Designation: C726 − 12

Standard Specification for

Mineral Wool Roof Insulation Board1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C726; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation

1.1 This specification covers the composition and physical C177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
properties of mineral wool insulation board used above struc- ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
tural roof decks in building construction. The mineral wool the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
roof insulation acts as a base for systems such as single-ply, C203 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural Proper-
polymer-modified bitumen and built-up roof. This specification ties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation
also covers mineral wool insulation boards that incorporate a C209 Test Methods for Cellulosic Fiber Insulating Board
fibrous high density upper layer on the top surface C303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Pre-
formed Block and Board–Type Thermal Insulation
1.2 It is possible that the use of thermal insulation materials
covered by this specification will be regulated by building C390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal
codes or other agencies that address fire performance, or both. Insulation Lots
The fire performance of the material needs to be addressed C518 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
through standard fire test methods established by the appropri- Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
ate governing documents. C665 Specification for Mineral-Fiber Blanket Thermal Insu-
lation for Light Frame Construction and Manufactured
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded Housing
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical C1363 Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only Materials and Envelope Assemblies by Means of a Hot
and are not considered standard.
Box Apparatus
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the D312 Specification for Asphalt Used in Roofing
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the D482 Test Method for Ash from Petroleum Products
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- D450 Specification for Coal-Tar Pitch Used in Roofing,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- Dampproofing, and Waterproofing
bility of the regulatory limitations prior to use. D2126 Test Method for Response of Rigid Cellular Plastics
to Thermal and Humid Aging
2. Referenced Documents E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
2.1 The following standards, of the issue in effect on the Building Materials
date of material purchase, form a part of this specification to E2058 Test Methods for Measurement of Synthetic Polymer
the extent specified herein: Material Flammability Using a Fire Propagation Appara-
2.2 ASTM Standards:2 tus (FPA)
C165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties of 2.3 Other Referenced Documents:
Thermal Insulations CAN/ULC-S102 Standard Method of Test for Surface Burn-
ing Characteristics of Building Materials and Assemblies3
EN 12430 :1998/A1 Thermal Insulating Product for Build-
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on ing Applications – Determination of Behaviour Under
Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.20 on
Homogeneous Inorganic Thermal Insulations. Point Load4
Current edition approved May 1, 2012. Published May 2012. Originally
approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as C726 – 11. DOI:
10.1520/C0726-12.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), 2600 N.W. Lake Rd., Camas,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM WA 98607-8542, http://www.ul.com.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Avenue
the ASTM website. Marnix 17, B-1000, Brussels, Belgium, http://www.cen.eu.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 C726 − 12
FM 4470 Approval Standard for Single-Ply, Polymer- the board shall be permitted to be faced during manufacture on
Modified Bitumen Sheet, Built-Up Roof (BUR) and Liq- one surface with a cover adequate for the application of the
