scope:

Inclusions

The Standard covers methods of installing common insulation products in common residential construction types, and information on the safe installation of insulating materials is appended.

Loose-fill products are included, but only to the extent of generic guidelines. On-ground vapour barriers have been included although they are not, in themselves, insulation products, because keeping ground moisture out helps to keep indoor air dryer, reducing condensation and improving the quality of the living environment.

The detail in the Standard is based on residential-type construction, but the methods may be appropriate to other constructions.

The Standard covers both the installing of insulation in new buildings during construction and the retrofitting of insulation in existing buildings.

Exclusions

This Standard excludes installation of:

(a) Structural elements of buildings that provide thermal resistance by any particular building material or part of a building. Information on thermal resistance may be found in NZS 4214, NZS 4218, NZS 4243.1, NZS 4305 and the BRANZ House Insulation Guide;

(b) Insulation in buildings with specific design, including freezers or cool stores;

(c) Insulation in buildings where insulation is part of the cladding material, e.g. exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS);

(d) Insulation for purposes other than for thermal benefit, e.g. acoustic;

(e) Vapour barriers where these may be required in building elements around areas such as spa pools, swimming pools or mountain lodges;

(f) External applications;

(g) Pre-assembled insulating systems;

(h) Double-glazing (for further information on glazing and R-values, see NZS 4218 and the WERS guide);

(i) Expanding in situ foams;

(j) Radiant barriers in walls and ceilings;

(k) Slab on ground; and

(l) Reflective pliable membranes.