ASTM C1574-04(2008)e1
(Guide)Standard Guide for Determining Blown Density of Pneumatically Applied Loose-Fill Mineral Fiber Thermal Insulation
Standard Guide for Determining Blown Density of Pneumatically Applied Loose-Fill Mineral Fiber Thermal Insulation
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Blown density is used to develop loose-fill coverage charts. Data for blown density vs thickness is used in the development of a variable blown density presentation for loose-fill insulation.
Thermal resistance (and conductivity) of loose-fill mineral fiber insulation depends on density and thickness. The resulting blown density data is useful in developing an expression for apparent thermal conductivity as a function of density. This will in turn aid the manufacturer in developing coverage information for packages of loose-fill insulation.
The blown density obtained in this method is for the thickness of the test only. The relationship of blown density with thickness can be determined by repeating the procedures outlined here using different thicknesses.
These procedures are not the same as the test method described in Test Method C 1374. Depending on the test conditions utilized, the blown density may, or may not, represent the installed density values obtained by using Test Method C 1374.
This guide can be used to develop appropriate blowing machine settings to achieve a target blown density at a predetermined thickness.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes two alternate procedures for determining blown density at a predetermined thickness or a range of thicknesses expected in field applications of mineral fiber loose-fill insulation.
1.2 This guide involves blowing a sample of loose-fill insulation into a test frame of known volume, measuring the weight of the insulation captured and calculating the blown density.
1.3 This guide is intended for pneumatically-applied loose-fill mineral fiber insulation designed for use in horizontal open attic spaces.
1.4 This guide is intended for product design and product auditing by manufacturers of loose-fill insulation. This guide is adaptable as a plant quality control procedure.
1.5 This guide does not predict the aged density of the mineral fiber loose-fill insulation.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all 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 to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 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.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
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Designation: C1574 − 04(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Guide for
Determining Blown Density of Pneumatically Applied Loose-
Fill Mineral Fiber Thermal Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1574; 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.
ε NOTE—Editorial changes were made throughout in June 2009.
1. Scope C1374Test Method for Determination of Installed Thick-
ness of Pneumatically Applied Loose-Fill Building Insu-
1.1 This guide describes two alternate procedures for deter-
lation
mining blown density at a predetermined thickness or a range
of thicknesses expected in field applications of mineral fiber
3. Terminology
loose-fill insulation.
3.1 Definitions—Terminology C168 is applicable to the
1.2 This guide involves blowing a sample of loose-fill
terms used in this standard.
insulation into a test frame of known volume, measuring the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
weight of the insulation captured and calculating the blown
3.2.1 Variable blown density—change in density exhibited
density.
by loose-fill insulation as a function of thickness.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Someloose-fillinsulationmaterialsex-
1.3 This guide is intended for pneumatically-applied loose-
hibit an increase in blown density when thickness increases.
fill mineral fiber insulation designed for use in horizontal open
Also,theoriginalthicknessmayormaynotdecreasewithtime
attic spaces.
resulting in the same or somewhat higher densities. This
1.4 This guide is intended for product design and product
thickness vs density relationship should be considered when
auditingbymanufacturersofloose-fillinsulation.Thisguideis
developing coverage information for the bag label.
adaptable as a plant quality control procedure.
4. Significance and Use
1.5 This guide does not predict the aged density of the
mineral fiber loose-fill insulation. 4.1 Blown density is used to develop loose-fill coverage
charts. Data for blown density vs thickness is used in the
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all the safety
development of a variable blown density presentation for
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
loose-fill insulation.
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
health practices and to determine the applicability of regula-
4.2 Thermal resistance (and conductivity) of loose-fill min-
tory limitations prior to use.
eral fiber insulation depends on density and thickness. The
1.7 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
resulting blown density data is useful in developing an expres-
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
sion for apparent thermal conductivity as a function of density.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
This will in turn aid the manufacturer in developing coverage
and are not considered standard.
information for packages of loose-fill insulation.
