ISO/DIS 8873-3

Rigid cellular plastics -- Spray-applied polyurethane foam for thermal insulation

Plastiques alvéolaires rigides -- Mousse de polyuréthanne projetée pour l'isolation thermique

Standards Content (sample)

DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/DIS 8873-3
ISO/TC 61/SC 10 Secretariat: SCC
Voting begins on: Voting terminates on:
2006-12-14 2007-05-14

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION • МЕЖДУНАРОДНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ПО СТАНДАРТИЗАЦИИ • ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE DE NORMALISATION

Rigid cellular plastics — Spray-applied polyurethane foam for
thermal insulation —
Part 3:
Test methods

Plastiques alvéolaires rigides — Mousse de polyuréthanne projetée pour l'isolation thermique —

Partie 3: Méthodes d'essai
[Revision of first edition (ISO/PRF 8873-3)]
ICS 83.100

In accordance with the provisions of Council Resolution 15/1993 this document is circulated in

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Conformément aux dispositions de la Résolution du Conseil 15/1993, ce document est distribué

en version anglaise seulement.

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ISO Central Secretariat work of editing and text composition will be undertaken at publication

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THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED FOR COMMENT AND APPROVAL. IT IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY NOT BE

REFERRED TO AS AN INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL PUBLISHED AS SUCH.

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INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO

WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
© International Organization for Standardization, 2006
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ISO/DIS 8873-3
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ISO/DIS 8873-3
Contents Page

Foreword .........................................................................................................................................................iv

Introduction......................................................................................................................................................v

1 Scope...................................................................................................................................................1

2 Normative references.........................................................................................................................1

3 Terms and definitions.........................................................................................................................1

4 Standard laboratory guide for the determination of volatile organic compound emissions

from cellular plastic products............................................................................................................2

4.1 DYNAMIC CHAMBER TESTS..............................................................................................................3

4.2 HEAD-SPACE ANALYSIS (INITIAL SCREENING) .............................................................................3

4.3 TIME FRAMES USED ..........................................................................................................................3

4.4 SCOPE.................................................................................................................................................4

4.5 APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT.........................................................................................................4

4.6 AIR EXCHANGE SYSTEM...................................................................................................................5

4.7 AIR SAMPLING SYSTEM ....................................................................................................................6

4.8 TEST PROCEDURE.............................................................................................................................7

4.8.1 Sample Preparation............................................................................................................................7

4.8.2 SPECIMEN PREPERATION................................................................................................................7

4.8.3 Cleaning and Background Contamination Check ............................................................................7

4.9 Head-Space Analysis..........................................................................................................................7

4.10 DYNAMIC CHAMBER TEST................................................................................................................8

4.10.1 Procedure A.........................................................................................................................................8

4.10.2 Procedure B (see Figure 1) ................................................................................................................8

4.10.3 Chemical Analysis of the Air Sample ................................................................................................8

4.11 ESTIMATION OF INDOOR AIR CONCENTRATIONS .........................................................................8

4.12 TEST REPORT...................................................................................................................................10

4.13 ASSESSMENT OF ACCEPTABILITY OF THE MATERIAL..............................................................11

4.14 Test procedure for air permeance of spray applied polyurethane foam ......................................11

4.14.1 Conditioning of test specimens.......................................................................................................11

4.14.2 Thin sheet materials.........................................................................................................................12

4.14.3 Rigid materials..................................................................................................................................12

4.15 Test procedure for control ...............................................................................................................13

4.15.1 Control tests......................................................................................................................................13

4.15.2 Specimen testing..............................................................................................................................13

4.15.3 Calculation of air permeance ...........................................................................................................13

4.16 Test report.........................................................................................................................................14

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ISO/DIS 8873-3
Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies

(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO

technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been

established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and

non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards

adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an

International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent

rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

ISO 8873-3 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 10, Cellular

plastics.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first/second/... edition (), [clause(s) / subclause(s) / table(s) /

figure(s) / annex(es)] of which [has / have] been technically revised.

ISO 8873 consists of the following parts, under the general title Rigid cellular plastics — Spray polyurethane

foam:
⎯ Part 1: Material specification
⎯ Part 2: Applications and installation
⎯ Part3: Test methods
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ISO/DIS 8873-3
Introduction

This part of ISO8873 provides test methods required for ISO 8873-1: Material specification. These test

methods are currently not stand-alone test standards. In the future, when these test methods become stand

alone ISO International Standards, this part of ISO 8873 will be withdrawn.
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DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/DIS 8873-3
Rigid cellular plastics — Spray-applied polyurethane foam for
thermal insulation —
Part 3:
Test methods
1 Scope

This part of ISO 8873 specifies the test procedures that are not in existing ISO standards, which are to be

used when testing spray polyurethane foam medium density materials to verify that they meet the

requirements listed in ISO 8873-1.
2 Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated

references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced

document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 8873-1, Rigid cellular plastic – Spray applied polyurethane foam for thermal insulation – Part 1: Material

specification
3 Terms and definitions

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated

references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced

document (including any amendments) applies.
3.1
air exchange rate (AER)

the volume of clean air brought into the chamber in one hour divided by the chamber volume measured in

identical volume units, normally expressed in air changes per hour (AC/h).
3.2
air permeance

the rate of air flow (L/s), per unit area (m²) and per unit static pressure differential (Pa).total exposed

3.3
chamber loading ratio

the total exposed surface area of each cellular plastic product specimen divided by the test chamber volume.

