ISO/TC 163/SC 1 - Test and measurement methods

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the coefficient of linear thermal expansion at sub-ambient temperatures (−196 °C to 25 °C), subject to the possible temperature limitation of the test specimens. It is not applicable to products which experience dimensional changes during the test due to the loss of hydration water or which undergo other phase changes.

This document specifies two alternative methods for determining hygroscopic sorption properties of porous building materials and products: a) using desiccators and weighing cups (desiccator method); b) using a climatic chamber (climatic chamber method). The desiccator method is the reference method. This document does not specify the method for sampling. The methods specified in this document can be used to determine the moisture content of a sample in equilibrium with air at a specific temperature and humidity.

This document specifies a method to measure the solar heat gain coefficient for the centre of glazing in fenestration systems (e.g. complete windows, doors or curtain walls with or without shading devices) for normal and off-normal irradiation on the surface. This document applies to the centre of glazing in fenestration systems which might consist of: a) various types of glazing (e.g. glass or plastic; single or multiple glazing; with or without low emissivity coatings, and with spaces filled with air or other gases; opaque or transparent glazing); b) various types of shading devices (e.g. blind, screen, film or any attachment with shading effects); c) various types of active solar fenestration systems [e.g. building-integrated PV systems (BIPV) or building-integrated solar thermal collectors (BIST)]. This document does not include: a) shading effects of building elements (e.g. eaves, sleeve wall, etc.); b) shading effects of fenestration attachments with overhang structures (e.g., awning, etc.) or similar; c) shading effects of non-glazing elements in fenestration systems (e.g. window frame, etc.); d) heat transfer caused by air leakage between indoors and outdoors; e) ventilation of air spaces in double and coupled windows; f) thermal bridge effects at the joint between the glazing and the rest of the fenestration parts (e.g. window frame, etc.).

This document specifies the test method of moisture-adsorption/desorption efficiency (or capacity) of building materials, when there are changes in temperature in sealed boxes containing building materials.

This document specifies a periodic heat method for measurement of the thermal diffusivity of thermal insulation material in the shape of a flat plate.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the apparent overall density and the apparent core density under reference conditions. This document is applicable to full size thermal insulating products and test specimens. This document can also be applied to the individual layers of multi‑layered products.

This document specifies the equipment and test method for determining the compressive creep of specimens under various conditions of stress. This document is applicable to thermal insulating products.

This document specifies the equipment and test method for determining the effects of successive cycling from dry conditions at −20 °C to wet conditions at 20 °C on the mechanical properties and moisture content of thermal insulating products. This document is intended to simulate the freeze?thaw effects on thermal insulating products which are frequently exposed to water and low temperature conditions, e.g. inverted roofs and unprotected ground insulation.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the long-term water absorption of test specimens by diffusion. It is applicable to thermal insulating products. It is intended to simulate the water absorption of products subjected to high relative humidities, approximating to 100 %, on both sides and subjected to a water vapour pressure gradient for a long period of time e.g. inverted roof or unprotected ground insulation. The test is not applicable for all types of thermal insulating products. The relevant product standard should state for which of its products, if any, this test is applicable.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the short‑term water absorption of specimens by partial immersion. It is applicable to thermal insulating products. NOTE It is intended to simulate the water absorption caused by a 24 h raining period during construction work.

This document specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the long-term water absorption of test specimens. It is applicable to thermal insulating products. This document specifies two methods: — Method 1: Partial immersion; — Method 2: Total immersion. The long-term water absorption by partial immersion is intended to simulate the water absorption caused by long-term water exposure. The long-term water absorption by total immersion is not directly related to the conditions on site, but has been recognized as a relevant condition of test for some products in some applications.

This document describes the infrared method for measuring the thermal resistance and thermal transmittance of opaque building elements on existing buildings when observing high emissivity diffuse surface using an infrared (IR) camera. This document demonstrates a screening test by quantitative evaluation to identify the thermal performance defect area of building elements. This document aims to measure the thermal transmittance (U-value) of a frame structure dwelling with light thermal mass, typically with a daily thermal capacity calculated according to ISO 13786 below 30 kJ/(m2K).

ISO 12569:2017 establishes methods to obtain the ventilation rate or specific airflow rate in a building space (which is considered to be a single zone) using a tracer gas. The measurement methods apply for spaces where the combined conditions concerning the uniformity of tracer gas concentration, measurement of the exhaust gas concentration, effective mixed zone and/or fluctuation of ventilation are satisfied. ISO 12569:2017 provides three measurement methods using a tracer gas: concentration decay method, continuous dose method, and constant concentration method. NOTE Specific measurement conditions are given in Table 1.

