CRSC · California Referenced Standards Code
Does Chapter 12‑13 impose manufacturer liability for misuse of labeled insulation?
Under CRSC **§ 12‑13‑1563**, the insulation standards Article does not itself make manufacturers responsible when someone misuses insulation that was properly labeled under the Article; however, manufacturers remain subject to the Article’s separate testing, certification and labeling duties (for example **§ 12‑13‑1557** and **§ 12‑13‑1553**), and the Article does not address whether other laws or common‑law claims might still impose liability.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2–4 sentences
The California Referenced Standards Code explicitly states that nothing in this article shall be construed as imposing responsibility on manufacturers for misuse of properly labeled insulation — § 12‑13‑1563. In plain terms: under this Article the Commission did not create a rule that makes manufacturers responsible when somebody misuses insulation that was correctly labeled. However, the Article still contains separate obligations for manufacturers (testing, labeling and accurate performance claims) elsewhere in the Article.
The single most important rule: the Article does not itself make manufacturers responsible for injuries or damage caused by a user's misuse of insulation that was labeled correctly per the Article. § 12‑13‑1563.
Requirements in detail
Core provision
- Controlling section: § 12‑13‑1563 — “Nothing in this article shall be construed as imposing responsibility on manufacturers for misuse of properly labeled insulation.”
What “properly labeled” and “manufacturer” mean (definitions you need)
- “Manufacturer” — a person who produces insulating material in final form or (for certain foams) produces the primary components; excludes a contractor whose sole activity is installation. § 12‑13‑1552(h).
- Labeling and identification duties — manufacturers must place a visible Commission‑approved statement and keep public representations consistent with certified testing and derating. See § 12‑13‑1557 (identification and labeling rules) and related testing/quality requirements.
Decision‑relevant dimensions (quick reference)
| Decision dimension | What matters | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer civil responsibility under the Article | Not imposed for misuse of properly labeled insulation | § 12‑13‑1563 |
| What counts as proper labeling | Visible Commission‑approved statement; public thermal performance must match certified test results and derating | § 12‑13‑1557; § 12‑13‑1553 |
| Who is a manufacturer | Producer of final product or primary components (excludes installers) | § 12‑13‑1552(h) |
| Government testing / enforcement powers | Commission may inspect and perform performance tests of insulation sold in the State | § 12‑13‑1558; § 12‑13‑1559 |
| Installer/contractor certification (existing building retrofits) | Installing contractor must certify installed R‑values and follow manufacturer’s installed density for loose fill | § 12‑13‑1564(a) |
| Interpretation requests | General Counsel may issue written determinations on application of provisions | § 12‑13‑1565 |
How the provision interacts with manufacturer obligations elsewhere in the Article
- The Article places affirmative duties on manufacturers (testing, calibration, accurate labeling, and disclosure of facings/limitations). Those duties are found in § 12‑13‑1553 and § 12‑13‑1557; compliance with those obligations remains required even though § 12‑13‑1563 limits construing the Article as imposing responsibility for misuse.
Exceptions & special cases
- Products with facings/membranes whose flame spread exceeds 25 (when tested per ANSI/ASTM E84‑79 with facings exposed) must include a clear label warning about high combustibility for exposed applications (unless they meet certain UBC provisions). See § 12‑13‑1557(d). This is a labeling obligation — not a new liability rule — and this type of labeling can affect whether insulation was “properly labeled.”
- The Article’s statement in § 12‑13‑1563 addresses construction of this Article only. The Article text does not itself say whether it changes or preempts other statutes or common‑law duties (the document does not provide an express preemption clause). The CRSC text retrieved does not analyze effects on tort law, product liability statutes, or other regulatory schemes — further legal analysis outside the Article would be needed to determine those effects.
Common mistakes
- Misreading § 12‑13‑1563 as a blanket immunity from any legal claim. The Article only says the Article’s provisions should not be read as imposing manufacturer responsibility for misuse; it does not affirmatively state that no other law (state product‑liability, negligence, warranty law, or federal law) can impose liability. The CRSC text provided does not address other laws.
- Ignoring manufacturer duties: assuming manufacturers have no obligations. In fact, manufacturers must test, certify and label products; inaccurate labels or misrepresentations remain violations of the Article. See § 12‑13‑1553 and § 12‑13‑1557.
