[CCMC 14152-R] CCMC Canadian code compliance evaluation

CCMC number:

14152-R

Status:

Active

Issue date:

2020-04-29

Modified date:

2024-02-14

Evaluation holder:

BASF Canada Inc.

10 Constellation Court
Toronto ON M9W 1K1
Canada
Website: www.basf.com
Telephone: 289-360-1300

Product name:

WALLTITE® CM01 (Radon Control)

Compliance:

NBC 2015, OBC

Criteria:

CCMC-TG-072623.01-15, "CCMC Technical Guide for Medium Density (MD) Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation (SPUF) for Soil Gas (Radon) Control beneath Concrete Slabs-on-Ground"

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

It is the opinion of the Canadian Construction Materials Centre that the evaluated product, when used as a soil gas (radon) barrier in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this evaluation, complies with the following code:

National Building Code of Canada 2015

ID	Code provision	Solution type
09-13-04-02-00-0-00	9.13.4.2.(1) All wall, roof and floor assemblies sepa ...	Acceptable
09-25-03-06-00-0-00	9.25.3.6.(1) Materials used to provide a barrier to t ...	Alternative

Ontario Building Code

Ruling No. 21-01-364 (14152-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 2021-03-12 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

WALLTITE® CM01 (Radon Control)

Product description

The product is an under-slab barrier designed to restrict naturally occurring radon gas from migrating through the ground and concrete slab. It is a closed-cell, spray-applied rigid polyurethane foam of medium density, evaluated under CCMC 14100-L, and consists of two components that must be labelled as follows:

Isocyanate (Component A): Elastospray^® 8000A isocyanate; and
Resin (Component B): Walltite^® CM01 resin

The two components are mixed on site by BASF Canada Inc.-qualified installers (see Qualified installers section below) with fixed-ratio positive displacement equipment. The colour of the final cured product is purple.

Qualified installers and site quality assurance program (SQAP)

WALLTITE^® CM01 for radon control is a site-manufactured product, whereby BASF Canada Inc. requires that only specific qualified installers be authorized to install their proprietary spray polyurethane insulation in buildings. In accordance with the BASF Canada Inc. site quality assurance program (SQAP), the certification organization (CO) Caliber Quality Solutions Inc. (Caliber) has been commissioned to license the specified installers and issue them the requisite Caliber identification card. Note that the training and installer certification to install WALLTITE^® CM01 for radon control is in addition to the base Caliber/BASF Canada Inc. training for the spraying of polyurethane foam as a thermal insulation only in accordance with CAN/ULC-S705.2-05(R2016), “Thermal Insulation – Spray Applied Rigid Polyurethane Foam, Medium Density – Application”). As part of their SQAP, BASF Canada Inc. also stipulates site audit inspections be conducted by site inspectors licensed by Caliber. Upon completion of the site audit, Caliber will report the product’s conformity results and any corrective action required, if necessary, to BASF Canada Inc. Building officials who would like site-audit inspections to be conducted on specific building sites can contact Caliber (see details in CCMC 14100-L).

All specified installers must present a Caliber identification card to the building official that indicates the installer is certified to install the spray foam for both intended functions; that is, as a thermal insulation (CAN/ULC-S705.2-05(R2016)) and as an air/radon barrier.

Thickness – spray foam and gravel drainage layer

The WALLTITE^® CM01 for radon control requires a minimum of 50-mm spray polyurethane to be installed. The spray polyurethane may be sprayed directly over the NBC-specified 100-mm gravel bed or onto a geotextile. When applied directly over the gravel bed, the foam resin may penetrate up to 15 mm into the cavities between the surface gravel. For direct gravel applications, the gravel bed shall be increased to 115 mm to ensure a minimum 100-mm gravel bed as the gas-permeable layer to evacuate the radon gas.

