ICC-ES AC12

Full Name

ICC-ES AC12 – Acceptance Criteria for Foam Plastic Insulation

Scope

ICC-ES AC12 outlines the requirements and test procedures for evaluating foam plastic insulation products used in buildings. The scope of AC12 includes:
  • Material properties: evaluating the physical and thermal properties of foam plastic insulation, such as density, compressive strength, R-value (thermal resistance), and water vapor transmission.
  • Fire performance: assessing the fire resistance of foam plastic insulation through tests like flame spread, smoke developed, and surface burning characteristics.
  • Durability: examining the durability and aging characteristics of foam plastic insulation to ensure long-term performance under various environmental conditions.
  • Applications: defining the appropriate uses of foam plastic insulation in building assemblies, including walls, roofs, floors, and other applications.
  • Installation requirements: specifying the proper installation methods for foam plastic insulation to achieve the intended thermal and fire performance.
  • Labeling and identification: requiring manufacturers to label foam plastic insulation products with essential information like R-value, fire performance ratings, and installation instructions.
ICC-ES AC12 covers various types of foam plastic insulation, including:
  • Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
  • Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)
  • Polyisocyanurate (polyiso)
  • Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)
By establishing these requirements and test procedures, ICC-ES AC12 ensures that foam plastic insulation products used in buildings meet minimum standards for safety, performance, and energy efficiency. It helps to protect building occupants and ensure the structural integrity of buildings.

Resources

Keywords

foam plastic insulation; ICC-ES AC12; acceptance criteria; expanded polystyrene (EPS); extruded polystyrene (XPS); polyisocyanurate (polyiso); spray polyurethane foam (SPF); R-value; density; compressive strength; water vapor transmission; flame spread; smoke developed; thermal performance; fire performance; durability; aging characteristics; building assemblies; installation methods; labeling requirements