- Treating installer/contractor requirements as manufacturer duties. The Article places certification and installation density duties on installers for existing‑building insulation § 12‑13‑1564(a); installers are distinct from manufacturers under the definitions.
Worked example — concrete scenario
Scenario facts (numbers where helpful):
- A manufacturer labels a loose‑fill insulation product with R‑value = R‑19 at an installed design density = 3.5 lb/ft² and includes the Commission‑approved identification statement required by the Article. The label and certification testing are executed per the Article’s requirements. § 12‑13‑1557; § 12‑13‑1553.
- A homeowner later installs the material at half the manufacturer’s recommended installed design density (so actual installed density = 1.75 lb/ft²), compressing the material and placing it in an exposed application contrary to manufacturer instructions. § 12‑13‑1552(e) (definition of exposed application).
Applying the code:
- Under § 12‑13‑1563 the Article itself does not impose responsibility on the manufacturer for that misuse (installation at improper density and an exposed application). The Article’s text says such responsibility is not to be construed from the Article.
- That said, the manufacturer still must have complied with testing and labeling duties at the time of sale (e.g., certified thermal performance and correct labeling per § 12‑13‑1557 and § 12‑13‑1553). If the manufacturer’s label or test claims were false or inconsistent with required certification, the Commission’s testing/enforcement provisions may apply.
- The Article does not say whether the manufacturer could nevertheless face liability under other legal theories (warranty, negligence, product liability) — the CRSC text retrieved does not address that question.
Related provisions (CRSC sections)
- § 12‑13‑1563 — Limitation on construing Article as imposing manufacturer responsibility for misuse.
- § 12‑13‑1557 — Identification/labeling requirements and public representations.
- § 12‑13‑1553 — Quality‑assurance and testing obligations (manufacturer testing procedures).
- § 12‑13‑1552 — Definitions, including “manufacturer” and “exposed application.”
- § 12‑13‑1558 — Commission inspection access to manufacturers, distributors, retailers.
- § 12‑13‑1559 — Commission authority to conduct independent performance tests.
- § 12‑13‑1564 — Installer/contractor certification duties for insulating existing buildings.
- § 12‑13‑1565 — Commission/General Counsel interpretation authority.
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Referenced Standards Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CRSC § 6-26 High relevance — show source text
HISTORY:
- Repealer filed 6-26-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 26).
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
Sec. 12-13-1562.
Persons submitting information to the Commission who wish information to be kept confidential shall comply with the provisions of Sections 2501-2511 of the Public Resources Code.
Authority: Section 25218(e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Sections 25223 and 25921.1, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Amendment filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
LIABILITY
Sec. 12-13-1563.
Nothing in this article shall be construed as imposing responsibility on manufacturers for misuse of properly labeled insulation.
Authority: Section 25218(e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Sections 25926 and 25931, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Amendment filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
INSULATING EXISTING BUILDINGS
Sec. 12-13-1564.
(a) On or after March 25, 1982, if insulating material is installed in an existing building, in any of the applications specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 6, Section 118, the installing contractor shall certify that the amount of insulation installed meets or exceeds the requirements of Part 6, Section 118 for that application. Such certification shall be made on completion of the installation by posting in a conspicuous location a certificate signed under penalty of perjury. The certificate shall state the manufacturer’s name and material identification, the thermal resistance ( R -value) of the newly installed insulation, the estimated R -value of the original insulation, the total R -value, and (in application of loose fill insulation) the minimum contractor installed weight per square foot. This installed weight per square foot shall conform with the manufacturer’s installed design density per square foot at the manufacturer’s labeled R -value.
(b) Water heater insulation kits. No water heater insulation kit shall be sold, on or after March 25, 1982, unless it has a thermal resistance of at least R-6 and is so identified.
Each water heater insulation kit sold shall include instructions which are equivalent to the Department of Energy standard practice for the installation of insulation on gas-fired, oil-fired and electric resistance water heaters, 44 Fed. Reg. pages 64703-64705.
Authority: Section 25922, Public Resources Code.
Reference: Section 25922, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Amendment filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
- Editorial correction of subsection (a) filed 1-13-82 (Register 82, No. 2).
INTERPRETATION
Sec. 12-13-1565.
The General Counsel of the Commission shall make a determination as to the application or interpretation of any provision of this article to any person requesting such a determination. Any such request shall be submitted in writing to the Commission. The Commission shall make written replies to such inquiries and shall widely publish interpretations that have broad application or interest.