Radon resistance

It should be noted that Sentence 9.13.4.2.(1) of Division B of the NBC 2015 requires an effective air barrier system be installed as a barrier to soil gas. WALLTITE^® CM01 has been evaluated beyond the qualification as an air barrier system required by the NBC 2015 for soil gas, as outlined in the "Other technical evidence" section of this Report, as WALLTITE^® CM01 has qualified as an effective barrier to, specifically, radioactive radon. WALLTITE^® CM01, when installed at 50 mm, shows better resistance to radon than 6-mil polyethylene (that is, the NBC 2015 benchmark acceptable solution).

Manufacturing plants

This evaluation is limited to products produced at the following plants:

Product name	Manufacturing plants
Product name	Blackie, AB, CA	Toronto, ON, CA
WALLTITE® CM01 (Radon Control)	Product evaluated by the CCMC	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 system must be applied on site by qualified installers who are BASF-trained and Caliber-certified and who possess a Caliber identification card.⁽¹⁾ The SQAP and installation manual shall be available on site for review by the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
The thickness of the specified medium-density spray polyurethane foam shall be a minimum of 50 mm when installed over geotextile. When sprayed directly onto the gravel, the NBC-specified 100-mm gravel bed shall be increased to 115 mm. Per Sentence 9.16.2.1.(1), Required Installation of Granular Material, of Division B of the NBC 2015, the specified gravel shall consist of coarse, clean granular material containing not more than 10% of material that will pass a 4 mm sieve.
A minimum of 24 hours shall pass before the installation of the 100-mm concrete floor slab.
As with the 6-mil polyethylene sheet, care shall be taken to not damage the spray polyurethane surface during the installation of the concrete slab; in particular, damage from any reinforcement mesh.
WALLTITE^® CM01 has shown ability to seal around penetrations of 100-mm ABS, PVC and steel pipes, and 6.35 mm copper pipes, without need for sealant. Other materials may require additional sealant (that is, polyethylene pipes).

Figure 1. Application of WALLTITE^® CM01 for radon control beneath concrete slab, with geotextile/100 mm gravel or without geotextile/115 gravel bed.

Exterior wall damp proofing

Flexibile sealant (as per NBC)

WALLTITE^® CM01

100 mm granular fill with geotextile, or 115 mm granular fill

WALLTITE^® CM01 as a thermal break

Figure 2. Application of WALLTITE^® CM01 for radon control beneath concrete slab, with geotextile/100 mm gravel or without geotextile/115 gravel bed.

Exterior wall damp proofing

WALLTITE^® CM01

100 mm granular fill with geotextile, or 115 mm granular fill

Technical information

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

Evaluation requirements
Criteria number	Criteria name
CCMC-TG-072623.01-15	CCMC Technical Guide for Medium Density (MD) Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation (SPUF) for Soil Gas (Radon) Control beneath Concrete Slabs-on-Ground

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 following were the key performance requirements for the evaluation:

Material qualification: Medium-density spray polyurethane foam (SPUF) complying with CAN/ULC-S705.1, and installation as per CAN/ULC-S705.2. Confirmed through possession of active CCMC Listing;
Air barrier system: The air barrier system for floors-on-ground qualification through testing. The NBC 2015 benchmark is 6-mil polyethylene as per Sentence 9.25.3.6.(1) of Division B of the NBC 2015;
Soil gas barrier: The barrier performance against soil gas, specifically radon, based on qualification testing, small-scale and large-scale. The NBC 2015 benchmark is 6-mil polyethylene as per Sentence 9.13.4.2.(1) of Division B of the NBC 2015, referring to Sentence 9.25.3.6.(1);
Resistance to mechanical damage: Repeat small-scale radon-barrier testing with indented SPUF by simulated concrete pour/workman load damage.
Dampproofing: The dampproofing function as a requirement for the SPUF beneath the slab is optional, as dampproofing is waived when 100 mm of coarse, clean granular material is installed beneath the slab as per Clause 9.13.2.1.(3)(c), Required Damproofing, of Division B of the NBC 2015. See the Other technical evidence (optional testing) section.

