CRSC · California Referenced Standards Code
What sales or situations are exempt from these standards?
In short: the CRSC’s insulating-material standards apply to the listed insulation types when sold at final retail in California, but they do not apply when the product is manufactured in California and sold outside the state, when it is wholesaled in California for final retail sale outside the state, or when insulation is transferred only as part of the sale of a building or appliance — see **§ 12-13-1551** .
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2-4 sentences
The California Referenced Standards Code requires that standards govern the quality of insulation sold within the state after September 22, 1981 — and it lists the insulation types covered (§ 12-13-1551) § 12-13-1551 . However, § 12-13-1551(c)–(d) contains specific exemptions: certain interstate/foreign sales and some product categories are not covered, and the sale of a building or appliance with installed insulation is not treated as a sale of the insulation itself § 12-13-1551 .
The single most important rule: if insulating material is sold for final retail use inside California the article applies — but manufacturing/export sales, wholesale shipments destined for retail sale outside California, and sales of buildings/appliances with installed insulation are expressly exempt. § 12-13-1551(c)–(d)
Requirements in detail
Scope and effective date (short)
- The article sets quality standards for insulation sold in California after September 22, 1981 — § 12-13-1551(a) .
Types of insulation the article covers
- The article applies only to the listed categories of insulating material (aluminum foil, cellular glass, cellulose fiber, mineral aggregate, mineral fiber, perlite, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, urea formaldehyde foam, vermiculite) — § 12-13-1551(b) .
What is exempt (plain list)
- Manufactured in California but sold outside California — not covered by these provisions. § 12-13-1551(c) .
- Manufactured outside California and sold wholesale in California for final retail sale outside California — not covered. § 12-13-1551(c) .
- Sale of a building or an appliance that contains installed insulating material is explicitly not considered the sale of the insulating material; therefore the article’s sale-based requirements do not apply to that transaction. § 12-13-1551(c) .
- Any insulating material type not specifically enumerated in subsection (b) may be sold within California notwithstanding other provisions of the article (i.e., the article’s mandatory standards do not prohibit sale of unlisted types). § 12-13-1551(d) .
Decision table — when the Article applies vs. when it does not
| Decision dimension | Value / trigger | Result (applies or exempt) | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point of sale location | Final retail sale within California | Applies | § 12-13-1551(a),(c) |
| Manufacturer location | Manufactured in CA but sold outside CA | Exempt | § 12-13-1551(c) |
| Wholesale in CA but final retail sale outside CA | Wholesaled in CA for final retail sale outside CA | Exempt | § 12-13-1551(c) |
| Transaction type | Sale of a building or appliance that contains installed insulation | Exempt (not a sale of the insulation) | § 12-13-1551(c) |
| Product category | Insulation types listed in subsection (b) | Covered (if sold in CA) | § 12-13-1551(b) |
| Product category | Insulation types NOT listed in subsection (b) | May be sold notwithstanding this article (not restricted by it) | § 12-13-1551(d) |
Exceptions & special cases
- The excerpted exemptions are focused on jurisdictional and transactional boundaries (where the sale is completed and whether the item is sold as a product separate from a building/appliance). These are not product-performance exceptions; they remove the Article’s sale-based regulatory reach in the specific circumstances listed in § 12-13-1551(c) .
- The language about “sold wholesale in California for final retail sale outside the state” means a California-based wholesaler who receives product in California but ships and sells it ultimately to retail buyers outside California is outside the Article’s scope — the final retail sale being outside CA is determinative § 12-13-1551(c) .
- The rule that “the sale of a building or an appliance which contains installed insulating material is not considered the sale of the insulating material” means that insulation installed and transferred as part of a building/appliance sale is not treated as a discrete regulated product sale under the Article § 12-13-1551(c) .
- If a product is not on the enumerated list in subsection (b), that product is not restrained by the Article — it “may be sold within California notwithstanding any other provision of this article” (§ 12-13-1551(d)) — this is an affirmative allowance, not a new performance standard § 12-13-1551(d) .
Common mistakes
- Treating the sale of a house (with insulation installed) as a sale of the insulation itself. The code explicitly says it is not a sale of the insulating material § 12-13-1551(c) .
- Assuming all insulating products are covered — only the types listed in § 12-13-1551(b) are the subject of the article’s mandatory standards; unlisted types are not prevented from sale by this article § 12-13-1551(b),(d) .
