SIST EN 1604:2013

SIST EN 1604:2013 is the Slovenian adoption of EN 1604:2013, published by SIST for thermal insulating products used in building applications. It specifies a test method for measuring how test specimens change in length, width and thickness after exposure to selected temperature and humidity conditions, so laboratories, manufacturers and buyers can compare dimensional stability in a controlled way.

What does SIST EN 1604:2013 specify?

SIST EN 1604:2013 specifies the equipment and procedure for evaluating dimensional changes of thermal insulating products after conditioning, exposure to defined environments, and reconditioning. It lets the user select suitable test conditions from a stated range, which matters because product standards can call for different climates or exposure times.

The document is organized into:

• Scope
• Normative references
• Terms and definitions
• Principle
• Apparatus
• Test specimens
• Procedure
• Calculation and expression of results
• Precision of the method
• Test report

What are the key requirements of SIST EN 1604:2013?

The method starts by conditioning specimens to equilibrium at 23 °C and 50 % relative humidity. In practice, this gives a common starting point so that later dimensional change reflects the exposure step, not the specimen’s previous storage conditions.

Test specimens and preparation

SIST EN 1604:2013 requires square specimens with a side length of 200 mm and the original product thickness. Surface skins, facings and coatings are kept in place, and the length and width directions are marked. That matters because the test is intended to represent the product as supplied, not a modified sample.

The number of specimens follows the relevant product standard; if none is given, at least three specimens are tested for each chosen condition. This gives enough data for a meaningful average and allows agreement between parties when no product standard applies.

Exposure conditions and handling

SIST EN 1604:2013 allows the test conditions to be taken from the relevant product standard or, if needed, agreed between parties. The stated options include fixed temperatures without humidity control and temperature-humidity combinations in a defined humidity range, with other conditions also allowed. The practical point is that the method can be aligned with the intended service or specification environment.

Specimens are placed horizontally or vertically with free air circulation, at least 25 mm apart, and must not be exposed to direct heater radiation. After exposure, they are reconditioned for 3 hours at 23 °C and 50 % relative humidity before final measurement. That makes the final reading more comparable between laboratories.

Measurements and calculations

SIST EN 1604:2013 requires initial and final measurements of length, width and thickness at defined positions, using instruments that measure to 0.1 mm and comply with EN 12085. The result is expressed as percentage dimensional change for each direction, and mean values are reported to the nearest 0.1 %. This gives a clear pass-fail or comparison basis for product assessment.

Method performance and reporting

The precision section reports interlaboratory data evaluated according to ISO 5725-2. It also states that bias cannot be determined because no accepted reference material exists. For users, that means the method is supported by repeatability and reproducibility information, but not by a bias statement against a reference material.

The test report must identify the standard, the product, the sampling and conditioning history, any deviations from the method, the test conditions, relevant observations, and all individual and mean results. That information is what makes the result traceable in quality control, type testing and product verification.

What terms does SIST EN 1604:2013 define?

• Length - the dimension parallel to the longer linear dimension of the major surface of the original product.
• Width - the linear dimension of the major surface measured at right angles to the length.
• Thickness - the linear dimension measured perpendicular to the length-width plane.
• Test specimen - the cut sample of the product used for the dimensional stability test.
• Dimensional change - the percentage difference between initial and final dimensions after exposure.

Who uses SIST EN 1604:2013?

SIST EN 1604:2013 is used by testing laboratories, insulation manufacturers, and product specifiers working with thermal insulating products for building applications. It is also relevant to quality teams and buyers who need a controlled way to compare how a product changes under temperature and humidity exposure. The standard is part of the EN 1600-series test-method family used alongside product standards for thermal insulation.

What changed in SIST EN 1604:2013 from the previous edition?

SIST EN 1604:2013 supersedes EN 1604:1996. The foreword states that this revision contains no major changes, only minor editorial corrections and clarifications.

Which standards are used with SIST EN 1604:2013?

• EN 12085 - used for measuring the linear dimensions of test specimens and for the measurement accuracy required by this method.
• ISO 5725-2 - used for the evaluation of repeatability and reproducibility in the precision study.
• EN 1603 - the related method for dimensional stability under constant normal laboratory conditions.
• EN 12429 - the related conditioning method for moisture equilibrium under specified temperature and humidity conditions.

The foreword also places SIST EN 1604:2013 within a larger family of thermal-insulation test standards covering dimensions, density, compression, water absorption, bending, shear, freeze-thaw resistance, and cyclic loading.

What does the SIST EN 1604:2013 document contain?

The document gives the measuring positions for length, width and thickness in Figure 1, which is used to keep readings consistent. It also includes the calculation formulae for percentage change, so users can convert raw dimensions into comparable results.

Table 1 summarizes precision data from an interlaboratory study, including repeatability and reproducibility information under two test-condition groups. The test report clause lists the required reporting items, which supports laboratory records, product assessment and technical documentation.