[CCMC 14272-R] CCMC Canadian code compliance evaluation (2024)

CCMC number:	14272-R
Status:	Active
Issue date:	2024-04-19
Modified date:	2024-07-15
Evaluation holder:	Nature fibres Inc. 385 boul. Industriel Val-des-Sources QC J1T 4C1 Canada Website: www.naturefibres.com Telephone: 819-716-0141 Email: info@naturefibres.com
Product name:	Profib^® Mat
Compliance:	NBC 2015, NBC 2020, OBC
Criteria:	CCMC-TG-072116.06-15, "CCMC Technical Guide for hemp fibre thermal insulation" CCMC-TG-072116.06-20, "CCMC Technical Guide for hemp fibre thermal insulation"

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Compliance opinion

It is the opinion of the Canadian Construction Materials Centre that the evaluated product, when used as thermal insulation in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this evaluation, complies with the following codes:

National Building Code of Canada 2015

ID	Code provision	Solution type
09-25-02-02-00-0-00	9.25.2.2. Insulation Materials	Alternative

National Building Code of Canada 2020

ID	Code provision	Solution type
09-25-02-02-00-0-00	9.25.2.2. Insulation Materials	Alternative

Ontario Building Code

Ruling No. 24-04-378 (14272-R) authorizing the use of this product in Ontario, subject to the terms and conditions contained in theRuling, was made by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on 2024-07-15 pursuant to s.29 of the Building Code Act, 1992 (see Ruling for terms and conditions). This Ruling is subject to periodic revisions and updates.

The above opinion(s) is/are based on the evaluation by the CCMC of technical evidence provided by the evaluation holder, and is bound by the stated conditions and limitations. For the benefit of the user, a summary of the technical information that forms the basis of this evaluation has been included.

Product information

Product name

Profib^® Mat

Product description

The product is a thermal batt insulation made from industrial non-woven hemp fibres and a synthetic binder. The fibres are treated with chemicals for improving fire performance. The thermal resistivity value is 19.74 m·K/W with a design density of 35 kg/m³. The insulation batts are available in thicknesses between 89 mm and 190.5 mm, with typical dimensions of 1219mm long by 387mm or 609mm wide.

Manufacturing plant

This evaluation is valid only for products produced at the following plant:

Product name	Manufacturing plant
Product name	Val-des-Sources , QC, CA
Profib^® Mat	Product evaluated by the CCMC

Product evaluated by the CCMC Indicates that the product from this manufacturing facility has been evaluated by the CCMC

Conditions and limitations

The CCMC’s compliance opinion is bound by this product being used in accordance with the conditions and limitations set out below.

The batt insulation thickness must be between 89 mm and 190.5 mm.
The product must only be installed in structures where it is protected from precipitationand weathering (continuous dry service conditions).Use of the product in conditions of high indoor relative humidity (e.g., in enclosed swimming pools) is beyond the scope of the evaluation.
The product must not be used on the exterior side of exterior sheathing.
The product can be installed between wood-frame members in the following NBC 2015 and NBC 2020 Part 9 building assemblies: above-grade walls, above-grade floors, and attics and cathedral ceilings with NBC-required venting.
The product must not be used in locations where it will be exposed to compression, tensile and flexural loads.
The building envelope in which this product is installed must conform to the requirements of Division B of the NBC 2015 and the NBC 2020 for vapour barrier, air barrier and second plane of protection.
Damage to the material insulation (due to rodents, vermin, insects, birds, etc.) during construction and while in service is beyond the scope of this evaluation.
In areas where termites or carpenter ants are known to be present,the insulation may require protection to prevent damage due to these insects. This includes localities identified in Figure A-9.3.2.9.(1)-A, Known termite locations, of Division B of the NBC 2015 and the NBC 2020 or any other locality identified by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) as an area subject to termites or carpenter ants damage.
The insulation must be kept away from heat-emitting devices, such as recessed lighting fixtures and chimneys, at the minimum distance required by building regulations and safety codes. The insulation must not be used inside electrical outlets or junction boxes.
Product installation must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's installation guide and Article 9.25.2.3., Installation of Thermal Insulation, of Division B of the NBC 2015 and the NBC 2020. Handling and storage conditions must comply with the manufacturer's instructions.
The product must be identified with the phrase "CCMC 14272-R."