Authority: Section 25218 (e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Sections 25920 and 25922, Public Resources Code.
CRSC § 12-13 High relevance — show source text
PERFORMANCE TESTS
Sec. 12-13-1559.
The Commission may conduct, or may contract with others to conduct, independent performance tests of representative samples of insulation sold in the state to determine compliance with standards adopted pursuant to Chapter 10.5 of the California Public Resources Code . Such tests shall form the basis for instituting enforcement proceedings.
Authority: Section 25218 (e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Section 25926, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Amendment filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE 99
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
STANDARDS FOR INSULATING MATERIAL
COSTS OF INSPECTION AND TESTING (RESERVED)
Sec. 12-13-1560.
Authority: Section 25218 (e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Section 25926, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Repealer filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
ENFORCEMENT (RESERVED)
Sec. 12-13-1561.
Authority: Section 25218 (e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Section 25931, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Repealer filed 6-26-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 26).
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
Sec. 12-13-1562.
Persons submitting information to the Commission who wish information to be kept confidential shall comply with the provisions of Sections 2501-2511 of the Public Resources Code.
Authority: Section 25218(e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Sections 25223 and 25921.1, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Amendment filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
LIABILITY
Sec. 12-13-1563.
Nothing in this article shall be construed as imposing responsibility on manufacturers for misuse of properly labeled insulation.
Authority: Section 25218(e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Sections 25926 and 25931, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Amendment filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
INSULATING EXISTING BUILDINGS
Sec. 12-13-1564.
(a) On or after March 25, 1982, if insulating material is installed in an existing building, in any of the applications specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 6, Section 118, the installing contractor shall certify that the amount of insulation installed meets or exceeds the requirements of Part 6, Section 118 for that application. Such certification shall be made on completion of the installation by posting in a conspicuous location a certificate signed under penalty of perjury.
CRSC § 2602.1 High relevance — show source text
(c) Any representation of thermal performance which appear on any label, literature, advertising or any other writing intended for the public shall be consistent with the certification testing results and derating required by this article.
(d) Any insulation with facings and membranes for which the flame spread exceeds 25 when tested with facings and membranes exposed to the flame during the ANSI/ASTM E84-79 test must be clearly labeled with a statement that the product may be highly combustible if used in an exposed application. This subsection shall not apply to any product meeting the requirements of Sections 2602.1-2602.6 of the 1994 Uniform Building Code.
Authority: Section 25218(e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Section 25921, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Amendment of subsections (a) and (c) filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
INSPECTIONS
Sec. 12-13-1558.
After September 22, 1981, the Commission may, upon the consent of the owner or lessee, or upon securing a search warrant, have access, during normal working hours, to the premises of manufacturers, distributors and retailers of insulating material sold for installation within the state for the purpose of determining compliance with the standards promulgated pursuant to Chapter 10.5 of the California Public Resources Code . Such access shall be for the purposes of obtaining representative samples of subject insulation and inspecting records and documents pertaining to tests by approved testing labs.
Authority: Section 25218 (e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Section 25926, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Amendment filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
PERFORMANCE TESTS
Sec. 12-13-1559.
The Commission may conduct, or may contract with others to conduct, independent performance tests of representative samples of insulation sold in the state to determine compliance with standards adopted pursuant to Chapter 10.5 of the California Public Resources Code . Such tests shall form the basis for instituting enforcement proceedings.
Authority: Section 25218 (e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Section 25926, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Amendment filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE 99
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
STANDARDS FOR INSULATING MATERIAL
COSTS OF INSPECTION AND TESTING (RESERVED)
Sec. 12-13-1560.
Authority: Section 25218 (e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Section 25926, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Repealer filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
ENFORCEMENT (RESERVED)
Sec. 12-13-1561.
Authority: Section 25218 (e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Section 25931, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Repealer filed 6-26-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 26).
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
CRSC § 25921.1 High relevance — show source text
Reference: Sections 25921 and 25921.1, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Amendment of subsections (a), (b) (4), (b) (6) and (f) filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
QUALITY ASSURANCE (RESERVED)
Sec. 12-13-1556.
Authority: Section 25218 (e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Section 25921.1, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Repealer filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
IDENTIFICATION
Sec. 12-13-1557.
