Code Acceptance of Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems and Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems with Drainage

Abstract

Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) have been installed in the United States for more than 40 years. When first introduced, there were no standards in place and the thought of securing expanded polystyrene on the exterior of a noncombustible wall was unheard of. Fast forward to today: Not only have standards been developed but exterior insulation and finish systems and exterior insulation and finish systems with drainage are included in both the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC). This paper will present, in chronological order, how EIFS have become established in the marketplace through acceptance criteria, the development of standards, the rigorous testing that goes along with those standards, and ultimately, in 2009, through the acceptance of EIFS and EIFS with drainage into the IBC and IRC.