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December 2002 - NAIMA (North American Insulation Manufacturers Association)Releases Important Video Regarding Proper Fire Testing of Reflective Insulation Materials

NAIMA has released a media presentation covering proper fire testing of reflective insulation materials. This media presentation has been distributed by NAIMA to code officials, architects, engineers and other building design professionals, as well as insurance risk management specialists.

Testing funded by NAIMA was conducted by Omega Point Laboratories, a nationally accredited testing facility. In a cover letter accompanying the media presentation Charles Cottrell, Director of Technical Services for NAIMA states, in part:

The enclosed presentation, titled Metal Building Insulation Code Compliance: Results of Independent Fire Testing, provides a visual summary of the Omega Point Laboratories tests conducted; the ASTM E 84 Tunnel Tests and the UL 1715 Room Corner Tests.

The ASTM E 84 tests, performed on two reflective insulation materials with plastic cores, showed that unless the reflective insulation was supported by wire mesh, it did not meet typical building code requirements for the flame spread index of 25 or less. When the wire mesh support was not used, the reflective insulation showed a flame spread index of 455 for one material and 310 for the other. With the wire mesh support, those materials tested at 20 and 25 respectively.

When approving these materials in exposed applications, we recommend asking for an ASTM E 84 test report showing the material tested without any wire mesh support. Additionally, one could request a UL 1715 room corner test.

Please note there are reflective products that can meet the combustibility requirements one such material has a mineral fiber core. It is important to evaluate each product individually and request the appropriate test configurations and substantiating reports.

To view the NAIMA media presentation titled Metal Building Insulation Code Compliance: Results of Independent Fire Testing click here: NAIMA Video 2003   or NAIMA Video 2005

To download a summary of this information click here: Don't Get Burned Flyer

Solarguard by GBP Silvercote, Inc.

Solarguard has a mineral fiber (fiberglass) core and has been tested to the nations’ most stringent and most current Fire and Thermal test standards. Both Solarguard White and Solarguard Foil products have passed the ASTM E 84 Tunnel Test (Flame Spread 25 or less, Smoke Developed 50 or less) in an unsupported condition. Additionally Solarguard White and Solarguard Foil have all passed the UL1715 Corner Room Test. All tests were conducted by Omega Point Laboratories. To receive a copy of test reports, contact us at support@silvercote.com

Care should also be taken when evaluating the thermal performance claims made by the manufacturers of reflective insulation products. Additional information you should consider:

Thermal Properties: When testing insulation materials in a device called a calibrated hot box, a sample of the material is mounted and different temperatures are maintained on the two sides of the sample. The difference in temperature is referred to as the Delta (∆) T. A smaller Delta T will generally result in a higher R-value. The Delta T used in testing is a critical piece of information that should be reported along with the R-value and test method. Most reflective insulation manufacturers report their R-values based on test results achieved under the ASTM C236 test standard and often fail to report the Delta T. Often the exceptional R-values reported are based on only a 10 degree Fahrenheit Delta T. The ASTM
C236 test standard is outdated and may soon be discontinued by ASTM. ASTM C1363/C976 is more current. When testing to this standard a Delta T of 30 degrees Fahrenheit or more is usually used. To properly evaluate the thermal performance of reflective insulation materials, only ASTM C1363/C976 test results, with a 30 degree or greater Delta T should be considered.

Fire Properties: Many other reflective insulation products claim a Class 1 rating per ASTM E84, however they must support their product with poultry wire when testing in order to achieve these results. While the ASTM E84 test standard allows the use of such support, when burned in an unsupported condition that is more typical of their installation in a metal, post frame or other type of building, some bubble-pack or foam core reflective insulation products generate a Flame Spread many times the 25 rating required to achieve a Class 1 rating. All Solarguard E84 test results reported below were achieved without the use of additional support beneath the sample. Additionally, Solarguard passes the UL1715/UBC 26-3 Room Corner Wall Fire Test. Solarguard White and Solarguard Foil meet all requirements for reflective insulation as required by the 2000 International Building Code (IBC). When you specify a high performance reflective insulation product, insist on the safest product available today Solarguard, by GBP Silvercote. For a detailed specification for Solarguard click here: Solarguard Spec

After viewing the NAIMA media presentation titled Metal Building Insulation Code Compliance: Results of Independent Fire Testing you may want to compare your impressions with these photos taken at Omega Point Laboratories during the UL1715 Corner Wall Test of Solarguard White:

1 Min 20 Sec		2 Min 17 Sec		3 Min 32 Sec		13 Min 52 Sec

To view summary tables of all Solarguard Test Data click here: Test Results