Since the cellular plastic product is intended to be installed in large continuous areas, only the face of the

insulation is exposed in the test procedure (see Clause 4.11).
3.4
clean air

air that does not contain any volatile organic compounds at a concentration in excess of the allowable

background level (i.e. 1% of the permissible indoor air concentration limit for each compound identified).

3.5
dynamic chamber

a chamber where a material specimen can be placed and tested to determine the volatile organic compound

emission rate under controlled environmental conditions.
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ISO/DIS 8873-3
3.6
GC/MS-SCAN
a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer operated in scan mode.
3.7
head-space analysis

a procedure for measuring the VOCs present in the air space enclosed within a static, airtight chamber. (The

chamber is assumed to contain VOCs in equilibrium with the VOCs emitted by the specimen in the chamber.)

3.8
head-space (static) chamber

an airtight chamber where a specimen can be placed and tested to determine the volatile organic compounds

emitted under controlled environmental conditions.
3.9
internal standard

a volatile organic compound (other than that identified in the head-space analysis) which is injected at a

known rate into the dynamic chamber in order to verify sample collection and analysis procedures.

3.10
permissible indoor air concentration
the maximum allowable indoor air concentration of a volatile organic compound.
3.11
tracer gas

a gaseous chemical (e.g. SF and N O) used to study the mixing characteristics of the dynamic chamber and

6 2
to provide a crosscheck of the air exchange rate measurements.
3.12
TLV (threshold limit value)

the time weighted average concentration for a normal 8 h workday and a 40 h workweek, which nearly all

workers may be repeatedly exposed to without adverse effects, day after day. (Also called TLV-TWA,

Threshold limit value -- Time-weighted average.)
3.13
volatile organic compound (VOC)

An organic compound with a saturation vapour pressure at room temperature and/or with a boiling point less

then 260 °C.
4 Standard laboratory guide for the determination of volatile organic compound
emissions from cellular plastic products.

This laboratory guide has been developed for the assessment of volatile organic compound

emissions from materials. It outlines a test procedure for the determination of volatile organic

compounds from the specimen and explains why certain test conditions have been selected.

This laboratory guide is based on using a procedure using small-scale environmental chambers to

determine volatile organic compound emissions from a variety of materials. The chamber

methodology only presents a simple picture of the complex nature and interactions of emissions that

may exist in home and work environments. Therefore, the results from these tests cannot fully

represent “real life” conditions and they will err on the side of conservatism. However, data from the

chamber procedure is useful for identifying potential sources of chemicals that may adversely affect

the health of the occupants.
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ISO/DIS 8873-3
4.1 DYNAMIC CHAMBER TESTS

Dynamic chamber tests are useful for evaluating volatile organic compound emissions from

materials. The volatile organic compounds emitted are studied to determine whether the emission

concentrations show a trend to decrease or increase. It is essential that the use of these chambers

and test protocols closely model the actual field conditions. Important parameters that must be

considered include size and installation effects, ventilation rate, temperature and humidity, time from

installation to occupancy and other site-specific factors.

The conditions selected for the procedures herein represent those encountered by the materials,

when it is installed in residential buildings. Although materials installed in walls and ceilings will

normally be covered with an interior finish, the gas transport properties of the finishes cannot be

controlled.

In general, the closer the dynamic chamber conditions (temperature, humidity, air exchange rate,

product loading and time) match the actual environmental conditions of the installation, the more

accurate the data is.
4.2 HEAD-SPACE ANALYSIS (INITIAL SCREENING)

The headspace analysis is done on a specimen that has incubated in the sealed dynamic chamber

for 24 h at 40 ±2 ºC using gas chromatography -- mass spectroscopy in the scan mode (GC-MS) or

equivalent techniques in order to:
A Determine the number of volatile organic compounds emitting from the material,
which has been just produced;
B Identify some of the volatile organic compounds from the product literature;
C Estimate the relative concentrations of the emitted compounds; and
D Determine the presence of volatile organic compounds that may adversely
affect human health of the occupants.

