SynC · Topic
These are the standards in the SynC Standards library that cover Vapor Barriers. Each one is a complete, plain-language specification: the scope it applies to, the requirements that govern it, and a structured equipment datasheet listing the values a project has to decide — ratings, materials, setpoints, and the standards each is verified against. All of it is free to read without an account and published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
A standard usually carries several topics, so most of the entries below also appear under neighbouring subjects. The topics each one carries are listed on its own page.
Thermal insulation installed in the opaque building envelope of commercial, institutional, multifamily, and residential buildings, covering above-grade wall cavity and continuous insulation, low-slope and steep-slope roof and attic insulation, floors and ceilings over unconditioned space, crawl space enclosures, below-grade foundation walls, and under-slab and slab-edge insulation. Covers all principal insulation forms sold in the North American market: mineral fiber batt, blanket, and board; loose-fill and dense-packed cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral wool; extruded, expanded, and graphite-enhanced polystyrene board; polyisocyanurate board; cellular glass; wood fiber and cellulosic board; spray-applied polyurethane foam; and reflective insulation and radiant barriers. Also covers the thermal resistance basis used to demonstrate energy code compliance, surface burning and foam plastic fire requirements, vapor retarder classification and placement, air barrier coordination, thermal bridge mitigation, and field verification before assemblies are concealed.
Field-applied thermal insulation for mechanical piping, ductwork, and equipment in commercial, institutional, and light-industrial buildings. Covers insulation of heating hot water, steam, steam condensate, and other hot service piping; chilled water, dual-temperature, and other below-ambient service piping that requires a continuous vapor barrier; HVAC supply, return, outside-air, and exhaust ductwork (concealed and exposed, indoor and outdoor); and mechanical equipment such as tanks, breechings, pumps, and heat exchangers. Includes selection of insulation material by service (mineral or glass fiber, closed-cell elastomeric, rigid cellular phenolic, cellular glass, and calcium silicate for high temperature), insulation thickness by the adopted edition of ASHRAE 90.1, jacketing and vapor retarders (all-service jacket indoors, PVC fitting covers, metal jacket outdoors and in mechanical rooms), insulated pipe supports and protection shields, penetration coordination, and the condensation-control provisions that govern cold-service work.
Roof systems in which a flexible sheet membrane forms the primary weather barrier, together with the insulation, cover board, vapor retarder, attachment, flashings, and terminations that make the membrane work. Covers thermoplastic sheet (TPO, PVC, KEE), thermoset sheet (EPDM), and polymer-modified bitumen sheet (SBS, APP) membranes; mechanically attached, induction-welded, adhered, self-adhered, torch-applied, hot-mopped, cold-adhesive, and ballasted attachment; new construction, tear-off replacement, recover, and partial replacement; wind uplift and fire design basis, field seaming, flashing and termination detailing, field testing, and warranty.