ISO 19467:2017 specifies a method to measure the solar heat gain coefficient of complete windows and doors. ISO 19467:2017 applies to windows and doors a) with various types of glazing (glass or plastic; single or multiple glazing; with or without low emissivity coatings, and with spaces filled with air or other gases), b) with opaque panels, c) with various types of frames (wood, plastic, metallic with and without thermal barrier or any combination of materials), d) with various types of shading devices (blind, screen, film or any attachment with shading effects), e) with various types of active solar fenestration systems [building-integrated PV systems (BIPV) or building-integrated solar thermal collectors (BIST)]. ISO 19467:2017 does not include the following: a) shading effects of building elements (e.g. eaves, sleeve wall, etc.); b) heat transfer caused by air leakage between indoors and outdoors; c) ventilation of air spaces in double and coupled windows; d) thermal bridge effects at the rebate or joint between the window or door frame and the rest of the building envelope. ISO 19467:2017 does not apply to the following: a) non-vertical windows; b) curtain walls; c) industrial, commercial and garage doors.

ISO 12572:2016 specifies a method based on cup tests for determining the water vapour permeance of building products and the water vapour permeability of building materials under isothermal conditions. Different sets of test conditions are specified. The general principles are applicable to all hygroscopic and non-hygroscopic building materials and products, including insulation materials and including those with facings and integral skins. Annexes give details of test methods suitable for different material types. The results obtained by this method are suitable for design purposes, production control and for inclusion in product specifications.

ISO 16957:2016 describes a method of measuring the thermal conductivity (diffusivity) of a wet porous building material and a method of evaluating the measurement uncertainty. While ISO 10051 is the current International Standard, based on a steady-state method, ISO 16957:2016 proposes a method that makes use of a non-steady-state method which uses a small temperature change with a short period as an input. Along with the measurement, an evaluation of the measurement uncertainty is described, which makes possible a simple and practical measuring method. ISO 16957:2016 intends to measure the apparent (effective) thermal conductivity, including latent heat transfer caused by vapour movement. The situation in which moisture and/or air movement occur due to convection or gravity is excluded. The application of ISO 16957:2016 to high moisture content is excluded so that the gravity effect can be neglected. ISO 16957:2016 can be applied to a porous material heavier than about 100 kg/m3, in which radiative heat transfer can be neglected. It specifies the following: a) a non-steady-state method of measuring thermal conductivity; b) an approximation formula for the measurement uncertainty caused by moisture movement and nonuniform moisture distribution (and, thus, a determination of the measuring conditions that satisfy the upper limit of measurement uncertainty); c) an estimate of the heat transfer caused by moisture (vapour) movement.

ISO 6781-3:2015 specifies the qualifications and competence requirements for personnel who (i) perform thermographic investigations on buildings, (ii) interpret the data emanating from thermographic investigations, and (iii) report the results of thermographic investigations. ISO 6781-3:2015 provides the basis for a statement of conformity, in three classes, of the knowledge, skills and abilities of individuals to perform thermographic measurements, analysis and reporting of results for small buildings, residential buildings, and commercial and institutional buildings. ISO 6781-3:2015 is not applicable to specialized equipment or other specific situations.

ISO 9972:2015 is intended for the measurement of the air permeability of buildings or parts of buildings in the field. It specifies the use of mechanical pressurization or depressurization of a building or part of a building. It describes the measurement of the resulting air flow rates over a range of indoor-outdoor static pressure differences. ISO 9972:2015 is intended for the measurement of the air leakage of building envelopes of single-zone buildings. For the purpose of this International Standard, many multi-zone buildings can be treated as single-zone buildings by opening interior doors or by inducing equal pressures in adjacent zones. ISO 9972:2015 does not address evaluation of air permeability of individual components.

In the cooling and heating loads of a building, the air taken in from outside account for a large portion of the entire load; in order to estimate this load, it is necessary to correctly grasp the air flow rate of ventilation and air-conditioning systems. This International Standard stipulates the methods for measuring the rate of air flow through the ducts in a steadily operating ventilation and air-conditioning system and in the air control ports including air diffuser, suction opening, and exhaust opening.

ISO 9869-1:2014 describes the heat flow meter method for the measurement of the thermal transmission properties of plane building components, primarily consisting of opaque layers perpendicular to the heat flow and having no significant lateral heat flow. The properties which can be measured are: a) the thermal resistance, R, and thermal conductance, Λ, from surface to surface; b) the total thermal resistance, RT, and transmittance from environment to environment, U, if the environmental temperatures of both environments are well defined. The heat flow meter measurement method is also suitable for components consisting of quasi homogeneous layers perpendicular to the heat flow, provided that the dimensions of any inhomogeneity in close proximity to the heat flow meter (HFM) is much smaller than its lateral dimensions and are not thermal bridges which can be detected by infrared thermography. ISO 9869-1:2014 describes the apparatus to be used, the calibration procedure for the apparatus, the installation and the measurement procedures, the analysis of the data, including the correction of systematic errors and the reporting format.

