Thermal Insulation Inspection

Per NBC 9.25.2 and NECB, thermal insulation must achieve the minimum effective RSI values for the applicable climate zone. Insulation products must conform to applicable CAN/ULC standards: CAN/ULC-S701 (polystyrene), CAN/ULC-S702 (mineral fibre), or CAN/ULC-S705 (spray polyurethane foam). All insulation must bear CCMC evaluation numbers or ULC certification marks confirming stated RSI values.

1. Verify insulation product type and RSI per unit thickness match the specifications and bear ULC or CCMC certification marks

2. Confirm effective RSI values for walls, ceilings, and floors meet or exceed NBC 9.25.2 minimum requirements for the climate zone

3. Check that insulation thickness installed achieves the specified RSI value accounting for framing factor and thermal bridging

4. Verify spray foam insulation density and thickness match the manufacturer's certified RSI values per CAN/ULC-S705

5. Confirm insulation products are compatible with adjacent materials and assemblies (e.g., no direct contact with recessed lighting unless rated)

- Insulation RSI value insufficient for the climate zone after accounting for thermal bridging through framing

- Spray foam applied at incorrect thickness or density failing to achieve certified RSI values

- Insulation products without proper certification marks installed on site

- Batt insulation compressed behind wiring and piping reducing effective RSI value

Per NBC 9.25.2.1 and NECB, wall assemblies must achieve the specified effective RSI value. Batt insulation must be cut to fit tightly within stud cavities without compression or gaps per CAN/ULC-S702. Rigid insulation must be continuously applied with staggered joints. Spray foam insulation must be applied in lifts per CAN/ULC-S705 and the manufacturer's installation requirements.

1. Verify batt insulation is cut to fit snugly in each stud cavity with no gaps, voids, or compression around services

2. Confirm rigid board insulation is installed continuously with staggered joints and taped or sealed at all seams

3. Check that insulation fills the full depth of the stud cavity and is in contact with the air barrier on the exterior side

4. Verify spray foam insulation is applied to the specified thickness and passes visual inspection for voids and thin spots

5. Confirm insulation is installed behind electrical boxes, around window frames, and at all penetrations without gaps

- Batt insulation compressed behind electrical wiring and outlet boxes reducing RSI value

- Gaps between batt insulation and framing members creating convective loops

- Rigid insulation joints not staggered or sealed allowing air bypass

- Insulation missing or thin at difficult areas (corners, intersections, behind services)

Per NBC 9.25.2.1 and NECB, ceiling insulation must achieve the specified effective RSI value for the climate zone (typically RSI 8.67 to RSI 10.43 for ceilings in most Canadian climate zones). Blown-in insulation must be installed to the settled depth that achieves the specified RSI value. Insulation must not block soffit ventilation per NBC 9.19.1. Attic access hatches must be insulated to the same RSI value as the ceiling.

1. Measure insulation depth at multiple points across the attic and verify it meets the specified settled depth for the required RSI value

2. Confirm insulation coverage is uniform with no thin spots at eaves, around hatches, or at partition wall top plates

3. Verify insulation baffles are installed at each soffit vent to maintain a minimum 25 mm clear ventilation space per NBC 9.19.1

4. Check that attic access hatches are insulated and weatherstripped to match the ceiling RSI value

5. Confirm insulation is kept clear of recessed lighting fixtures unless fixtures are rated for insulation contact (IC rated)

- Insulation thin at eaves where ceiling height decreases toward the soffit

- Blown-in insulation settling over time reducing effective depth below specified RSI value

- Soffit ventilation blocked by insulation causing moisture accumulation in the attic

- Attic hatches uninsulated creating significant thermal bridges

Per NBC 9.25.2 and NECB, foundation walls and basement floors must be insulated to the specified RSI values. Exterior foundation insulation must extend to the minimum depth specified per NBC 9.25.2.3 for the climate zone. Interior foundation insulation must include an air barrier and vapour barrier per NBC 9.25.3 and 9.25.4. Below-grade insulation must be moisture-resistant (XPS or closed-cell spray foam).