uid Applied Roof Assemblies for use in Class 1 and adhesive used to secure the single ply membrane.
Noncombustible Roof Deck Constructions5
ISO 1716 :2002, Reaction-to-Fire Tests for Building Prod- 7. Physical Properties
ucts – Determination of the Heat of Combustion6 7.1 The average thermal resistance, R, of specimens
3. Terminology sampled in accordance with Practice C390 shall be as specified
by the manufacturer.
3.1 Definitions:Terms used in this specification are defined
in Terminology C168. 7.2 Nominal thickness required to obtain the specified
3.1.1 noncombustible core—a fibrous roof insulation prod- resistance or conductance shall be as stated by the manufac-
uct conforming to the ash content, visible flaming and heat of turer.
combustion requirements 12.11. 7.3 Roof insulation boards shall have the limiting property
values shown in Table 1.
4. Classification
4.1 The thermal insulation shall be of the following types, 8. Dimensions and Tolerances
classes and grades; 8.1 The dimensions shall be as agreed upon between the
4.1.1 Type I—Roof insulation board comprised of a mono- purchaser and manufacturer. Tolerances shall be as follows:
lithic fibrous material having a fibrous high density upper
surface layer and a lower density fibrous bottom layer.
4.1.1.1 Class 1—Minimum upper surface layer actual den-
sity of 11.2 lb/ft3 (180 kg/m3) and a minimum lower layer TABLE 1 Physical Properties
actual density of 7.5 lb/ft3 (120 kg/m3). Property Requirement
4.1.1.2 Class 2—Upper surface layer and lower surface Type I:
layer density less than Class 1. Class 1–Minimum Upper Density, lb/ft3 (kg/m3) 11.2 (180)
Minimum Lower Density, lb/ft3 (kg/m3) 7.5 (120)
(1) Grade A – Minimum point load of 146 lbf (650 N). Class 2–Upper Density, lb/ft3 (kg/m3) <11.2 (180)
(2) Grade B – Point load < 146 lbf (650 N). Lower Density, lb/ft3 (kg/m3) <7.5 (120)
4.1.2 Type II—Roof insulation board of singular density. Type II:
Class 1 Minimum Density, lb/ft3 (kg/m3) 9.0 (144)
4.1.2.1 Class 1—Minimum actual density of 9 lb/ft3 (144 Class 2 Density, lb/ft3 (kg/m3) <9.0 (144)
kg/m3).
4.1.2.2 Class 2—Actual density less than Class 1. Compressive resistance:
at 25 % deformation, min, psi (kPa) 12 (83)
at 10 % deformation min, psi (kPa) 7 (48)
5. Ordering Information
Tensile strength perpendicular to board surface, min, 450 (22)
5.1 Orders for material purchased under this specification lbf/ft2 (kPa)
shall include:
5.1.1 Designation of this specification, Breaking load, min, lbf (N):
Type 1 60 (266)
5.1.2 Product name, Type 2 30 (133)
5.1.3 Board dimensions,
5.1.4 Quantity of material, and Water absorption, max, volume % 5A
5.1.5 Special packaging or marking, (14.1 and 14.2) if Dimensional Stability:
required. % Linear Change, Thickness, Max
+200 ± 4°F (93 ± 2°C) <1
6. Materials and Manufacture -40 ± 6 °F (-40± 3°C) <1
+158 ±4 °F (70 ± 2°C) <1
6.1 Mineral wool roof insulation board shall consist of % Linear Change, Length and Width, Max
mineral wool with an organic resin or other suitable binder. +200 ± 4°F (93± 2°C) <1
-40 ± 6 °F (-40 ± 3°C) <1
6.2 For built-up roofing or polymer modified bitumen sys- +158 ± 4°F (70 ± 2°C) <1
tems the board shall be faced during manufacture on one Point Load at 5mm compression, min, N: Type I 650
surface with a cover adequate for the application of Specifica-
tion D312 asphalt or Specification D450 coal-tar pitch. Noncombustible Core
Ash content (%) $90
6.3 For single ply membrane systems the board shall be Visible Flaming None
permitted to be faced or unfaced. For mechanically fastened Heat of Combustion, max, BTU/lb (kJ/g) 860 (2.0)
single ply membrane systems the board shall be permitted to be Corrosiveness Shall meet
faced or unfaced. For adhered single ply membrane systems requirements of
Specification C665
for Steel
5
FM Approvals, 1151 Boston-Providence Turnpike, P.O. Box 9102, Norwood, Surface Burning Characteristics Flame Spread #25
MA 02062. Smoke # 50
6 A
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de There shall be no delamination during the water absorption test.
la Voie-Creuse, CP 56, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.