(a) Except as specified in subsection (b), Item 3, of this section, no insulation shall be sold in California on or after September 22, 1981, unless the insulating material, container, bundle or similar packaging material bears a visible Commission approved statement certifying that a representative sample of the insulation material has been tested and approved by an approved laboratory and complies with the requirements of this article.
(b) The Commission-approved statement shall consist of either:
A design or statement approved by the Executive Director, or
An identification of the manufacturer and any statement that the material meets the quality standards of the State of California.
A statement that the material meets the quality standards of the State of California included in the bill of lading shall meet the requirements of this section only if the product is being shipped in bulk, or the container or product is not otherwise labeled by the manufacturer and the product is being sold to its ultimate user.
(c) Any representation of thermal performance which appear on any label, literature, advertising or any other writing intended for the public shall be consistent with the certification testing results and derating required by this article.
(d) Any insulation with facings and membranes for which the flame spread exceeds 25 when tested with facings and membranes exposed to the flame during the ANSI/ASTM E84-79 test must be clearly labeled with a statement that the product may be highly combustible if used in an exposed application. This subsection shall not apply to any product meeting the requirements of Sections 2602.1-2602.6 of the 1994 Uniform Building Code.
Authority: Section 25218(e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Section 25921, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Amendment of subsections (a) and (c) filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
INSPECTIONS
Sec. 12-13-1558.
After September 22, 1981, the Commission may, upon the consent of the owner or lessee, or upon securing a search warrant, have access, during normal working hours, to the premises of manufacturers, distributors and retailers of insulating material sold for installation within the state for the purpose of determining compliance with the standards promulgated pursuant to Chapter 10.5 of the California Public Resources Code . Such access shall be for the purposes of obtaining representative samples of subject insulation and inspecting records and documents pertaining to tests by approved testing labs.
Authority: Section 25218 (e), Public Resources Code.
Reference: Section 25926, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
CRSC § 50.8 Medium relevance — show source text
- Wood floor assemblies using dimension lumber or structural composite lumber equal to or greater than 2-inch by 10-inch (50.8 mm by 254 mm) nominal dimension, or other approved floor assemblies demonstrating equivalent fire performance.
- Wood floor assemblies less than 600 square feet (55.7 m [2] ) within detached accessory structures with no habitable space above them.
R302.14 Combustible insulation clearance. Combustible insulation shall be separated not less than 3 inches (76 mm) from recessed luminaires, fan motors and other heat-producing devices.
Exception: Where heat-producing devices are listed for lesser clearances, combustible insulation complying with the listing requirements shall be separated in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the listing.
Recessed luminaires installed in the building thermal envelope shall meet the requirements of the California Energy Code .
R302.15 Fire-retardant-treated wood. Fire-retardant-treated wood (FRTW) is any wood product that, when impregnated with chemicals by a pressure process or other means during manufacture, shall have, when tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723, a listed flame spread index of 25 or less. In addition, the ASTM E84 or UL 723 test shall be continued for an additional 20-minute period and the flame front shall not progress more than 10.5 feet (3200 mm) beyond the center line of the burners at any time during the test.
R302.15.1 Pressure process. For wood products impregnated with chemicals by a pressure process, the process shall be performed in closed vessels under pressures not less than 50 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (344.7 kPa).
R302.15.2 Other means during manufacture. For wood products impregnated with chemicals by other means during manufacture, the treatment shall be an integral part of the manufacturing process of the wood product. The treatment shall provide permanent protection to all surfaces of the wood product. The use of paints, coating, stains or other surface treatments is not an approved method of protection as required by this section.
R302.15.3 Testing. For fire-retardant-treated wood products, the front and back faces of the wood product shall be tested in accordance with and produce the results required in Section R302.15.
R302.15.3.1 Fire testing of fire-retardant-treated wood structural panels. Fire-retardant-treated wood structural panels shall be tested with a ripped or cut longitudinal gap of [1] / 8 inch (3.2 mm).
302.15.4 Labeling. In addition to the labels required by Section R802.1.1 for sawn lumber and Section R803.2.1 for wood structural panels, each piece of fire-retardant-treated lumber and fire-retardant-treated wood structural panel shall be labeled. The label shall contain:
The identification mark of an approved agency in accordance with Section 1703.5 of the California Building Code.
Identification of the treating manufacturer.
The name of the fire-retardant treatment.
The species of wood treated.
Flame spread index and smoke-developed index.
