4.1101.1 Exterior Wall Dense Packing | Standard Work Specifications for Home Energy Upgrades

4.1101.1 Exterior Wall Dense Packing

Topic:

Walls

Subtopic:

Preparation

Desired Outcome:

Walls properly prepared to receive dense pack Dense pack The process of installing loose-fill insulation to reduce air flow and perform to a stated R-value insulation

For supporting material, see Calculation of the Infiltration Credit, Referenced Standards and Building America Solution Center.

Single-Family Homes

	Title	Specification(s)	Objective(s)
	4.1101.1a Preparation	Lead and asbestos safety procedures will be followed Cavities will be free of hazards, intact, and able to support dense pack Dense pack The process of installing loose-fill insulation to reduce air flow and perform to a stated R-value pressures Drilling hazards (e.g., wiring, venting, fuel piping) will be located Blocking will be installed around: All openings to inside crawl space and basement for fibrous material High temperature fire-rated materials Wiring and electrical hazards Heat sources Access to exterior wall cavities will be gained, sheathing will be drilled as needed and probed to locate each cavity, wall studs, and blockers Interior will be masked and dust controlled during drilling when accessing from interior Electricity supply will be confirmed and will support blowing machine power demand Blowing machine pressure test will be performed with air on full, feed off, agitator running, and gate closed Hose outlet pressure will be at least 80 IWC IWC Inches of water column or 2.9 psi Psi Pounds per square inch for cellulose insulation; for other types of dense pack Dense pack The process of installing loose-fill insulation to reduce air flow and perform to a stated R-value insulation, check manufacturer specification for blowing machine set up	Prevent damage to house Provide a clean work space Provide thorough access to allow 100% coverage Ensure proper equipment and process results in consistent density Prevent settling and retard air flow through cavities Protect worker and occupant health
	4.1101.1b Exterior dense pack Dense pack The process of installing loose-fill insulation to reduce air flow and perform to a stated R-value	Using fill tube, 100% of each cavity will be filled to a consistent density: Cellulose material will be installed to a minimum density of 3.5 pounds per cubic foot Loose fiber glass material will be installed and will be specifically approved for air flow resistance per manufacturer's specifications The number of bags installed will be confirmed and will match the number required on the coverage chart Insulation density will be verified by bag count, core sampling, or infrared camera with the blower door at 50 pascals to prevent visible air movement using chemical smoke at 50 pascals of pressure difference	Eliminate voids and settling Minimize framing cavity air flows

Title

Specification(s)

Objective(s)

4.1101.1a
Preparation

Lead and asbestos safety procedures will be followed

Cavities will be free of hazards, intact, and able to support dense pack Dense pack The process of installing loose-fill insulation to reduce air flow and perform to a stated R-value pressures

Drilling hazards (e.g., wiring, venting, fuel piping) will be located

Blocking will be installed around:

All openings to inside crawl space and basement for fibrous material
High temperature fire-rated materials
Wiring and electrical hazards
Heat sources

Access to exterior wall cavities will be gained, sheathing will be drilled as needed and probed to locate each cavity, wall studs, and blockers

Interior will be masked and dust controlled during drilling when accessing from interior

Electricity supply will be confirmed and will support blowing machine power demand

Blowing machine pressure test will be performed with air on full, feed off, agitator running, and gate closed

Hose outlet pressure will be at least 80 IWC IWC Inches of water column or 2.9 psi Psi Pounds per square inch for cellulose insulation; for other types of dense pack Dense pack The process of installing loose-fill insulation to reduce air flow and perform to a stated R-value insulation, check manufacturer specification for blowing machine set up

Prevent damage to house

Provide a clean work space

Provide thorough access to allow 100% coverage

Ensure proper equipment and process results in consistent density

Prevent settling and retard air flow through cavities

Protect worker and occupant health

4.1101.1b
Exterior dense pack Dense pack The process of installing loose-fill insulation to reduce air flow and perform to a stated R-value

Using fill tube, 100% of each cavity will be filled to a consistent density:

Cellulose material will be installed to a minimum density of 3.5 pounds per cubic foot
Loose fiber glass material will be installed and will be specifically approved for air flow resistance per manufacturer's specifications

The number of bags installed will be confirmed and will match the number required on the coverage chart

Insulation density will be verified by bag count, core sampling, or infrared camera with the blower door at 50 pascals to prevent visible air movement using chemical smoke at 50 pascals of pressure difference

Eliminate voids and settling

Minimize framing cavity air flows