The Grand Canyon State has a wide range of climates within its borders. With everything from mountainous regions to dry deserts, building in Arizona requires a thorough look at zones and codes to determine the appropriate design factors.
What Are Building Codes?
Building codes are a set of instructions adopted by the local government that provide specifications that must be met in order to construct a new home or building. They are created to help build safe, compliant, and efficient buildings that are tailored to the local region.
There are different types of building codes. Below are the common building codes that have been adopted by state and local governments for use today:.
Residential (IRC)
Commercial (IBC)
Fire (IFC)
Electrical (NEC)
Plumbing (UPC)
Mechanical (IMC)
Energy (IECC)
Accessibility (ADA)
Arizona Building Code Insulation Requirements
With such diverse climate regions, Arizona structures deserve special attention when it comes to properly insulating the building envelope. When turning to the building code for direction, it’s important to note that Arizona does not have a mandatory state-wide energy code. Instead, the code requirements are determined at the local level by the local government.
When building in Arizona, first check with the local government to determine specific building code requirements or whether the area has adopted the international building code standards. Many local governments have adopted the 2012 or 2018 International Building Codes (commercial and residential) as a model.
Arizona Building Code Insulation Requirements (IECC)
If the local government has adopted guidelines from the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) in the area of your build, you can use this set of rules to find Arizona building code insulation requirements for your project.
First, determine the climate zone that your building site is located within. Arizona has four climate zones as determined by the IECC, which include:
Climate Zone 2: Southwest Arizona
Climate Zone 3: Northwest and Southeast Arizona
Climate Zone 4: Central Arizona
Climate Zone 5: Northeast Arizona
Next, review the tables below to determine the Arizona building code insulation requirement for your project. The requirements differ between residential and commercial.
2018 IECC Residential Arizona Building Code Insulation R-Value Requirements
2018 IECC Commercial Arizona Building Code Insulation R-Value Requirements
Insulation That Meets Arizona Building Code
Once you’ve determined the code requirements for your project, the next step is to pick the right building materials that will meet the performance requirements. Polyiso is an ideal building material used throughout the building envelope for many reasons, including:
Thermal Performance: Polyiso carries a high R-value per inch at R6.0 per inch.
Versatility: Polyiso can be used to cover roofs, walls, floors, foundations, and more.
All-in-one: Facer material can be upgraded with laminated aluminum to create a built-in air barrier with insulation in a single product.
Ease of Installation: Rigid insulation comes in modular sizes and is lightweight for quick and easy installation in multiple applications.
Why Choose Rmax Polyiso for Your Next Project?
Rmax has been in the construction industry for nearly half a century and they have been perfecting their polyiso selections to meet building codes, produce materials that perform, and save customers money on labor and material. Whether you’re looking for an economical option such as Rmax Durasheath or an all-in-one air barrier insulation like the Rmax ECOMAXci® FR Air Barrier, Rmax has the right building materials for your Arizona construction project.
Get Help Meeting Code in Arizona
Rmax representatives are experts in helping you pick the right building materials to meet code compliance, budget needs, and other design criteria. Let our team take a look at your project and make recommendations on how to meet those needs.
Reach out to your local Rmax representative today!.