The following issues can complicate the process of installing insulation:

Wall space interrupted by pipes, ducts or an electrical panel

• Move water lines away from the wall or install the insulation and vapour barrier behind the pipes so that they are on the warm side. Never place insulation in front of pipes. Any pipes that pass through the air and vapour barrier should pass through a plywood box sealed to the main air and vapour barrier and the gaps around the pipes caulked.
• Do not insulate around flue pipes. Different clearances are needed depending on the type of flue. Check with the manufacturers or a heating system specialist. Similarly, do not insulate if you cannot maintain the proper clearances between furnaces, wood stoves and the wall.
• Be careful working around electrical panels. Even when the power to the rest of the house is off, the panel will still be live. Have an electrician help seal or move the panel to accommodate the new wall.

Basement wall interrupted by a window

• Using low-expansion spray foam caulk, seal the point where the window frame adjoins the wall. Then seal frames to the vapour barrier system.