insulation requirements on condo in DC (house, construction, floor, space)

[JL2010]

Hi,

Does anyone the insulation requirements for a condo building in DC? I am in the basement level and I suspect that the builder didn't do (or a did a poor job on) insulation on my walls. I can also feel draft coming from under my sink and water heater closet. So is there an air sealing requirement?

I don't know who to contact, so any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

[K'ledgeBldr]

All of VA (including DC) is in Zone 4.
Here are the requirements for insulating a structure in that zone:

Ceiling R-value 38
Wood Frame Wall R-value 13
Mass Wall R-value 5/10
Floor R-value 19
Basement Wall R-value 10/13
Slab R-value 10, Depth 2 ft
Crawlspace Wall R-value 10/13
Fenestration U-Factor 0.35
Skylight U-Factor 0.60
Glazed fenestration SHGC Not Rated

All of this is current code and since you didn't mention the age of the building it's quite possible that the requirements were less at the time of construction.
And when you say "Condo" do you mean a true "multi-family"/apartment type building, or is it a converted house/townhouse, or other type of structure?
All of these conditions can have varying degrees of compliance or non-compliance.

As far as who to talk to- if it's a "condo" in every sense of the word- and you "own" it, talk to yourself, and or your private inspector (moot-point now by-the-way). Otherwise, talk to your landlord.

[stevo6]

ASHRAE 90.1 is the standard in new construction FOR THE ENTIRE WALL, expressed as an average U-value. So no, there is no insulation standard for just one area. I don't know off hand what the current standard is, but usually you'll find at least U=.09 (R-11) in outside walls as a bare minimum. If there are windows anywhere on the wall that number has to be higher.
Air barriers are good practice but not regulated by code.

[JL2010]

Thank you both! It's an old building convered into various condo units. Unfortunately I bought my unit