1. Verify foundation insulation type is moisture-resistant (XPS per CAN/ULC-S701 or closed-cell spray foam) for below-grade applications

2. Confirm exterior foundation insulation extends to the required depth per NBC 9.25.2.3 and is protected above grade with a durable cladding

3. Check that interior basement wall insulation includes an air barrier and vapour barrier on the warm side per NBC 9.25.3 and 9.25.4

4. Verify basement slab insulation (where specified) is installed beneath the slab with joints taped or overlapped

5. Confirm insulation is continuous at the rim joist / header area with no gaps between foundation insulation and above-grade wall insulation

- Rim joist area left uninsulated creating a significant thermal bridge at the floor line

- Moisture-sensitive insulation (fibre batt) used below grade becoming wet and losing RSI value

- Exterior foundation insulation not extended to the required depth for the climate zone

- Vapour barrier on interior foundation insulation improperly sealed trapping moisture

Per NBC 9.25.3, the building envelope must include a continuous air barrier system with an air leakage rate not exceeding 0.10 L/(s-m2) at 75 Pa. The air barrier must be continuous across all joints, junctions, and penetrations. For CSA Z5010 net-zero energy-ready homes, airtightness must achieve 2.5 ACH at 50 Pa or better. Blower door testing per CGSB 149.10 is required to verify performance.

1. Verify air barrier material is continuous and sealed at all joints using compatible tape, sealant, or gaskets

2. Check that the air barrier is connected at all transitions (wall-to-ceiling, wall-to-foundation, wall-to-window) without gaps

3. Confirm all penetrations through the air barrier (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are sealed with appropriate materials

4. Verify blower door test results per CGSB 149.10 meet the specified airtightness target (NBC maximum or CSA Z5010 target)

5. Use a smoke pencil or infrared camera during pressurization testing to identify and seal remaining air leaks

- Air barrier discontinuous at transitions between wall, ceiling, and foundation assemblies

- Electrical boxes and service penetrations not sealed through the air barrier

- Blower door test results exceeding the specified maximum air leakage rate

- Air barrier damaged by subsequent trades and not repaired before closing in

Per NBC 9.25.4, a vapour barrier must be installed on the warm side of the insulation with a water vapour permeance not exceeding 60 ng/(Pa-s-m2). Polyethylene sheet (6 mil) is the most common vapour barrier material per CAN/CGSB-51.34. All joints must be lapped a minimum of 100 mm and sealed or supported on framing. Penetrations must be sealed with acoustic sealant or tape.

1. Verify vapour barrier material meets the maximum 60 ng/(Pa-s-m2) permeance requirement per NBC 9.25.4.2

2. Confirm vapour barrier is installed on the warm side of the insulation in all wall, ceiling, and floor assemblies

3. Check that all joints are lapped a minimum of 100 mm over framing members and sealed with acoustic sealant or tape

4. Verify all penetrations (electrical boxes, pipes, ducts) are sealed with compatible sealant or vapour barrier boots

5. Confirm vapour barrier is continuous with no tears, holes, or unsealed penetrations visible before drywall installation

- Vapour barrier torn or punctured during electrical and plumbing rough-in and not repaired

- Joints not lapped over framing and left unsealed creating gaps for moisture migration

- Electrical boxes not sealed with vapour barrier boots or gaskets

- Vapour barrier installed on both sides of the assembly trapping moisture within the wall cavity

Per NECB and NBC 9.36 energy efficiency provisions, thermal bridging through structural elements must be minimized to achieve effective RSI values. Continuous exterior insulation is recommended to reduce thermal bridging at studs, shelf angles, and balcony connections. Thermal break products at structural penetrations must be evaluated per CCMC guidelines. Effective RSI calculations must account for framing factors per NRCan guidelines.

1. Verify continuous exterior insulation is installed over the full building envelope where specified to reduce thermal bridging through framing

2. Check that thermal breaks are installed at balcony slab-to-floor slab connections, shelf angles, and other structural penetrations

3. Confirm effective RSI calculations account for framing factor, fastener penetrations, and other thermal bridges per NRCan methods

4. Use infrared thermography to identify thermal bridges at framing members, connections, and transitions during heating season

5. Verify exterior insulation is mechanically fastened through to the structure and not relying solely on adhesive in high wind zones

- Thermal bridging at steel studs not mitigated with continuous exterior insulation reducing effective RSI value significantly

- Balcony connections without thermal breaks creating condensation risk at the slab edge

- Effective RSI calculations not accounting for cladding attachment penetrations through exterior insulation

- Shelf angles and lintels creating uninsulated paths through the building envelope