Another crawl space heat question...Electricians?

DickR · 11-05-2012, 07:37 PM

Yikes is right, with that outlet damage so close to unprotected EPS foam nearby. You might think about protecting that foam with something. Current code says:
"...all foam plastic insulation must be separated from the interior of the building by an approved 15-minute thermal barrier, such as ½-inch gypsum wall board or equivalent material. This thermal barrier may be omitted if certain conditions are met in attics and crawl spaces. Specifically, entry must be restricted to service of utilities AND the foam plastic must be protected from ignition with a code specified material.

Section 316.5.3 of the IRC prescriptively defines the
following six materials as ignition barriers:
• 1½” mineral fiber insulation
• ¼” wood structural panels
• ⅜” particleboard
• ¼” hardboard
• ⅜” gypsum wall board
• 16 mil corrosion resistant steel

11-05-2012, 07:37 PM	#3
DickR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 767 Thanks: 4 Thanked 261 Times in 173 Posts	Yikes is right, with that outlet damage so close to unprotected EPS foam nearby. You might think about protecting that foam with something. Current code says: "...all foam plastic insulation must be separated from the interior of the building by an approved 15-minute thermal barrier, such as ½-inch gypsum wall board or equivalent material. This thermal barrier may be omitted if certain conditions are met in attics and crawl spaces. Specifically, entry must be restricted to service of utilities AND the foam plastic must be protected from ignition with a code specified material. Section 316.5.3 of the IRC prescriptively defines the following six materials as ignition barriers: • 1½” mineral fiber insulation • ¼” wood structural panels • ⅜” particleboard • ¼” hardboard • ⅜” gypsum wall board • 16 mil corrosion resistant steel