Testing Requirements & Recommendations

Product Testing Requirements

Required and Recommended Testing of Reflective Insulations*

Required Substantiation
Physical Property Test Method or Standard Requirement
Emittance ASTM C 1371 0.1 max
Thermal Performance ASTM C 1363 Report Thermal Performance
Flame Spread ASTM E 84 25 max
Smoke-Developed ASTM E 84 450 max
Water Vapor Transmission ASTM E 96
(Desiccant Method)		 <1.0 (retarders) or

>5.0 (transmitters)
Temperature/Humidity Resistance ASTM C 1258 Report corrosion, delamination or
loss of metalization
Bleeding and Delamination ASTM C 1224 No bleeding after 5 hours
Pliability ASTM C 1224 No cracking at 180 bend after
24 hr. at 32F and 70F/50% R.H.>
Fungi Resistance ASTM C 1338 No growth greater than comparative
specimen
Tearing Strength ASTM D 2261 Report tearing strength in each direction and condition tested
Corrosivity (caused by adhesives) ASTM D 3310 Report corrosion

*Refer to ICC Evaluation Services “Evaluation Guideline For Reflective Foil Insulation (AC02) and ASTM C 1224 (Standard Specification for Reflective Insulation for Building Applications).

Required and Recommended Testing of Reflective Ducts

Required Substantiation
Physical Property Test Method or Standard Requirement
Surface Burning
(Flame Spread)1		 ASTM E 84 25 max
Smoke-Developed1 ASTM E 84 50 max
Temperature Exposure1 ASTM C 411 Shall not flame, glow, smoke
or smolder at 250F
Test Method for Steady-State Heat Transfer Properties of Pipe Insulation ASTM C 335 Meet the thermal resistance requirements in building codes
Water Vapor Transmission ASTM E 96
(Desiccant Method)		 <1.0 (retarders) or

>5.0 (transmitters)
Emittance ASTM C 1371 0.1 max
Identification2 Label at intervals of 36 inches (name of manufacturer, R-value, flame spread and smoke developed
Temperature/Humidity Resistance ASTM C 1258 Report corrosion, delamination or
loss of metalization
Bleeding and Delamination ASTM C 1224 No bleeding after 5 hours
Pliability ASTM C 1224 No cracking at 180 bend after
24 hr. at 32F and 70F/50% R.H.>
Fungi Resistance ASTM C 1338 No growth greater than comparative specimen
  1. Refer to the 2003 International Mechanical Code, Section 604.3
  2. Refer to the 2003 International Mechanical Code, Section 604.13

Required and Recommended Testing of Sheet Radiant Barriers

Required Substantiation
Physical Property Test Method or Standard Requirement
Surface Emittance ASTM C 1371 0.1 or less
Water Vapor Transmission ASTM E 96
Procedure A Desiccant Method		 0.02 for Vapor Retarder 0.5 or greater for perforated products
Surface Burning
Flame Spread ASTM E 84 25 or less
Smoke Density ASTM E 84 450 or less
Corrosivity ASTM D 3310 Corrosion on less than 2% of
the affected surface
Tear Resistance ASTM D 2261
Adhesive Performance
Bleeding Section 10.1 of ASTM C 1313 Bleeding or delamination of less than 2% of the surface area
Pliability Section 10.2 of ASTM C 1313 No cracking or delamination
Mold and Mildew ASTM C 1338 No growth when visually examined under 5X magnification
Tensile Strength ASTM D 2261 Report tearing strength in machine direction and cross direction

Required and Recommended Testing of Reflectives in Metal Buildings

Required Substantiation
Physical Property Test Method or Standard Requirement
Thermal Performance ASTM C 1363 Report Thermal Performance
Flame Spread ASTM E 84 25 max
Smoke-Developed ASTM E 84 50 max
Emittance ASTM C 1371 0.1 max
Water Vapor Transmission ASTM E 96
(Desiccant Method)		 <1.0 (retarders) or

>5.0 (transmitters)
Temperature/Humidity Resistance ASTM C 1258 Report corrosion, delamination or
loss of metalization
Bleeding and Delamination ASTM C 1224 No bleeding after 5 hours
Pliability ASTM C 1224 No cracking at 180 bend after
24 hr. at 32F and 70F/50% R.H.>
Tearing Strength ASTM D 2261 Report tearing strength in each direction and condition tested