ASTM C1859-23

Standard Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of Pneumatically Installed Loose-Fill Building Insulation (Behind Netting) for Enclosed Applications of the Building Thermal Envelope

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The thermal resistance, R, of an insulation is used to describe its thermal performance.  
4.2 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.  
4.3 In normal use, the thickness of these products range from less than 100 mm (4 in.) to greater than 150 mm (6 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.  
4.4 Loose-fill insulations provide coverage information using densities selected by manufacturers to represent the product installed densities. Generally, it is necessary to know the product thermal performance at a representative density.  
4.5 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) = 2.65 m F/Btu]) label density and thickness for that measurement.  
4.6 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.  
4.7 Generally, thin sections of these materials are not uniform. Thus, the test thickness must be greater than or equal to the product’s representative thickness if the results are to be consistent and typical of use.
Note 1: The representative thickness is specific for each product and is determined by running a series of tests in which the density is held constant but the thickness is increased. The representative thickness is defined here as that thickness above which there is no more than a 2 % change in the resistivity of the product. The representative thickness is a function of product blown density. In gene...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice presents a laboratory guide to determine the thermal resistance of pneumatically installed loose-fill building insulations for enclosed applications of the building thermal envelope behind netting at mean temperatures between –10 and 35°C (14 to 95°F).  
1.2 This practice applies to a wide variety of loose-fill thermal insulation products including but not limited to fibrous glass, rock/slag wool, or cellulosic fiber materials and any other insulation material that can be installed pneumatically. It does not apply to products that change their character after installation either by chemical reaction or the application of binders, adhesives or other materials that are not used in the sample preparation described in this practice, 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 open applications and not intended for spray-applied applications.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in t...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2023
• ICS: 91.120.10 - Thermal insulation of buildings
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.30 - Thermal Measurement

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C1859 − 23
Standard Practice for
Determination of Thermal Resistance of Pneumatically
Installed Loose-Fill Building Insulation (Behind Netting) for
1
Enclosed Applications of the Building Thermal Envelope
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1859; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This practice presents a laboratory guide to determine
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
the thermal resistance of pneumatically installed loose-fill
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
building insulations for enclosed applications of the building
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
thermal envelope behind netting at mean temperatures be-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
tween –10 and 35°C (14 to 95°F).
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.2 This practice applies to a wide variety of loose-fill
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
thermal insulation products including but not limited to fibrous
2. Referenced Documents
glass, rock/slag wool, or cellulosic fiber materials and any
other insulation material that can be installed pneumatically. It 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
does not apply to products that change their character after
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
installation either by chemical reaction or the application of
C177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
binders, adhesives or other materials that are not used in the
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
sample preparation described in this practice, nor does it
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
consider the effects of structures, containments, facings, or air
C518 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
films.
Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
C1045 Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission Prop-
1.3 Since this practice is designed for reproducible product
comparison, it measures the thermal resistance of an insulation erties Under Steady-State Conditions
C1114 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
material which has been preconditioned to a relatively dry
state. Consideration of changes of thermal performance of a Properties by Means of the Thin-Heater Apparatus
C1363 Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building
hygroscopic insulation by sorption of water is beyond the
scope of this practice. Materials and Envelope Assemblies by Means of a Hot
Box Apparatus
1.4 The sample preparation techniques outlined in this
practice do not cover the characterization of loose-fill materials
3. Terminology
intended for open applications and not intended for spray-
3.1 Unless otherwise stated, the terms and definitions found
applied applications.
in Terminology C168 are applicable herein.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information 4. Significance and Use
only.
4.1 The thermal resistance, R, of an insulation is used to
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
describe its thermal performance.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 The thermal resistance of an insulation is related to the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
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.
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 May 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2017. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as C1859 – 21. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C1859-23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1859 − 23
4.3 In normal use, the thickness of these products range matic installatio
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: C1859 − 21 C1859 − 23
Standard Practice for
Determination of Thermal Resistance of Pneumatically
Installed Loose-Fill Building Insulation (Behind Netting) for
1
Enclosed Applications of the Building Thermal Envelope
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1859; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) 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 pneumatically installed loose-fill building
insulations for enclosed applications of the building thermal envelope behind netting at mean temperatures between –10 and 35°C
(14 to 95°F).
1.2 This practice applies to a wide variety of loose-fill thermal insulation products including but not limited to fibrous glass,
rock/slag wool, or cellulosic fiber materials and any other insulation material that can be installed pneumatically. It does not apply
to products that change their character after installation either by chemical reaction or the application of binders, adhesives or other
materials that are not used in the sample preparation described in this practice, 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 open applications and not intended for spray-applied applications.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
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 Measurement.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2021May 1, 2023. Published October 2021June 2023. Originally approved in 2017. Last previous edition approved in 20192021 as
C1859 – 19.C1859 – 21. DOI: 10.1520/C1859-21.10.1520/C1859-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
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 ----------------------
C1859 − 23
C168 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 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
C1045 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
3. Terminology
3.1 Unless otherwise stated, the terms and definitions found in Terminology C168 are applicable herein.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The thermal resistance, R, of an insulation is used to describe its thermal performance.
4.2 The thermal resistance of an insulation is related to the density and thickness of the insulation. It is desirable to obtain test
...