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IS 16010 : 2012Mineral wool boards/slabs for acoustic insulation - Specification

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EN 13162 · ASTM C612/C612M · ISO 354
CurrentSpecializedSpecificationBIMMaterials Science · Insulation Materials
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OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 16010:2012 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for mineral wool boards/slabs for acoustic insulation - specification. This standard specifies the requirements for mineral wool (rock and slag wool) boards and slabs intended for use as acoustic insulation. It covers material composition, dimensions, physical properties such as density, thermal conductivity, and fire performance, with a primary focus on the sound absorption coefficient (NRC).

Specifies requirements for mineral wool boards and slabs used for acoustic insulation.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Insulation Materials
Type
Specification
International equivalents
EN 13162:2012 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization), EuropeASTM C612/C612M-21 · ASTM International, USAISO 354:2003 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization), InternationalISO 11654:1999 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization), International
Typically used with
IS 3144IS 3346IS 8225IS 12435
Also on InfraLens for IS 16010
6Key values3Tables4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! Ensure the mounting type used for installation (e.g., direct mounting, with air gap) matches the type specified in the acoustic test report to achieve the rated NRC value.
! While the base mineral wool is non-combustible, verify the fire rating of any facings (like tissue or fabric) as they can affect the overall fire performance of the product.
! Use personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, masks, and goggles during handling and installation, as mineral wool fibers can cause skin and respiratory irritation.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4MaterialsCl. 5Dimensions and TolerancesCl. 6Physical RequirementsCl. 7Sound Absorption CoefficientCl. 10Marking
Pulled from IS 16010:2012. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
mineral woolrock woolslag woolinsulationacoustic material

