CEN/TC 88 - Thermal insulating materials and products

This document specifies common evaluation rules useful for the assessment and verification of constancy of performance of a thermal insulation product with harmonised technical specifications, product standards and any other assessment documents. Harmonised technical specifications, product standards and other assessment documents are called European product specifications in this document.
This document applies to factory made products for buildings, factory made products for building equipment and industrial installations, in situ products for buildings, in situ products for building equipment and industrial installations, to products for civil engineering applications, and to external thermal insulation composite kits.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the coefficient of linear thermal expansion at sub-ambient temperatures (−196 °C to 25 °C), subject to the possible temperature limitation of the test specimens. It is not applicable to products which experience dimensional changes during the test due to the loss of hydration water or which undergo other phase changes.

This document provides the product category rules (PCR) for Type III environmental declarations (as in EN 15804:2012+A2:20191) for factory made and in situ thermal insulation products.
Complementary to EN 15804:2012+A2:20191, the PCR described in this document:
-   specify the declared unit to be used;
-   define the system boundaries for thermal insulation products;
-   specify/describe the default scenarios and rules for defining scenarios for certain life cycle information modules.
These PCR are intended to be used for cradle to gate, cradle to gate with options or cradle to grave assessment, provided the intention is properly stated in the system boundary description.

This document describes a laboratory test method to determine the susceptibility of thermal insulation products used for construction against mould growth under specified climatic conditions.
The method is applicable to both factory-made products and in situ formed products. Factory-made products include panels, mats and rolls.
NOTE   In situ formed products are usually those that are delivered loose and installed by blowing-in, pouring, or spraying-on, eventually using water and/or binder, whether or not they are also treated using additives.
The test is carried out with one of the conditions described in Table 1.
This test method determines the susceptibility of a thermal insulation material to mould growth, but it does not determine the suitability for use in a given design (wall, roof, etc.).
This method does not predict the resistance of an insulation product to water damage.

This document specifies a test method for the determination of settlement of loose-fill insulation applied horizontally in ventilated attics. This test method measures the effects of humidity and temperature cycling.

This document is applicable to factory-made reflective insulation (RI) products intended for use as thermal and acoustic insulation of buildings. The products are manufactured in the form of rolls or boards. They are made from low emissive film(s) and infrared semi-transparent material layer(s) or air cavities.
This document describes the methods and criteria for assessing the performance of factory-made reflective insulation products in relation to essential product characteristics and includes the procedures for assessment and verification of the constancy of performance.
Reflective insulation products require specific setup instruction(s) depending on their level of compressibility.
This document does not specify the required level of a given property to be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The levels required for a given application can be found in regulations or non-conflicting standards.
This document does not cover:
-   products intended to be used for the insulation of building equipment and industrial installations;
-   products made of mineral wool, polystyrene or polyurethane foams (not inclusive) faced with aluminium or metalized foil on one or both external surfaces (which are already covered by a corresponding harmonized European product standard);
-   membranes used as vapour control layer (VCL) or vapour-permeable roof or wall underlay (which are already covered by a specific harmonized European product standard).

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the tensile strength of a product parallel to its faces. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.
This document can be used to determine whether the product has sufficient strength to withstand stresses during transportation and application.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the compression behaviour of specimens. It is applicable to thermal insulating products and can be used to determine the compressive stress in compressive creep tests and for applications in which insulation products are exposed only to short-term loads.
The method can be used for quality control purposes and can also be employed to obtain reference values from which design values can be calculated using safety factors.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the thickness of full‑size products. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.
This document provides the reference method. Other methods can be used (e.g. for quality control), provided a correlation has been established with this reference method; Annex B gives some examples of such methods.

This document specifies the characteristics and choice of measuring equipment and the procedure for determining the linear dimensions of test specimens that are taken from thermal insulating products. The procedures for measuring the dimensions of full-size products are specified in ISO 29465 and ISO 29466.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the apparent overall density and the apparent core density under reference conditions. It is applicable to full-size thermal insulating products and test specimens of preformed pipe insulation.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the coefficient of linear thermal expansion. It is applicable to thermal insulating products within the temperature range −196 °C to 850 °C, subject to the possible temperature limitation of the test specimens. It is not applicable to products which experience dimensional changes during the test due to the loss of hydration water or which undergo other phase changes.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the maximum service temperature for preformed pipe insulation. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the dimensions, squareness and linearity of preformed pipe insulation, supplied in one piece, half sections or segments. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the deviation from flatness for full-size products. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the thickness of thermal insulating products for impact sound insulation in floating-floor applications.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining trace quantities of the water-soluble chloride, fluoride, silicate and sodium ions in an aqueous extract of the product. It also describes a procedure for the determination of the pH of the aqueous extract. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.
NOTE      The determination of these parameters can be relevant for thermal insulating products intended for application to stainless austenitic steel surfaces. The presence of chloride, fluoride, silicate and sodium ions under certain conditions can influence the risk of stress corrosion cracking. See Annex B for further information on general use of this document.