This data enables the analyst to decide which peaks in the chromatograms of subsequent analyses

should be investigated further. For example, very small peaks that represent trace amounts

(amounts which are not quantifiable and/or identifiable) are noted. However, if the substances found

in trace amounts show a trend to increase in the subsequent dynamic chamber test, identification

and quantification may be necessary. If the permissible concentration of the found volatile organic

compound is not known, the data from the headspace analysis shall be submitted for toxicological

evaluation.
4.3 TIME FRAMES USED

For new residential construction, a conditioning period of 30 d has been chosen before analyzing

the specimen as it represents the average time before a new home would be completed and

occupied after the installation of the product.

For retrofit applications, a time emission profile is used to assess the nature of the volatile organic

compounds. In this case, the specimens are tested at intermittent times up to 30 d to assess the

decay pattern of the volatile organic compounds.
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ISO/DIS 8873-3
4.4 SCOPE

This laboratory guide has been developed for the assessment of volatile organic compound

emissions from materials used in residential buildings.

This laboratory guide specifies recommended procedures for the use of test chambers to evaluate

emissions from the material at a point in time following its installation. The guide contains the

following:
A A head-space analysis procedure for initial identification of volatile organic
compounds released by the material;
B Two dynamic chamber procedures (A and B) for characterizing the rate of
volatile organic compound emissions from the material; and

C A methodology for calculating the estimated indoor air concentrations of volatile

organic compounds based on the results of dynamic chamber testing.

The headspace analysis is a static test to identify significant amounts of emitted compounds from

the material. It is followed by either dynamic chamber Procedure A or B.

Procedure A measures the typical VOC emission characteristics of the material. The test is

conducted after conditioning the specimen for 30 d.

Procedure B measures the typical VOC emission profile of the material commencing 24 h after

installation and continuing for 30 d thereafter.

The results of Procedures A or B are used to calculate indoor air VOC concentration profiles and to

determine the acceptability of the material for new construction and/or retrofit use.

Procedure A is used to evaluate the material in new residential construction when there is a

minimum of 30 d from the installation to building occupancy.

Procedure B is a more complex evaluation of the material when the normal 30 d minimum airing-out

time associated with new construction is not provided (e.g. occupied buildings).

In these special cases (e.g. occupied buildings), the application and installation standard will provide

the requirements for isolation and ventilation, if necessary. The test results of Procedure B will

determine the length of time that these requirements are necessary.

The methodology for assessing the acceptability of the material utilizes comparison of the estimated

indoor air concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with permissible concentration.

4.5 APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT

General Product Requirements -- All equipment and apparatus in contact with the specimen or the

associated air stream including the air exchange system, chambers, sample holder, and air

sampling system shall be of glass, stainless steel, or other inert material. Special care should be

taken to ensure that gaskets, seals, sealants, valve and pump components and other associated

items are chemically inert.

Head-Space (Static) Chamber -- The headspace chamber shall be a small container (approximately

1 L) and be constructed of materials that meet the requirements of Clause 4.6. The interior should

be smooth and easy to clean. The container must have an airtight opening of sufficient size to allow

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ISO/DIS 8873-3

loading/unloading of the specimen and chamber cleaning. Two ports to allow the removal and return

of an air sample shall be provided.

Dynamic Chamber -- The chamber and all associated hardware shall meet the requirements of

Clause 4.6. The interior should be smooth and easy to clean. All gaskets shall be of chemically inert

material.

The chamber size is not critical; however, a chamber volume of 0.1 to 1.0 m will provide a

reasonable compromise between specimen size and complexity of testing.

The chamber shall be equipped with an airtight opening large enough to allow specimen

loading/unloading and chamber cleaning. Ports for temperature and humidity probes and air and

gas supply/exhaust connections shall be provided as required.

The chamber design must allow for complete mixing of the air and this shall be verified (with a

specimen in place) using a tracer gas decay test (ASTM E 741).

The surface air velocity over the specimen should be between 0.04 and 0.05 m/s. This velocity shall

be verified using a thermal anemometer or other appropriate air velocity measurement instrument.

Sample Storage Enclosure -- This enclosure shall be large enough to contain the sample panels

and shall contain shelves to hold the other storage vessels. The enclosure shall be lined with

chemically inert material that is easy to clean and shall be provided with environmental control and

monitoring systems that maintain a temperature of 23 ± 2°C, a relative humidity of 50 ± 5%, and a

clean air exchange rate of 0.3 ± 0.015 air changes per hour.