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 13162:2012CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Thermal insulation products for buildings - Factory made mineral wool (MW) products - Specification
Defines product characteristics, requirements, and test methods for factory-made mineral wool products, which serve as the base material for acoustic insulation boards/slabs.
ASTM C612/C612M-21ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Block and Board Thermal Insulation
Specifies requirements for mineral fiber block and board insulation, which are widely used as core materials for acoustic panels, covering essential physical properties.
ISO 354:2003ISO (International Organization for Standardization), International
MediumCurrent
Acoustics — Measurement of sound absorption in a reverberation room
Describes the primary method for measuring the sound absorption coefficient of materials in a reverberation room, crucial for verifying the acoustic performance of products covered by IS 16010.
ISO 11654:1999ISO (International Organization for Standardization), International
MediumCurrent
Acoustics — Sound absorbers for use in buildings — Rating of sound absorption
Provides a method for classifying sound absorbers based on measured sound absorption coefficients, directly relevant to the acoustic performance declaration for products under IS 16010.
Key Differences
≠IS 16010 explicitly scopes for 'acoustic insulation,' implying mandatory acoustic performance requirements or declarations. International material standards like EN 13162 and ASTM C612, while covering the same material, are primarily titled for 'thermal insulation,' making acoustic performance an optional declaration based on other test methods.
≠IS 16010 is likely to specify minimum sound absorption coefficients (e.g., NRC or αw) for product compliance or categorization. In contrast, EN 13162 and ASTM C612 do not inherently specify acoustic performance values but define the material properties, with acoustic performance typically declared separately based on test methods like ISO 354 or ASTM E1050.
≠The specific density ranges and product types defined in IS 16010 might be optimized for acoustic performance criteria unique to the Indian market, potentially differing from the density classes primarily driven by thermal performance optimization in European (EN 13162) or North American (ASTM C612) standards.
≠IS 16010 references Indian test standards for fire behavior (e.g., IS 3808, IS 10810 Pt 57) and other properties, whereas international equivalents refer to their respective regional standards (e.g., EN 13501-1 for Euroclass fire ratings, ASTM E84 for surface burning characteristics).
Key Similarities
≈All standards deal with factory-made mineral wool (rock wool, slag wool, glass wool) products as the fundamental material, sharing similar manufacturing processes and basic fibrous compositions.
≈Similar essential physical properties are specified, including dimensions, thickness, density, and dimensional tolerances, which are critical for the product's fit and structural integrity in building applications.
≈Requirements for reaction to fire performance are universally included or referenced, as fire safety is a paramount concern for insulation products in construction, regardless of their primary functional purpose.
≈Tests and limits for water absorption (e.g., short-term or long-term partial immersion) are common, as moisture can significantly degrade both the thermal and acoustic performance, as well as the durability, of mineral wool products.
≈Standards typically address product durability, including dimensional stability under varying environmental conditions and resistance to biological growth, ensuring the long-term performance and service life of the insulation material.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Density Range (Typical)Typically 40-150 kg/m³ for boards and slabs for acoustic applications.EN 13162 allows a wide range of declared densities, typically 20-200 kg/m³, with specific declared density levels (e.g., DS(T) class). ASTM C612 specifies density for Types, e.g., Type I (48-96 kg/m³) and Type II (96-160 kg/m³).EN 13162:2012, ASTM C612/C612M-21
Thickness ToleranceTypically ±5 mm for nominal thickness.EN 13162 specifies thickness tolerance classes (T), e.g., T5 (±5 mm) for thicker products, T3 (±3 mm) for thinner ones. ASTM C612 allows ±4.8 mm for thicknesses up to 50 mm.EN 13162:2012, ASTM C612/C612M-21
Reaction to FireShall be declared, typically Non-combustible (as per IS 3808 / IS 10810 Pt 57).Products conforming to EN 13162 declare Euroclass A1 or A2-s1,d0 as per EN 13501-1. ASTM C612 refers to ASTM E84 for surface burning characteristics (e.g., Flame Spread Index < 25, Smoke Developed Index < 50 for non-combustible).EN 13162:2012 (referring to EN 13501-1), ASTM C612/C612M-21 (referring to ASTM E84)
Water Absorption (Short Term)Not more than 1.0 kg/m² for boards (Class A) or 3.0 kg/m² for slabs (Class B) by partial immersion.EN 13162 specifies WS (Water absorption short term) class, with typical requirements like WS < 1.0 kg/m². ASTM C612 has no direct comparable 'short-term partial immersion' requirement for boards.EN 13162:2012
Sound Absorption Coefficient (αw)Requires declaration of weighted sound absorption coefficient (αw) as per ISO 11654, with typical values for boards ranging from 0.40 to 1.00 depending on thickness and density.ISO 11654:1999 provides the method for deriving αw and absorption classes (A-E) from ISO 354 measurements. Product standards like EN 13162 and ASTM C612 mandate the declaration of acoustic properties for products used in acoustic applications, but do not specify mandatory αw values in their core text. Typical high-performance MW products achieve αw from 0.65 to 1.00.ISO 11654:1999, ISO 354:2003, EN 13162:2012
Compressive StrengthShall be declared by manufacturer, typical for non-load bearing applications (e.g., > 10 kPa at 10% compression).EN 13162 defines compressive stress (CS(Y)) at 10% deformation, with various classes (e.g., CS(10) ≥ 10 kPa). ASTM C612 specifies compressive strength in Types, e.g., Type I > 50 kPa, Type II > 100 kPa.EN 13162:2012, ASTM C612/C612M-21
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Maximum thermal conductivity0.040 W/(m.K) at 25°C mean temp
Minimum sound absorption coefficient (NRC) for Class 48, 50mm0.90
Tolerance on thickness±3 mm or ±5 percent, whichever is greater
Tolerance on density±15 percent of nominal density
CombustibilityShall be non-combustible when tested as per IS 3144
Standard nominal densities48, 64, 96, 120 kg/m³

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Dimensions and Tolerances of Mineral Wool Boards/Slabs
Table 2 - Physical Requirements for Mineral Wool Boards/Slabs
Table 3 - Sound Absorption Coefficient
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Materials
Clause 5 - Dimensions and Tolerances
Clause 6 - Physical Requirements
Clause 7 - Sound Absorption Coefficient
Clause 10 - Marking

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 3144:1992Methods of test for thermal insulating materi...
→
IS 3346:2018Thermal Insulation of Buildings - Code of Pra...
→
IS 8225:2018Room Air Conditioners - Specification
→
IS 12435:2022Mineral wool thermal insulation materials - S...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the main purpose of IS 16010 material?+
Its main purpose is to provide acoustic insulation by absorbing sound. Performance is measured by the Sound Absorption Coefficient (NRC) specified in Clause 7 and Table 3.
Is mineral wool under this code fireproof?+
The base mineral wool is classified as 'Non-combustible' as per Clause 6.4, when tested according to IS 3144. However, any facings or adhesives used may be combustible.
What does the NRC value mean?+
NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) is an average rating of how much sound an acoustic product can absorb. A higher NRC (closer to 1.0) means better sound absorption.
How is the density of the mineral wool slab specified?+
The standard specifies various classes based on nominal density, such as Class 48 (48 kg/m³), Class 64 (64 kg/m³), etc., with a tolerance of ±15 percent (Table 2).

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