International Building Code

Any discussion of commercial or house insulation, spray foam installation and building envelopes will contain plenty of scientific terminology. Use this glossary of terms and acronyms to help gain a better understanding of Icynene spray foam insulation.

Meets ASTM E283. A layer of material resistant to air flow usually in the form of polyolefin (e.g. Typar, Tyvek, and other housewraps). A material which is applied in conjunction with a building component (such as a wall, ceiling or sill plate) to prevent the movement of air through that component.

The assembly of components such as spray foam insulation used in building construction to create a plane of air tightness throughout the building envelope and to control air leakage.

An expression of ventilation rates — the number of times in an hour that a home’s entire air volume is exchanged with outside air.

Diagnostic equipment consisting of a calibrated fan, removable panel and gauges, used to measure and locate air leaks. Blowing Agent – A gas or a substance capable of producing a refrigerant gas used in making foamed materials such as insulation spray.

The amount of energy that is required to raise 1 lb. of water up 1° F.

A rate of energy transfer – can be expressed as Btu’s/hour.

The external elements which include walls, floor, ceiling, roof, windows and doors of a building that encloses conditioned space; the building shell.

The movement of liquid within a material against gravity as a result of surface tension. CCastor oil – Castor oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the castor bean.