Method of drying after treatment.
Conformance to applicable standards in accordance with Sections R302.15.5 through R302.15.10.
For FRTW exposed to weather, or a damp or wet location, the words “No increase in the listed classification when subjected to the Standard Rain Test” (ASTM D2898).
CRSC § 0.75. Medium relevance — show source text
Within 180 days after the availability of appropriate representative thickness calibration samples from the National Bureau of Standards, all insulating materials thicker than 1 inch (25 mm), which have not previously been tested at the representative thickness of a representative sample, shall be tested at representative thickness and recertified. Test results and a revised certification statement will be submitted to the Executive Director. The Executive Director shall determine if and when an appropriate representative thickness calibration sample is available from the National Bureau of Standards and shall publish a list of available representative thickness calibration samples. The manufacturer may appeal the Executive Director’s determination to the full Commission.
All products which may be used for pressure fill retrofit wall application shall be separately tested for thermal performance using a sample prepared at the manufacturer’s recommended wall density for such applications.
All water heater insulation kits and nonpreformed pipe insulation shall be tested for thermal performance at the installed compressed thickness of a typical application. Installed compressed thickness shall be determined according to Test Description Number 6. All nonpreformed duct insulation shall be labeled, in accordance with Section 1557(c), with an installed R -value equal to the R -value of the uncompressed insulation times 0.75. (b) Aluminum foil.
Composition. The insulation shall have uniform flat surfaces and shall not be crumpled, torn or punctured. Aluminum foil shall contain not less than 99 percent aluminum. Kraft paper and flangeboard shall meet the requirements of ANSI/TAPPI T400 0S75. Flangeboard used for more than two insulation layers shall be of 28 point grade minimum, if single sheet flangeboard is used or 14 point grade minimum if double sheet flangeboard is used. Adhesive used in bonding shall be waterproof and shall show no sign of bleeding when tested in accordance with the following test procedure. Bleeding at cut edges may be disregarded. Specimens for tests shall consist of pieces of insulation cut to approximately 3 by 6 inches (76 mm by 152 mm), suspended in a vertical position and heated to a temperature of 180°F ± 5°F for at least 5 hours. At the end of heating period, examine the reflective surfaces to determine whether the adhesive has bled or extruded through the surface, or delamination has occurred.
Thermal performance. Thermal performance shall be determined according to ANSI/ASTM C236-66. The test panel shall consist of a panel utilizing a wooden frame of 2 by 6 inches (51 mm by 152 mm) construction covered with [3] / 4 -inch (19 mm) plywood on both sides. The resultant thermal performance shall be based on the insulation only.
Size. Layers of insulation composed of unsupported foil that is exposed shall have a minimum thickness of 0.0004 inch (0.01 mm). Unsupported foil that is sandwiched in a multilayer sheet shall have a minimum thickness of 0.00035 inch (0.009 mm). Foil bonded to kraft paper shall have a minimum thickness of 0.00025 inch (0.006 mm). Minimum space between layers of a multilayer sheet shall conform with the United States General Services Administration insulation standard HH-I-1252B dated August 18, 1976.
Resistance to combustion. Surface-burning characteristics shall be determined according to the ANSI/ ASTM E84-79, and shall not exceed the following values:
Flame spread. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CRSC § 8-10 Medium relevance — show source text
(o) “Urea formaldehyde foam” means a cellular plastic insulation material generated in a continuous stream by mixing the components which are a urea formaldehyde resin, air and a foaming agent.
Authority: Sections 25920 and 25922, Public Resources Code.
Reference: Sections 25915 (a), 25920, 25921 and 25922, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Amendment filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
QUALITY STANDARDS
Sec. 12-13-1553. The manufacturer shall cause the testing of samples of insulating material for conformity with the quality standards described in this section.
(a) General testing provisions. In testing any material pursuant to this section, the following general procedures shall be used.
All tests with the exception of the ANSI/ASTM E84-79 test shall be conducted using representative samples at the representative thickness of the insulation, except that when the final use of an insulating material entails a thickness less than the representative thickness, then the insulating material will be tested at the lesser thickness.
Where uniformity of product ensures consistency of test results across a product grouping, test results for one may be used for certification of other products within that product group. The manufacturer shall provide sufficient documentation to establish a valid basis for applying a particular test result to other products within the group. The Executive Director shall determine whether a valid basis exists for grouping products for testing pursuant to this subsection. If it is determined that a valid basis does not exist, individual tests shall be required. A manufacturer may appeal the Executive Director’s determination to the full Commission.