- Missing the jurisdictional element: a CA manufacturer exporting product out of state is not regulated by this Article for that exported sale § 12-13-1551(c) .
- Confusing “wholesale activity in CA” with “final retail sale in CA.” Wholesale handling in CA is only exempt if the final retail sale occurs outside California § 12-13-1551(c) .
Worked example — concrete scenarios with numbers
Scenario A — manufacturer → CA wholesaler → retail inside CA:
- Oregon manufacturer ships 1,000 polystyrene boards to a California wholesaler. The wholesaler sells 900 boards to California retailers and 100 boards are shipped to Arizona retailers.
- Outcome: The 900 boards sold at retail inside California are subject to the Article’s standards because they are final retail sales within CA. The 100 boards that end up sold at retail in Arizona are exempt under § 12-13-1551(c) because the final retail sale is outside California § 12-13-1551(c) .
Scenario B — sale of a house with installed insulation:
- A homeowner sells a single-family dwelling that contains factory-installed mineral fiber insulation. The contract price for the home is $450,000; the insulation is not separately itemized.
- Outcome: That transaction is not treated as a sale of the insulation itself and the Article’s sale-based standards do not apply to this building sale § 12-13-1551(c) .
Scenario C — a new insulation type not listed:
- A company introduces an aerogel blanket not listed in subsection (b). It wants to sell it in California.
- Outcome: The Article does not prohibit sale of insulating materials not listed in subsection (b); the material “may be sold within California notwithstanding any other provision of this article” § 12-13-1551(d) .
Related provisions
- Definitions relevant to interpretation of terms used in this article — § 12-13-1552 .
- Reference to approval/testing requirements (see cross-references to approved laboratory procedures mentioned in the article) — see provisions that reference § 12-13-1554 in the article text (definitions reference an “approved laboratory”). § 12-13-1554 .
- The Article’s authority and statutory references (Public Resources Code sections cited in the history/authority notes) — see the authority/reference statements at the end of § 12-13-1551 .
(If you want full text of the adjacent definitional provisions to confirm specific term meanings such as “insulating material,” I relied on § 12-13-1552 for those definitions and can pull that language next.) § 12-13-1552
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Referenced Standards Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CRSC § 12-13 High 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 § 209.3.2 High relevance — show source text
- Replacement of existing pole mounted luminaires in hardscape areas meeting all of the following conditions:
- Where the existing luminaire does not meet the luminaire cutoff requirements in A6.209.3.2; and
- Spacing between existing poles is greater than 6 times the mounting height of the existing luminaires; and
- Where no additional poles are being added to the site; and
- Where new wiring to the luminaires is not being installed; and
- Provided that the connected lighting power wattage is not increased.
A6.209.3.3 Controls for outdoor lighting.
A6.209.3.3.1 All permanently installed outdoor lighting shall be controlled by a photocontrol or astronomical time switch that automatically turns off the outdoor lighting when daylight is available.
Exception: Lighting in tunnels and large covered areas that require illumination during daylight hours.
A6.209.3.3.2 For lighting of building facades, parking lots, sales and nonsales canopies, all outdoor sales areas and student pick-up/drop-off zones where two or more luminaires are used, an automatic time switch shall be installed that is capable of (1) turning off the lighting when not needed and (2) reducing the lighting power (in watts) by at least 50 percent but not exceed
2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE APPENDIX A6.1-27
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX A6.1 — VOLUNTARY STANDARDS FOR HEALTH FACILITIES [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4]
ing 80 percent or providing continuous dimming through a range that includes 50 percent through 80 percent reduction. This control shall meet the requirements of Section A6.209.1.3.
Exceptions:
- Lighting required by a health or life safety statute ordinance or regulation, including but not limited to, emergency lighting.
- Lighting for steps or stairs that require illumination during daylight hours.
- Lighting that is controlled by a motion sensor and photocontrol.
- Lighting for facilities that have equal lighting requirements at all hours and are designed to operate continuously.
- Temporary outdoor lighting.
- Signs.
A6.209.4 Outdoor lighting. This section applies to all outdoor lighting, whether attached to buildings, poles, structures or selfsupporting, including but not limited to, hardscape areas including parking lots, lighting for building entrances, sales and nonsales canopies; lighting for all outdoor sales areas; and lighting for building facades.
