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Technical Bulletins

In order to provide the most up-to-date technical and industry information about polyiso insulation, PIMA—the trade association of the polyiso industry—researches and posts technical bulletins, advisories and case studies. These documents are published as a public service to help expand the knowledge of architects, consultants, building owners and roofing contractors and to build consensus on the performance characteristics of polyiso. Individual polyiso manufacturers should be consulted for specifics about their respective products’ performance and applications.

100 Series: Polyiso Roof Insulation

	Technical Bulletin 101: “Roof Insulation Specimen Conditioning Procedure”
	Technical Bulletin 101 describes the industry accepted procedure for determining R-value for impermeably faced polyiso products.

	Technical Bulletin 102: “Compressive Strength"
	Technical Bulletin 102 discusses the ability of rigid foam board to resist deformation or maintain shape when a force or load is applied.

	Technical Bulletin 103: “Fire Performance in Walls and Ceilings”
	Technical Bulletin 103 discusses polyiso insulation as it relates to building codes in construction and fire tests in walls and ceilings including ASTM E84 and ASTM E119.

	Technical Bulletin 104: “Fire Performance in Roof Systems”
	Technical Bulletin 104 provides an overview of polyiso insulation requirements for roof systems and key issues in fire performance, including the importance of the FM 4450 Calorimeter Tests and the UL 1256 resistance to interior spread of flame test.

	Technical Bulletin 105: “Fire Test Definitions”
	Technical Bulletin 105 provides an in-depth look at fire test procedures to building applications. Specifically, the bulletin reviews the following tests: ASTM E84 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials ASTM E119 Standard Test Method for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials Factory Mutual Roof Tests Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Roof Tests FM Calorimeter Test ANSI/UL 1256/Resistance to Interior Fire Spread Test The White House Test FM 4880 25" High Full Scale Corner Test

Technical Bulletin 106: “Polyiso Nailbase Insulation and Asphalt Roof Shingles: Design Considerations”

Technical Bulletin 106 provides an overview of the design considerations that should be addressed when installing asphalt roof shingles with polyiso insulation in steep slope roofing systems. The bulletin discusses the following design issues:

Ventilation: Benefits of providing a ventilating airspace
Shingle buckling: Steps to prevent shingle buckling
Vapor and air leakage controls: Controlling vapor diffusion and air leakage
Recommendations for installation: Details for proper construction

	Technical Bulletin 107: “Dimensional Stability of Roof Products”
	Technical Bulletin 107 provides an overview of an important characteristic of all roof materials—dimensional stability – and includes a review of the various tests that can be used to measure dimensional stability.

	Technical Bulletin 108: “Tapered Insulation Systems”
	The goal of technical bulletin #108 is to explain how a tapered roof insulation system is used to reduce or eliminate the amount of ponding/standing water on the membrane when the roof deck does not provide adequate slope.

	Technical Bulletin 109: “Storage and Handling Recommendations for Polyiso Roof Insulation”
	Technical Bulletin #109 explains how to care for polyiso insulation on the job site and when stored.

	Technical Bulletin 110: “Polyiso and Single-Ply”
	Technical Bulletin 110 addresses good roofing practices that will help promote successful bonding of single-ply membranes with polyiso insulation.

	Technical Bulletin 111: “Class A and Class 1 Roof Assemblies Are Not the Same”
	Technical Bulletin 111 explains why Class 1 and Class A are not the same. B&W version.

	Technical Bulletin 111C: “Roofing Regulations in Canada: Class A and Class 1 Roof Assemblies Are Not the Same”
	Technical Bulletin 111C explains why Class 1 and Class A are not the same. B&W version.

	Technical Bulletin 112: “Moisture Generated During Construction”
	Technical Bulletin 112 highlights the causes and ways to prevent moisture generated during construction. B&W version.

	Technical Bulletin 113: “Multi-Layering of Polyiso Roof Insulation”
	Technical Bulletin 113 highlights the benefits of multi-layering polyiso roof insulation. B&W version.

	Technical Bulletin 114: “Ventilated Nail Base for Commercial and Residential Sloped Roofs"
	Technical bulletin 114 explains the energy efficient benefits of a vented nail cased system.

