The commission shall, by regulation adopted no later than July 1, 1978, establish minimum standards for the amount of additional insulation (expressed in terms of R-value) installed in existing buildings. One year after the adoption of those standards, no insulation shall be installed in any existing building by a contractor unless the contractor certifies to the customer in writing that the amount of insulation (expressed in terms of R-value) meets or exceeds the minimum amount established by the standards. The minimum standards may vary for different types of buildings or building occupancies and different climate zones in the state. The minimum standards shall be economically feasible in that the resultant savings in energy procurement costs shall be greater than the cost of the insulation to the customer amortized over the useful life of the insulation.
Chapter 10.5Insulation Material Standards
Section § 25910
This regulation requires that by July 1, 1978, minimum standards for insulation (measured by R-value) must be set for existing buildings. A year after these standards are established, contractors can install insulation only if they certify in writing that it meets or exceeds the minimum standards. These standards can differ by building type and climate zone. Importantly, they must be cost-effective, meaning the energy savings should outweigh the insulation costs over its life span.
insulation standards R-value existing buildings contractor certification energy savings climate zones building types economically feasible energy procurement cost cost-effective insulation useful life of insulation minimum R-value insulation regulation energy efficiency installation standards
Section § 25911
This law allows the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to create rules about urea formaldehyde foam insulation to ensure public safety and health. These rules can include banning its manufacture, sale, or use, requiring safety notices for consumers, certifying those who install it, and setting standards for how it's installed. Any ban must be based on scientific evidence proving it's necessary for public protection. The process for making these rules includes public hearings.
The State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission may adopt regulations pertaining to urea formaldehyde foam insulation materials as are reasonably necessary to protect the public health and safety. These regulations may include, but are not limited to, prohibition of the manufacture, sale, or installation of urea formaldehyde foam insulation, requirements for safety notices to consumers, certification of installers, and specification of installation practices. Regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall be promulgated after public hearings in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Any regulation adopted by the commission to prohibit the sale and installation of urea formaldehyde foam insulation shall be based upon a record of scientific evidence which demonstrates the need for the prohibition in order to protect the public health and safety.
urea formaldehyde foam insulation public health protection safety regulations insulation bans consumer safety notices installer certification installation standards scientific evidence requirement public hearings regulation adoption process
Section § 25912
Before creating any rule that would ban the sale and installation of urea formaldehyde foam insulation, the commission needs to first talk to and get written opinions from specific groups. These include relevant federal and state agencies with scientific expertise, such as health, housing, energy, and consumer safety departments. They also need input from universities and other scientific groups.
Prior to adopting any regulation which causes a prohibition on the sale and installation of urea formaldehyde foam insulation, the commission shall consult with, and solicit written comments from, all of the following:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 25912(a) Federal and state agencies with appropriate scientific staffs, including, but not limited to, the State Department of Health Services, the National Academy of Sciences, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the United States Department of Energy, and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 25912(b) Universities and public and private scientific organizations.
urea formaldehyde foam insulation prohibition regulation adoption scientific consultation written comments State Department of Health Services National Academy of Sciences Department of Housing and Urban Development Department of Energy Consumer Product Safety Commission universities scientific organizations sale and installation consultation process input from scientists