Exceptions: When more than 50 percent of the light from a luminaire falls on one or more of the following applications, the lighting power for that luminaire shall be exempt from Section A6.209.4.2.
- Temporary outdoor lighting.
- Lighting required and regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Coast Guard.
- Lighting for public streets, roadways, highways and traffic signage lighting, including lighting for driveway entrances occurring in the public right-of-way.
- Lighting for sports and athletic fields and children’s playground.
- Lighting for industrial sites, including but not limited to, rail yards, maritime shipyards and docks, piers and marinas, chemical and petroleum processing plants and aviation facilities.
- Lighting specifically for automated teller machines as required by California Financial Code Section 13040 or required by law through a local ordinance.
- Lighting of public monuments.
- Signs shall meet the requirements of Section A6.209.5.
CRSC § 209.4 High relevance — show source text
Exceptions:
- Lighting required by a health or life safety statute ordinance or regulation, including but not limited to, emergency lighting.
- Lighting for steps or stairs that require illumination during daylight hours.
- Lighting that is controlled by a motion sensor and photocontrol.
- Lighting for facilities that have equal lighting requirements at all hours and are designed to operate continuously.
- Temporary outdoor lighting.
- Signs.
A6.209.4 Outdoor lighting. This section applies to all outdoor lighting, whether attached to buildings, poles, structures or selfsupporting, including but not limited to, hardscape areas including parking lots, lighting for building entrances, sales and nonsales canopies; lighting for all outdoor sales areas; and lighting for building facades.
Exceptions: When more than 50 percent of the light from a luminaire falls on one or more of the following applications, the lighting power for that luminaire shall be exempt from Section A6.209.4.2.
Temporary outdoor lighting.
Lighting required and regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Coast Guard.
Lighting for public streets, roadways, highways and traffic signage lighting, including lighting for driveway entrances occurring in the public right-of-way.
Lighting for sports and athletic fields and children’s playground.
Lighting for industrial sites, including but not limited to, rail yards, maritime shipyards and docks, piers and marinas, chemical and petroleum processing plants and aviation facilities.
Lighting specifically for automated teller machines as required by California Financial Code Section 13040 or required by law through a local ordinance.
Lighting of public monuments.
Signs shall meet the requirements of Section A6.209.5.
Lighting used in or around swimming pools, water features or other locations subject to Article 680 of Title 24, Part 3, California Electrical Code.
Lighting of tunnels, bridges, stairs, wheelchair elevator lifts for American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and ramps that are other than parking garage ramps.
Landscape lighting.
In theme parks: outdoor lighting for themes and special effects.
Lighting for outdoor theatrical and other outdoor live performances, provided that these lighting systems are additions to area lighting systems and are controlled by a multiscene or theatrical cross-fade control station accessible only to authorized operators.
Outdoor lighting systems for qualified historical buildings, as defined in Title 24, Part 8, California Historical Building Code, if they consist solely of historical lighting components or replicas of historical lighting components. If lighting systems for qualified historical buildings contain some historical lighting components or replicas of historical components, combined with other lighting components, only those historical or historical replica components are exempt. All other outdoor lighting systems for qualified historical buildings shall comply with Section A6.209.4.
A.5.209.4.1 Outdoor lighting power trade-offs. Outdoor lighting power trade-offs shall be determined as follows:
- Allowed lighting power determined according to Section A6.209.4.4.1 for general hardscape lighting allowance may be traded to specific applications in Section A6.209.4.4.2, provided the hardscape area from which the lighting power is traded continues to be illuminated in accordance with Section A6.209.4.4.1.1.
