BS 3958-2:

1982

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BRITISH STANDARD
CONFIRMED
DECEMBER 2007

Specification for

Thermal insulation
materials
Part 2: Calcium silicate preformed
insulation

UDC 662.998:666.96:661.842.65

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BS 3958-2:1982

Cooperating organizations
The Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Standards Committee, under
whose direction this British Standard was prepared, consists of
representatives from the following:
Association of Manufacturers of Domestic

Electricity Supply Industry in England and

Electrical Appliances

wales*

Association of Consulting Engineers

Heating and Ventilating Contractors

Boiler and Radiator Manufacturers

Association

Association Limited

Hevac Association

British Combustion Equipment

Institute of Energy

Manufacturers Association

Institute of Refrigeration*

British Gas Corporation*

Institution of Gas Engineers*

British Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Lloyds Register of Shipping

Association*

Manufacturers Association of Radiators and

Building Services Research and Information

Association

Convectors Limited
Ministry of Defence

Chartered Institution of Building Services*

National Coal Board

Department of Energy (Energy Technology)

Society of British Gas Industries

Department of Health and Social Security*

Water-tube Boilermakers Association*

Department of the Environment (PSA)

The organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the
following, were directly represented on the Technical Committee entrusted
with the preparation of this British Standard:
Albury Laboratories Limited

EPS Association

Asbestos Cement Manufacturers

Eurisol (UK) Association of Manufacturers of

Association Limited

Mineral Fibre Insulation

British Ceramic Research Association

Fibre Building Board Development

British Rubber Manufacturers

Organization Limited

Association

Gypsum Products Development Association

Combustion Engineering Association

Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Cranfield Institute of Technology

Process Plant Association

Department of Industry (National Physical

Laboratory)

Royal Institute of British Architects

Structural Insulation Association

Department of the Environment (Building

Thermal Insulation Manufacturers and

Research Establishment)

Suppliers Association (TIMSA)

Department of the Environment (Housing

This British Standard, having
been prepared under the
direction of the Refrigeration,
Heating and Air Conditioning
Standards Committee, was
published under the authority
of the Board of BSI and
comes into effect on
31 August 1982
BSI 07-1999
First published December 1965
First revision February 1970
Second revision August 1982
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference RHE/9
Draft for comment 80/77466
ISBN 0 580 12598 X

and Construction)

Thermal Insulations Contractors Association

Yarsley Testing Laboratories Limited

Energy Industries Council

Coopted member

Engineering Equipment Users Association

Amendments issued since publication

Amd. No.

Date of issue

Comments

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BS 3958-2:1982

Contents
Cooperating organizations
Foreword
1 Scope
2 References
3 Definitions
4 Classification
5 Sampling and testing
6 Composition
7 Moisture content
8 Physical requirements
9 Chemical requirements
10 Identification of asbestos-free material
11 Standard shapes and sizes
12 Dimensional tolerances
13 Marking
Appendix A Method of test for alkalinity
Table 1 Thermal conductivity values
Publications referred to

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Page
Inside front cover
ii
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
4
1
Inside back cover

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BS 3958-2:1982

Foreword
This revision of this Part of this British Standard is one of a series published
under the direction of the Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Standards
Committee to specify requirements for a particular range of insulating materials.
It supersedes the 1970 edition which is withdrawn.
Other Parts of this standard are:
Part 1: Magnesia preformed insulation;
Part 3: Metal mesh faced mineral wool mats and mattresses;
Part 4: Bonded preformed man-made mineral fibre pipe sections1);
Part 5: Bonded mineral wool slabs (for use at temperatures above 50 C);
Part 6: Finishing materials; hard setting composition, self-setting cement
and gypsum plaster.
The 1970 edition of this Part specified requirements for calcium silicate
preformed insulation for use up to at least 650 C. This edition includes both
medium temperature and high temperature types for use up to at least 650 C
and 950 C respectively, with appropriate requirements for each type.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 4, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.
1) In

ii

course of revision.

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BS 3958-2:1982

1 Scope
This Part of this British Standard specifies
composition, moisture content, physical and
chemical requirements for two types of calcium
silicate preformed insulation (see clause 4).

