[CCMC 12307-R] CCMC Canadian code compliance evaluation

It is the opinion of the Canadian Construction Materials Centre that the evaluated product, when used as a cellulose insulation injection system in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this evaluation, complies with the following codes:

National Building Code of Canada 2015

National Building Code of Canada 2020

Ontario Building Code

Ruling No. 07-01-159 (12307-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 2007-02-05 (revised 2011-11-01) 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 name

SOPRA-CELLULOSE WALL SYSTEMS

Product description

The products are assembled on the job site, and can be dry-blown using one of two methods. Each retaining method uses a membrane that permits inspection of the installed product before closing the wall with interior finishes:

1. the TRUFILL system method, which uses a polyethylene vapour barrier membrane, or
2. the BENO-MAT woven retaining membrane method.

Each membrane is then fixed to the studs with reinforced SOPRA-CELLULOSE STRIPS.

TRUFILL system method

The TRUFILL system method uses a polyethylene vapour barrier (minimum 6 mil) that meets NBC or Sopraseal HVM (This product has not been evaluated as a vapour barrier by CCMC). Reinforced vertical SOPRA-CELLULOSE STRIPS are stapled every 100 mm with 11 mm (7/16 in.) crown and 25 mm (1 in.) leg staples, or with self-drilling #8 screws of minimum 14 mm (9/16 in.) in length at every 300 mm (12 in. o.c.) for the metal studs. The use of wooden furring strips measuring 19 mm × 64 mm, installed horizontally at 400 mm or 600 mm on centre (o.c.), is optional. As illustrated in Figure 1, a 75 mm × 75 mm incision is made in the vapour barrier approximately one third of the way down from the top of the wall cavity. This allows the insertion of the ventilated rotary nozzle (TRUFILL nozzle – Figure 1), which is used to fill the cavity. As the cavity is being filled from the bottom up, the nozzle must be constantly rotated to ensure uniform, high-density compaction of the insulation. For metal stud walls, the TRUFILL injection needle (Figure 2) is recommended. An auto-adhesive patch (SOPRA-CELLULOSE PATCH) is adhered over the incision on the existing vapour barrier retaining membrane. The system can be used in wood frame walls (Figure 3) or metal stud walls (Figure 4).

BENO-MAT woven retaining membrane method

The BENO-MAT system is comprised of three components:

1. the SOPRA-CELLULOSE thermal insulation,
2. the BENO-MAT woven retaining membrane, and
3. the frame wall construction.

The BENO-MAT system uses a porous, polyester spun-bonded membrane that is stapled to the wood-frame members to contain the loose-fill cellulose insulation material, which is injected successively into each wall cavity as shown below.

The requirements for each component are outlined below:

1. SOPRA-CELLULOSE thermal insulation.
   The basic material used to form the system on-site is SOPRA-CELLULOSE, a loose-fill cellulose insulation material manufactured by SOPREMA. The insulation materials complies with the requirements of CAN/ULC-S703-09, “Cellulose Fibre Insulation (CFI) for Buildings.” SOPRA-CELLULOSE holds an active CCMC Listing, 09232-L.
    
2. BENO-MAT woven retaining membrane. 
   The loose-fill cellulose insulation is injected into the wall cavity behind the BENO-MAT membrane using a specified commercial blowing machine.
    
3. Frame wall construction. 
   The BENO-MAT method was evaluated for use in typical wood-frame constructions using either 38 mm × 89 mm studs or 38 mm × 140 mm studs placed 400 mm or 600 mm o.c., or metal frames that meet the NBC 2015.

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.

• The thermal insulating product used is SOPRA-CELLULOSE and must continue to have an active CCMC evaluation.
• The specified density of 56 kg/m³ (3.5 lb/ft³) for the product must be delivered into the wall cavity. This action produces a bulge in the membrane of less than 13 mm (1/2 in), in accordance with the predetermined coverage tables supplied by SOPREMA. The coverage tables have been prepared by multiplying the specified density by the wall cavity dimensions with an increased wall cavity depth of 12 mm (0.5 in). Where wood furring (19 mm × 64 mm, horizontally installed at 400 to 600 mm o.c., is not used, the use of a roller to even the insulation and the retaining membrane with the face amounts is recommended.
• The installation must be done by an installer certified by SOPREMA, in accordance with the manufacturer’s current installation instructions and the usage and limitations in this evaluation. The installer must have a SOPREMA-issued certification card that bears the installer’s photograph and signature. The installer must use the equipment specified in the manufacturer’s current installation instructions and must follow the usage guidelines specified in this evaluation. To avoid irritation to the skin, eyes and throat, the installer is required to wear a mask during material installation.
• The insulation must be kept at least 75 mm from heat-emitting devices (or as required in building regulations or safety codes), such as recessed light fixtures and chimneys.
• The BENO-MAT membrane or its packaging must be identified with the following information: BENO-MAT and the phrase “CCMC 12307-R.”
• Pierced vapour barriers must be repaired to ensure the continuity of the vapor barrier.
• The installation must be in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions contained in “BENO-MAT - Dry Injection System - fourth edition” and the “SOPRA-CELLULOSE Application Guide.” These documents form the basis of the training program for installers certified by SOPREMA. The documents state the procedures to be followed to deliver the product on-site; specifically, the placement of the membrane, the calculation of the quantity of thermal insulating product required to deliver the specified density, and the proper injection procedure to deliver an even density throughout the wall cavity.

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

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.

Performance requirements

The thermal resistance of the product was determined with a heat flow meter (HFM) apparatus on a 152-mm-thick specimen at a mean temperature of 24°C, in accordance with ASTM C 518-10, “Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus.”

The densities of the specimens were 52.4 kg/m³, 52.1 kg/m³ and 52.1 kg/m³. Based on the average delivered density in the test program of 52.2 kg/m³, the respective thermal resistance per unit thickness was 25.5 (m2·°C)/W, 25.9 (m²·°C)/W and 25.3 (m²·°C)/W.