4.3 The blown density obtained in this method is for the
2. Referenced Documents
thickness of the test only. The relationship of blown density
2.1 ASTM Standards:
with thickness can be determined by repeating the procedures
C168Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
outlined here using different thicknesses.
4.4 These procedures are not the same as the test method
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal
described in Test Method C1374. Depending on the test
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on Mechanical
Properties.
conditions utilized, the blown density may, or may not,
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2008. Published February 2009. Originally
represent the installed density values obtained by using Test
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as C1574–04. DOI:
Method C1374.
10.1520/C1574-04R08E01.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.5 This guide can be used to develop appropriate blowing
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
machine settings to achieve a target blown density at a
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. predetermined thickness.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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C1574 − 04 (2008)
5. Summary of Guide 6.2 Blowing Hose—the machine shall utilize three (3) 50 ft
(15 m) sections to make up 150 ft (46 m) of a minimum of 3
5.1 A standardized test chamber of fixed volume is used to
in.(76mm)diameterflexiblecorrugatedblowinghose.Atleast
collect the pneumatically-applied insulation.
100 ft. (30 m) of the hose shall have an elevation of between
5.2 Therearetwotypesoftestchambersthatareincommon
10 and 20 ft (3 and 6 m) above the blowing machine to
use:
simulate a typical installation configuration. The hose shall
5.2.1 Procedure A uses a moveable test box having a
havenomorethaneight90-degreebendsandnobendsmaybe
minimum volume of 20 cubic feet (0.56 m ) . The blown
less than 4 ft (1.2 m) radius.After 50 h of usage, the last 50 ft
materialisweighedwhilestillinthetestboxandthedensityis
(15 m) section at the discharge end shall be discarded. A new
calculated.
50 ft (15 m) shall be attached directly to the blowing wool
5.2.2 Procedure B uses a fixed frame assembly in a test
machine.Theremaining100ft(30m)shallthenbeattachedto
room or blowing shack to simulate an attic application. The
the end of the new hose. This creates a hose replacement
blown material is removed from the test frame and weighed
rotation.
separately to calculate the density.
6.3 Scales—platform scales or load cells accurate to 1%.
5.3 After the insulation is blown into the chamber, the
weight of the insulation is determined.
6.4 Specimen Preparation Room—an enclosed area where
the test material is to be blown into the test chamber.This area
5.4 From the volume of the sample and its weight, the
is required to protect the blowing operation from wind or
blown density is determined.
strong air currents. Room geometry should provide adequate
clearance around the test chamber and large enough not to
6. Apparatus
influence the blowing stream from the hose.
6.1 Blowing Machine—a commercial pneumatic blowing
machine, designed for handling mineral fiber loose-fill insula- 6.5 Hose Nozzle Stand—a hose stand on casters that holds
tion materials, shall be used for blowing the insulation into the theblowinghoseatafixedheightof36to48in.(0.9to1.2m)
testchamber.Thismachineshallhavethroughputandhandling and is on a swivel that allows the operator to swing the hose
characteristics representative of that used in field applications. horizontally back and forth while slowly moving backwards
FIG. 1 Hose Nozzle Stand
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C1574 − 04 (2008)
and forwards to fill the test chamber. A typical hose nozzle
stand is shown in Fig. 1. Use of the hose stand is optional.
6.6 Moveable Test Chamber (ProcedureA)—awoodenopen
container to collect the insulation. The chamber shall have a
3 3
minimum capacity of 20 ft (0.57 m ) and have the minimum
inside dimensions of 11 in. high by 28 in. wide by 80 in. long
(279 mm by 711 mm by 2032 mm). Note that these minimum
dimensions by themselves do not produce the required volume
but simply represent the minimum B, C, and D dimensions in
Fig. 2. The front of the test chamber is typically angled at 45
degrees to insu
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