This document specifies the equipment and procedure for determining the water vapour transmission properties in the steady state under specified test conditions for test specimens of preformed pipe insulation. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.
It is intended to be used for homogeneous materials (see NOTE below) and for products which can have integral skins or adhered facings of some different material.
NOTE      A material is considered to be homogeneous in terms of mass distribution if its density is approximately the same throughout, i.e. if the measured density values are close to its mean density.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the length and width of full‑size products. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the short-term water absorption of preformed pipe insulation by partial immersion in water. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.
NOTE      It is intended to simulate the water absorption caused by exposure to rain for 24 h during product installation.
This document has been prepared for products used to insulate building equipment and industrial installations, but it can also be applied to products used in other areas.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the maximum service temperature of flat insulation products. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.

This European Standard specifies the characteristics for factory made calcium silicate products with or without lamination or coating which are used for the thermal insulation of buildings.
Calcium silicate insulation material comprising hydrated calcium silicate, normally reinforced by incorporated fibres. The main crystal phases are Xonotlite, Tobermorite with or without Wollastonite.
The products are manufactured in the form of boards, segments and prefabricated ware.
The standard covers multi-layered CS products.
This European Standard describes product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, evaluation of conformity, marking and labelling.
This European Standard does not specify the required level or class of a given property that shall be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The levels required for a given application can be found in regulations and invitations to tender.
This European Standard is not valid for products with a declared thermal conductivity greater than 0,075 W/(mK) at 10 °C.
This European Standard does not cover aerated concrete, autoclaved aerated concrete, mineral foam insulating products and sand-lime bricks as well as in situ insulation products and products intended to be used for the insulation of the building equipment and industrial installations.

This document specifies characteristics of factory-made vacuum insulation panels (VIP) intended to be used for the thermal insulation of buildings.
This document is applicable for all types of factory-made vacuum insulation panels (VIP), independent of the core material (see 3.1.10) or type of envelope (see 3.1.11).
This document is applicable for factory-made vacuum insulation panels (VIP) with or without desiccants (see 3.1.12) and with and without evacuation valve (3.1.14).
The products covered by this document can be used in roofs, walls, ceilings and floors.
This document specifies procedures for assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP) of characteristics of factory-made vacuum insulation panels (VIP).
This document does not cover products:
-   intended to be used for the thermal insulation of building equipment and industrial installations;
-   intended to be used for civil engineering works;
-   intended to be used as perimeter or foundation;
-   with a thermal resistance RD lower than 0,5 m2⋅K/W;
-   that contain getters (3.1.13);
-   that have protective layers (3.1.9).

This document specifies the requirements for products of loose-filled expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads and bonded expanded polystyrene beads for in-situ installation in masonry cavity walls and frame constructions.
This document is a specification for the insulation products before installation. It describes the product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, marking and labelling.
This document does not specify the required level of a given property to be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The levels required for a given application are to be found in regulations or non-conflicting standards.
NOTE   To avoid water penetration in masonry walls special tests adjusted to local climate might be needed.
This document does not cover factory made expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation products or factory made or in-situ products intended to be used for the insulation of building equipment and industrial installations.
Products with a declared thermal resistance lower than 0,25 m2·K/W or a declared thermal conductivity greater than 0,060 W/(m·K) at 10 °C are not covered by this document.
This document does not cover products intended for airborne sound insulation and for acoustic absorption applications.

This European Standard specifies the equipment and procedure for determining the resistance to impact of design ETICS kits with renders.

This document specifies the equipment and test method for determining the effects of successive cycling from dry conditions at −20 °C to wet conditions at 20 °C on the mechanical properties and moisture content of thermal insulating products.
This document is intended to simulate the freeze?thaw effects on thermal insulating products which are frequently exposed to water and low temperature conditions, e.g. inverted roofs and unprotected ground insulation.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the apparent overall density and the apparent core density under reference conditions. This document is applicable to full size thermal insulating products and test specimens. This document can also be applied to the individual layers of multi‑layered products.

This document specifies the equipment and test method for determining the compressive creep of specimens under various conditions of stress.
This document is applicable to thermal insulating products.

