602 Enhanced Durability and Reduced Maintenance

Intent

Design and construction practices are implemented that enhance the durability of materials and reduce in-service maintenance.

602.1 - Moisture Management - Building Envelope

602.1.1: Capillary breaks

• A capillary break and vapor retarder are installed at concrete slabs in accordance with ICC IRC Sections R506.2.2 and R506.2.3 or ICC IBC Sections 1907 and 1805.4.1. (Required)
• A capillary break between the footing and the foundation wall is provided to prevent moisture migration into foundation wall. (3 points)

Required Documentation

Plans/specifications AND scope of work(s) detailing how mandatory requirement has been met. Photo(s) showing installation. Report from certified professional when the building code exceptions are used.

602.1.2: Foundation waterproofing (4 points)

• Enhanced foundation waterproofing is installed using one or both of the following:

  • rubberized coating, or
  • drainage mat

Required Documentation

Plans, specification, or scope of work showing enhanced foundation coating.

602.1.3: Foundation drainage (N/A)

Where required by the ICC IRC or IBC for habitable and usable spaces below grade, exterior drain tile is installed.

Required Documentation

Plans showing exterior drain tile for foundation, if applicable. Photo(s) showing installation.

602.1.4: Crawlspaces 

Option 1. Vapor retarder in unconditioned vented crawlspace is in accordance with the following, as applicable. Joints of vapor retarder overlap a minimum of 6 inches (152 mm) and are taped.

• Floors. Minimum 6 mil vapor retarder installed on the crawlspace floor and extended at least 6 inches up the wall and is attached and sealed to the wall. (6 points)

• Walls. Dampproof walls are provided below finished grade. (N/A)

Option 2. Crawlspace that is built as a conditioned area is sealed to prevent outside air infiltration and provided with conditioned air at a rate not less than 0.02 cfm (.009 L/s) per square foot of horizontal area and one of the following is implemented:

• a concrete slab over 6 mil polyethylene sheeting. Or other Class I vapor retarder installed in accordance with Section 408.3 or Section 506 of the International Residential Code (8 points)

• 6 mil polyethylene sheeting, or other Class I vapor retarder installed in accordance with Section 408.3 or Section 506 of the International Residential Code (N/A)

  • Required Documentation:  Plans/specifications AND scope of work(s) detailing how this requirement has been met. Photo(s) showing installation.

602.1.5: Termite Barrier

Continuous physical foundation termite barrier provided:

• In geographic areas that have moderate to heavy infestation potential in accordance with figure 6(3), a no or low toxicity treatment is also installed. (4 points)

• In geographic areas that have a very heavy infestation potential in accordance with figure 6(3), in addition a low toxicity bait and kill termite treatment plan is selected and implemented. (4 points)

602.1.6: Termite-Resistant Materials

In areas of termite infestation probability as defined by Figure 6(3), termite-resistant materials are used as follows:

• In areas of slight to moderate termite infestation probability: for the foundation, all structural walls, floors, concealed roof spaces not accessible for inspection, exterior decks, and exterior claddings within the first 2 feet (610 mm) above the top of the foundation. (2 points)

• In areas of moderate to heavy termite infestation probability: for the foundation, all structural walls, floors, concealed roof spaces not accessible for inspection, exterior decks, and exterior claddings within the first 3 feet (914 mm) above the top of the foundation. (4 points)
• In areas of very heavy termite infestation probability: for the foundation, all structural walls, floors, concealed roof spaces not accessible for inspection, exterior decks, and exterior claddings. (6 points)

602.1.7: Moisture Control Measures

Moisture control measures are in accordance with the following:

• Building materials with visible mold are not installed or are cleaned or encapsulated prior to concealment and closing. (2 points)

• Insulation in cavities is dry in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions when enclosed (e.g., with drywall). (Required)
  • Note: If N/A is selected, explain why: _________________________
  • Required Documentation: If wet insulation is used, provide documentation of moisture content before enclosure.

• The moisture content of lumber is sampled to ensure it does not exceed 19 percent prior to the surface and/or cavity enclosure. (4 points)

  • Required Documentation: Moisture sampling data by builder or 3rd party.

Moisture content of subfloor, substrate, or concrete slabs is in accordance with the appropriate industry standard for the finish flooring to be applied. (2 points)

Building envelope assemblies are designed for moisture control based on documented hygrothermal simulation or field study analysis. Hygrothermal analysis is required to incorporate representative climatic conditions, interior conditions and include heating and cooling seasonal variation. (4 points)

Required Documentation

• Flooring manufacturer’s recommendations for moisture content. Moisture sampling data by builder or 3rd party.
• Hygrothermal analysis, such as WUFI.

602.1.8: Water-Resistive Barrier (Required)

Where required by the ICC, IRC, or IBC, a water-resistive barrier and/or drainage plane system is installed behind exterior veneer and/or siding.

Required Documentation

Plans, specification, or scope of work showing WRB or drainage plan.

602.1.9: Flashing 

Flashing is provided as follows to minimize water entry into wall and roof assemblies and to direct water to exterior surfaces or exterior water-resistive barriers for drainage. Flashing details are provided in the construction documents and are in accordance with the fenestration manufacturer’s instructions, the flashing manufacturer’s instructions, or as detailed by a registered design professional.

• Flashing is installed at all of the following locations, as applicable (Required):
  • around exterior fenestrations, skylights, and doors
  • at roof valleys
  • at all building-to-deck, -balcony, -porch, and -stair intersections
  • at roof-to-wall intersections, at roof-to-chimney intersections, at wall-to-chimney intersections, and at parapets
  • at ends of and under masonry, wood, or metal coping and sills
  • above projecting wood trim
  • at built-in roof gutters, and
  • drip edge is installed at eave and rake edges

• All window and door head and jamb flashing is either self-adhered flashing complying with AAMA 711-13 or liquid applied flashing complying with AAMA 714-15 and installed in accordance with fenestration or flashing manufacturer’s installation instructions. (2 points)

• Pan flashing is installed at sills of all exterior windows and doors. (3 points)
• Seamless, preformed kickout flashing, or prefabricated metal with soldered seams is provided at all roof-to-wall intersections. The type and thickness of the material used for roof flashing including but not limited kickout and step flashing is commensurate with the anticipated service life of the roofing material. (3 points)
• A rainscreen wall design as follows is used for exterior wall assemblies (2 points)
  • a system designed with minimum 1/4 inch air space exterior to the water-resistive barrier, vented to the exterior at top and bottom of the wall, and integrated with flashing details. OR
  • a cladding material or a water-resistive barrier with enhanced drainage, meeting 75 percent drainage efficiency determined in accordance with ASTM E2273.

• Through-wall flashing is installed at transitions between wall cladding materials or wall construction types. (2 points)

• Flashing is installed at expansion joints in stucco walls. (2 points)

Required Documentation

Plans/construction documents showing flashing details at all required locations.

602.1.10: Exterior doors (2 points per exterior door; 6 points MAX)

Entries at exterior door assemblies, inclusive of side lights (if any), are covered by one of the following methods to protect the building from the effects of precipitation and solar radiation. Either a storm door or a projection factor of 0.375 minimum is provided. Eastern- and western-facing entries in Climate Zones 1, 2, and 3, as determined in accordance with Figure 6(1) or Appendix C, have either a storm door or a projection factor of 1.0 minimum, unless protected from direct solar radiation by other means (e.g., screen wall, vegetation).

• installing a porch roof or awning
• extending the roof overhang
• recessing the exterior door
• installing a storm door

Note: The pedestrian door protected in a garage leading to living space does not qualify for points.

Required Documentation

Manufacturer’s literature/specification/labeling showing ASTM compliance. Plans/specifications and scope of work showing installation.

602.1.11: Tile backing materials (Required)

Tile backing materials installed under tiled surfaces in wet areas are in accordance with ASTM C1178, C1278, C1288, or C1325.

602.1.12: Roof overhangs (4 points)

Roof overhangs, in accordance with Table 602.1.12, are provided over a minimum of 90 percent of exterior walls to protect the building envelope.

602.1.13: Ice barrier (Required)

In areas where there has been a history of ice forming along the eaves causing a backup of water, an ice barrier is installed in accordance with the ICC IRC or IBC at roof eaves of pitched roofs and extends a minimum of 24 inches (610 mm) inside the exterior wall line of the building.

Required Documentation

Plans showing ice barrier.

602.1.14: Architectural features 

Architectural features that increase the potential for water intrusion are avoided:

• All horizontal ledgers are sloped away to provide gravity drainage as appropriate for the application. (Required)

• No roof configurations that create horizontal valleys in roof design. (2 points)
• No recessed windows and architectural features that trap water on horizontal surfaces (2 points)

602.1.15: Kitchen and vanity cabinets (2 points)

All kitchen and vanity cabinets are certified in accordance with the ANSI/KCMA A161.1 performance standard or equivalent.

Note: Identify what product was used: ____________________

Required Documentation

Manufacturer’s literature demonstrating compliance.

602.2 - Roof Surfaces

(3 points)

A minimum of 90 percent of roof surfaces, not used for roof penetrations and associated equipment, on-site renewable energy systems such as photovoltaics or solar thermal energy collectors, or rooftop decks, amenities and walkways, are constructed of one or more of the following:

• products that are in accordance with the ENERGY STAR® cool roof certification or equivalent

• a vegetated roof system

• Minimum initial SRI of 78 for low-sloped roof (a slope less than 2:12) and a minimum initial SRI of 29 for a steep-sloped roof (a slope equal to or greater than 2:12).  The SRI is calculated in accordance with ASTM E1980.  Roof products are certified and labeled.

Required Documentation

• Manufacturer’s literature showing ENERGY STAR Cool Roof or equivalent.

• Manufacturer's literature showing SRI, along with slope calculations.

602.3 - Roof Water Discharge

(4 points)

A gutter and downspout system or splash blocks and effective grading are provided to carry water a minimum of 5 feet (1524 mm) away from perimeter foundation walls.

602.4 - Finished Grade

• Finished grade at all sides of a building is sloped to provide a minimum of 6 inches (150 mm) of fall within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the edge of the building. Where lot lines, walls, slopes, or other physical barriers prohibit 6 inches (152 mm) of fall within 10 feet (3048 mm), the final grade is sloped away from the edge of the building at a minimum slope of 2 percent. (Required)

• The final grade is sloped away from the edge of the building at a minimum slope of 5 percent. (1 point)

• Water is directed to drains or swales to ensure drainage away from the structure. (1 point)

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