Epik Walls increase energy efficiency and expedite the building process for commercial buildings. The 2012 IECC code requirements for continuous insulation are met by the 2-inch, R-10 continuous insulation on the exterior of Epik Walls. A cement coating adds the required creates fire protection.
Epik Walls gives great cost savings for commercial projects. Instead of framing, insulating the interior, and then adding exterior continuous insulation, contractors simply tie in Epik Walls and walk away. Framing, interior and exterior insulation are completed in one step, not three. As a result, Epik Walls save on time, labor, and energy costs. With these savings, Epik Walls will pay for themselves over and over again.
Increasing code insulation requirements have made Epik Walls the perfect solution for commercial architects and builders looking to improve the speed and performance of their buildings. In the competitive world of construction, Epik Walls will give you an edge of “epic” proportions.
Learn more by clicking the toggles below!
Per AISI S100, AISI S110, ASCE 8-02
All materials and engineering for framing are established methods of structural design, prescribed by the IBC.
- Structural cold-formed steel Studs designed per AISI S100
- Flat strap bracing or sheet metal shear walls Lateral-force-resisting system, designed per AISI S213
EPS Insulation
Per ICC ES ESR Evaluation Report 1006, IBC 603, 2603
ESR-1006 in section 2.1
- EPS foam approved as an exterior wall insulation product.
603.1 Allowable Materials.
- Foam Plastics in accordance with Chapter 26
2603.3 Surface-burning characteristics.
- Flame spread index of not more than 75
- Smoke-developed index of not more than 450 in
- accordance with ASTM E 84 or UL 723.
2603.4 Thermal barrier.
- Foam plastic shall be separated from the interior of a building by an approved thermal barrier of 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum wallboard.
2603.5.7 Ignition.
- A minimum 7/8-inch (22.2 mm) thickness of stucco complying with Section 2510.
Acceptance Criteria for Cementitious Exterior Wall Coatings
ICC ES Report AC11
3.1.7 Foam Plastic Insulation:
- Foam plastic insulation shall comply with IBC Section 2603
- All foam plastic boards shall be nominal 1.5 pcf (24 kg/m 3) density
- Horizontal joints of foam plastic boards shall be tongue-and-groove with a minimum profile and thickness as shown below.
2012 IECC Insulation Requirements
The 2012 IECC residential codes:
- Insulation value of R-20 in wall, or R-13 in wall + R-5 of continuous insulation.
- Continuous insulation is defined as “insulation that is continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners (i.e. screws and nails) and service openings. Therefore, any penetrations through the insulation (including but not limited to studs, Z-girts, clips, etc) result in decreases to the nominal insulation R-value.”
Type IX EPS foam = R-4.8 per inch:
- 4 inches of EPS foam used in Epik Walls equals R-19.2.
- Two inches of that is a true continuous insulation with a value of R-9.6.
- Although not counted by the IECC, ASHRAE chapter 26 lists the relflective R-value of a dead air space when it is in the presence of a low-emittance radiant barrier. In climate zone 5 with horizontal heat flow, the 2 inches of reflective dead air space add another R-5 average to the insulation value.
Because Epik Walls are framed and insulated at once when finished, build time of exterior walls can be reduced by 1/3. For buildings that require exterior continuous insulation, timing can be reduced even more.
The interior work is also expedited when replacing wood framing, as the channels for electrical wiring are already in place.
Epik Walls EPS Foam is 100% recyclable- Reduces Construction Site Theft By Having The Walls Built Off Site
Many offsite built wall panels require a crane to set their walls. Epik Walls is the exception. Although Epik Walls are constructed offsite The Epik Team will deliver and set most walls without heavy equipment or the services of a heavy equipment operator.