NUMBER A07-S01

REV. NO. 3
ENGINEERING STANDARD
DATE JUN 2015
PAGE 1 OF 8

Building Insulation

This document is issued by PED, SABIC E&PM, Jubail Industrial City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The information contained
in this document is the confidential property of SABIC. It cannot be disclosed, copied or used for any purpose without approval
from SABIC. If you are not authorized to possess this document, please destroy it immediately.
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ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 2 OF 8

CONTENTS

1. SCOPE ................................................................................................................. 3
2. REFERENCES ..................................................................................................... 3
3. DEFINITIONS ....................................................................................................... 3
4. GENERAL ............................................................................................................ 4
4.1 Submittals ..................................................................................................... 4
4.2 Quality Assurance and Testing..................................................................... 4
4.3 Delivery, Storage and Handling .................................................................... 5
5. PRODUCTS ......................................................................................................... 5
5.1 Insulation Materials ...................................................................................... 5
5.2 Perimeter Fire-containment Systems ........................................................... 6
5.3 Insulation Fasteners ..................................................................................... 6
6. EXECUTION ........................................................................................................ 7
6.1 Examination.................................................................................................. 7
6.2 Preparation ................................................................................................... 7
6.3 Installation General ...................................................................................... 7
6.4 Installation of General Building Insulation .................................................... 7
6.5 Installation of Cavity Walls and Masonry Cell Insulation ............................. 8
6.6 Installation of Perimeter Fire-containment Systems .................................... 8
6.7 Protection ..................................................................................................... 8
7. REVISION HISTORY ........................................................................................... 8
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1. Scope
This standard establishes the minimum requirements for the completion of insulation work for
concealed/ exposed buildings, cavity walls and perimeter fire-containment systems.

2. References
Reference is made in this standard to the following documents. The latest issues, amendments, and
supplements to these documents shall apply unless otherwise indicated.

Any conflicts between this standard, SES and industry standards, engineering drawings, and contract
documents shall be resolved at the discretion of SABIC.

American Society for Testing of Materials (ASTM)

C 552 Specification for Cellular Glass Thermal Insulation
C 553 Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation for Commercial and Industrial
Application
C 578 Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
C 612 Specification for Mineral Fiber Block and Board Thermal Insulation
C 665 Specification for Mineral - Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation for Light Frame Construction
and Manufactured Housing
E 84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E 119 Test Method for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials
E 136 Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750 °C

3. Definitions
For the purpose of understanding this standard, the following definitions apply.

Blanket Insulation: Relatively flat and flexible insulation in coherent sheet form, furnished in units of
substantial area. Batt insulation is included in this term.
Block Insulation: Rigid Insulation preformed into rectangular units.
Board Insulation: Semi-rigid insulation pre-formed into rectangular units having a degree of
suppleness particularly related to their geometrical dimensions.
Building Insulation: Material, primarily designed to resist heat flow, which is installed between the
conditioned volume of a building and adjacent unconditioned volumes or the outside. This term
includes, but not limited to, insulation products such as blanket, board, spray-on and loose-fill that are
used in ceiling, floor, foundation, and wall insulation.
Ceiling Insulation: Material, primarily designed to resist heat flow, which is installed between the
conditioned area of a building and unconditioned attic as well as common ceiling floor assemblies
between separately condition units in multi-unit structures. Where the conditioned area of a building
extends to the roof, ceiling insulation includes such a material used between the underside and upper
side of the roof.
Fiberglass Insulation: Insulation composed principally of glass fibers, with or without binders.
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Flame Spread Rating: Used to indicate the rate at which flame will spread across the surface of a
given material. The higher the number, the faster the flame spread.
Foam-in-place Insulation: Rigid cellular foam produced by catalyzed chemical reactions that hardens
at the worksite. The term includes spray-applied and injected applications such as spray-in-place foam
and pour-in-place.
Heat Transfer Coefficient (U-value): The reciprocal of R-Value.
Loose Fill Insulation: Insulation in granular, nodular, fibrous, powdery, or similar form designed to be
installed by pouring, blowing, or hand placement.
Mineral Fiber Insulation: Insulation (rock wool or fiberglass) composed principally of fibers
manufactured from rock, slag or glass, with or without binders.
Perm: The mass rate of water vapor flow through one square foot of a material or construction of one
grain per hour induced by a vapor pressure gradient between two surfaces of one inch of mercury or in
units that equal that flow rate.
Rock Wool: Thermal insulation material composed of threads or filaments of slag, produced by
reprocessing the residual materials from metal smelting.
Smoke Developed Index: A number or classification indicating a comparative measure derived from
smoke obscuration data collected during the test for surface burning characteristics.
Spray-in-place Insulation: Insulation material sprayed onto a surface or into cavities and includes
cellulose fiber spray-on as well as plastic rigid foam products.
Thermal Resistance (R-value): The quantity determined by the temperature difference, at steady
state, between two defined surfaces of a material or construction that induces a unit heat flow rate
through a unit area.
Vapor Retarder (barrier): A material which retards the transmission of water vapor. It is rated in
perms. The smaller the perm rating, the better the water vapor resistance. A good vapor barrier should
have a perm rating no greater than 1.0.

