–65°C (aged)
Storage modulus at 0°C, < 5 MPa, both beforeand after UV and heat aging Pass
CSL425 transition membrane Visual observation, no cracking, flaking, discoloration or other physical defects after UV and heat aging Pass
Watertightness, no leak Pass
Self-sealing ability, no water entry Did not passTable footnote (1)
Crystallization temperature (Tc) before and after UV and heat aging. Tc below –50°C and within 5°C of the unaged material

–67°C (unaged)

–67°C (aged)
Storage modulus at 0 °C, < 5 MPa, both before and after UV and heat aging Pass
CSL424 weatherproofing sealant Meets ASTM C 920 Meets

 

Specimens tested for qualifying the air barrier system

The figures below show the full-scale specimens of “Si-COAT® 422AB™ - Air Barrier System” at various assembly stages before testing in the lab, which shall be representative of typical construction details to be generally reproduced in the field as part of the installation of the product. The representative specimens tested also contained minor defects (e.g., over-driven screws, gaps at brick ties, etc.) to verify the sensitivity of the air barrier system to these possible field defects and allow for tolerances. See the “Si-COAT® Fluid- Applied Tri-Functional Air Barrier System – Application Instructions for Building Envelope Solutions” dated 2019-03-08 for complete details.

 

A wall assembly used in testing the product

Figure 4. Wall-2 after the installation of the window and the sealing over screws, joints and penetrations. Note the caulking around the window frame with (grey) “CSL424 Weatherproofing Sealant” over the (bluish) “CSL423 Liquid-Applied Air Barrier Flashing Sealant.”

A wall assembly used for testing the product

Figure 5. Spray application of the air barrier over the field of Wall-2. Note the protection over the surface of the window and the surface-mounted brick ties.

Penetrations in a assembly used in testing the product

Figure 6. Application of “CSL424 Weatherproofing Sealant” around purported airtight electrical junction boxes (top and middle). The inclusion of the air barrier system is also shown (bottom).

 

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, 2023

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

The Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) assesses compliance with Canadian building, energy and safety codes. We are the only construction code compliance service supported and operated by the Government of Canada. Trusted by over 6,000 regulators across Canada.

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

The information presented on this webpage (in HTML format) is the most up-to-date information available from the CCMC about this assessment.

By downloading this PDF you acknowledge that:

  • this PDF is intended for record-keeping purposes only,
  • it represents the information as it was available at the time of downloading, and
  • it may not reflect the latest available information at some future date.
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.

View PDF

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.

Report a problem on this page
Date modified: