Radiant barriers shall meet specific eligibility and installation criteria to be modeled by any compliance software and receive energy credit for compliance with the Building Energy Efficiency Standards for low-rise residential buildings.
The emittance of the radiant barrier shall be less than or equal to 0.05 as tested in accordance with ASTM C1371 or ASTM E408.
Installation shall conform to ASTM C1158 (Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Radiant Barrier Systems (RBS) in Building Construction), ASTM C727 (Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Reflective Insulation in Building Constructions), ASTM C1313 (Standard Specification for Sheet Radiant Barriers for Building Construction Applications), and ASTM C1224 (Standard Specification for Reflective Insulation for Building Applications), and the radiant barrier shall be securely installed in a permanent manner with the shiny side facing down toward the interior of the building (ceiling or attic floor). Moreover, radiant barriers shall be installed at the top chords of the roof truss/rafters in any of the following methods:
(a) Draped over the truss/rafter (the top chords) before the upper roof decking is installed.
(b) Spanning between the truss/rafters (top chords) and secured (stapled) to each side.
(c) Secured (stapled) to the bottom surface of the truss/rafter (top chord). A minimum air space shall be maintained between the top surface of the radiant barrier and roof decking of not less than 1.5 inches at the center of the truss/rafter span.
(d) Attached [laminated] directly to the underside of the roof decking. The radiant barrier shall be laminated and perforated by the manufacturer to allow moisture/vapor transfer through the roof deck.
(e) In addition, the radiant barrier shall be installed to cover all gable end walls and other vertical surfaces in the attic.
RA4.2.1.1 For Prescriptive Compliance: The attic shall be ventilated to:
Provide a minimum free ventilation area of not less than one square foot of vent area for each 300 ft² of attic floor area.
Provide no less than 30 percent upper vents.
Ridge vents or gable end vents are recommended to achieve the best performance. The material should be cut to allow for full airflow to the venting.
The product shall meet all requirements for California certified insulation materials [radiant barriers] of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation, as specified by CCR, Title 24, Part 12, Chapter 12-13, Standards for Insulating Material.
The use of a radiant barrier shall be listed in the Special Features and Modeling Assumptions listings of the Certificate of Compliance and described in detail in the Residential ACM Manual Conform to the radiant barrier manufacturer's instructions.
For each manufactured fenestration products including dynamic glazing a temporary NFRC Label or a temporary Default Label will be attached to each fenestration product. The labels shall remain attached to the fenestration product until the building inspector verifies the efficiencies.
Before installation the installer or responsible party shall fill out the Installation Certificate form for the fenestration including dynamic glazing and verify the efficiencies (e.g. U-factor and SHGC) matches the Certificate of Compliance and the building plans. A copy of the Installation Certificate shall remain at the job site and a copy given to the building owner and the enforcement agency for their records.
RA4.2.2.1 Installer Shall Verify:
(a) Name of the manufacture, brand name, model matches building plans or energy compliance forms;
(b) That each manufactured fenestration product shall be provided with a temporary NFRC Label Certificate or a Default Label to identify the thermal performance (e.g. U-factor, and SHGC) of each fenestration product being installed;
(c) Identify the azimuth orientation in degrees or in cardinal orientation for each of the installed fenestration products and annotated on the Installation Certificate;
(d) If no NFRC Label is included on the fenestration, then verify with the Responsible Person of the building construction or enforcement agency to ensure the fenestration product used actually meets or exceeds the energy specifications;
(e) For dynamic glazing; to ensure reliable proper control operation, the controls shall be installed and verified to meet manufactures operation specifications. A copy of the User Manual shall be provided to the building owner;
(f) The installer completes and signs the Declaration Statement on the Installation Certificate and signed copy of the Installation Certificate(s) shall remain at the job site; and
(g) A copy shall be given to the building owner and the enforcement agency for their records.
RA4.2.2.2 Window Film
These procedures detail the installation protocols necessary for window films. Each window film product to be installed is provided with a temporary NFRC Label on the box to identify the thermal performance efficiencies (e.g. U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), and Visible Transmittance (VT)). The labels shall be located at the job site for verification by the enforcement agency. In addition, the responsible person or the installer shall fill out the Installation Certificate and shall verify the thermal performance efficiencies of each window film to be installed matches the energy Certificate of Compliance documentation and the building plans orientation schedule. A copy of the Installation Certificates shall be given to the building owner and the enforcement agency for their records along with other window film information.
(a) The IWFA Visual Quality Standards for Applied Window Film (dated January 1, 2015), a copy can be obtained through www.iwfa.com;
(b) A sample (8” x 10”) of the film installed with a copy of its Performance Specification Sheet attached; and
(c) A 15 or more year Warranty Certificate(s) shall be given to the building owner.
RA4.2.2.3 The Responsible Person or Installer Shall Verify Before Installation;
(a) Name of the manufacture, brand name, model matches building plans or energy compliance forms;
(b) From the building plans or energy compliance documentation identify the azimuth orientation in degrees or in cardinal orientation for each of the window film to be installed to ensure the correct window film type is installed in the appropriate orientation;
(c) Verify the temporary NFRC label on the box for each window film’s U-factor, Solar Heat Gain (SHGC) and Visible Transmittance (VT) matches the energy compliance documentation and building plans;
(d) List the NFRC Certified Product Directory (CPD) identification number provided on the label on the Installation Certificate form;
(e) If no NFRC Label is included on the box or identification of the window film, then verify with the Responsible Person of the building construction or enforcement agency to ensure the window film used actually meets or exceeds the energy specifications;
(f) Installation of window films shall follow the International Window Film Association (IWFA) Visual Quality Standards for Applied Window Film (dated January 1, 2015); and,
(g) After the installation, the installer completes and signs the Declaration Statement on the Installation Certificate.
RA4.2.2.4 Documentation at Occupancy
The following documentation shall be made available to the building owner at occupancy:
(a) Completed and signed Installation Certificate form(s);
(b) A 10 or more year Warranty Certificate(s) shall be given to the building owner for fenestration products other than window films.