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IS 15093:2002 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for resilient sound absorbing materials for building applications - specification. This standard specifies the requirements for resilient sound-absorbing materials, primarily fibrous types like mineral and glass wool, used for acoustical treatment in buildings. It classifies materials based on performance, defining their physical, acoustical (NRC), and fire safety properties, along with the necessary test methods.
Specifies requirements for resilient sound absorbing materials for building applications.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! The Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) is an average value. For critical spaces like studios, always review the material's Sound Absorption Coefficient (α) across all specific frequency bands provided in the manufacturer's test certificate.
! Ensure the specified fire performance class (e.g., Class P, Class 1) is suitable for the application area, particularly for ceilings, escape routes, and areas of public assembly, to comply with local fire safety regulations.
! This is a material specification, not a design or installation guide. Proper installation methods, including air gaps and mounting types, are crucial to achieve the rated acoustic performance.
EN 13162:2012+A1:2015CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Thermal insulation products for buildings - Factory made mineral wool (MW) products - Specification
Specifies requirements for factory-made mineral wool products used for thermal and acoustic insulation.
ASTM C612-21ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Block and Board Thermal Insulation
Covers the classification, composition, and physical properties of mineral fiber insulation for high-temperature applications, with acoustic relevance.
ISO 354:2003ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
MediumCurrent
Acoustics — Measurement of sound absorption in a reverberation room
Defines the test method for sound absorption that IS 15093 requires, but is not a product specification itself.
BS 5803-1:1985BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
LowWithdrawn
Thermal insulation for cavity walls using man-made mineral fibre batts - Specification for man-made mineral fibre batts
A historical UK-specific standard for mineral fibre batts, now superseded by the harmonized European standard.
Key Differences
≠IS 15093 is a single comprehensive standard for various resilient materials, whereas the European (EN) system is highly fragmented into material-specific standards (e.g., EN 13162 for mineral wool, EN 13165 for PUR foam).
≠The fire performance classification in IS 15093 refers to Indian test methods (e.g., IS 3808), while European standards use the harmonized Euroclass system (A1-F) based on EN 13501-1, representing a completely different testing and classification regime.
≠IS 15093 specifies performance tiers based on material 'Types' and density classes. In contrast, EN 13162 uses a detailed designation code system where levels for multiple properties (thermal, mechanical, dimensional) are declared independently.
≠IS 15093 sets a maximum allowable thermal conductivity value for all materials under its scope, whereas EN standards typically require the manufacturer to declare the thermal conductivity (λD) as a key performance characteristic without setting a single limit in the product standard.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 15093 and its international counterparts (like EN 13162) are fundamentally based on the reverberation room method for determining the sound absorption coefficient, as specified in ISO 354.
≈The primary materials covered, such as mineral wool (glass wool and rock wool), are central to the scope of both the Indian and major international standards for acoustic insulation.
≈All standards specify requirements for essential physical properties, including thickness, density, and dimensional stability, to ensure product consistency and performance.
≈The core purpose of all these standards is to specify performance characteristics for factory-made materials intended for the acoustic and thermal control in buildings, providing a basis for design and quality assurance.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Sound Absorption Test Method
IS 3315 (Method of measurement of sound absorption in a reverberation room)
ISO 354 (Acoustics — Measurement of sound absorption in a reverberation room)
EN 13162:2012+A1:2015
Fire Performance Classification
Non-combustible as per IS 3808 or Class P as per IS 15061
Euroclasses A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F as per EN 13501-1
EN 13162:2012+A1:2015
Density Tolerance
±15%
Not a normative requirement. Density is declared as an informative value.
EN 13162:2012+A1:2015
Thickness Tolerance (Typical)
±5% or ±3 mm, whichever is greater (for Type I, flexible)
Defined by classes, e.g., Class T2: -5% or -5 mm to +10% or +10 mm
EN 13162:2012+A1:2015
Thermal Conductivity
Shall not exceed 0.05 W/(m·K) at 27 °C mean temp.
Declared value (λD) based on EN 12667. No single max value is specified; it's a declared performance characteristic.
EN 13162:2012+A1:2015
Dimensional Stability
Linear shrinkage shall not be more than 2% after 24h at 100°C.
Tested at specified conditions (e.g., 70°C, 90% RH). Designated by level, e.g., DS(70,90) ≤ 1%.
EN 13162:2012+A1:2015
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Minimum Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) for Type 1 materials0.70
Minimum Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) for Type 2 materials0.50
Standard Test Frequencies for SAC125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz
Density Tolerance± 15 percent of nominal value
Fire Performance Classification (Highest)Class P (Non-combustible)
What is the primary acoustic performance metric in this standard?+
The Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC), which must meet minimum values as per Table 2.
Does this standard cover foam-based acoustic materials?+
The standard is primarily intended for fibrous materials like mineral wool and glass wool, though its principles can be applied to other resilient materials.
How is the sound absorption measured?+
The Sound Absorption Coefficient is measured in a reverberation chamber according to the method given in IS 8225, as referenced in Annex A.
What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 materials?+
Type 1 materials have a higher acoustic performance requirement (NRC ≥ 0.70) compared to Type 2 materials (NRC ≥ 0.50), as defined in Table 2.