Technical information

This evaluation is based on demonstrated conformance with the following criteria:

Evaluation requirements
Criteria number	Criteria name
CCMC-TG-072116.06-15	CCMC Technical Guide for hemp fibre thermal insulation
CCMC-TG-072116.06-20	CCMC Technical Guide for hemp fibre thermal insulation

The evaluation holder has submitted technical documentation for the CCMC’s evaluation. Testing was conducted at laboratories recognized by the CCMC. The corresponding technical evidence for this product is summarized below.

The range of the batt insulation thicknesses, from 88.9 mm to 190.5 mm, was identified by the manufacturer for qualification with the CCMC technical guide. Tested specimens were cut from minimum, average and maximum thicknesses of the range to assess the physical performances. The following were the key performance areas for the evaluation.

Material characteristics

Thermal resistivity value was determined at design density, installation-related performance, materials properties under moisture conditions, potential corrosivity of metal-based components in contact with the product, fungus resistance, and (non-cellulosic) chemical separation for basic material qualification.

Thermal resistance under accelerated aging and cold temperatures

Thermal resistance performance after exposure to accelerated aging and cold temperatures was assessedto determine if the product can maintain its thermal resistance performance over time and that there is no reduction in thermal resistance at cold temperatures.

Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions

A human health risk assessment by a toxicologist was conducted to determine the maximum permissible VOC concentrations and the time-to-occupancy for installationwhen there may be occupants in the unaltered part of the residential building.

Fire safety

Flame propagation and smouldering resistance tests were conductedto determine whether the product behaves in a similar way to conventional thermal insulations and whether there are any atypical behaviours requiring further assessment.

Material characteristics

A series of tested specimens cut from 88.9-mm-, 140-mm- and 190.5-mm-thick batts were demonstrated to comply with the physical property requirements of Table 1.

Table 1. Results of testing physical properties
Property		Unit	Requirement	Result
Dimensional tolerances^{Table 1 footnote (1)}	length	%	–1 to +3 design length	Pass
	width	%	–1 to +3 design width	Pass
	average thickness	%	≥ 100% design thickness	Pass
	minimum thickness^{Table 1 footnote (2)}	%	≥ 90% design thickness	Pass
Density^{Table 1 footnote (3)}	average density	%	± 5% design density	Pass
Density^{Table 1 footnote (3)}	minimum density^{Table 1 footnote (4)}	%	± 10% design density	Pass
Relaxation after unpacking (50% relative humidity conditioning)^{Table 1 footnote (5)}	average thickness	%	≥ 100% design thickness	Pass
	minimum thickness^{Table 1 footnote (2)}	%	≥ 95% design thickness	Pass
Relaxation after unpacking (90% relative humidity conditioning)^{Table 1 footnote (6)}	average thickness	%	≥ 100% design thickness	Pass
	minimum thickness^{Table 1 footnote (2)}	%	≥ 95% design thickness	Pass
Water vapour permeancefor a 190.5-mm-thick batt		ng/(Pa·s·m²)	Report value	547.85
Corrosiveness in contact with:	steel	Visual examination	No perforations	Pass
	copper	Visual examination	No perforations	Pass
	aluminum	Visual examination	No perforations	Pass
Fungi resistance		Visual examination	No growth greater than the wood comparative material	Pass
Moisture vapour sorption		% by weight	≤ 15	12
Separation of chemicals		% by weight	≤ 1.5	0.01
Thermal resistivity from 88.9-mm-thick batt	at 24°C^{Table 1 footnote (7)}	m·K/W	≥ 18.5	19.72^{Table 1 footnote (8)}
Thermal resistivity from 190.5-mm-thick batt	at 24°C^{Table 1 footnote (7)}	m·K/W	≥ 18.5	19.75^{Table 1 footnote (8)}
Thermal resistance^{Table 1 footnote (9)}	at 24°C^{Table 1 footnote (7)}	m²·K/W	Report value	1.75 at 88.9mm 3.76at190.5mm

Thermal resistivity under accelerated aging and cold temperatures

A series of tested specimens cut from 88.9-mm- and 190.5-mm-thick batts were exposed to: i) accelerated aging (wetting and drying cycles, high temperature, and high temperature and relative humidity), and ii) cold temperatures.

