Testing Requirements & Recommendations

Product Testing Requirements

Required and Recommended Testing of Reflective Insulations*

Required Substantiation
Physical PropertyTest Method or StandardRequirement
EmittanceASTM C 13710.1 max
Thermal PerformanceASTM C 1363Report Thermal Performance
Flame SpreadASTM E 8425 max
Smoke-DevelopedASTM E 84450 max
Water Vapor TransmissionASTM E 96
(Desiccant Method)		<1.0 (retarders) or

>5.0 (transmitters)
Temperature/Humidity ResistanceASTM C 1258Report corrosion, delamination or
loss of metalization
Bleeding and DelaminationASTM C 1224No bleeding after 5 hours
PliabilityASTM C 1224No cracking at 180 bend after
24 hr. at 32F and 70F/50% R.H.>
Fungi ResistanceASTM C 1338No growth greater than comparative
specimen
Tearing StrengthASTM D 2261Report tearing strength in each direction and condition tested
Corrosivity (caused by adhesives)ASTM D 3310Report 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 PropertyTest Method or StandardRequirement
Surface Burning
(Flame Spread)1		ASTM E 8425 max
Smoke-Developed1ASTM E 8450 max
Temperature Exposure1ASTM C 411Shall not flame, glow, smoke
or smolder at 250F
Test Method for Steady-State Heat Transfer Properties of Pipe InsulationASTM C 335Meet the thermal resistance requirements in building codes
Water Vapor TransmissionASTM E 96
(Desiccant Method)		<1.0 (retarders) or

>5.0 (transmitters)
EmittanceASTM C 13710.1 max
Identification2Label at intervals of 36 inches (name of manufacturer, R-value, flame spread and smoke developed
Temperature/Humidity ResistanceASTM C 1258Report corrosion, delamination or
loss of metalization
Bleeding and DelaminationASTM C 1224No bleeding after 5 hours
PliabilityASTM C 1224No cracking at 180 bend after
24 hr. at 32F and 70F/50% R.H.>
Fungi ResistanceASTM C 1338No 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 PropertyTest Method or StandardRequirement
Surface EmittanceASTM C 13710.1 or less
Water Vapor TransmissionASTM E 96
Procedure A Desiccant Method		0.02 for Vapor Retarder 0.5 or greater for perforated products
Surface Burning
Flame SpreadASTM E 8425 or less
Smoke DensityASTM E 84450 or less
CorrosivityASTM D 3310Corrosion on less than 2% of
the affected surface
Tear ResistanceASTM D 2261
Adhesive Performance
BleedingSection 10.1 of ASTM C 1313Bleeding or delamination of less than 2% of the surface area
PliabilitySection 10.2 of ASTM C 1313No cracking or delamination
Mold and MildewASTM C 1338No growth when visually examined under 5X magnification
Tensile StrengthASTM D 2261Report tearing strength in machine direction and cross direction

Required and Recommended Testing of Reflectives in Metal Buildings

Required Substantiation
Physical PropertyTest Method or StandardRequirement
Thermal PerformanceASTM C 1363Report Thermal Performance
Flame SpreadASTM E 8425 max
Smoke-DevelopedASTM E 8450 max
EmittanceASTM C 13710.1 max
Water Vapor TransmissionASTM E 96
(Desiccant Method)		<1.0 (retarders) or

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