ASTM C687-07
(Practice)Standard Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of Loose-Fill Building Insulation
Standard Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of Loose-Fill Building Insulation
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The thermal resistance, R, of an insulation is used to describe its thermal performance.
The thermal resistance of an insulation is related to the density and thickness of the insulation. It is desirable to obtain test data on thermal resistances at thicknesses and densities related to the end uses of the product.
In normal use, the thickness of these products range from less than 100 mm (4 in.) to greater than 500 mm (20 in.). Installed densities depend upon the product type, the installed thickness, the installation equipment used, the installation techniques, and the geometry of the insulated space.
Loose-fill insulations provide coverage information using densities selected by manufacturers to represent the product settled densities. Generally, it is necessary to know the product thermal performance at a representative density. Some coverage charts utilize multiple densities to show that greater thickness installations usually result in higher installed densities. The use of multiple densities can be detected from the coverage chart by calculating the density for several different thermal resistance levels. (The density for a given thermal resistance can be calculated from the coverage chart by dividing the minimum mass per unit area by the minimum thickness.) If the calculated densities are significantly different at different thermal resistances, the multiple density strategy has been used.
When applicable specifications or codes do not specify the nominal thermal resistance level to be used for comparison purposes, a recommended practice is to use the Rsi (metric) = 3.3 m2K/W (RIP = 19 [h ft2F/Btu]) label density and thickness for that measurement.
If the density for test purposes is not available from the coverage chart, a test density shall be established by use of applicable specifications and codes or, if none apply, agreement between the requesting body and the testing organization.
Generally, thin sections of these materials are not uniform...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice presents a laboratory guide to determine the thermal resistance of loose-fill building insulations at mean temperatures between − 20 and 55°C (−4 to 131°F).
1.2 This practice applies to a wide variety of loose-fill thermal insulation products including fibrous glass, rock/slag wool, or cellulosic fiber materials; granular types including vermiculite and perlite; pelletized products; and any other insulation material installed pneumatically or poured in place. It does not apply to products that change their character after installation either by chemical reaction or the application of binders or adhesives, nor does it consider the effects of structures, containments, facings, or air films.
1.3 Since this practice is designed for reproducible product comparison, it measures the thermal resistance of an insulation material which has been preconditioned to a relatively dry state. Consideration of changes of thermal performance of a hygroscopic insulation by sorption of water is beyond the scope of this practice.
1.4 The sample preparation techniques outlined in this practice do not cover the characterization of loose-fill materials intended for enclosed applications. For those applications, a separate sample preparation technique that simulates the installed condition will be required. However, even for those applications, some other aspects of this practice are applicable.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: C687 − 07
StandardPractice for
Determination of Thermal Resistance of Loose-Fill Building
1
Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C687; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This practice presents a laboratory guide to determine
C167Test Methods forThickness and Density of Blanket or
thethermalresistanceofloose-fillbuildinginsulationsatmean
Batt Thermal Insulations
temperatures between−20 and 55°C (−4 to 131°F).
C168Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
1.2 This practice applies to a wide variety of loose-fill
C177Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
thermal insulation products including fibrous glass, rock/slag
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
wool, or cellulosic fiber materials; granular types including
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
vermiculite and perlite; pelletized products; and any other
C518Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
insulation material installed pneumatically or poured in place.
Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
It does not apply to products that change their character after
C653Guide for Determination of theThermal Resistance of
installation either by chemical reaction or the application of
Low-Density Blanket-Type Mineral Fiber Insulation
binders or adhesives, nor does it consider the effects of
C739Specification for Cellulosic Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal
structures, containments, facings, or air films.