The results presented in Table 2 show that the product's thermal resistivity performance is maintained after exposure to accelerated aging, and increases when tested at cold mean temperatures. No abnormal behaviour was observed.

Table 2. Results of testing thermal resistivity under accelerated aging and cold temperatures
Property		Unit	Requirement	Result
Thermal resistivity from 88.9-mm-thick batt (accelerated aging)	at 24°C^{Table 2. footnote (1)} after: 7 wetting and drying cycles 7 days at 70°C 7 days at70°C and 98% relative humidity	m·K/W	≥ 18.5	20.11
Thermal resistivity from 190.5-mm-thick batt (acceleratedaging)	at 24°C^{Table 2. footnote (1)} after: 7 wetting and drying cycles 7 days at 70°C 7 days at70°C and 98% relative humidity	m·K/W	≥ 18.5	20.48
Thermal resistivity from 88.9-mm-thick batt^{Table 2. footnote (2)}	at 4°C^{Table 2. footnote (1)}	m·K/W	≥ 18.5	22.20
	at –4°C^{Table 2. footnote (1)}	m·K/W	≥ 18.5	23.22
	at –7.5°C^{Table 2. footnote (1)}	m·K/W	≥ 18.5	23.54
Thermal resistivity from 190.5-mm-thick batt^{Table 2. footnote (2)}	at 4°C^{Table 2. footnote (1)}	m·K/W	≥ 18.5	22.22
	at –4°C^{Table 2. footnote (1)}	m·K/W	≥ 18.5	23.19
	at –7.5°C^{Table 2. footnote (1)}	m·K/W	≥ 18.5	23.51

Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions

The VOC emissions were measured with an assumed room ventilation rate equivalent to 0.3 air changes per hour following the principles of CAN/ULC-S774, "Standard Test Method for the Determination of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Polyurethane Foam." The procedure for measuring the material's typical VOC emissions profile elapsed for 30 days.Based on the emissions and room concentration calculations, the toxicological human health risk assessment recommends that the ventilation rate of 0.3 air changes per hour must be in effect for 72 hours before occupancy is permitted in the newly insulated suite, in accordance with Table 3.Reported results from emissions testsindicate that the product would be unlikely to cause major adverse health problems. While the testing and evaluation represent the currentstate of the art in toxicological evaluation, such tests and their results do not purport to be conclusive with respect to the impact on health.

Table 3. Results of testing VOC emissions
Property	Unit	Requirement	Result
Time-to-occupancy	Hours	No harmful VOC emissions within the prescribed time-to-occupancy^{Table footnote (1)}	72^{Table footnote (2)}

Fire safety

The product's smouldering resistance and surface-burning characteristics are outlined in Table 4.

Table 4. Results of testing fire safety performance
Property		Unit	Requirement	Result
Smouldering resistance	visual observation	-	No flaming combustion	Pass
Smouldering resistance	mass loss after being exposed to high temperature	%	≤ 15	0.48
Flame-spread rating (FSR)^{Table footnote (1)}^{Table footnote (2)}		-	≤ 500	255
Smoke developed classification (SDC)^{Table footnote (1)}^{Table footnote (2)}		-	Report value	30

Additional data

Data in this section does not form part of the CCMC's Code compliance opinion.

The product's thermal resistance at varying cold temperatures and thicknesses are outlined in Table 5. The thermal resistance is calculated using the overall average of the thermal resistivity results obtained for the 88.9-mm- and 190.5-mm-thick batts (shown in Table 1) for the given mean temperature of the insulation (see Notes 1 to 3 below).