ISO 14857:2014 specifies the equipment and procedures to determine the air permeance of building materials at various pressure differentials and then assigning an air permeance rate at a reference pressure differential rate (ΔP) of 75 Pa. This method is intended for testing materials independent of a substrate using a 1 m × 1 m specimen size. The results of this test method can be used to determine whether a material qualifies to function as an air barrier material.

ISO 18098:2013 specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the apparent overall density and the apparent core density under reference conditions. It is applicable to full-size thermal insulating products and test specimens of preformed pipe insulation.

ISO 18099:2013 specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the coefficient of linear thermal expansion. It is applicable to thermal insulating products within the temperature range 196 °C to 850 °C, subject to the possible temperature limitation of the test specimens. It is not applicable to products which experience dimensional changes during the test due to the loss of hydration water or which undergo other phase changes.

ISO 18096:2013 specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the maximum service temperature for preformed pipe insulation. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.

ISO 18097:2013 specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the maximum service temperature of flat insulation products. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.

ISO 18393-1:2012 specifies a test method for the determination of settlement of blown loose-fill insulation applied horizontally in ventilated attics.

This International Standard specifies the equipment and procedures for determining shear behaviour. It is applicable to thermal insulating products. NOTE The tests described in this International Standard do not determine pure shear behaviour, but measure the effects of applying two opposite parallel forces to the major faces of the test specimen. The test is, however, called "shear" in this text by convention. The application of a force tangentially to the major surface of the test specimen is considered to represent more closely the stresses imposed upon thermal insulation products in many building applications, particularly walls, than other methods of measuring shear performance, e.g. bending tests.

This International Standard specifies equipment and procedures to condition a thermal insulating product to equilibrium moisture content at (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % relative humidity. It is also applicable to thermal insulating products with moulded skins but is not normally relevant for faced products or for products with other surface treatments. NOTE 1 The normally specified moisture content is the result of the equilibrium between the atmosphere and the product at (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % relative humidity. This International Standard can also be used if a product has to be conditioned to other relative humidities. NOTE 2 The moisture equilibrium may, due to hysteresis effects, differ depending on whether the equilibrium has been reached by absorption or by desorption. In addition, perfect equilibrium can require a very long time to be reached. Therefore, it is necessary to accept equilibrium within a certain accuracy. NOTE 3 For products that do not absorb moisture, conditioning is not needed. It should, nevertheless, be ensured that there is no water on the surface before testing.

This International Standard specifies equipment and procedures for determining behaviour of test specimens under cyclic loading conditions. It is applicable to thermal insulating products. The selection of the conditions of the test are derived from the specific requirements of the intended application.

ISO 12629:2011 specifies the equipment and procedure for determining the water vapour transmission properties in the steady state under specified test conditions for test specimens of preformed pipe insulation. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.

ISO 12623:2011 specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the short-term water absorption of preformed pipe insulation by partial immersion in water. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.

ISO 12624:2011 specifies the equipment and procedures for determining trace quantities of the water soluble chloride, fluoride, silicate and sodium ions in an aqueous extract of the product. It also describes a procedure for the determination of the pH of the aqueous extract. ISO 12624:2011 is applicable to thermal insulating products.

ISO 12628:2011 specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the dimensions, squareness and linearity of preformed pipe insulation, supplied in one piece, half sections or segments. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.

ISO 12567-1:2010 specifies a method to measure the thermal transmittance of a door or window system. It is applicable to all effects of frames, sashes, shutters, blinds, screens, panels, door leaves and fittings. It is not applicable to edge effects occurring outside the perimeter of the specimen, energy transfer due to solar radiation on the specimen, effects of air leakage through the specimen, and roof windows and projecting products, where the external face projects beyond the cold side roof surface.

ISO 12968:2010 specifies equipment and a procedure for determining the pull-off resistance of external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS), which are mechanical fixed or mechanical fixed and bonded. The method described is known as the "foam block test".

ISO 29803:2010 specifies equipment and a procedure for determining the resistance to impact of external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS).

ISO 29804:2009 specifies equipment and procedures for determining the tensile bond strength of the adhesive and of the base coat to the thermal insulation material.

ISO 29769:2008 specifies equipment and procedures for determining the behaviour of products under a force applied to a small area of a test specimen at a given speed. ISO 29769:2008 is applicable to thermal insulating products. ISO 29769:2008 can be used to determine whether the products have sufficient strength to withstand the forces applied directly to them either during installation or during application, mainly caused by pedestrian traffic.

ISO 29467:2008 specifies the equipment and procedure for determining the deviation from squareness for length, width and/or thickness of full‑size products. It is applicable to thermal insulating products. The method is normally applicable to products with straight edges. For products of other shape, e.g. profiled edges, the method can be adapted accordingly.

ISO 29468:2008 specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the deviation from flatness for full-size products. It is applicable to thermal insulating products.