What is the NAIMAi R-Value Certification Program?
The NAIMA R-Value Certification Program is a voluntary thermal testing program for fiberglass and mineral wool batt insulation. Products carrying the certification label have been tested and meet the labeled R-value as required by the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) “Labeling and Advertising of Home Insulation” (16 C.F.R. Part 460).
Why did NAIMA establish this program?
Demonstrating that fiberglass and mineral wool products perform at the labeled R-value is the foundation for our reputation in the marketplace and gives us credibility to champion policies that advance energy efficiency.
What are the FTC’s thermal performance requirements for batt insulation?
For manufacturers of home insulation, the FTC states that no individual specimen of insulation sold can have an R-value more than 10% below the labeled R-value. In addition, applicable ASTM standards for testing insulation performance state that the average R-value of four specimens tested must be a minimum of 95% of the labeled R-value.
How do companies attain certification?
Participating companies conduct, at a minimum, annual testing for every plant manufacturing batt insulation. Companies test four products – R-13, 19, 30, and 38 batts for fiberglass insulation and R-15, 23, 24 and 30 batts for mineral wool insulation. Testing samples are randomly collected by an independent testing agency, aged (compressed) in their packaging for 40 to 50 days and tested in accordance with ASTM standards.
Who tests the product?
Products must be tested by an independent, accredited product-testing laboratory with expertise in building product testing.
Is every package that carries the label tested?
No. Testing every package would be impractical as testing methods leave products in an unusable condition. Random sampling is acceptable under ASTM’s Standard Criteria for Sampling and Acceptance of Preformed Thermal Insulation Lots.
What happens if a company falls out of certification?
If a company fails to meet the program’s requirements, it loses the right to carry the R-value certification label. To requalify for the certification, the company must demonstrate compliance over two consecutive testing periods.
Who is eligible to participate in the program?
Only NAIMA members may participate in the labeling program. A list of our members can be found at www.insulationinstitute.org.
Do other insulation products have a testing program?
There are many types of insulation – cellulose, expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), fiberglass, mineral wool, open and closed cell spray foam and polyisocyanurate are the most common. Only fiberglass and mineral wool batt insulation and polyisocyanurate roof insulation have certification programs validating labeled R-value.
Download Nowi NAIMA is the association for North American manufacturers of fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation products. Its role is to promote energy efficiency and environmental preservation through the use of fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation, and to encourage the safe production and use of these materials.