CRSC § 3-56 High relevance — show source text
d. A high-rise structure, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 13210 and regulated by Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13210), and which is used for purposes other than as dwelling units intended for human occupancy, is exempt from the requirements of this section. e. The owner shall be responsible for testing and maintaining detectors in hotels, motels, lodging houses and common stair- wells of apartment complexes and other multiple-dwelling complexes. An owner or the owner’s agent may enter any dwelling unit, efficiency dwelling unit, guest room and suite owned by the owner for the purpose of installing, repairing, testing and maintaining single station smoke detectors required by this section. Except in cases of emergency, the owner or owner’s agent shall give the tenants of each such unit, room or suite reasonable notice in writing of the intention to enter and shall enter only during normal business hours. Twenty-four hours shall be presumed to be reasonable notice in absence of evidence to the contrary. The smoke detector shall be operable at the time that the tenant takes possession. The apartment complex tenant shall be responsible for notifying the manager or owner if the tenant becomes aware of an inoperable smoke detector within his or her unit. The owner or authorized agent shall correct any reported deficiencies in the smoke detector and shall not be in violation of this section for a deficient smoke detector when he or she has not received notice of the deficiency. f. A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of two hundred dollars ($200) for each offense. g. This section shall not affect any rights which the parties may have under any other provision of law because of the presence or absence of a smoke detector.
3-56 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
BUILDING PLANNING
h. This section shall not apply to the installation of smoke detectors in single-family dwellings or factory-built housing which is regulated by Section 13113.8, as added by Assembly Bill No. 2285 of the 1983-84 Regular Session.
R310.8.3 Health and Safety Code Section 13113.8. Health and Safety Code Section 13113.8 is repeated. a. On and after January 1, 1986, every single-family dwelling and factory-built housing, as defined in Section 19971, which is sold shall have an operable smoke detector. The detector shall be approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal and installed in accordance with the State Fire Marshal’s regulations. Unless prohibited by local rules, regulations or ordi- nances, a battery-operated smoke detector shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this section. b. On and after January 1, 1986, the transferor of any real property containing a single-family dwelling, as described in subdi- vision (a), whether the transfer is made by sale, exchange or real property sales contract, as defined in Section 2985 of the Civil Code, shall deliver to the transferee a written statement indicating that the transferor is in compliance with this section. The disclosure statement shall be either included in the receipt for deposit in a real estate transaction, an addendum attached thereto, or a separate document. c. The transferor shall deliver the statement referred to in subdivision (b) as soon as practicable before the transfer of title in _the case of a sale or exchange, or prior to execution of the contract where the transfer is by a real property sales contract,
CRSC § 140.4 High relevance — show source text
Exception 2 to Section 140.4(q)1: Compliance is not required for sensible recovery ratio at cooling design conditions for Climate Zone 1.
- Energy recovery bypass or control to disable energy recovery and to directly economize with ventilation air based on outdoor air temperature limits specified in Table 140.4-G. For energy recovery systems where the transfer of energy cannot be stopped, bypass shall prevent the total airflow rate of either outdoor air or exhaust air through the energy recovery exchanger from exceeding 10 percent of the full design airflow rate. Exception to Section 140.4(q)2: For DOAS units with the capability to shut off when a separate space-conditioning system serving the same space meets the economizer requirements in Section 140.4(e)1A.
Exception 1 to Section 140.4(q): Systems meeting Section 140.9(c), Prescriptive requirements for laboratory and factory exhaust systems.
Exception 2 to Section 140.4(q): Systems serving spaces that are not cooled and that are heated to less than 60°F.
Exception 3 to Section 140.4(q): Where more than 60 percent of the outdoor air heating energy is provided from site-recovered energy in Climate Zone 16.
Exception 4 to Section 140.4(q): Where the sum of the airflow rates exhausted and relieved within 20 feet of each other is less than 75 percent of the design outdoor airflow rate, excluding exhaust air that is either:
- Used for another energy recovery system,
2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 127
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
NONRESIDENTIAL AND HOTEL/MOTEL OCCUPANCIES—PERFORMANCE AND PRESCRIPTIVE
COMPLIANCE APPROACHES FOR ACHIEVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY
- Not allowed by the California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) (CMC) for use in energy recovery systems with leakage potential, or
- Of Class 4 as specified in Section 120.1(g).
Exception 5 to Section 140.4(q): Systems expected to operate less than 20 hours per week.
Note: Authority: Sections 25213, 25218, 25218.5, 25402 and 25402.1, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 25007, 25008, 25218.5, 25310, 25402, 25402.1, 25402.4, 25402.8, and 25943, Public Resources Code.
|TABLE 140.4-J—ENERGY RECOVERY REQUIREMENTS BY CLIMATE ZONE AND PERCENT
OUTDOOR AIR AT FULL DESIGN AIRFLOW (< 8,CRSC § 4-13 High relevance — show source text
2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE 4-13
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
4.504.2.4 Verification. Verification of compliance with this section shall be provided at the request of the enforcing agency. Documentation may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Manufacturer’s product specification.
