RichardMartens

Dear Justin and Mike,

We did consider HBCD in our Eco-Efficiency Analysis - all three wall systems in our study use HBCD in their rigid insulation materials.

The wall systems we compared were equally insulated, so differences in energy consumption during building use would not be a factor. We used insulation schedules provided by the New Buildings Institute’s Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide for metal-framed buildings in Climate Zones 1-6.

The Guide requires R-5 continuous exterior insulation plus R-13 cavity insulation, or wall systems that provide a maximum heat transfer coefficient of U-0.077. For EIFS, this U-factor is achieved with 3” of EPS.

For brick and stucco walls, we used 1” of XPS to provide R-5 continuous insulation plus R-13 fiberglass batt cavity insulation, per Guide requirements.

Both EPS and XPS use HBCD as a flame-retardant. The amount of HBCD was similar in all three wall systems, and was not a major factor in study results.

We appreciate your interest in our recently completed study and will be glad to answer any further questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Richard Martens
Market Manager – Nonresidential Construction
BASF Construction Chemicals, LLC – Wall Systems
richard.martens@basf.com