This document provides a vocabulary of terms used in the field of thermal insulation that covers materials, products, components and applications. Some of the terms can have a different meaning when used in other industries or applications.

This document specifies the requirements for blown and injected loose-fill mineral wool products for in situ installation in lofts, masonry cavity walls and frame constructions.
This document is a specification for the insulation products before installation. It describes the product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, marking and labelling.
This document does not specify the required level of a given property to be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The levels required for a given application are to be found in regulations or non-conflicting standards.
NOTE   To avoid water penetration in masonry walls special tests adjusted to local climate might be needed.
This document does not cover factory made mineral wool (MW) insulation products or in situ products intended to be used for the insulation of building equipment and industrial installations.
Products with a declared thermal resistance lower than 0,25 m2·K/W or a declared thermal conductivity greater than 0,060 W/(m·K) at 10 °C are not covered by this document.
This document does not cover products intended for airborne sound insulation and for acoustic absorption applications.

This document specifies the test apparatus, materials and procedures for determining the tensile bond strength of an adhesive, a reinforced base coat or a rendering system to a thermal insulation product for use as components in External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems.
The test method described in this document is not applicable to PU foam adhesives. For testing such products see EN 17101.

This document specifies equipment and procedures for determining the load-bearing capability ("pull-off") of kits out of external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) to tension and/or shear forces.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the short‑term water absorption of specimens by partial immersion. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.
NOTE       It is intended to simulate the water absorption caused by a 24 h raining period during construction work.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the long-term water absorption of test specimens by diffusion. It is applicable to thermal insulating products. It is intended to simulate the water absorption of products subjected to high relative humidities, approximating to 100 %, on both sides and subjected to a water vapour pressure gradient for a long period of time e.g. inverted roof or unprotected ground insulation.
The test is not applicable for all types of thermal insulating products. The relevant product standard should state for which of its products, if any, this test is applicable.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the long-term water absorption of test specimens. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.
This document specifies two methods:
—         Method 1: Partial immersion;
—         Method 2: Total immersion.
The long-term water absorption by partial immersion is intended to simulate the water absorption caused by long-term water exposure.
The long-term water absorption by total immersion is not directly related to the conditions on site, but has been recognized as a relevant condition of test for some products in some applications.

This European Standard specifies requirements for loose-fill cellulose insulation (LFCI) products for the thermal and/or sound insulation of buildings when installed into walls, floors, galleries, roofs and ceilings.
This European Standard is a specification for the loose-fill cellulose insulation (LFCI) products before installation.
This European Standard describes the product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, marking and labelling and the rules for evaluation of conformity.
Products covered by this European Standard may also be used in prefabricated thermal insulation systems and composite panels; the structural performance of systems incorporating these products is not covered.
Products with a declared thermal conductivity at 10 °C greater than 0,060 W/(m  K) or a declared thermal resistance lower than 0,25 m2  K/W are not covered by this European Standard.
This European Standard does not specify the required level of all properties to be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The required levels are to be found in local regulations or non-conflicting standards.
This European Standard does not cover factory made cellulose products placed on the market as bats, mats or boards intended to be used for the insulation of buildings or loose-fill cellulose products for the insulation of building equipment and industrial installations.

This document specifies methods of identification and test methods for the performance evaluation of one-component PU foams used as adhesive foam.
Other foams are not covered by this document.

This European Standard specifies the requirements for expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads and the adhesive, which are after installation used for the thermal insulation of buildings. The EPS beads and the adhesive are mixed and processed on site.
This standard does not specify the required level of a given property to be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The levels required for a given application are to be found in regulations or non-conflicting standards.
This standard does not cover factory made insulation products in the form of prefabricated shapes or boards made of bonded EPS beads.
Products with a declared thermal resistance lower than 0,25 (m² x K)/W or a declared thermal conductivity at 10 °C greater than 0,1 W/(m x K) are not covered by this standard.

This European Standard specifies the requirements for factory made expanded polystyrene products, with or without rigid or flexible facings or coatings, which are used for the thermal insulation of buildings. The products are manufactured in the form of boards or rolls or other preformed ware (flat, tapered, tongue and grooves, shiplap, profiled etc.).
Products covered by this standard are also used for sound insulation and in prefabricated thermal insulation systems and composite panels; the performance of systems incorporating these products is not covered.
This standard describes product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, evaluation of conformity, marking and labelling.
This standard does not specify the required class or level of a given property to be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The classes and levels required for a given application are to be found in regulations or non-conflicting standards.
Products with a declared thermal resistance lower than 0,25 m²⋅K/W or a declared thermal conductivity at 10 °C greater than 0,060 W/(m⋅K) are not covered by this standard.
This standard does not cover in-situ insulation products (covered by EN 16025-1 and -2), products intended to be used for the insulation of building equipment and industrial installations (covered by EN 14309), products intended to be used in civil engineering applications (covered by EN 14933) and products intended to be used in beam and block systems in floors (covered by EN 15037-4).