Table 1. Material qualification
SPUF product CAN/ULC-S705.1 compliance	Thermal insulation in field (CAN/ULC-S705.2) site quality assurance program (SQAP)	Radon barrier in field WALLTITE^® CM01 site quality assurance program (SQAP)
CCMC 14100-L (WALLTITE^® CM01)	BASF-trained and Caliber-certified installers	BASF-trained and Caliber-certified installers

Table 2. Air barrier system performance
Material	Test procedure	Unit	Requirement	Result
SPUF product CCMC 14100-L sealing around pipe penetrations^{Table footnote (1)}	ASTM E 2178/D 2178M-13^{Table footnote (1)}	L/(s∙m² )	0.02^{Table footnote (2)}	0.0074 – 0.0099^{Table footnote (3)}
6-mil polyethylene	NBC 2015 Table A-9.25.5.1.^{Table footnote (1)}	L/(s∙m² )	NBC-acceptable solution benchmark	negligible

Notes

Footnote 1

The tested 1 m × 1 m specimens of 50-mm-thick SPUF contained a 100-mm-diam ABS pipe and a 100-mm steel pipe to verify the SPUF sealing to elements that may penetrate WALLTITE^® CM01 in the field. The 6-mil polyethylene with a pipe penetration and tape/sealant was not tested.

Return to table footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

The derivation of the criterion is based on the permitted air leakage of a fixed window per length of seal/joint (that is, 0.068 L/s/m The circumference of the 100-mm pipe is 319 mm, resulting in a criterion of 0.319 m × 0.068 l/s/m = 0.0217 L/s.

Return to table footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

Although this air leakage performance is not as low as the negligible performance for a 6-mil polyethylene sheet without a pipe penetration, this air leakage performance is still extremely low. This testing used air as the medium to compare SPUF to 6-mil polyethylene, the comparison in the table Radon barrier performance for BASF SPUF product CCMC 14100-L at 50-mm thickness below using radioactive radon (Rn) gas as the medium for comparison is the key performance indicator for evaluating/comparing the performance as a barrier to radon gas.

Return to table footnote 3 referrer

Table 3. Radon barrier performance for BASF SPUF product CCMC 14100-L at 50-mm thickness
Property	Unit	Requirement^{Table footnote (1)}	Result
Small-scale tests
Radon diffusion coefficient (D)^{Table footnote (2)}	m² /s	< 8.05 × 10^-12 m²/s 6-mil polyethylene NBC benchmark	negligible^{Table footnote (3)}
Radon resistance (R_radon)^{Table footnote (4)}	s/m	≥ 1.90 × 10⁷ s/m 6-mil polyethylene NBC benchmark	–^{Table footnote (3)}^{Table footnote}
Radon diffusion coefficient (D) after mechanical damage	m² /s	< 8.05 × 10^-12 m²/s 6-mil polyethylene NBC benchmark	1.59 × 10^-10^{Table footnote (5)}
Radon resistance (R_radon) after mechanical damage	s/m	≥ 1.90 × 10⁷ s/m 6-mil polyethylene NBC benchmark	8.48 × 10⁹
Large-scale tests
Radon infiltration (BASF WALLTITE^® CM01 and floor assembly)	%	< 6.6 % (RnR/RnD)^{Table footnote (6)} 6-mil polyethylene NBC benchmark	2.0

Notes

Footnote 1

The radon diffusion coefficient represents a material property that depends primarily on its chemical composition and is not affected by its thickness. A new product parameter known as radon resistance was defined in order to more accurately evaluate the effectiveness of material in reducing or preventing radon entry. Materials with higher radon resistance are considered less permeable to radon and therefore can prevent or reduce radon entry more effectively.

Return to table footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Testing was conducted using NRC Radon Diffusion Test Chamber (RDTC) (see Appendix A for schematic of test apparatus).

Return to table footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

The radon diffusion coefficient for the SPUF products could not be obtained, and, as such, the radon resistance could not be calculated, since no significant amount of radon diffused through the SPUF samples during the radon diffusion tests. Therefore, the SPUF at 50-mm thickness is better than the 6-mil polyethylene benchmark as a barrier to radon in this small-scale test.