Insulation
1.3 Since this practice is designed for reproducible product C1045Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission Prop-
comparison, it measuresthethermalresistanceofaninsulation erties Under Steady-State Conditions
material which has been preconditioned to a relatively dry C1114Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
state. Consideration of changes of thermal performance of a Properties by Means of the Thin-Heater Apparatus
hygroscopic insulation by sorption of water is beyond the C1363Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building
scope of this practice. Materials and Envelope Assemblies by Means of a Hot
Box Apparatus
1.4 The sample preparation techniques outlined in this
C1373Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of
practicedonotcoverthecharacterizationofloose-fillmaterials
Attic Insulation Systems Under Simulated Winter Condi-
intended for enclosed applications. For those applications, a
tions
separate sample preparation technique that simulates the in-
stalled condition will be required. However, even for those
3. Terminology
applications,someotheraspectsofthispracticeareapplicable.
3.1 Unless otherwise stated, the terms and definitions found
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
in Terminology C168 are applicable herein.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
4. Significance and Use
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 The thermal resistance, R, of an insulation is used to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
describe its thermal performance.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.2 The thermal resistance of an insulation is related to the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
density and thickness of the insulation. It is desirable to obtain
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
test data on thermal resistances at thicknesses and densities
related to the end uses of the product.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.30 on Thermal
2
Measurement. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2007. Published January 2008. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C687–05. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C0687-07. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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C687 − 07
4.3 In normal use, the thickness of these products range products.TheseincludeTestMethodsC177,C518, C1114,and
from less than 100 mm (4 in.) to greater than 500 mm (20 in.). C1363. Of these test methods, the heat flow meter apparatus,
Installed densities depend upon the product type, the installed Test Me
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:C687–05 Designation: C 687 – 07
Standard Practice for
Determination of Thermal Resistance of Loose-Fill Building
1
Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C687; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice presents a laboratory guide to determine the thermal resistance of loose-fill building insulations at mean
temperatures between−20 and 55°C (−4 to 131°F).
1.2 This practice applies to a wide variety of loose-fill thermal insulation products including fibrous glass, rock/slag wool, or
cellulosic fiber materials; granular types including vermiculite and perlite; pelletized products; and any other insulation material
installed pneumatically or poured in place. It does not apply to products that change their character after installation either by
chemical reaction or the application of binders or adhesives, nor does it consider the effects of structures, containments, facings,
or air films.
1.3 Since this practice is designed for reproducible product comparison, it measures the thermal resistance of an insulation
materialwhichhasbeenpreconditionedtoarelativelydrystate.Considerationofchangesofthermalperformanceofahygroscopic
insulation by sorption of water is beyond the scope of this practice.
1.4 Thesamplepreparationtechniquesoutlinedinthispracticedonotcoverthecharacterizationofloose-fillmaterialsintended
forenclosedapplications.Forthoseapplications,aseparatesamplepreparationtechniquethatsimulatestheinstalledconditionwill
be required. However, even for those applications, some other aspects of this practice are applicable.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C167 Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket or Batt Thermal Insulations
C168Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulating Materials Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
C177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measurements and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the
Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
C518 TestMethodforSteady-StateHeatFluxMeasurementsandThermalTransmissionPropertiesbyMeansoftheHeatFlow
Meter Apparatus
C653 Guide for Determination of the Thermal Resistance of Low-Density Blanket-Type Mineral Fiber Insulation
C739 Specification for Cellulosic Fiber (Wood Base) Loose-Fill Thermal Insulation
C1045Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission Properties from Steady-State Heat Flux Measurements Practice for
Calculating Thermal Transmission Properties Under Steady-State Conditions
C1114 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Thin-Heater Apparatus
C1363 Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building Materials and Envelope Assemblies by Means of a Hot Box
Apparatus
C1373 Practice for Determination of the Thermal Resistance ofAttic Insulation Systems Under Simulated Winter Conditions
3. Terminology
3.1 Unless otherwise stated, the terms and definitions found in Terminology C168 are applicable herein.
1
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC16onThermalInsulationandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeC16.30onThermalMeasurement.
Current edition approved May 1, 2005. Published June 2005. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as C687–02.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2007. Published January 2008. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C687–05.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.ForAnnualBookofASTMStandards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C687–07
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The thermal resistance, R, of an insulation is used to describe its thermal performance.
4.2 The th
...
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