|
       |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
||
|
||
 |
ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal Insulation was formed in 1938. C16 meets twice a year, in April and October, with approximately 120 members attending three days of technical meetings capped by a discussion on a topic relevant to the thermal insulation industry. The committee, with a current membership of approximately 380, currently has jurisdiction over more than 145 standards published in the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Volume 04.06. Committee C16 has eight technical subcommittees that maintain these standards. Information on this subcommittee structure and C16’s portfolio of approved standards and Work Items under development is available from the List of Subcommittees, Standards, and Work Items. These standards have and continue to play a preeminent role in all aspects important to the industry of thermal insulation, including products, systems, and associated coatings and coverings, excluding refractories. ACTIVITIES, PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES The technical subcommittees of C16 collectively encompass four primary areas: homogeneous inorganic thermal insulation, reflective insulation, organic and nonhomogeneous inorganic thermal insulation, and blanket and loose fill insulation. The area of homogeneous inorganic thermal insulation addresses standards for mineral fiber, cellular glass, calcium silicate, and perlite block for various applications. The area of reflective insulation focuses on building constructions, including materials or assemblies consisting of one or more heat-reflective (low emissivity) surface(s) such as metallic foil and unmounted or mounted on thin membrane(s) such as paper or fibrous or foam sheets. Standards under the organic and nonhomogeneous inorganic thermal insulation category pertain to cellular insulation made from polystyrene, polyurethane, phenolic, polyimide, and polyisocyanurate. Blanket and loose fill insulation standards focus on specifications and test methods for cellular, mineral fiber, and glass fiber materials. At any given time, C16 has dozens of ongoing standards activities. Some recent and ongoing development activities include the revision to C 1289, Standard Specification for Faced Rigid Cellular Polyisocyanurate Thermal Insulation Board, by Subcommittee C16.22 on Organic and Nonhomogeneous Inorganic Thermal Insulations; C 739, Specification for Cellulosic Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal Insulation, by Subcommittee C16.23 on Blanket and Loose Fill Insulation; and C 578, Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation, being revised by C16.22 on Organic and Nonhomogeneous Inorganic Thermal Insulations. C16 conducts a Forum at every meeting. This venue provides a mechanism to address and discuss current topics for which standardization may be appropriate. Recent examples include forums on sound control, vapor control, green buildings, and new insulation developments in the petrochemical and refining industries. A review of the C16 meeting schedule gives more information. Admission to all C16 Forums is free and the presentation materials are usually available from the presenter. Symposia are conducted once every three to four years; these programs allow numerous peer-reviewed papers to be given over two days. The cost to attend the symposia usually includes the resulting publication of the papers. Recent symposia include Heat-Air-Moisture Transport: Measurements on Building Materials and Insulation Materials: Testing and Applications (Fourth Volume). For a complete list of C16 publications, click here. PARTICIPATING AS A MEMBER ON THE COMMITTEE ASTM International opens its doors to all technical experts with an interest in the standardization process. As a member of ASTM Committee C16, you will be exposed to the robust resources and member benefits included below that have helped make ASTM a worldwide standards development leader for more than a century:
Members can participate from anywhere because of ASTM’s customized web-based systems. The best way to contribute as a member is to (1) participate in task group activities that are of interest (both virtually and in person), and (2) vote on ballots and provide feedback and recommendations. To participate in standards activities, start by identifying Work Items of interest by reviewing the List of Subcommittees, Standards, and Work Items on the C16 home page. Contact task group leaders for those areas of interest by reviewing the Work Item summary pages and securing contact information available through the on-line roster in the member area. To make the most of your voting and participation overall, be sure to stipulate which specific subcommittees you wish to participate in when you join so that you will receive notices of ballots that open within these groups. |