This European Standard specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the hygrothermal behaviour of external thermal insulation composite systems with renders (ETICS) delivered as a kit and used as thermal insulation for buildings.

This European Standard specifies equipment and procedures for determining the pull-through resistance of plate anchors through thermal insulation products.

This European Standard specifies the requirements for factory made rigid polyurethane foam (PU) products, with or without facings or coatings, which are used for the thermal insulation of buildings. PU includes both PIR and PUR products. The products are manufactured in the form of boards.
This European Standard includes PU multi-layered insulation products, see Annex D.
Products covered by this standard are also used in prefabricated thermal insulation systems and composite insulation products; the performance of systems incorporating these products is not covered.
This standard describes product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, evaluation of conformity, marking and labelling.
This standard does not specify the required level of a given property to be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The levels required for a given application are to be found in regulations or non-conflicting standards.
Products with a declared thermal resistance lower than 0,25 m2⋅K/W or a declared thermal conductivity greater than 0,060 W/(m⋅K) at 10 °C are not covered by this European Standard.
This standard does not cover in situ insulation products and products intended to be used for the insulation of building equipment and industrial installations (covered by EN 14308).

This European Standard specifies the requirements for factory made phenolic foam products, with or without facings or coatings, which are used for the thermal insulation of buildings. The products are manufactured in the form of boards and laminates.
Products covered by this standard are also used in prefabricated thermal insulation systems and composite panels; the performance of systems incorporating these products is not covered.
This standard describes product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, evaluation of conformity, marking and labelling.
This standard does not specify the required level of a given property to be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The levels required for a given application are to be found in regulations or non-conflicting standards.
Products with a declared thermal resistance lower than 0,40 m2⋅K/W or a declared thermal conductivity greater than 0,050 W/(m⋅K) at 10 °C are not covered by this standard.
This standard does not cover in-situ thermal insulation products, products intended to be used for the thermal insulation of building equipment and industrial installations (covered by EN 14314 [3]).

This European Standard specifies the requirements for factory made mineral wool products, which are used for the thermal insulation of building equipment and industrial installations with an operating temperature range of approximately 0 °C to + 800 °C.
Below an operating temperature of ambient, special means against water vapour diffusion and water accumulation by air flow might be required. Below an operating temperature of - 50 °C, special tests regarding the suitability of the products in the intended application are advised (e.g. liquefaction of oxygen). Manufacturer's advice should be heeded in all cases.
The products are manufactured with or without facings or coatings, in the form of rolls, boards, slabs, mats, felts, quilts, wired mats, lamella mats, bevelled lags and pipe sections.
This European Standard describes product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, evaluation of conformity, marking and labelling.
Products covered by this standard are also used in prefabricated thermal insulation systems and composite panels; the performance of systems incorporating these products is not covered.
This European Standard does not specify the required level of a given property that should be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The levels required for a given application can be found in regulations and invitations to tender.
Products with a declared thermal conductivity greater than 0,065 W/(m·K) at 10 °C are not covered by this standard.
This European Standard does not cover products for in situ insulation (blowing or pouring) or products for the insulation of the building structure.
This European Standard does not cover the following acoustical aspects: direct airborne sound insulation and impact noise transmission index.

This European Standard specifies the requirements for factory made products of expanded polystyrene which are used for the thermal insulation of building equipment and industrial installations with an operating temperature range of approximately - 180 °C to + 80 °C. Modified expanded polystyrene polymers with a higher temperature resistance are also covered by this standard.
Below an operating temperature of - 50 °C, special tests regarding the suitability of the product in the intended application are advised (e.g. liquefaction of oxygen). Manufacturers’ advice should be heeded in all cases.
The products are manufactured in the form of faced or unfaced boards, rolls, lags, pipe sections or other prefabricated ware.
This standard describes product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, evaluation of conformity, marking and labelling.
Products covered by this standard are also used in prefabricated thermal insulation systems and composite panels; the performance of systems incorporating these products is not covered.
This standard does not specify the required level or class of a given property that should be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The classes and levels required for a given application can be found in regulations and invitations to tender.
Products with a declared thermal conductivity greater than 0,060 W/(m·K) at 10 °C are not covered by this standard.
This standard does not cover products for in situ insulation (for loose fill or poured insulation) or products for the insulation of the building structure.

