In the past 30 years, the number of injuries and deaths caused by non-residential fires has dramatically decreased. During the same time span, the average amount of energy used per square foot in commercial buildings has also decreased. These reductions are due in part to the development of building codes aimed at minimizing fire risks and increasing energy efficiency in new commercial construction. Building professionals need to take special care in selecting the right insulation products to meet these two requirements.
On one side of the equation, both ASHRAE 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, and the International Energy Conservation Code require continuous insulation in most U.S. climate zones. The continuous insulation layer is to enhance the building envelope’s energy efficiency by reducing heat loss through wall studs and other thermal bridges between conditioned spaces and the building’s exterior.