Thermal performance of building insulations shall be stated in R value. Other insulations shall use thermal conductivity, conductance or R value as appropriate.
All thermal performance tests shall be conducted on materials which have been conditioned at 73.4° ± 3.6°F and a relative humidity of 50 ± 5 percent for 24 hours immediately preceding the tests. The average testing temperature shall be 75° ± 2°F with at least a 40°F (4°C) temperature difference.
Aluminum foil insulation shall be tested according to ANSI/ASTM C236-66 to determine the thermal performance in horizontal, upward and downward directions. The tested thermal performance in the heat-flow direction or directions of the intended application shall be labeled on the material. The manufacturer shall test once in each direction of intended application, except that for products labeled with only one heat-flow direction, the manufacturer shall test two samples in that direction.
Insulation (other than aluminum foil insulation materials) for which additional value is claimed for facings and air spaces shall be tested for thermal performance as a material without the air space pursuant to this article. The manufacturer may elect to report additional thermal performance values of a given construction tested according to ANSI/ASTM C236-66 for that construction as long as full details of that construction are also disclosed in the certification statement and pursuant to Section 1557 (c) of this article. If a manufacturer elects to report a thermal performance value for a material plus an air space (as supplemental information to the required material thermal performance), but not necessarily for a full construction, the manufacturer must also disclose the conditions of the test and the limitations to the attainment of that result.
CRSC § 12-13 Medium relevance — show source text
ARTICLE 3. STANDARDS FOR INSULATING MATERIAL
APPLICATION AND SCOPE
Sec. 12-13-1551.
(a) This article establishes standards governing the quality of insulation sold within the state after September 22, 1981, including those properties which affect the safety and thermal performance of insulation during application and in the use intended.
(b) The provisions of this article shall apply only to the following types of insulating material:
Aluminum foil (reflective foil);
Cellular glass (board form);
Cellulose fiber (loose fill and spray applied);
Mineral aggregate (board form);
Mineral fiber (blankets, board form, loose fill);
Perlite (loose fill);
Polystyrene (board form, molded and extruded);
Polyurethane (board form and field applied);
Polyisocyanurate (board form and field applied);
Urea formaldehyde foam (field applied);
Vermiculite (loose fill).
(c) The provisions of this article shall apply to the sale of insulating material within the state. The provisions of this article shall not apply to insulating material manufactured in California, but sold outside the state, nor to insulating material manufactured outside California and sold wholesale in California for final retail sale outside the state. For the purpose of this article, the sale of a building or an appliance which contains installed insulating material is not considered the sale of the insulating material.
(d) Any type of insulating material not listed in subsection (b) may be sold within California notwithstanding any other provision of this article.
Authority: Sections 25920 and 25922, Public Resources Code.
Reference: Sections 25910, 25920, 25921 and 25922, Public Resources Code.
HISTORY:
- Repealer of Article 3 (Sections 1551-1561) filed 8-11-78; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 78, No. 32). For prior history, see Registers 76, No. 16; 78, Nos. 2 and 26.
- New Article 3 (Sections 1551-1565) filed 1-16-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 3).
- Amendment filed 8-10-81; designated effective 9-22-81 (Register 81, No. 33).
DEFINITIONS
Sec. 12-13-1552. For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Approved laboratory” means any testing facility including a facility owned or operated by a manufacturer which has been approved pursuant to Section 1554 of this article.
(b) “ANSI” means the American National Standards Institute.
(c) “ASTM” means ASTM International.
(d) “Building materials” means materials used in walls, ceilings, roofs and floors of buildings.
(e) “Exposed application” means any interior application of the product in which it is not used in a construction assembly imposing a material which meets the requirements of Chapter 8 of the California Building Code in substantial contact with the facing or membrane surface.
(f) “Installed design density” means the proven density for loose fill insulation other than cellulose which has been determined by the manufacturer to constitute the density whereby settlement of no more than 2 percent shall occur over the first three years, or no more than 4 percent over the first 15 years of installation.
