New Fact Sheet Challenges Performance Claims of Reflective Bubble Pack Insulation Manufacturers

Alexandria, VA (March 22, 2002) - A new 4-page fact sheet from NAIMA, Facts About the Performance of Reflective Bubble Pack Insulations in Duct System Applications, challenges the performance claims of reflective bubble pack insulations when used to insulate air duct systems and demonstrates the failure of these products to meet the International Mechanical Code (IMC).

To illustrate the point, the fact sheet includes a matrix of code requirements and the product performance data of reflective insulations compared to similar fiber glass insulation products. The performance data was developed using accepted American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test methods and shows that in the areas of exposed surface temperature, surface burning characteristics, hot surface performance, thermal barrier, identification, R-value determination and durability, reflective bubble pack insulations fall far short of code requirements.

The thermal performance of reflective insulations is highly dependent upon having low-emittance facing materials and the presence of a perfectly sealed air space in construction, and the Fact Sheet highlights a number of variables that can reduce the R-value of reflective insulations by up to 85%.

Also challenged are reflective bubble pack insulation manufacturers’ claims regarding R-values. For example, some reflective manufacturers claim R-values for 5/16" thick duct wrap as high as 5.6. Results of independent testing, however, show that the actual R-value is approximately 1.1 when tested in accordance with ASTM C 518 – the method required for reporting R-value data on insulation products for use on HVAC ducts.

Duct coverings and linings require more stringent fire safety properties than normally associated with envelope insulations. However, the results of testing performed at a nationally recognized laboratory casts serious doubts on the fitness of reflective bubble pack for use in exposed locations. The fact sheet illustrates that when the product was tested in the UL 1715 corner wall test, the results were flash-over fire conditions within 2-1/2 minutes.

Finally, reflective bubble pack insulation manufacturers’ claims that suggest reflective bubble pack is suitable for use as a duct liner are addressed. A side-by-side comparison of reflective bubble pack and flexible fiber glass duct liner demonstrates that there is very little acoustical value offered by the reflective products due to its closed cell construction.

To a copy of the Fact Sheet - Facts #61: Facts About the Performance of Reflective Bubble Pack Insulations in Duct System Applications: Download: PDF |HTML | Order printed copies from Literature Library (AH135)