Residential Insulation Checklist

The Residential Insulation Checklist to check all elements for compliance with the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC).

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Residential Insulation Checklist

Permits And Plans

General

3. Are the prescriptive insulation requirements for residential occupancies as per WSEC Table? • Ceilings (1) •Vaulted Ceilings •Walls Above Grade: • Wall Interior Below Grade (2): • Wall Exterior Below Grade (2): • Floor: • Floor Slab-on-Grade (2): Note: 1. For single rafter or joist vaulted ceilings the insulation may be reduced to R-38 2. Below-grade walls shall be insulated either on the exterior to a minimum level of R-10, or on the interior to the same level as walls above grade. Exterior insulation installed on below-grade walls shall be water-resistant material, manufactured for its intended use, and installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Photo Comment

4. Does insulation with facings, vapor barriers, or breathable papers installed within floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assemblies, walls, crawl spaces, under-stair voids, or attics have a flame spread rating of less than 25 and a smoke density not exceeding 450 (R302.10.1)?

Photo Comment

Access Hatches And Doors

Attic Insulation

3. Has loose fill insulation used in attic spaces where the slope does not exceed 3 in 12 and where there is at least 30 inches of clear distance from the top of the bottom chord of the truss or ceiling joist to the underside of the sheathing at the roof ridge ?

Photo Comment

Wall And Ceiling Insulation

Floor Insulation

Slab Insulation (On-Grade And Below-Grade):

1. Is slab insulation, if installed inside the foundation wall, extending down from the top of the slab for 24 inches or to the top of the footing, whichever is less, or extending down from the top of the slab and horizontally beneath the slab for a total of 24 inches? Is it ensured that no insulation is required for slabs installed 2 feet minimum below grade?

Photo Comment

2. Is the entire area of a radiant slab thermally isolated from the soil with a minimum of R-10 insulation and is the insulation approved for use? Is a mechanical rough-in inspection approved before the slab/foundation pour when a radiant heat system is used?

Photo Comment

Vapor Retarder

Ground Cover

Seals And Weather-Stripping

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Checklist by GoAudits.com – Please note that this checklist is intended as an example. We do not guarantee compliance with the laws applicable to your territory or industry. You should seek professional advice to determine how this checklist should be adapted to your workplace or jurisdiction.

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Residential Insulation Checklist

The Residential Insulation Checklist to check all elements for compliance with the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC).

1. Are the permit and approved plans on-site?

2. Have previously required inspections been signed off ?

3. Have any necessary corrections been noted and addressed?

4. Have the plans been reviewed for insulation requirements?

1. Is the newly constructed area dried in with roofing complete and exterior moisture barriers installed ?

2. Is insulation installed on the roof, walls, and floors at the specified thickness according to prescriptive requirements or the approved plans?

4. Does insulation with facings, vapor barriers, or breathable papers installed within floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assemblies, walls, crawl spaces, under-stair voids, or attics have a flame spread rating of less than 25 and a smoke density not exceeding 450 (R302.10.1)?

5. Exception: Limits don’t apply when the facing is installed in substantial contact with the unexposed surface of the ceiling, floor, or wall. Unfaced insulation is okay when concealed in areas previously mentioned.

6. Is insulation securely installed in floors, walls, and ceilings that are not fully enclosed (fireplaces, crawl space walls, etc.) ?

7. Do insulation materials display the R-rating on a side visible for inspections?

8. Are all recessed light fixtures IC (insulation contact) rated or enclosed within a sealed assembly?

1. Are access doors from conditioned spaces to unconditioned spaces weather-stripped and insulated to a level equal to the insulation at surrounding surfaces ?

2. Is wood framing or an equivalent retainer installed around the perimeter of the attic access to the height of surrounding insulation to prevent insulation from spilling and to maintain the R-value at the access ?

1. Are air-permeable insulation baffles installed adjacent to soffit and eave vents for air-permeable insulations ?

2. For open-blown or poured attic insulation, are R-value depth markers installed in the attic, showing the installed thickness and maximum settling thickness, and installed every 300 square feet and visible from the attic access?

3. Has loose fill insulation used in attic spaces where the slope does not exceed 3 in 12 and where there is at least 30 inches of clear distance from the top of the bottom chord of the truss or ceiling joist to the underside of the sheathing at the roof ridge ?

1. Is all faced insulation stapled over the face of the framing member, or if insulation is unfaced, is a vapor barrier installed over the entire wall, or unfaced with a PVA primer used to seal drywall ?

2. Is an air leakage barrier installed on the warm side of the wall, floor, or ceiling?

1. Is floor insulation installed securely in substantial contact with the surface being insulated?

2. Are insulation supports installed at a maximum of 24 inches on center, with crawl space insulation typically checked at the final inspection ?

3. Is insulation not blocking the foundation vents? Note: The permanent baffle may be installed at 30 degrees from horizontal to divert airflow below the lower surface of the insulation. Typically checked at final inspection.

2. Is the entire area of a radiant slab thermally isolated from the soil with a minimum of R-10 insulation and is the insulation approved for use? Is a mechanical rough-in inspection approved before the slab/foundation pour when a radiant heat system is used?

3. Is exposed above-grade insulation protected from physical and ultraviolet damage ?

4. Is the insulation installed on the cold side of a wall extending from the top of the below-grade wall to the top of the footing?

5. Is the insulation installed on the warm side of a wall extending from the top of the below-grade wall to the below-grade floor level?

1. Is a vapor retarder installed?

2. Does the vapor retarder have a one perm dry cup rating or less (typically 4-mil polyethylene, kraft-faced material, or PVA) ?

1. Is 6-mil black plastic installed at the crawlspace, overlapped a minimum of 12 inches, and running wall to wall? Exception: Ground cover may be omitted if the crawl space has a concrete slab floor with a minimum thickness of 3-1/2 inches

1. Do exterior joints around windows, door frames, openings between walls and foundations, and openings at utility services through walls, floors, and roofs sealed, caulked, gasketed, or weather-stripped to limit air leakage?

2. Have bottom plates and corners at the insides of exterior walls been caulked?

3. Are all exterior doors, and doors serving as access to enclosed unheated areas, weatherstripped?