Return to table footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

Testing was conducted using NRC Radon Infiltration Building Envelope Test Systems (RIBETS) (see Appendix A for schematic of test facility).

Return to table footnote 4 referrer

Footnote 5

A comparison between the radon diffusion coefficients of material of different thicknesses may not represent the effectiveness of a material in reducing or preventing radon entry. The calculated radon resistance of the WALLTITE^® CM01 SPUF sample after mechanical damage is the preferred property for assessing the performance.

Return to table footnote 5 referrer

Footnote 6

The radon-measured levels ratio (Rn_R/Rn_D) is for comparison of the alternative solution to the benchmark acceptable solution. The numerator with subscript "R" represents the radon in the receiving chamber. Therefore, the SPUF at 50-mm thickness is better than the 6-mil polyethylene benchmark as a barrier to radon in this large-scale test, which is representative of the installation in the field.

Return to table footnote 6 referrer

Other technical evidence

Additional performance data requested by the Report Holder

Data in this section does not form part of CCMC's opinion in the code compliance opinion section.

Dampproofing (optional)

Table 4. Dampproofing performance of SPUF^{Table footnote footnote (1)}
Property	Unit	Test procedure	Requirement	Result
Coefficient of water absorption @ 72-h ^{Table footnote footnote (1)}	kg/(m² ·s^1/2)	ISO 15148:2002	< 0.0040	0.0002
Water vapour permeance	ng/(Pa·s·m² )	ASTM E 96/E 96M, Procedure B (wet cup method)	≤ 43	46.08^{Table footnote footnote (2)}^{Table footnote footnote (3)}

Notes

Footnote 1

Minimum 72 hours as per ISO 15148:2002, “Hygrothermal performance of building materials and products – Determination of water absorption coefficient by partial immersion.” The criterion has been met, which demonstrates that the polyurethane surface provides good water resistance.

Return to table footnote footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

The ASTM E 96/E 96M-13, “Water Vapor Transmission of Materials,” specimens were selected from three (3) 1 m × 1 m sprayed panels of 50-mm thick and tested with skins removed, resulting in 40-mm thick tested specimens with a water vapour permeance of 57.6 ng/((Pa·s·m²). As is it a homogenous material, the water vapour permeance of the 50-mm thick foam can be estimated to be approximately 46 ng/(Pa·s·m²).

Return to table footnote footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

The criterion specified in Section 8.1.6, Dampproofing (Optional), of the CCMC Technical Guide has not been met at the 50-mm thickness with the top and bottom skins removed. For the product to meet the criterion, the thickness shall be increased proportionally (i.e., add: [(46.08-43)/46.08] × 50 mm = 3.34 mm).

Return to table footnote footnote 3 referrer

NRC Construction Research Centre Radon Testing Facilities

(1) Small-scale Tests Radon Diffusion Test Chamber (RDTC)

Schematic of Radon Diffusion Test Chamber — Figure 3. Schematic of RDTC

Receiving compartment

Radon monitor

Test sample

Dosing compartment

Radon source

(2) Large-scale Tests Radon Infiltration Building Envelope Test Systems (RIBETS)

Conceptual design of the Radon Infiltration Building Envelope Test Systems — Figure 4. Conceptual design of the RIBETS

Sub-slab radon (Rn) exhaust stack (100 mm PVC pipe)

Make-up air stack

Exhaust stack

Control damper

In-line fan

Baseboard heater

Radon source

Dosing compartment

Receiving compartment

Concrete pad

Perforated stainless steel plate

Gravel (100 mm), specification as per NBC 2015

Air barrier (6-mil polyethylene or spray foam products)

Concrete slab (101.6 mm)

Copper tubing for pressure measurement

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

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.

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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From: National Research Council Canada

Date modified:: 2024-02-29

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[CCMC 14152-R] CCMC Canadian code compliance evaluation