- Field verification of on-site product containers.
TABLE 4.504.1—ADHESIVE VOC LIMIT1, 2
Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds in Grams per LiterCol2 ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATIONS ** VOC LIMIT** Indoor carpet adhesives 50 Carpet pad adhesives 50 Outdoor carpet adhesives 150 Wood flooring adhesive 100 Rubber floor adhesives 60 Subfloor adhesives 50 Ceramic tile adhesives 65 VCT and asphalt tile adhesives 50 Drywall and panel adhesives 50 Cove base adhesives 50 Multipurpose construction adhesives 70 Structural glazing adhesives 100 Single-ply roof membrane adhesives 250 Other adhesives not specifically listed 50 SPECIALTY APPLICATIONS PVC welding 510 CPVC welding 490 ABS welding 325 Plastic cement welding 250 Adhesive primer for plastic 550 Contact adhesive 80 Special purpose contact adhesive 250 Structural wood member adhesive 140 Top and trim adhesive 250 SUBSTRATE SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS Metal to metal 30 Plastic foams 50 Porous material (except wood) 50 Wood 30 Fiberglass 80 1. If an adhesive is used to bond dissimilar substrates together, the adhesive with the highest VOC content shall be allowed.
2. For additional information regarding methods to measure the VOC content specified in this table, see South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1168.1. If an adhesive is used to bond dissimilar substrates together, the adhesive with the highest VOC content shall be allowed.
2. For additional information regarding methods to measure the VOC content specified in this table, see South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1168.4-14 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
TABLE 4.504.2 —SEALANT VOC LIMIT
Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds in Grams per LiterCol2 SEALANTS ** VOC LIMIT** Architectural 250 Marine deck 760 Nonmembrane roof 300 Roadway 250 Single-ply roof membrane 450 Other 420 SEALANT PRIMERS Architectural
Nonporous
Porous250
775Modified bituminous 500 Marine deck 760 Other 750 |TABLE 4.504.3—VOC CONTENT LIMITS FOR ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS2, 3
Grams of VOC per Liter of Coating, Less WaterCRSC § 3.3.8. High relevance — show source text
pdf#page=355) Documents.”
Also, when applicants plan to install electric service facilities with other services, such as telephone or cable television, they must refer to:
- Subsection 3.3.8., “Installing Joint Utility Service Trenches,” onPage 3-17.
- Figure 3-6, “Typical Joint Service Trench,” on Page 3-18. - Table 3-1, “Minimum Separation and Clearance Requirements forService Trenches,” on Page 3-19.
Applicants should contact their local PG&E project coordinator in the development stages of their projects for additional details and requirements about using joint trenches.
2022 – 2023 3-14
Section 3, Electric Service: Underground
3.3.5. Installing Offsets
In situations where more than two 90° bends are needed, applicants should consult their local PG&E project coordinators to determine whether additional raceway pull-boxes will be required to avoid excessive pulling tension on the service cables.
A. PG&E does not approve short-radius conduit fittings, commonly known as LBs or service elbows, for use in underground service conduits that are intended to hold PG&E service conductors. Applicants must ensure that offsets are not installed in the following situations.
Do not make an offset in the service lateral conduit entering the electric service panel or enclosure.
Avoid making an offset in the conduit system because it may prohibit the use of a mandrel to prove the acceptability of the conduit system.
Avoid making an offset in the service conduit because it will increase the pull tension required to install the service conductors.
B. In some situations, applicants may be required to perform both of the following numbered actions.
Install larger conduits and/or additional splice boxes or pull boxes to accommodate the installation of the conductors.
Transition to cables appropriately sized for the service capacity.
C. The following scenarios represent situations where B.1. and B.2., on Page 3-15, could be required.
Construction sites where PG&E determines that larger-than-standard cables or conductors are required to maintain voltage and flicker drop.
Construction sites where normal pulling tensions may be exceeded.
N OTE: Applicants must be aware that pin adaptors, cable ringing, or splicing on additional cable will not be used to terminate cables. PG&E does not accept these termination techniques.
