ASTM C390-08(2024)

Standard Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal Insulation Lots

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The sampling and inspection prescribed in this practice afford the purchaser a practical level of quality assurance on incoming material. They are based on cost/risk relationships considered typical for preformed thermal insulations offered for general use. In all cases, the purchaser should review this practice and determine its suitability in terms of his specific needs.  
4.2 This procedure is intended primarily for the inspection of a continuing stream of lots, and there is not a high probability of rejecting occasional off lots. Consumer protection is based on economic pressure on the producer, through greater risk of lot rejection, to maintain the process average at 90 % conformance or better. Operating characteristic curves for the sampling plans employed can be found in Practice E2234, Table X-C through Table X-F.  
4.3 It is not the intent of this procedure to estimate lot quality, control the quality of production, relieve the supplier of responsibility for the quality of material offered, or determine the disposition of material found to be defective after receipt by the purchaser.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers criteria for establishing the acceptability of lots of shipments of preformed board, preformed block and pipe, and batts and blanket thermal insulation based on sampling and inspection.  
1.2 This practice is intended for use in conjunction with appropriate ASTM material specifications that classify and describe the specific physical requirements for the product in terms of qualification requirements and inspection requirements. Determination of nonconformity shall be based on the tolerances for individual sample test values prescribed in the material specification.  
1.3 This practice may require inspection substantially different from that performed in the normal course of production. If the purchaser requires sampling and acceptance inspection in accordance with this practice, he shall so specify in the order or contract.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 29-Feb-2024
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.31 - Chemical and Physical Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C390-08(2019) - Standard Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal Insulation Lots
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM C168-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM C168-22 - Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-May-2022
• Referred By: ASTM C610-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Molded Expanded Perlite Block and Pipe Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C195-07(2019) - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Thermal Insulating Cement
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C1685-15(2021) - Standard Specification for Pneumatically Applied High-Temperature Fiber Thermal Insulation for Industrial Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C1676/C1676M-23 - Standard Specification for Microporous Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C240-21 - Standard Test Methods for Testing Cellular Glass Insulation Block
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C1616-07(2018) - Standard Test Method for Determining the Moisture Content of Organic and Inorganic Insulation Materials by Weight
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C1902-22a - Standard Specification for Cellular Glass Insulation Used in Building and Roof Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C612-14(2019) - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Block and Board Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Referred By: ASTM E1730-19 - Standard Specification for Rigid Foam for Use in Structural Sandwich Panel Cores
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C578-23 - Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C892-19 - Standard Specification for High-Temperature Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Referred By: ASTM C800-19 - Standard Specification for Fibrous Glass Blanket Insulation (Aircraft Type)
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024

Overview

ASTM C390-08(2024): Standard Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal Insulation Lots establishes uniform procedures for sampling and inspecting lots of preformed thermal insulation products. Developed by ASTM International, this standard supports purchasers and suppliers in determining the acceptability of insulation lots, such as boards, blocks, pipe insulation, batts, and blankets, through clear sampling and quality inspection practices. The document is designed to enhance quality assurance for incoming materials and is aligned with internationally recognized standardization principles.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability:
  The standard covers requirements for accepting lots of preformed thermal insulation via specified sampling and inspection methods. It applies to shipments comprising preformed board, block, pipe insulation, batts, and blankets.

• Inspection Types:

  • Normal Inspection: Used as the default approach.
  • Tightened Inspection: Implemented when quality concerns arise, using stricter acceptance criteria.

• Lot and Sampling Definitions:

  • Lot/Batch: Defined as a group of units produced under uniform conditions.
  • Sample: Randomly selected shipping packages assessed to determine lot acceptability.

• Acceptance Criteria:
  Acceptance or rejection depends on the number of nonconforming units found during inspection versus the established acceptance number, referencing levels such as Acceptable Quality Level (AQL).

• Responsibilities:
  The practice does not estimate total lot quality, control ongoing production processes, or remove supplier responsibility. It is the user’s duty to ensure compliance with safety, health, and regulatory requirements.

• International Alignment:
  ASTM C390-08(2024) complies with World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for international standards, facilitating global acceptance and use.

Applications

This standard is vital for organizations involved in the procurement, inspection, and acceptance of thermal insulation materials for building and industrial applications. Typical use cases include:

• Quality Assurance:
  Providing purchasers with a practical method to verify incoming materials meet the specified requirements and managing risk associated with defective products.

• Procurement Contracts:
  Helping both purchasers and suppliers define quality expectations for orders or contracts involving preformed thermal insulation, referencing ASTM C390 for standardized acceptance.

• Supporting Material Specifications:
  Used in conjunction with ASTM material specifications (such as those detailing physical and inspection requirements), ensuring products such as insulation batts, blankets, boards, and pipes conform to expectations.

• Regulatory Compliance:
  Assisting organizations in meeting both domestic and international requirements by following an internationally recognized standard.

Related Standards

• ASTM C168: Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
  Foundational definitions and terms referenced throughout ASTM C390.

• ASTM E2234: Practice for Sampling a Stream of Product by Attributes Indexed by AQL
  Provides detailed sampling plans and characteristic curves used in the acceptance procedure.

