ASTM C1374-03(2009)
(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
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.
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.
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×ft2×°F/Btu) or higher.
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.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: C1374 − 03(Reapproved 2009)
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.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.1 This test method covers determination of the installed
thickness of pneumatically applied loose-fill building insula-
3. Terminology
tions prior to settling by simulating an open attic with
horizontal blown applications. 3.1 Definitions—Unless otherwise stated, the definitions
listed in Terminology C168 are applicable herein.
1.2 This test method is a laboratory procedure for use by
manufacturers of loose-fill insulation for product design, label 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
development, and quality control testing. The apparatus used
3.2.1 installed thickness, n—the average thickness, as mea-
produces installed thickness results at a given mass/unit area. sured immediately after application of blown insulation mate-
rial when applied 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
4. Summary of Test Method
C739 or C764.
2 2
4.1 Astandardizedtestchamberof80ft (7.4m )isusedas
1.4 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
areceptacletoreceiveacalculatedmass/unitareaofpneumati-
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
cally applied insulation.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
4.2 Themassofinsulationtobeblownintothetestchamber
is calculated from the bag label information.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.3 The mass of insulation prescribed in 4.2 is uniformly
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
blown into the test chamber.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.4 The thickness of the blown insulation is determined at
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
13 predetermined locations.
2. Referenced Documents 4.5 The thickness average of three tests is the installed
2 thickness for the mass/unit area being tested.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C168Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
5. Significance and Use
C520Test Methods for Density of Granular Loose Fill
Insulations
5.1 This test method was designed to give the manufacturer
C739Specification for Cellulosic Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal of loose-fill insulation products a way of determining what the
Insulation
initial installed thickness should be in a horizontal open attic
C764Specification for Mineral Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal for pneumatic applications.
Insulation
5.2 The installed thickness value developed by this test
methodisintendedtoprovideguidancetotheinstallerinorder
to achieve a minimum mass/unit area for a given R-value.
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC16onThermal
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on Mechanical 5.3 For the purpose of product design, testing should be
Properties.
doneatavarietyof R-values.Atleastthree R-valuesshouldbe
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2009. Published March 2010. Originally
used: the lowest R-value on the product label, the highest
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C1374–03. DOI:
R-valueontheproductlabel,andan R-valuenearthemidpoint
10.1520/C1374-03R09.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
of the R-value range.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on NOTE 1—For quality control purposes, testing may be done at one
the ASTM website. R-value of R-19 (h×ft ×°F/Btu) or higher.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1374 − 03 (2009)
FIG. 1 Installed Thickness Test Chamber
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
FIG. 2 Dowel Placement in Chamber Floor
application with that machine.
5.5 The material blown for a given R-value as part of the
6.5 Specimen Preparation Room—An enclosed area where
installedthicknesstestequalstheinstalledmass/unitareatimes
the test material is blown into the specimen chamber is
the test chamber area. This mass can be calculated from
required to protect the blowing operation from wind or strong
information provided on the package label at the R-value
air currents. Room geometry should not influence the blowing
prescribed.
stream from the hose as long as there is adequate clearance
around the sides to maneuver.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Blowing Machine—A pneumatic blowing machine, de-
7. Sampling
signed primarily for handling loose-fill insulation materials,
7.1 Follow sampling plans given in the material
shall be used for blowing the insulation into the test chamber.
specifications, regulations or other appropriate documents
This machine shall have throughput and material handling
when applicable. In the absence of such directions, randomly
characteristics similar to that used in field applications.
select the number of bags of product required for testing to
6.2 Blowing Hose—The machine should utilize 150 ft (46
meet conditions in 8.2.
m) of 3–in. (76–mm) diameter flexible, corrugated blowing
7.2 Condition the sample material by exposure in a condi-
hose. At least 100 ft (30 m) of the hose should be elevated
tioned space as prescribed by the contract or regulatory
between 10 and 20 ft (3 and 6 m) above the blowing machine
documents. If conditioning is not required, material must be in
tosimulateatypicalinstallationconfiguration.Thehoseshould
equilibrium with the storage environment.
have no more than eight 90° bends and no bends may be less
than 4–ft (1.2–m) radius.
8. Specimen Preparation
NOTE 2—It is good practice to clean the hose periodically by mechani-
8.1 Clean the specimen chamber to be free of dirt and
cally agitating it with the blower on. This practice should dislodge any
insulation prior to the start of the test.
pieces of insulation that might be caught in the hose.
NOTE 4—Many factors can influence the installation characteristics of
6.3 Test Specimen Chamber—The specimen chamber shall
blown insulation. These include blowing rate, machine adjustments, the
be constructed in accordance with Fig. 1 with the reference
size and length of the hose, and the angle and dimensions of the hose
dowels positioned as shown in Fig. 2.
outlet in relation to the test chamber.Where available, use manufacturer’s
instructions to establish machine settings.
NOTE 3—For some insulation materials it may be necessary to use a
8.2 From product label information, calculate the mass of
larger test chamber than shown to accommodate a more representative
sample,whenthetestchambersizeischanged,theprecisionmaychange. insulation required to fill the test chamber for the R-value
selected using the following formula:
6.4 Weighing Devices—A device is required to weigh the
test material before loading into hopper. This device must
W 5 A 3WSF (1)
determine the test material mass to within 0.5%.
C1374 − 03 (2009)
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 length
combinations as appropriate for the material being prepared
(see recommendations in Section 6).
8.4 Settheblowingmachineadjustmentsandselectthefeed
rates in accordance with the insulation man
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