Types

• ABS
  Tough amorphous terpolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene, used for drain-waste-vent pipe and molded parts.
• Acrylic
  Clear thermoplastic (PMMA) supplied as cast and extruded sheet, used for glazing panels, skylights, lighting diffusers, and bathtubs.
• CPVC
  Chlorinated PVC rated to 200°F, used for hot and cold water and fire sprinkler piping.
• Epoxy
  Thermoset resin cured with hardeners, used for resinous flooring, coatings, structural adhesives, anchors, and terrazzo matrices.
• ETFE
  Fluoropolymer film used in inflated multi-layer cushions for lightweight roofs, canopies, and facades.
• Melamine
  Melamine-formaldehyde thermoset used for laminate surfaces, decorative paper on panels, and acoustic foam.
• Neoprene
  Polychloroprene synthetic rubber used for bridge bearings, gaskets, weatherstripping, and elastomeric membranes.
• Nylon
  Polyamide thermoplastic (nylon 6 and 6,6), used for carpet fiber and for molded electrical parts such as wiring device bodies.
• Phenolic
  Thermoset resin from phenol and formaldehyde, used as the binder in exterior plywood, OSB, and laminates.
• Polycarbonate
  High-impact clear thermoplastic supplied as solid and multiwall sheet, used for skylights, domelights, glazing, and roofing panels.
• Polyethylene
  Most-produced thermoplastic, supplied as HDPE, MDPE, LDPE, and cross-linked PEX for pipe, tubing, and films.
• Polypropylene
  Semi-crystalline thermoplastic used for plumbing pipe, concrete fibers, and roofing membrane layers.
• Polystyrene
  Rigid thermoplastic foamed as EPS and XPS board for thermal insulation, and molded into forms and fixtures.
• Polyurethane
  Polymer made from polyols and isocyanates, supplied as rigid foam insulation, spray foam, coatings, sealants, and elastomers.
• PTFE
  Fluoropolymer with very low friction and high chemical resistance, used for fabric roofs, bearing slides, and thread seal tape.
• Rubber
  Natural and synthetic elastomers, chiefly EPDM, used for single-ply roofing membranes, gaskets, seals, and weatherstripping.
• Silicone
  Polysiloxane family of oils, rubbers, resins, and sealants with a -100 to 250°C service range, used for sealants and gaskets.
• Thermoplastic Polyolefin
  Blend of polypropylene or polyethylene with an elastomer and filler, used mainly as single-ply roofing membrane.
• Vinyl
  Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rigid or plasticized, used for pipe, conduit, window frames, siding, flooring, and roofing membrane.

Code reference

Always verify the adopted code edition and local amendments for the project jurisdiction.

Governing editions

Foam plastic insulation

• IBC 2024, Section 2603.3: flame spread index 75 or less and smoke-developed index 450 or less at the maximum intended thickness (ASTM E84 or UL 723)
• IBC 2024, Section 2603.4: foam separated from the interior by a thermal barrier: 1/2 in. gypsum wallboard, mass timber, heavy timber, or a material that passes NFPA 275
• IBC 2024, Section 2603.4.1.1: thermal barrier waived with at least 1 in. masonry or concrete on each face
• IBC 2024, Section 2603.4.1.6: attics and crawl spaces entered only for utility service use an ignition barrier, such as 1-1/2 in. mineral fiber, 1/4 in. wood structural panel, or 3/8 in. gypsum wallboard
• IBC 2024, Section 2603.5: foam in exterior walls of Types I to IV construction meets Sections 2603.5.1 to 2603.5.7, including NFPA 285 and NFPA 268
• IBC 2024, Section 2603.9: foam outside the Section 2603.4 requirements allowed by approval on large-scale tests (NFPA 286, FM 4880, UL 1040, UL 1715)
• IBC 2024, Section 2604.2: foam interior trim at least 20 pcf, 1/2 in. thick and 8 in. wide maximum, 10 percent of wall or ceiling area maximum, flame spread index 75 maximum

Light-transmitting plastics

• IBC 2024, Section 2606.4: self-ignition temperature at least 650°F (ASTM D1929); smoke-developed index 450 or less (ASTM E84) or average smoke density 75 or less (ASTM D2843); CC1 burn extent 1 in. or less, CC2 burn rate 2.5 in. per minute or less (ASTM D635)
• IBC 2024, Section 2607: wall panels not permitted in exterior walls of Groups A-1, A-2, H, I-2, or I-3; 75 ft maximum above grade plane; area and separation limits by fire separation distance in Table 2607.4; sprinklers double the limits (50 percent of wall area maximum)
• IBC 2024, Section 2608: glazing in other than Type VB limited to 25 percent of the wall face, 50 percent with sprinklers
• IBC 2024, Section 2609: roof panels not permitted in Groups H, I-2, or I-3; Table 2609.4: CC1 300 sq ft per panel and 30 percent of floor area aggregate, CC2 100 sq ft and 25 percent; sprinklers double the limits
• IBC 2024, Section 2610: skylight glazing on a curb at least 4 in. above the roof; 100 sq ft maximum per skylight; aggregate 33-1/3 percent (CC1) or 25 percent (CC2) of floor area; 4 ft minimum between skylights
• IBC 2024, Section 2611: interior plastic signs 24 sq ft aggregate, 100 sq ft in sprinklered buildings if all CC1

Roofing and cladding polymers

• IBC 2024, Section 1507.12: single-ply membranes at 1/4:12 minimum; Table 1507.12.2: EPDM ASTM D4637, PVC D4434, TPO D6878 (rubber, vinyl, thermoplastic polyolefin)
• IBC 2024, Table 1404.2: vinyl siding 0.035 in. minimum thickness (vinyl)

Plumbing piping polymers

• IPC 2024, Table 702.1: PVC drain, waste, and vent pipe to ASTM D2665, F891, or F1488 (vinyl)

Referenced standards

Sources

• UpCodes: 2024 IBC Chapter 26 plastic, https://up.codes/viewer/department-of-defense/ibc-2024/chapter/26/plastic
• UpCodes: 2024 IBC Chapter 15 roof assemblies, Chapter 15 Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures: Department of Defense Building Code 2024 | UpCodes
• UpCodes: 2024 IBC Chapter 14 exterior walls, https://up.codes/viewer/department-of-defense/ibc-2024/chapter/14/exterior-walls