3.3.6. Selecting Backfill
Applicants must use backfill (i.e., sand or native soil) to provide a smooth bedding area when installing utility facilities. The backfill must fill all of the voids around the facilities and provide at least 12 inches of cover for the conduit or pipe. PG&E considers soil that contains occasional, rounded rocks that are 1/2 inch in diameter or less to be acceptable backfill.
Crushed rock or sharp-edged materials of any kind, or backfill containing easily breakable dirt clods larger than 6 inches in diameter, are not acceptable.
Additionally, PG&E prohibits applicants to use backfill with rocks greater than 3 inches in any dimension within 6 inches of the top of the pipe or conduit or less than 12 inches below the pavement subgrade.
CRSC § 12-11 High relevance — show source text
(c) Conformation, (d) Sound-on-cane acoustic quality, (e) Resilience, and (f) Attachment will not degrade significantly for at least five years.
SIGNIFICANT DEGRADATION
Sections 12-11A.210 and 12-11B.210. Significant degradation means that the product maintains at least 90 percent of its approved design characteristics.
SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ENTITY
Sections 12-11A.211 and 12-11B.211. The independent entity selected by the Division of the State Architect-Access Compliance shall be recognized as having appropriate expertise in determining whether products comply with the California Code of Regulations, Title 24.
Authority: Government Code Sections 4450, 4460 and Health & Safety Code Section 18949.1.
Reference: Government Code Section 4460.
2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE 85
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
86 2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE 87
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
88 2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
12-13 STANDARDS FOR INSULATING MATERIAL
(See Part 6, Title 24, CCR)
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Bureau of Household Goods and Services
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.
CRSC § 1910.1000. Medium relevance — show source text
Class 2. An oxidizer that will cause a moderate increase in the burning rate of combustible materials with which it comes in contact.
Class 1. An oxidizer that does not moderately increase the burning rate of combustible materials.
OXIDIZING CRYOGENIC FLUID. An oxidizing gas in the cryogenic state.
OXIDIZING GAS. A gas that can support and accelerate combustion of other materials more than air does.
OZONE-GAS GENERATOR. Equipment which causes the production of ozone.
[BE] PANIC HARDWARE. A door-latching assembly incorporating a device that releases the latch upon the application of a force in the direction of egress travel. See also “Fire exit hardware.”
PASSIVE RF EMITTING DEVICE. A device that does not require an external AC or DC source of power for its operation, and does not provide amplification of the RF signal, including but not limited to coax, couplers, splitters and passive antennas.
PASS-THROUGH. An enclosure installed in a wall with a door on each side that allows chemicals, HPM, equipment, and parts to be transferred from one side of the wall to the other.
[A] PEER REVIEW. An independent and objective technical review conducted by an approved third party.
[BG] PENTHOUSE. An enclosed, unoccupied rooftop structure used for sheltering mechanical and electrical equipment, tanks, elevators and related machinery, and vertical shaft openings.
PERMANENT PORTABLE BUILDING. A portable building that is used to serve or house students and is certified as a permanent building on a new public school campus by the public school administration shall comply with the requirements of new campus buildings.
PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMIT (PEL). The maximum permitted 8-hour time-weighted-average concentration of an airborne contaminant. The exposure limits to be utilized are those published in DOL 29 CFR Part 1910.1000. The Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) concentrations published by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Threshold Limit Value-Time Weighted Average (TLV-TWA) concentrations published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), Workplace Environmental Exposure Level (WEEL) Guides published by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), and other approved, consistent measures are allowed as surrogates for hazardous substances not listed in DOL 29 CFR Part 1910.1000.
[A] PERMIT. An official document or certificate issued by the fire code official that authorizes performance of a specified activity.
[A] PERSON. An individual, heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, and also includes a firm, partnership or corporation, its or their successors or assigns, or the agent of any of the aforesaid.
PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, PROFOUNDLY OR SEVERELY. Shall mean any persons with intellectual disabilities who is unable to evacuate a building unassisted during emergency conditions.
Note: The determination as to such incapacity shall be made by the Director of the State Department of Public Health or his or her designated representative pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 13131.3.
[BG] PERSONAL CARE SERVICE. The care of persons who do not require medical care. Personal care involves responsibility for the safety of the persons while inside the building.
