ASTM C1374-18(2023)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determination of Installed Thickness of Pneumatically Applied Loose-Fill Building Insulation
Standard Test Method for Determination of Installed Thickness of Pneumatically Applied Loose-Fill Building Insulation
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method was designed to give the manufacturer of loose-fill insulation products a way of determining what the initial installed thickness should be in a horizontal open attic for pneumatic applications.
5.2 The installed thickness value developed by this test method is intended to provide guidance to the installer in order to achieve a minimum mass/unit area for a given R-value.
5.3 For the purpose of product design, testing should be done at a variety of R-values. At least three R-values should be used: the lowest R-value on the product label, the highest R-value on the product label, and an R-value near the midpoint of the R-value range.
Note 1: For quality control purposes, testing may be done at one R-value of R-19 (h×ft 2×°F/Btu) or higher.
5.4 Specimens are blown in a manner consistent with the intended installation procedure. Blowing machine settings should be representative of those typically used for field application with that machine.
5.5 The material blown for a given R-value as part of the installed thickness test equals the installed mass/unit area times the test chamber area. This mass can be calculated from information provided on the package label at the R-value prescribed.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers determination of the installed thickness of pneumatically applied loose-fill building insulations prior to settling by simulating an open attic with horizontal blown applications.
1.2 This test method is a laboratory procedure for use by manufacturers of loose-fill insulation for product design, label development, and quality control testing. The apparatus used produces installed thickness results at a given mass/unit area.
1.3 This test method is not the same as the design density procedures described in Test Methods C520 or Specifications C739 or C764.
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
Relations
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: C1374 − 18 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Installed Thickness of Pneumatically
Applied Loose-Fill Building Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1374; 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 C520 Test Methods for Density of Granular Loose Fill
Insulations
1.1 This test method covers determination of the installed
C739 Specification for Cellulosic Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal
thickness of pneumatically applied loose-fill building insula-
Insulation
tions prior to settling by simulating an open attic with
C764 Specification for Mineral Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal
horizontal blown applications.
Insulation
1.2 This test method is a laboratory procedure for use by
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
manufacturers of loose-fill insulation for product design, label
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
development, and quality control testing. The apparatus used
produces installed thickness results at a given mass/unit area.
3. Terminology
1.3 This test method is not the same as the design density
3.1 Definitions—Unless otherwise stated, the definitions
procedures described in Test Methods C520 or Specifications
listed in Terminology C168 are applicable herein.
C739 or C764.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.2.1 installed thickness, n—the average thickness, as mea-
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
sured immediately after application of blown insulation mate-
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
rial when applied at a given mass/unit area.
and are not considered standard.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
2 2
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4.1 A standardized test chamber of 80 ft (7.4 m ) is used as
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- a receptacle to receive a calculated mass/unit area of pneumati-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- cally applied insulation.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2 The mass of insulation to be blown into the test chamber
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
is calculated from the bag label information.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.3 The mass of insulation prescribed in 4.2 is uniformly
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
blown into the test chamber.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.4 The thickness of the blown insulation is determined at
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
13 predetermined locations.
4.5 The thickness average of three tests is the installed
2. Referenced Documents
thickness for the mass/unit area being tested.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation 5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method was designed to give the manufacturer
of loose-fill insulation products a way of determining what the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal
initial installed thickness should be in a horizontal open attic
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on Mechanical
for pneumatic applications.
Properties.
Current edition approved March 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally
5.2 The installed thickness value developed by this test
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as C1374 – 18. DOI:
method is intended to provide guidance to the installer in order
10.1520/C1374-18R23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or to achieve a minimum mass/unit area for a given R-value.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.3 For the purpose of product design, testing should be
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. done at a variety of R-values. At least three R-values should be
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1374 − 18 (2023)
FIG. 1 Installed Thickness Test Chamber
used: the lowest R-value on the product label, the highest
R-value on the product label, and an R-value near the midpoint
of the R-value range.
FIG. 2 Dowel Placement in Chamber Floor
NOTE 1—For quality control purposes, testing may be done at one
R-value of R-19 (h×ft ×°F/Btu) or higher.
sample, when the test chamber size is changed, the precision may change.
5.4 Specimens are blown in a manner consistent with the
6.4 Weighing Devices—A device is required to weigh the
intended installation procedure. Blowing machine settings
test material before loading into hopper. This device must
should be representative of those typically used for field
determine the test material mass to within 0.5 %.
application with that machine.
6.4.1 As an alternative mount the blowing chamber on load
5.5 The material blown for a given R-value as part of the
cells capable of determining the mass to within 0.5 %.
installed thickness test equals the installed mass/unit area times
6.5 Specimen Preparation Room—An enclosed area where
the test chamber area. This mass can be calculated from
the test material is blown into the specimen chamber is
information provided on the package label at the R-value
required to protect the blowing operation from wind or strong
prescribed.
air currents. Room geometry should not influence the blowing
stream from the hose as long as there is adequate clearance
6. Apparatus
around the sides to maneuver.
6.1 Blowing Machine—A pneumatic blowing machine, de-
signed primarily for handling loose-fill insulation materials,
7. Sampling
shall be used for blowing the insulation into the test chamber.
7.1 Follow sampling plans given in the material
This machine shall have throughput and material handling
specifications, regulations or other appropriate documents
characteristics similar to that used in field applications.
when applicable. In the absence of such directions, randomly
6.2 Blowing Hose—The machine should utilize 150 ft (46
select the number of bags of product required for testing to
m) of 3–in. (76–mm) diameter flexible, corrugated blowing
meet conditions in 8.2.
hose. At least 100 ft (30 m) of the hose should be elevated
7.2 Condition the sample material by exposure in a condi-
between 10 and 20 ft (3 and 6 m) above the blowing machine
tioned space as prescribed by the contract or regulatory
to simulate a typical installation configuration. The hose should
documents. If conditioning is not required, material must be in
have no more than eight 90° bends and no bends may be less
equilibrium with the storage environment.
than 4–ft (1.2–m) radius.
NOTE 2—It is good practice to clean the hose periodically by mechani-
8. Specimen Preparation
cally agitating it with the blower on. This practice should dislodge any
8.1 Clean the specimen chamber to be free of dirt and
pieces of insulation that might be caught in the hose.
insulation prior to the start of the test.
6.3 Test Specimen Chamber—The specimen chamber shall
NOTE 4—Many factors can influence the installation characteristics of
be constructed in accordance with Fig. 1 with the reference
blown insulation. These include blowing rate, machine adjustments, the
dowels positioned as shown in Fig. 2.
size and length of the hose, and the angle and dimensions of the hose
NOTE 3—For some insulation materials it may be necessary to use a outlet in relation to the test chamber. Where available, use manufacturer’s
larger test chamber than shown to accommodate a more representative instructions to establish machine settings.
C1374 − 18 (2023)
8.2 From product label information, calculate the mass of
insulation required to fill the test chamber for the R-value
selected using the following formula:
W 5 A × WSF (1)
where:
W = total mass of material required lb (kg),
2 2
A = test chamber area, 80 ft (7.4 m ), and
2 2
WSF = label mass/unit area lb/ft (kg/m ).
8.3 Assemble the blowing machine, hose, and hose len
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