Residential vs Commercial Insulation: Codes, Differences, & What To Know
Spray foam isn’t just something you pick up and do whatever you want with. There are a ton of rules, codes, and regulations that you need to follow when applying this revolutionary insulation material. You’ll definitely want to read up on these guidelines as there are different codes between residential and commercial installations.
Your spray foam experts at Foam Bear Tampa are here to lay it all out so you know exactly what’s going on when we secure your property with premium spray foam near you!
The Difference Between Residential and Commercial Spray Foam Insulation
There are countless discrepancies between residential and commercial spray foam applications. You might think that a building is a building, so what could possibly be different about the installation process? You wouldn’t compare your home to, say, a big retail store. You also wouldn’t compare an apartment complex to a factory. Buildings in Tampa come in all shapes and sizes and have very distinct uses, leading to distinct codes and regulations for spray foam insulation. It’s like having unique rules between vented and unvented attic insulation.
Who Determines Insulation Codes In Florida?
Architecture is a delicate subject. There are too many things to account for, and every rule is created with deliberate intent. As far as spray foam insulation in Tampa goes, there are many hands in the pot.
Some organizations that oversee insulation codes in Tampa include:
- The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- The Department of Energy
- The International Code Council
These codes aren’t decided by just one group. Each organization has its specialty and ideas on how things should be. The Department of Energy offers guidelines on where insulation should be installed in a residential home, whereas the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation will have stricter rules for commercial properties in areas like Tampa.
Residential Spray Foam Insulation Codes
When you hire spray foam installers in Tampa, they will ensure compliance with residential insulation codes in Florida. Here are common examples of the types of spray foam insulation codes that they follow:
Section R316.3 indicates that loose-fill foam needs to be tested for flame spread, but there’s an exception for spray foam. In cases where spray foam is more than 4 inches thick, the flame spread index shall not exceed 25. For spray foam thickness under 4 inches, section R316.3.1 specifies that the flame spread index shall not exceed 75. There are also specific guidelines for smoke-developed indexes. None of this may make sense to you, and that’s perfectly fine. All the more reason to hire a professional for your home’s new spray foam insulation in Tampa!
Commercial Spray Foam Insulation Codes
Tampa’s commercial landscape is much more complex when it comes to spray foam insulation. And while following residential codes is still important, commercial codes are absolutely critical for public safety.
Section C402.5.1.2.1 mentions specific guidelines for each type of spray foam:
- Closed-cell spray foam should have a minimum density of 1.5 pcf and a minimum thickness of 38 mm.
- Open-cell spray foam shall have a density between 0.4 and 1.5 pcf and a minimum thickness of 4.5 inches.
Don’t put your business at risk by trying to navigate these codes yourself. Reach out to your trusted team of spray foam installers in Tampa to ensure building code compliance! Read more FAQs about spray foam insulation to get a better handle on what to expect when you make the upgrade.
Do It Right the First Time. Call Foam Bear Tampa For Expert Spray Foam Installation Near You!
When you hire Foam Bear Tampa for your spray foam insulation, you’re in good hands. Our team knows how to stay updated on current residential and commercial insulation codes so you don’t have to worry about it. Just sit back and take in all of the glorious benefits of premium spray foam insulation while we do the work! Call (407) 334-9327 to get started with a free estimate.