2
 C726 − 12

Tolerance, in. (mm) 12.2 Compressive Resistance—Test Method C165, Proce-

Long dimension ±1⁄4 (6) dure A. Crosshead speed shall be 0.16 0.01 in. (2.5 6 0.25
Short dimension ±1⁄4 (6)
Thickness ±1⁄8 (3) mm) for each 1 in. (25.4 mm) of specimen thickness. A total of
The long and short dimension tolerances in this section are four (4) specimens shall be tested with one (1) specimen from
for individual boards. The tolerance for long and short dimen- each of four (4) different boards. The average of the results
sion averages for at least 20 boards shall be 61⁄16 in. (2 mm). shall not be less than those defined in Table 1 and any
individual specimen shall not be less than 90% of the minimum
8.2 Board squareness shall be within required tolerance if
in Table 1.
the two diagonal measurements of the board differ by no more
than 1⁄4 in. (6 mm). 12.3 Tensile Strength Perpendicular to the Board Surface—
8.3 Board flatness shall be within required tolerance if, Test Methods C209, see Test Conditions and Tensile Strength
when board is placed concave side up, the average distance Perpendicular to Surface, except that the specimens shall be 6
between a flat supporting surface and the bottom board surface in. by 6 in. (150 mm by 150 mm). A total of four (4) specimens
at the corners does not exceed 5⁄16 in. (8 mm) over a shall be tested with one (1) specimen from each of four (4)
temperature range from 20 to 140°F (−7 to 60°C). Maximum different boards. The average of the results shall not be less
distance at an individual corner shall not exceed 1⁄2 in. (13 than those defined in Table 1 and any individual specimen shall
mm). not be less than 90% of the minimum in Table 1.
8.4 The thermal resistance of any single specimen shall not 12.4 Breaking Load— Test Methods C203, Method I, Pro-
be more than 10 % below the value specified by the manufac- cedure D. Specimen width shall be 6 in. (152 mm) and support
turer. span shall be 10 in. (254 mm). A total of four (4) specimens
8.5 Mass per unit area of any board, lb/ft2 (kg/m2) shall be shall be tested with one (1) specimen from each of four (4)
within 10 % of the value specified by the manufacturer. different boards. The average of the results shall not be less
Average mass per unit area of at least 20 boards shall be within than those defined in Table 1 and any individual specimen shall
5 % of the value specified by the manufacturer. not be less than 90% of the minimum in Table 1.
9. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance 12.5 Water Absorption—Test Methods C209 (see Water
Absorption section). When material is thicker than 1.0 in., split
9.1 Insulation boards shall not have visible defects that will
adversely affect service qualities. the material to give a specimen thickness of 1.00 6 0.03 in. For
Type 1 product, test at 1 inch or the minimum manufactured
10. Sampling thickness as slicing would not provide a representative speci-
men. The test specimen shall include the faced side of the
10.1 Sampling for qualification tests, if required, shall be in
material if applicable. Immerse the specimen with the faced
accordance with Practice C390. Qualification tests will be
surface down. A total of four (4) specimens shall be tested with
conducted on the physical requirements in 7.1 and Table 1.
one (1) specimen from each of four (4) different boards.
10.2 Sampling for inspection tests, if required, shall be in
accordance with Practice C390. Inspection requirements are 12.6 Surface Burning Characteristics of Building
dimensions (Section 8) plus any other properties as agreed Materials—Test with the bottom surface exposed to the test
upon between the purchaser and manufacturer. flame. Test in accordance with Test Method E84. For Canada,
test in accordance with Test Method CAN/ULC-S102. When
11. Specimen Preparation the referenced Canadian document in this specification is
11.1 Specimens for all tests shall include any factory- referred to in applicable Canadian building codes, the editions,
applied cover. Take care that the cover is not partially detached referenced by those building codes, shall govern.
in the process of cutting specimens. 12.7 Dimensions—Test Methods C209, see Test Conditions,
11.2 Unless otherwise specified, condition samples prior to Thickness, and Size of Finished Board.
cutting specimens for at least 12 h at 73 6 2°F (24 6 1°C), 50
12.8 Point Load—Test in accordance with EN 12430:1998/
6 5 % relative humidity before testing.
A1. A total of four (4) specimens shall be tested with one (1)
11.3 Unless otherwise stated testing of Type I product shall specimen from each of four (4) different boards. The average of
be done with the higher density surface layer facing up. the results shall not be less than those defined in Table 1 and
any individual specimen shall not be less than 90% of the
12. Test Methods
minimum in Table 1.
12.1 Thermal Resistance—Test Method C177, C518, or Test
Method C1363 at a mean temperature of 75 6 2°F (24 6 1°C) 12.9 Dimensional Stability—Test Method D2126 except
and 40°F (22°C) minimum temperature gradient across the that each specimen shall be 12 by 12 in. (300 by 300 mm) by
thickness of the test specimen or at a mean temperature agreed the full thickness. A total of four (4) specimens shall be tested
upon between the purchaser and manufacturer. Some typical with one (1) specimen from each of four (4) different boards.
additional mean temperatures of interest are 25°F (-4°C) and 12.9.1 The standard environmental conditions shall be as
110°F (43°C). follows:

3
 C726 − 12

Temperature Relative Humidity, Exposure permitted to be conducted. The results of all three (3) tests shall
%RH Time, be averaged. When averaged, the result shall be less than 860
Days
°F °C
BTU/lb (2.0 kJ/g). See Note 1.
+200 ± 4 (93 ± 2) Ambient 7
-40 ± 6 (-40 ± 3) Ambient 7
NOTE 1—Methodology and requirements conforming to FM 4470,
+158 ± 4 (70 ± 2) 97 ± 3% 7 Section 4.9, NCC (Noncombustible Core) Rated Roof Insulation,
12.10 Density—Test for actual density in accordance with 12.12 Corrosiveness—Test in accordance with Specification
Test Method C303. C665 for corrosiveness to steel. The product shall conform to
12.10.1 To test the upper and lower surface layer densities the requirements within Specification C665 for steel.
of Type 1 product, the layers are separated using slicing
13. Rejection
procedures such as a band saw. Report the thickness used for
this determination. For testing purposes the upper layer thick- 13.1 Failure to conform to the requirements in this specifi-
ness is 1⁄2 inch (12.7 mm) for Type I products. cation shall constitute cause for rejection. In case of rejection,
the manufacturer shall have the right to reinspect the rejected
12.11 Noncombustible Core—See Note 1.
shipment and resubmit the lot after removal of that portion not
12.11.1 When tested in accordance with Test Method D482,
conforming to requirements.
the samples shall have a minimum content of 90% ash. When
a single test produces a result of less than 90%, two (2) 14. Packaging and Marking
additional tests shall be permitted to be conducted. The results
of all three (3) tests shall be averaged. When averaged, the 14.1 Packaging—Unless otherwise specified, the insulation
result shall not be less than 90% ash. See Note 1. shall be supplied in the manufacturer’s standard commercial
12.11.2 When tested in accordance with Test Methods packages.
E2058, visible flaming of the insulation core shall not occur 14.2 Marking—Unless otherwise specified, each package
during the entire test. The test shall be terminated at 15 min if shall be marked with the material name, manufacturer’s name
the mass loss from the sample has ceased or if visible vapors or trademark, board dimensions, number of pieces, coverage
(if present) have ceased to be generated, or both. If, at 15 min, area of the material in the package, and thermal resistance or
the sample still exhibits mass loss or visible vapors, or both, the conductance.
test shall continue until the mass loss or visible vapors cease, 14.2.1 Products that incorporate a fibrous high density
or both. See Note 1. upper layer on the top surface as in Type I shall be marked in
12.11.3 When tested in accordance with ISO 1716, the order to identify the top layer for installation purposes.
insulation core shall have a maximum heat of combustion of
860 BTU/lb (2.0 kJ/g). When a single test produces greater 15. Keywords
than 860 BTU/lb (2.0 kJ/g), two (2) additional tests shall be 15.1 board; insulation; mineral wool; roof

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