Table 5. Thermal resistanceat varying coldtemperaturesand thicknesses
Property^{Table footnote (1)}^{Table footnote (2)}^{Table footnote (3)}		Unit	Requirement	Result
Thermal resistance at 88.9 mm (3.5 in.)	at 4°C^{Table footnote (4)}	m²·K/W	Report value	1.97
	at –4°C^{Table footnote (4)}			2.06
	at –7.5°C^{Table footnote (4)}			2.09
Thermal resistance at 140 mm (5.5 in.)	at 4°C^{Table footnote (4)}	m²·K/W	Report value	3.11
	at –4°C^{Table footnote (4)}			3.25
	at –7.5°C^{Table footnote (4)}			3.29
Thermal resistance at 190.5 mm (7.5 in.)	at 4°C^{Table footnote (4)}	m²·K/W	Report value	4.23
	at –4°C^{Table footnote (4)}			4.42
	at –7.5°C^{Table footnote (4)}			4.48

Administrative information

Use of Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) assessments

This assessment must be read in the context of the entire CCMC Registry of Product Assessments, any applicable building code or by-law requirements, and/or any other regulatory requirements (for example, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, etc.).

It is the responsibility of the user to confirm that the assessment they are using is current and has not been withdrawn or superseded by a later version on the CCMC Registry of Product Assessments.

Disclaimer

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has evaluated only the characteristics of the specific product described herein. The information and opinions in this evaluation are directed to those who have the appropriate degree of experience to use and apply its contents (such as authorities having jurisdiction, design professionals and specifiers). This evaluation is valid when the product is used as part of permitted construction, respecting all conditions and limitations stated in the evaluation, and in accordance with applicable building codes and by-laws.

This evaluation is provided without representation, warranty or guarantee of any kind, expressed or implied, and the NRC provides no endorsem*nt for any evaluated product. The NRC accepts no responsibility whatsoever arising in any way from any and all use of or reliance on the information contained herein or the use of any evaluated product. The NRC is not undertaking to render professional or other services on behalf of any person or entity nor to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to another person or entity.

Language

Une version française de ce document est disponible.
In the case of any discrepancy between the English and French version of this document, the English version shall prevail.

Copyright

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the CCMC.

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Code compliance as an acceptable solution

Code Compliance via Acceptable Solutions

If a building design (e.g. material, component, assembly or system) can be shown to meet all provisions of the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B (e.g. it complies with the applicable provisions of a referenced standard), it is deemed to have satisfied the objectives and functional statements linked to those provisions and thus to have complied with that part of the Code.

The CCMC has determined that compliance with this provision of the Code has been demonstrated as an Acceptable Solution. The evaluation report provides a summary of the basis of CCMC's compliance opinion.

CCMC's code compliance opinions

All CCMC evaluation reports are opinions of code compliance established in accordance with the National Building Code of Canada, Subsection 1.2.1. "Compliance with this Code," which requires compliance to be achieved by:

complying with the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B, or
using an alternative solution that will achieve at least the minimum level of performance required by Division B in the areas defined by the objective and functional statements attributed to the applicable acceptable solutions.

The CCMC assesses compliance with Canadian building, energy and safety codes, and is trusted by over 6,000 regulators across Canada.

Code compliance as an alternative solution

Code Compliance via Alternative Solutions

Where a design differs from the acceptable solutions in Division B, then it should be treated as an "alternative solution." A proponent of an alternative solution must demonstrate that the alternative solution addresses the same issues as the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B and their attributed objectives and functional statements. However, because the objectives and functional statements are entirely qualitative, demonstrating compliance with them in isolation is not possible. Therefore, Clause 1.2.1.1.(1)(b) identifies the principle that Division B establishes the quantitative performance targets that alternative solutions must meet. In many cases, these targets are not defined very precisely by the acceptable solutions [...] Nevertheless, Clause 1.2.1.1.(1)(b) makes it clear that an effort must be made to demonstrate that an alternative solution will perform as well as a design that would satisfy the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B—not “well enough” but “as well as.”

The CCMC has determined that compliance with this provision of the Code has been demonstrated as an Alternative Solution. The evaluation report provides a summary of the basis of CCMC's compliance opinion.

CCMC's code compliance opinions

complying with the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B, or
using an alternative solution that will achieve at least the minimum level of performance required by Division B in the areas defined by the objective and functional statements attributed to the applicable acceptable solutions.

The CCMC assesses compliance with Canadian building, energy and safety codes, and is trusted by over 6,000 regulators across Canada.

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From: National Research Council Canada

Date modified:: 2024-07-15