This European Standard specifies the requirements for factory made expanded perlite and exfoliated vermiculite products which are used for the thermal insulation of building equipment and industrial installations with an operating temperature in the range of approximately 0 °C to + 1 100 °C.
Expanded perlite and exfoliated vermiculite products can be used below 0 °C but special tests regarding the suitability of the product in the intended application are advised (e.g. liquefaction of oxygen). Manufacturer’s advice should be heeded in all cases.
The products are manufactured in the form of boards, pipe sections, segments, prefabricated ware and special ware.
This European Standard describes product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, evaluation of conformity, marking and labelling.
Products covered by this European Standard are also used in prefabricated thermal insulation systems and composite panels; the structural performance of systems incorporating these products is not covered.
This European Standard does not specify the required level of a given property that is achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The levels required for a given application can be found in regulations and invitations to tender.
Products with a declared thermal conductivity greater than 0,6 W/(mK) at 10 °C are not covered by this European Standard.
This European Standard does not cover products intended to be used for the insulation of the building structure.
The European Standard does not cover the following acoustical aspects: direct airborne sound insulation and impact transmission noise index.

This European Standard specifies the requirements for factory made phenolic foam products which are used for the thermal insulation of building equipment and industrial installations with an operating temperature in the range of approximately - 200 °C to + 120 °C.
Below an operating temperature of - 50 °C, special tests regarding the suitability of the products in the intended application are advised (e.g. liquefaction of oxygen). Manufacturer's advice should be heeded in all cases.
The products are manufactured in the form of blocks, faced or unfaced, boards, pipe sections, segments and prefabricated ware.
This European Standard describes product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, evaluation of conformity, marking and labelling.
Products covered by this standard are also used in prefabricated thermal insulating systems and composite panels; the performance of systems incorporating these products is not covered.
This European Standard does not specify the required level of a given property that should be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The levels required for a given application can be found in regulations and invitations to tender.
Products with a declared thermal conductivity greater than 0,050 W/(m·K) at 10 °C are not covered by this standard.
This European Standard does not cover products for in situ-insulation (blowing or pouring) or products for the insulation of the building structure.
This European Standard does not cover the following acoustical aspects: direct airborne sound insulation and impact noise transmission index.

This European Standard specifies instructions for mounting and fixing for reaction to fire testing for External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) and gives rules for the field of application of test results.

This European Standard specifies the requirements for factory made cellular glass products which are used for the thermal insulation of building equipment and industrial installations with an operating temperature range of approximately - 265 °C to + 430 °C.
Below an operating temperature of - 50 °C, special tests regarding the suitability of the product in the intended application are advised (e.g. liquefaction of oxygen). Manufacturer's advice should be heeded in all cases.
The products are manufactured in the form of faced or unfaced boards, pipe sections, segments and prefabricated ware.
This European Standard describes product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, evaluation of conformity, marking and labelling.
Products covered by this standard are also used in prefabricated thermal insulation systems and composite panels; the performance of systems incorporating these products is not covered.
This European Standard does not specify the required level of a given property that should be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The levels required for a given application can be found in regulations and invitations to tender.
Products with a declared thermal conductivity greater than 0,065 W/(m·K) at 10 °C are not covered by this standard.
This European Standard does not cover products for the insulation of the building structure.

This European Standard specifies the requirements for factory made flexible polyethylene foam products which are used for the thermal insulation of building equipment and industrial installations with an operating temperature in the range of approximately - 80 °C to + 150 °C.
Tensile stress in the insulation product should be avoided when applying PEF. This is even more important when applying PEF on lines with operating temperatures between - 50 °C and - 80 °C. The tensile stress should be kept at the minimum by applying the foam “under pressure”, i.e. cutting the parts in a generous way. Manufacturer’s advice should be heeded in all cases.
The products are manufactured in the form of tubes, profiles, sheets, rolls and tapes with or without coating and/or self-adhesive backing and/or different closure systems.
This standard describes product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, evaluation of conformity, marking and labelling.
Products covered by this standard are also used in prefabricated thermal insulation systems and composite panels; the performance of systems incorporating these products is not covered.
This standard does not specify the required level of a given property that should be achieved by a product to demonstrate fitness for purpose in a particular application. The levels required for a given application can be found in regulations and invitations to tender.
Products with a declared thermal conductivity greater than 0,050 W/(m·K) at 10 °C are not covered by this standard.
This standard does not cover products for the insulation of the building structure.
The normative part of this standard does not cover compressive stress (see C.4).