CRSC § 13.5 Medium relevance — show source text
[OSHPD 1, 2, 4 & 5] Weight of equipment is greater than 200 pounds (90 kg) and center of mass located greater than 4 feet (1219 mm) measured from the finished floor.
8. Equipment with hazardous contents. 9. Other architectural, mechanical and electrical components stated in Chapter 13. [DSA-SS] Cabinets shall be restrained in a manner approved by the enforcement agency if they could fall and block a required means of egress. 10. Wall-, Roof- or Floor-Hung Equipment: Seismic design and seismic details shall be provided for wall-, roof- or floor- hung nonstructural components and equipment when the component weighs more than 20 pounds (9 kg) or, in the case of a distribution system, 5 pounds per foot (73 N/m).
[OSHPD 1, 2, 4 & 5] Exemptions:
1. Furniture except storage cabinets as noted in Table 13.5-1. 2. Nonstructural components and equipment, that are attached to the building, provided that the component weighs 20 pounds (9 kg) or less or, in the case of a distribution system, 5 pounds per foot (73 N/m) or less. Seismic design and seis- mic details need not be provided. 3. Seismic design need not be provided for discrete architectural, mechanical and electrical components and equipment that are attached to the building and anchorage is detailed on the construction documents, provided that the compo- nent weighs 400 pounds (181.4 kg) or less, and the center of mass is located 4 feet (1219 mm) or less above the adjacent floor or roof level that directly support the component and flexible connections are provided between the component and associated ductwork, piping and conduit where required.
[DSA-SS] Exemptions: The following nonstructural components are exempt from the requirements of ASCE 7, Chapter 13: 1. Furniture except storage cabinets as noted in Table 13.5-1. 2. Nonstructural components and equipment that are positively attached to the structure, provided that the component weighs 20 pounds (9 kg) or less. 3. Discrete architectural, mechanical and electrical components and equipment that are positively attached to the structure, provided that the component weighs 400 pounds (181.4 kg) or less, and the center of mass is located 4 feet (1219 mm) or less above the adjacent floor or roof level that directly supports the component, flexible connections are provided between the component and associated ductwork, piping and conduit where required, and the component importance factor, I p , is equal to 1.0. 1617A.1.19 ASCE 7, Section 13.4 Replace ASCE 7, Sections 13.4.2.3, with the following:
13.4.2.3 Prequalified post-installed anchors and specialty inserts in concrete and masonry.
CRSC § 2306.2 Medium relevance — show source text
For Case 1 through 6 descriptions see Figure 2306.2(1).|For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 pound per foot = 14.5939 N/m.
a. For framing of other species: (1) Find specific gravity for species of lumber in ANSI/AWC NDS. (2) For staples find shear value from table for Structural I panels (regardless of
actual grade) and multiply value by 0.82 for species with specific gravity of 0.42 or greater, or 0.65 for all other species.
b. Space fasteners maximum 12 inches on center along intermediate framing members (6 inches on center where supports are spaced 48 inches on center).
c. Framing at adjoining panel edges shall be 3 inches nominal or wider.
d. Staples shall have a minimum crown width of7/16 inch and shall be installed with their crowns parallel to the long dimension of the framing members.
e. The minimum nominal width of framing members not located at boundaries or adjoining panel edges shall be 2 inches.
f. For shear loads of normal or permanent load duration as defined by the ANSI/AWC NDS, the values in the table shall be multiplied by 0.63 or 0.56, respectively.
g. For Case 1 through 6 descriptions see Figure 2306.2(1).|For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 pound per foot = 14.5939 N/m.
a. For framing of other species: (1) Find specific gravity for species of lumber in ANSI/AWC NDS. (2) For staples find shear value from table for Structural I panels (regardless of
actual grade) and multiply value by 0.82 for species with specific gravity of 0.42 or greater, or 0.65 for all other species.
b. Space fasteners maximum 12 inches on center along intermediate framing members (6 inches on center where supports are spaced 48 inches on center).
c. Framing at adjoining panel edges shall be 3 inches nominal or wider.
d. Staples shall have a minimum crown width of7/16 inch and shall be installed with their crowns parallel to the long dimension of the framing members.
e. The minimum nominal width of framing members not located at boundaries or adjoining panel edges shall be 2 inches.
f. For shear loads of normal or permanent load duration as defined by the ANSI/AWC NDS, the values in the table shall be multiplied by 0.63 or 0.56, respectively.