4. General
4.1 Submittals

4.1.1 The following shall be submitted to SABIC:

a. Product data: for each type of product required.
b. Samples for verification: full-size width units 300 mm x 300 mm for each type of
insulation required.
c. Product test reports: copies of certified test reports showing compliance with
specified standards and performance values.

4.2 Quality Assurance and Testing

4.2.1 Each type of building insulation shall be obtained through one source.

4.2.2 Insulation and related materials shall be provided with fire-test-response characteristics,
as determined by UL on identical products, or by another testing agency acceptable to
SABIC.
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4.2.3 Materials shall be identified with appropriate markings of applicable testing and
inspecting agency.

4.2.4 Fire-test-response characteristics shall be determined as follows:

a. Surface-burning characteristics: ASTM E 84
b. Fire-resistance ratings: ASTM E 119
c. Combustion characteristics: ASTM E 136

4.3 Delivery, Storage and Handling

4.3.1 Insulation materials shall be protected from physical damage and from deterioration by
moisture, soiling, and other sources. They shall be stored inside and in a dry location.
Manufacturer's written instructions for handling, storing, and protecting during
installation shall be complied with.

4.3.2 Insulation materials shall be in perfect conditions at time of SABIC acceptance.

5. Products
5.1 Insulation Materials

5.1.1 Project drawings shall be followed for specific insulation type to be used. Insulation
thickness and density shall be selected to meet required R value indicated on the design
documents.

5.1.2 Insulating materials shall comply with project requirements and with referenced
standards.

5.1.3 Preformed units shall be sized to fit applications indicated and shall be selected from
manufacturer's standard thickness, widths, and lengths.

5.1.4 Extruded-polystyrene board insulation shall comply with ASTM C 578, with maximum
flame-spread and smoke-developed indices of 75 and 450 respectively. Thickness and density
shall be selected to meet required R value shown on drawings. Combustion characteristic shall
be in conformance with ASTM E 136.

5.1.5 Cellular glass insulation shall comply with ASTM C 552 Type IV (board), and shall be
faced on both sides with manufacturer's special Kraft-paper sheets laminated to glass block with
asphalt.

5.1.6 Unfaced, flexible glass-fiber board insulation shall comply with ASTM C 665, Type I with
maximum flame-spread and smoke-developed indices of 25 and 50 respectively. Thickness and
density shall be selected to meet required R value shown on drawings. Combustion
characteristic shall be in conformance with ASTM E 136.

5.1.7 Foil-faced, flexible glass-fiber board insulation shall comply with ASTM C 612, Type IA
or ASTM C 553, Types I, II, and III and shall be faced on one side with foil-scrim-kraft vapor
retarder. It shall have maximum flame-spread and smoke-developed indices of 25 and 50
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respectively. Thickness and density shall be selected to meet required R value shown on
drawings. Combustion characteristic shall be in conformance with ASTM E 136.

5.1.8 Unfaced, glass-fiber board insulation shall conform to ASTM C 612, Type IA or Types IA
and IB with maximum flame-spread and smoke-developed indices of 25 and 50 respectively.
Thickness and density shall be selected to meet required R value shown on drawings.
Combustion characteristic shall be in conformance with ASTM E 136.

5.1.9 Foil-faced, glass-fiber board insulation shall conform to ASTM C 612, Type IA or
Types IA and IB and shall be faced on one side with foil-scrim-kraft or foil-scrim-polyethylene
vapor retarder. It shall have maximum flame-spread and smoke-developed indices of 25 and 50
respectively. Thickness and density shall be selected to meet required R value shown on
drawings. Combustion characteristic shall be in conformance with ASTM E 136.

5.1.10 Unfaced, slag-wool/rock-wool-fiber board insulation shall conform to ASTM C 612, and
shall have maximum flame-spread and smoke-developed indices of 15 and 0 respectively.
Combustion characteristics shall be in conformance with ASTM E 136.

5.1.11 Foil-faced, slag-wool-/rock-wool-fiber board insulation shall conform to ASTM C 612,

and shall be faced on one side with foil-scrim-kraft or foil-scrim-polyethylene vapor retarder. It
shall have maximum flame-spread and smoke-developed indices of 25 and 5 respectively.
Combustion characteristics shall be in conformance with ASTM E 136.