CRSC § 405.5.3 Medium relevance — show source text
405.5.3,_
A5.405.5.3.2||||| |(continued)
DIVISION 5.4
Material
Conserva-
tion and
Resource
Efficiency|Select One Elective|Elective|Concrete manufacture, High strength concrete|A5.405.5.3,
A5.405.5.3.3||||| |(continued)
DIVISION 5.4
Material
Conserva-
tion and
Resource
Efficiency|Select One Elective|Elective|Concrete manufacture, Later ages of maturity|A5.405.5.3,
A5.405.5.3.4||||| |(continued)
DIVISION 5.4
Material
Conserva-
tion and
Resource
Efficiency|Select One Elective|Elective|Concrete manufacture, Returned fresh concrete|A5.405.5.3,
A5.405.5.3.5||||| |(continued)
DIVISION 5.4
Material
Conserva-
tion and
Resource
Efficiency|Select One Elective|Elective|Choice of materials|A5.406.1, A5.406.1.1,
A5.406.1.2,
A5.406.1.3||||| |(continued)
DIVISION 5.4
Material
Conserva-
tion and
Resource
Efficiency|Select One Elective|Elective|Life cycle assessment: Scope with exceptions, Whole
building life cycle assessment, Tier 1 with Exception, Veri-
fication of compliance|A5.409.1, A5.409.2,
A5.409.2.1,
A5.409.2.3||||| |(continued)
DIVISION 5.4
Material
Conserva-
tion and
Resource
Efficiency|Select One Elective|Elective|Life cycle assessment: Scope with exceptions, Product
GWP compliance – prescriptive path with Exception and
Exception Equation, Verification of compliance, Product
GWP Limits Tier 1 Table with footnotes|A5.409.1, A5.409.3,
A5.409.3.1,
A5.409.3.2,
Table A5.409.3||||| |(continued)
DIVISION 5.4
Material
Conserva-
tion and
Resource
Efficiency|Select One Elective|Elective|Whole building life cycle assessment of additional
impacts, Impacts to be considered|_A5.409.4, A5.409.4.CRSC § 25.4 Medium relevance — show source text
1|164| |25|1|38|51|64|76|89|102|114|127|140|152| |26|1|35|47|59|71|83|95|106|118|130|142| |27|1|33|44|55|66|77|88|99|110|121|132| |28|1|31|41|52|62|72|82|93|103|113|124| |29|1|29|39|48|58|68|77|87|97|106|116| |30|1|27|36|45|54|63|73|82|91|100|109| |31|1|26|34|43|51|60|68|77|85|94|102| |32|1|24|32|40|48|56|64|72|80|89|97| |33|1|23|30|38|46|53|61|68|76|84|91| |34|1|22|29|36|43|50|58|65|72|79|86| |35|1|20|27|34|41|48|55|61|68|75|82| |36|1|19|26|32|39|45|52|58|65|71|78| |37|1|18|25|31|37|43|49|55|62|68|74| |38|1|18|23|29|35|41|47|53|59|64|70| |39|1|17|22|28|33|39|45|50|56|61|67| |40|1|16|21|27|32|37|43|48|53|59|64| |For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa, 1 gallon per minute = 0.963 L/s.
a. Flow rate from Section_R309.3.4.2_.|For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa, 1 gallon per minute = 0.963 L/s.
a.CRSC § 5.504.4.7 Medium relevance — show source text
5.504.4.7 Thermal insulation . Comply with the requirements of the California Department of Public Health, “Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,” Version 1.2, January 2017 (Emission testing method for California Specification 01350).
See California Department of Public Health’s website for certification programs and testing labs. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHLB/IAQ/ Pages/VOC.aspx#material
5.504.4.7.1 Verification of compliance. Documentation shall be provided verifying that thermal insulation materials meet the pollutant emission limits.
5.504.4.8 Acoustical ceilings and wall panels . Comply with the requirements of the California Department of Public Health, “Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,” Version 1.2, January 2017 (Emission testing method for California Specification 01350).
See California Department of Public Health’s website for certification programs and testing labs. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHLB/IAQ/Pages/VOC.aspx#material
5.504.4.8.1 Verification of compliance. Documentation shall be provided verifying that acoustical finish materials meet the pollutant emission limits.
5.504.5 Filters. In mechanically ventilated buildings, provide regularly occupied areas of the building with air filtration media for outside and return air that provides at least a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 13. MERV 13 filters shall be installed prior to occupancy, and recommendations for maintenance with filters of the same value shall be included in the operation and maintenance manual.
Exception: Existing mechanical equipment.