	PIMA Technical Bulletin #115: The High R Roof: Guidelines for Energy-Efficient Roofing and Re-Roofing
	Technical Bulleting #115 highlights how a High R Roof saves money, increases the energy efficiency of a building and reduces carbon emissions.

200 Series: Polyiso Roof Insulation Compared to Other Products

	Technical Bulletin 201: “A Comparison of Polyiso Insulation and Extruded Polystyrene Insulation"
	Technical Bulletin 201 highlights the differences between polyiso and extruded polystyrene insulation. The bulletin specifically reviews: Thermoset vs. Thermoplastic Impact of Construction Materials on Insulation Fire Test Performance Tunnel Test Ultraviolet Light The Freeze/Thaw Myth Thermal Performance Moisture Construction Costs

	Technical Bulletin 202: “Polyurethane and Polyiso: What is the Difference?”
	Technical Bulletin 202 discusses the basic differences between polyurethane and polyiso insulations. The bulletin explains the development of both types of insulation, their chemical differences, and thermal performance.

300 Series: Polyiso Sheathing Insulation

	Technical Bulletin 301: “Residential Construction Details with the WarmWall^cm System”
	Technical Bulletin 301 highlights the construction details, features and benefits of the WarmWall^CM System—an innovative building concept utilizing foil-faced polyiso insulation sheathing to provide a complete envelope of insulation on the exterior of a home.

	Technical Bulletin 302: “Corner Bracing with the WarmWall^cm System”
	Technical Bulletin 302 discusses corner bracing, which is required by building codes using the WarmWall^CM system.

	Technical Bulletin 303: “Moisture Control With the WarmWall^cm System”
	Technical Bulletin 303 reviews The WarmWall^CM system and the important benefit that it provides—moisture control. The bulletin also reviews the problems that can arise as a result of too much moisture in a wall cavity.

	Technical Bulletin 304: “Energy Efficiency with the WarmWall^cm System”
	Technical Bulletin 304 discusses energy efficiency within the WarmWall^cm system, specifically its ability to reduce energy loss in all wall locations, not just the stud cavities.

400 Series: Polyiso Cavity Wall Insulation

	Technical Bulletin 401: “Polyiso Insulation in Masonry Cavity Walls”
	Technical Bulletin 401 illustrates the many advantages of and explains how polyiso insulation is the product of choice for cavity wall construction - low-emissivity and high reflective foil-facers; moisture resistant water repellant panels; excellent dimensional stability; compatibility with solvent-based construction materials.

	Technical Bulletin 402: "Polyiso Insulation and Water Absorption: Does Moisture Matter?"
	Technical Bulletin 402 looks at the role of the cavity wall as a moisture-deterrent and how polyiso insulation can help.

Advisories

ASHRAE Poised to Increase R-value Minimum

Commonly Asked Questions About Class 1 and Class A Roof Assemblies

Credit Advisory for LEED Projects and Polyiso Roof Insulation

LTTR Fact Sheet

Overview of Energy Efficient Commercial Building Tax Deduction

Overview of Tax Credits for Construction of Energy Efficient Homes

PIMA Issues Advisory Memo on Building and Fire Code Compliance with Roof Insulation

Case Studies/Energy Studies

Roofing:

Study Highlights Dramatic First Cost Advantage of Polyiso Roof Insulation in Boston

Study Highlights Dramatic First Cost Advantage of Polyiso Roof Insulation in Dallas

Study Highlights Dramatic First Cost Advantage of Polyiso Roof Insulation in Denver

Study Highlights Dramatic First Cost Advantage of Polyiso Roof Insulation in San Francisco

Study Highlights Dramatic First Cost Advantage of Polyiso Roof Insulation in Chicago

Study Highlights Dramatic First Cost Advantage of Polyiso Roof Insulation in Atlanta

Study Highlights Dramatic First Cost Advantage of Polyiso Roof Insulation

Add An Inch – Cut the Nation’s Oil Dependence and Reduce Energy Costs

Polyiso Outperforms the Competition in Three-City, Canadian Roof Insulation Study

Polyiso Performs Again: New Study Shows Significant Energy and Construction Savings

Energy Services Provider Group (ESPG) Study

Polyiso Emerges Decisive Winner in US Commercial Roofing Study

Sheathing:

Polyiso Delivers Superior Investment And Performance In Residential Wall Sheathing Study