5.2 Perimeter Fire-containment Systems

5.2.1 Where indicated for gaps between the perimeter edge of fire-resistance-rated floor
assemblies and walls, a perimeter fire-containment system using slag-wool/ rock-wool-fiber shall
be provided, with the fire-rating indicated, as determined by testing identical systems in
accordance with Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) 2079 or another testing and inspecting agency
acceptable to SABIC.

5.2.2 Caulking compound approved by the insulation manufacturer shall be used to seal the
joint between slag-wool/ rock-wool-fiber insulation and the walls or floors.

5.2.3 Manufacturer-approved galvanized steel clips shall be used to hold insulation in place.

5.3 Insulation Fasteners

5.3.1 Insulation shall be attached by one of the following methods and as recommended by
insulation manufacturer.
a. Adhesively Attached, Spindle-Type Anchors: Plate welded to projecting spindle;
capable of holding insulation securely in position with self-locking washer in place.
b. Insulation-Retaining Washers: Self-locking washers formed from 0.41 mm thick
galvanized steel sheet, with beveled edge for increased stiffness, sized as required
to hold insulation securely in place, but not less than 38 mm square or in diameter.
c. Anchor Adhesive: Product with demonstrated capability to bond insulation anchors
securely to substrates indicated, without damaging insulation, fasteners, or
substrates.
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6. Execution
6.1 Examination

6.1.1 Substrates and conditions shall be examined with installer present, to check compliance
with requirements for substrates and related work, and other conditions affecting performance.

6.2 Preparation

6.2.1 Substrates shall be cleaned of substances harmful to insulation or vapor retarders,

including removal of projections capable of puncturing foil-faced vapor retarders, or of interfering
with insulation attachment.

6.3 Installation General

6.3.1 Insulation manufacturer's written instructions for products and application shall be
complied with.

6.3.2 Insulation shall be undamaged, dry, and unsoiled at the time of installation.

6.3.3 Insulation shall be extended in thickness indicated to envelop entire area to be insulated.
It shall be cut and fitted tightly around obstructions, with voids filled with insulation. Projections
that interfere with placement shall be removed.

6.3.4 If water piping is located on inside of insulated exterior walls, location of piping shall be
coordinated to ensure that it is placed on warm side of insulation, and the insulation
encapsulates piping.

6.3.5 A single layer of insulation shall produce thickness indicated in drawing or contract,
unless multiple layers are required to make up total thickness.

6.3.6 Insulation shall be provided in exterior walls and roofs, and in walls separating
conditioned/non-conditioned areas or zones of differing temperature requirements.

6.4 Installation of General Building Insulation

6.4.1 Insulation units shall be applied to substrates by method indicated, complying with
manufacturer's written instructions. If no specific method is indicated, units shall be bonded to
substrate with adhesive, or mechanical anchorage shall be used to provide permanent
placement and support of units.

6.4.2 Joints between closed-cell (nonbreathing) insulation units shall be sealed by applying
adhesive, mastic, or sealant to edges of each unit, to form a tight seal as units are pushed into
place. Voids in completed installation shall be filled with adhesive, mastic, or sealant as
recommended by insulation manufacturer.

6.4.3 Vapor-retarder-foil faced units shall be set to warm side of construction, unless
otherwise indicated. Ventilation spaces shall not be obstructed, except for firestopping.

6.4.4 Joints and ruptures in vapor retarder shall be taped, and each continuous area of
insulation shall be sealed to surrounding construction, to ensure airtight installation.
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6.4.5 All supply and return air ducts, located outdoors or exposed to unconditioned air, shall
be insulated.

6.5 Installation of Cavity Walls and Masonry Cell Insulation

6.5.1 On units of plastic insulation, small pads of adhesives shall be installed at a space of
approximately 610 mm on center both ways on inside face, as recommended by manufacturer.
Courses of insulation shall be fitted between wall ties and other confining obstructions in cavity,
with edges butted tightly both ways. Units shall be pressed firmly against inside wythe of
masonry or other construction as shown.

6.5.2 Adhesive attachment of insulation shall be supplemented by securing boards with two-
piece wall ties designed for this purpose.

6.6 Installation of Perimeter Fire-containment Systems

6.6.1 Perimeter fire-containment systems shall be installed to fill gap between edge of
concrete floor slab, fire walls, penetrations through fire walls and where indicated on the
drawings.

6.6.2 Insulation shall be cut wider than gap to be filled, to ensure compression fit. Joint
between insulation and edge of building material shall be sealed with caulking approved by
insulation manufacturer, to maintain required fire-containment. No voids shall be left in
completed installation.

6.7 Protection

6.7.1 Installed insulation shall be protected from damage due to harmful weather exposures,
physical abuse, and other causes. Temporary coverings or enclosures shall be provided where
insulation is subject to abuse and cannot be concealed and protected by permanent construction
immediately after installation.

7. Revision History
Revision No.3, June 2015 Refined and restructured.
Added : Section 3 and Section 7
Added : Para 6.3.6 and 6.4.5