Environmental Enclosure -- This enclosure shall be large enough to contain the dynamic chamber

and all associated equipment, including air sampling equipment, and bottled gas supplies. The

enclosure shall be lined with material that is easy to clean and it shall be provided with

environmental control systems that maintain a temperature of 40 ± 2°C.
4.6 AIR EXCHANGE SYSTEM

This system shall be capable of supplying a controlled flow of clean air through the test chamber

and associated equipment. Clean air can include air supplied from compressed gas cylinders or

ambient air, which is conditioned by removing moisture and trace organic chemicals through

charcoal filtration or other means.
The equipment shall include:

A A humidification system that maintains the relative humidity (RH) of the air flow

at 50 ± 5% using deionised water (or equivalent), and a humidity
indicator/recorder accurate to ± 5% RH;
B A temperature recorder/indicator system that can accurately measure air flow
temperatures to ± 2°C at 40°C. Due to compressed gas expansion cooling
effects, a reheating system may be required to ensure that the air entering the
chamber is at a temperature of 40 ± 2°C;
C An air pump or pumps (unless a compressed air supply system is used), set to
supply an air flow rate equivalent to 0.3 air changes per hour, based on the
volume of the emissions test chamber. The flow rate shall be controllable to
within 5% of the specified value. The chamber is to be operated and verified to
be at a slight positive pressure to avoid contamination of the test chamber and
sampling systems;
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ISO/DIS 8873-3
D A flow indicator/recorder, accurate to within 5% of the reading; and
E A particulate filter system where applicable.
4.7 AIR SAMPLING SYSTEM

The air sampling system shall be placed in the environmental enclosure connected to the exhaust

port of the dynamic chamber and shall direct the required amount of exhaust flow through the VOC

absorbent media.

All system components from the chamber to the VOC absorber must be constructed of chemically

inert materials.

The system shall include an air sampling pump and a device or devices, which can measure and

control the air flow through the sampling system to within 5% of the specified value. The pump shall

be operated in suction mode to avoid contamination of the air sample.

A precision timing device shall be used to measure the sample collection interval. The device shall

be capable of measuring an elapsed time of eight hours ± 2% of the elapsed time.

For collection of the airflow samples, charcoal sorbent tubes or alternative collection media should

be used. The air-sampling rate shall be selected based on the specifications of the sorbent tubes;

generally a sampling rate of 0.2 L/min is recommended. Sorbent tube manufacturers’

recommendations should be followed regarding sample airflow rate and sampling time.

The exhaust air shall be sampled close to the exit from the chamber to ensure that the air sample is

well mixed and represents the chamber concentration.

The air sampling system design and operation shall be sufficiently sensitive to ensure that the

overall chemical analysis is consistent with the required VOC detection levels. The choice of

sorbent sampling system shall be made based on known VOCs to be emitted. The flow and size of

the sorption tube shall be adequate to avoid any saturation by the VOCs.

Clock/Elapsed Time Indicator -- The timing system shall provide a record of the starting and

completion times of all laboratory procedures. The system shall be capable of indicating elapsed

time from the beginning of the test (hours, minutes, seconds).

Chemical Analysis System -- The recommended equipment for identifying VOCs is GC/MS-SCAN.

Other equivalent techniques may be used. For measuring of chamber concentrations, the sampling

and analysis procedure and equipment shall have a detection limit of 1% of the permissible indoor

air concentration limit for the volatile organic compound.

Airtight Glass Containers -- The glass containers shall have airtight lids and shall be sized to tightly

contain the various referenced polyurethane foam specimens (excess container volume shall not be

more than 10% of the specimen volume).

Specimen Holder -- An open pan type container made of chemically inert product used to seal the

sides and the bottom of the specimen allowing VOC emissions into the chamber only through the

top surface of the specimen.
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ISO/DIS 8873-3
4.8 TEST PROCEDURE
4.8.1 Sample Preparation

When preparing sample panels care shall be taken to avoid any contamination of the samples

through handling or preparation.

The sample shall be prepared in accordance with the relevant material standard with the exception

that no conditioning shall be done as the test procedure is to start 24 h after the specimens have

been produced.

When preparing sample panels of spray polyurethane foam, a strip of aluminium foil (30 ±5 cm in

width) shall be placed over the center of the polyethylene board used as the substrate. The

purpose of the aluminium foil is to prevent substrate contamination.
4.8.2 SPECIMEN PREPERATION

When preparing specimens care shall be taken to avoid any contamination of the specimens

through handling or preparation.

The specimen holder shall be the appropriate size for use in the dynamic chamber. A specimen

holder which is able to accept a 5 cm by 10 cm by 5 cm specimen is suggested.

For spray polyurethane, the specimens shall be cut from the area in the sample panels where the

aluminium foil has been applied.

The specimen shall be placed in the specimen holder and the edges of the specimen shall be

sealed to the specimen holder.
4.8.3 Cleaning and Background Contamination Check

Cleaning -- Prior to testing, clean the headspace apparatus and/or dynamic chamber, and all

internal hardware and equipment that will be in contact with the specimen or test apparatus. Scrub

the interior surfaces with an alkaline detergent; then thoroughly rinse with tap water. Scrub again

with methanol and re-rinse with deionised wat
...