5.504.5.1 Labeling. Installed filters shall be clearly labeled by the manufacturer indicating the MERV rating.
5.504.6 Reserved.
5.504.7 Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) control. Where outdoor areas are provided for smoking, prohibit smoking within 25 feet of building entries, outdoor air intakes and operable windows and within the building as already prohibited by other laws or
2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE 5-35
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
regulations; or as enforced by ordinances, regulations or policies of any city, county, city and county, California Community College, campus of the California State University, or campus of the University of California, whichever are more stringent. When ordinances, regulations or policies are not in place, post signage to inform building occupants of the prohibitions.
SECTION 5.505—INDOOR MOISTURE CONTROL
5.505.1 Indoor moisture control. Buildings shall meet or exceed the provisions of California Building Code, CCR, Title 24, Part 2, Sections 1202 (Ventilation) and Chapter 14 (Exterior Walls). For additional measures, see Section 5.407.2 of this code.
SECTION 5.506—INDOOR AIR QUALITY
CRSC § 409.4 Medium relevance — show source text
409.4, 410.3, 504.5
TEMPORARY USE OF GAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1207.0
TERMINATION OF VENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .509.6.1, 509.8
509.8.1, 906.0, H 501.11
TESTING AGENCY, DEFINITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222.0
TESTS
Air . . . . . . . . . . . . .105.3, 105.3.1, 609.4, 712.3, 723.1,
1107.2.2, 1107.2.3, 1213.1.6
Alternate materials and methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301.3
Building sewer . . . . . .102.4.1, 105.2.1, 105.2.1.2, 723.0 Cross-connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1502.3, 1502.3.2,
1505.14.2, 1505.14.2.2
Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105.3, 1107.2.3
Final . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .712.1
Fuel gas piping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1213.0 Gauges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .318.0, 1203.3.2 Percolation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1504.3, H 401.0 Reclaimed (recycled) water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1505.16 Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105.3 Responsibility for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105.2.5 Shower receptors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408.8.5 Storm drainage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1106.0 Testing agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222.0, 301.3.1.1, 505.4, 610.2, 1406.4
Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .609.4, 712.2,
1107.2.1, 1107.2.3
Frequently asked questions
Does § 12‑13‑1563 give manufacturers blanket immunity from product‑liability lawsuits?
No. § 12‑13‑1563 says only that this Article should not be construed as imposing responsibility on manufacturers for misuse of properly labeled insulation. The CRSC text retrieved does not say whether other statutes or common‑law claims are affected.
If a product is mislabeled, can the Commission act?
Yes. The Article imposes testing, certification and labeling duties on manufacturers (see § 12‑13‑1553 and § 12‑13‑1557), and the Commission may inspect or test products (§ 12‑13‑1558, § 12‑13‑1559).
What is a “properly labeled” product for purposes of § 12‑13‑1563?
The Article requires a visible Commission‑approved identification statement and consistency between public thermal performance claims and certified test results; these labeling/representation rules are in § 12‑13‑1557 and related testing sections.
If an installer ignores manufacturer instructions and causes damage, does § 12‑13‑1563 protect the manufacturer?
Under the Article itself, responsibility for misuse of properly labeled insulation is not imposed on manufacturers. Installer certification and installation duties are separately required of contractors (see § 12‑13‑1564(a)). The Article does not decide other legal remedies or liabilities outside the Article.
Who can request an interpretation of the Article?
The General Counsel of the Commission may determine application or interpretation of any provision upon written request; the Commission issues written replies and publishes widely applicable interpretations (§ 12‑13‑1565).
More in California Referenced Standards Code
- Administration and scope — CRSC Chapter 12 overview
- Air filter standards (Chapter 12‑71)
- Building and facility access / accessibility standards (Chapters 12‑11A, 12‑11B)
- Engineering regulations — quality and design of construction materials (12‑16 series)
- Exits and means of egress (Chapters 12‑10 series)
- Protective signaling systems and detectors (Chapters 12‑72‑1, ‑2, ‑3)
- Radiation shielding standards (Chapter 12‑31C)
- Referenced standards index / cross‑reference table (Part 12 listing of referenced standards)
- Releasing systems for security bars (egress-release standards)
- Standards for insulating materials (Chapter 12‑13)
Ask about the CRSC
Get cited, plain-English answers on the California Referenced Standards Code for your project — any code section, any scenario.
Start Free Trial