g. For Case 1 through 6 descriptions see Figure 2306.2(1).|For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 pound per foot = 14.5939 N/m.
a. For framing of other species: (1) Find specific gravity for species of lumber in ANSI/AWC NDS. (2) For staples find shear value from table for Structural I panels (regardless of
actual grade) and multiply value by 0.82 for species with specific gravity of 0.42 or greater, or 0.65 for all other species.
b. Space fasteners maximum 12 inches on center along intermediate framing members (6 inches on center where supports are spaced 48 inches on center).
c. Framing at adjoining panel edges shall be 3 inches nominal or wider.
d.CRSC § 209.5. Medium relevance — show source text
Lighting of public monuments.
Signs shall meet the requirements of Section A6.209.5.
Lighting used in or around swimming pools, water features or other locations subject to Article 680 of Title 24, Part 3, California Electrical Code.
Lighting of tunnels, bridges, stairs, wheelchair elevator lifts for American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and ramps that are other than parking garage ramps.
Landscape lighting.
In theme parks: outdoor lighting for themes and special effects.
Lighting for outdoor theatrical and other outdoor live performances, provided that these lighting systems are additions to area lighting systems and are controlled by a multiscene or theatrical cross-fade control station accessible only to authorized operators.
Outdoor lighting systems for qualified historical buildings, as defined in Title 24, Part 8, California Historical Building Code, if they consist solely of historical lighting components or replicas of historical lighting components. If lighting systems for qualified historical buildings contain some historical lighting components or replicas of historical components, combined with other lighting components, only those historical or historical replica components are exempt. All other outdoor lighting systems for qualified historical buildings shall comply with Section A6.209.4.
A.5.209.4.1 Outdoor lighting power trade-offs. Outdoor lighting power trade-offs shall be determined as follows:
Allowed lighting power determined according to Section A6.209.4.4.1 for general hardscape lighting allowance may be traded to specific applications in Section A6.209.4.4.2, provided the hardscape area from which the lighting power is traded continues to be illuminated in accordance with Section A6.209.4.4.1.1.
Allowed lighting power determined according to Section A6.209.4.4.2 for additional lighting power allowances for specific applications shall not be traded between specific applications or to hardscape lighting in Section A6.209.4.4.1.
Allowed lighting power determined according to Section A6.209.4.4.3 for additional lighting power allowances for local ordinance shall not be traded to specific applications in Section A6.209.4.4.2 or to hardscape areas not covered by the local ordinance.
Trading off lighting power allowances between outdoor and indoor areas shall not be permitted.
A6.209.4.2 Outdoor lighting power. An outdoor lighting installation complies with this section if the actual outdoor lighting power installed is no greater than the allowed outdoor lighting power calculated under Section A6.209.4.4 The allowed outdoor lighting shall be calculated by Lighting Zone as defined in Section 10-114 of Title 24, Part 1. Local governments may amend lighting zones in compliance with Section 10-114 of Title 24, Part 1.
A6.209.4.3 Calculation of actual lighting power. The wattage of outdoor luminaires shall be determined in accordance with Section 130(d) of Title 24, Part 6.
APPENDIX A6.1-28 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX A6.1 — VOLUNTARY STANDARDS FOR HEALTH FACILITIES [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4]
Frequently asked questions
Who decides if a sale is “final retail” in California or not?
The jurisdiction of the final retail sale determines applicability; the code treats the final retail sale location as determinative. If the product reaches a retail buyer inside California the Article applies; sales that ultimately retail outside California are exempt per § 12-13-1551(c) .
Does the rule apply to insulation installed on-site (field-applied) when sold as components?
If the product itself (e.g., field-applied foam components) is sold as insulating material at retail within California, the Article applies. But when insulation is transferred only as part of selling the whole building or appliance (i.e., not sold separately), that transfer is not treated as a sale of the insulation § 12-13-1551(c) .
If a California company manufactures insulation and ships it to another state, are California standards triggered?
No — insulating material manufactured in California but sold outside the state is not subject to this Article’s provisions § 12-13-1551(c) .
Are all insulation materials regulated by this Article?
No — only the types listed in § 12-13-1551(b) are the subject of the Article’s standards; materials not listed may be sold notwithstanding the Article § 12-13-1551(b),(d) .
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