Organizations seeking consistency in thermal insulation lot acceptance and quality control processes benefit from utilizing ASTM C390-08(2024) in their operations. This standard provides a clear, widely accepted framework for sampling, inspection, and decision-making to maintain high conformance levels and reduce risk in insulation procurement activities.

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: C390 − 08 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Practice for
Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal Insulation Lots
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C390; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This practice covers criteria for establishing the accept-
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
ability of lots of shipments of preformed board, preformed
E2234 Practice for Sampling a Stream of Product by Attri-
block and pipe, and batts and blanket thermal insulation based
butes Indexed by AQL
on sampling and inspection.
1.2 This practice is intended for use in conjunction with 3. Terminology
appropriate ASTM material specifications that classify and
3.1 Definitions—Definitions pertaining to thermal insulat-
describe the specific physical requirements for the product in
ing materials are defined in Terminology C168.
terms of qualification requirements and inspection require-
3.1.1 acceptable quality level (AQL)—when a continuous
ments. Determination of nonconformity shall be based on the
series of lots is considered, the quality level which for purposes
tolerances for individual sample test values prescribed in the
of sampling inspection is the limit of a satisfactory process
material specification.
average. The listed AQL (AQL=10%) is the maximum percent
defective level accepted 95 % of the time by the sampling plan.
1.3 This practice may require inspection substantially dif-
3.1.2 acceptance number—the maximum number of the
ferent from that performed in the normal course of production.
nonconformities or nonconforming units in the sample that will
If the purchaser requires sampling and acceptance inspection in
permit acceptance of the inspected lot or batch.
accordance with this practice, he shall so specify in the order or
3.1.3 inspection—the process of measuring, examining,
contract.
testing, gaging, or otherwise comparing the unit with the
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
applicable requirements.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.1.4 inspection lot—a collection of units of product from
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
which a sample is drawn and inspected to determine confor-
and are not considered standard.
mance with the acceptability criteria.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.4.1 Discussion—An inspection lot may differ from a lot
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
defined for other purposes.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.5 inspection, normal—inspection that is used in accor-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
dance with an acceptance sampling scheme when a process is
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
considered to be operating at, or slightly better than, its
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- acceptable quality level.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.6 inspection, tightened—a feature of a sampling scheme
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
using stricter acceptance criteria than those used in normal
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
inspection. Tightened inspection is used in some sampling
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
schemes as a protective measure to increase the probability of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
rejecting lots when experience shows the level of submitted
quality has deteriorated significantly.
3.1.6.1 Discussion—It is expected that the higher rate of
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.31 on Chemical and
Physical Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2024. Published March 2024. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1957. Last previous edition approved 2019 as C390 – 08 (2019). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C0390-08R24. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C390 − 08 (2024)
rejections inherent with tightened inspection will lead the tion is based on economic pressure on the producer, through
supplier to improve the quality of the submitted product. The greater risk of lot rejection, to maintain the process average at
criteria for determining when quality has deteriorated signifi- 90 % conformance or better. Operating characteristic curves
cantly must be defined in objective terms for any given for the sampling plans employed can be found in Practice
sampling scheme. E2234, Table X-C through Table X-F.
3.1.7 lot (batch)—a definite quantity of some product manu-
4.3 It is not the intent of this procedure to estimate lot
factured under conditions of production that are considered
quality, control the quality of production, relieve the supplier of
uniform.
responsibility for the quality of material offered, or determine
the disposition of material found to be defective after receipt by
3.1.8 lot size—the number of units in a lot or inspection lot.
the purchaser.
3.1.9 nonconforming unit—a unit of product or service
containing at least one nonconformity.
5. Classification of Requirements
3.1.10 nonconformity—a departure of a quality characteris-
5.1 ASTM material specifications shall classify physical
tic from its intended level or state that occurs with a severity
requirements in two categories:
sufficient to cause the product or service not to meet a
5.1.1 Qualification Requirements—Those requirements
specification requirement.
which establish the general suitability of the product but are not
3.1.11 sample—a group of units, portion of material, or
judged necessary, or practical, for routine inspection. These
observations taken from the inspection lot that serves to
requirements usually relate to the inherent properties of the
provide information that may be used as a basis for making a
material, involve high inspection costs, require long-term tests,
decision concerning the lot being inspected.
or are controlled indirectly by other requirements.
3.1.12 sample size—the number of units in a sample or the
5.1.2 Inspection Requirements—Those requirements which
number of observations in a sample. can and should be monitored on a routine basis. These
requirements are characterized by a high benefit/cost ratio.
3.1.13 unit—an object on which a measurement or observa-
They may include visual and dimensional requirements, re-
tion may be made.
quirements for properties with potentially high variability, or
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
requirements providing indirect control of performance char-
3.2.1 lot—an inspection lot as defined in 3.1.4.
acteristics.
3.2.2 shipping package—the smallest discrete package of
thermal insulation for purposes of shipping. Typically, a 6. Acceptance for Qualification Requirements
shipping package is one roll, bundle, bag, or carton of thermal
6.1 The supplier’s certificate of compliance or a third
insulation.
party’s certificate of compliance shall be sufficient basis for
3.2.3 u
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