2 References
The titles of the publications referred to in this
standard are listed on the inside back cover.

3 Definitions
For the purposes of this Part of this British
Standard, the definitions given in BS 874, BS 2972,
BS 3533, BS 5422 and BS 5970 apply.

4 Classification
This standard covers two types of calcium silicate
preformed insulation as follows.
Type I: slabs, radiused and bevelled lags and
pipe sections for use at temperatures up
to 650 C or such higher temperatures
recommended by the manufacturer.
Type II: slabs and flat bevelled lags for use up
to 950 C or at such higher temperatures
recommended by the manufacturer.

5 Sampling and testing

Sampling and testing shall be in accordance with
the appropriate clause in BS 2972 unless otherwise
stated in this standard. For thermal conductivity
determinations a flat slab shall be used for the tests.

6 Composition
The material shall be composed predominantly of
reacted hydrous calcium silicate reinforced with
suitable fibres (see 9.2, note 2).

7 Moisture content
When conditioned at medium humidity in
accordance with 40.3 of BS 2972:1975, the moisture
content of the material shall not exceed 7.5 % by
mass.

8 Physical requirements
8.1 General. In the application of the physical
requirements of 8.3 to 8.6, 95 % confidence limits
shall apply.

8.2 Thermal conductivity. When tested in

accordance with the appropriate method of test for
thermal conductivity given in BS 874, at a cold face
temperature within the range of 10 C to 50 C, the
thermal conductivity shall not exceed the values
given in Table 1.
Table 1 Thermal conductivity values
Type I

Type II

Mean
Thermal
Mean
Thermal
temperature conductivity temperature conductivity
C

100
150
200
250
300
350
400
425

W/(m.k)

0.061
0.067
0.074
0.080
0.087
0.094
0.102
0.106

200
250
300
350
400
450
500

W/(m k)

0.074
0.080
0.087
0.094
0.102
0.110
0.120

NOTE BS 874 requires the test report to state which method of

test was employed, the bulk density of the material, the hot face
temperature and cold face temperature, the conditioning
procedure and the moisture content before and after the test.

8.3 Bulk density. The bulk density of the dry

material shall lie within the range:
type I: 180 kg/m3 to 240 kg/m3;
type II: 210 kg/m3 to 280 kg/m3.
8.4 Flexural strength. The flexural strength shall
be not less than:
type I: 250 kN/m2;
type II: 250 kN/m2.
8.5 Compressive strength
8.5.1 Dry. The reduction in thickness shall not
exceed 5 % under a compressive load of:
type I: 500 kN/m2;
type II: 550 kN/m2.
The minimum load at onset of disruption2) shall be:
type I: 500 kN/m2;
type II: 550 kN/m2.
8.5.2 Wet. After 18 h immersion in water, the
reduction in thickness shall not exceed 5 % under a
compressive load of:
type I: 170 kN/m2;
type II: 170 kN/m2.

2)

This is indicated by a noticeable change in the slope of the graph obtained from an automatic recording of thickness versus
load, according to 2.5.3 b) of BS 2972:1975.

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BS 3958-2:1982

8.6 Heat stability. When tested in accordance with

BS 2972 under conditions of soaking heat at
increasing temperatures the material shall be
deemed suitable for normal use at operating
temperatures at which the following requirements
are met.
a) Maximum linear shrinkage:
type I: 2 %
type II: 2 %.
b) Reduction in thickness not exceeding 5% under
a compressive load of:
type I: 400 kN/m2;
type II: 400 kN/m2.
c) Minimum load at onset of disruption3) of:
type I: 400 kN/m2;
type II: 400 kN/m2.

9 Chemical requirements
9.1 Alkalinity. When tested by the method
described in Appendix A the pH value recorded shall
be between 9.5 and 11.0.
9.2 Corrosive attack. The material shall not
include significant quantities of substances that will
promote corrosive attack on the surfaces with which
it is to be in contact. Where necessary, trace
quantities of water-soluble chlorides shall be
estimated in accordance with section 22 of
BS 2972:1975.
NOTE 1 Water-soluble chlorides are normally present in trace
quantities in commercial calcium silicates as in most thermal
insulating materials. In the presence of moisture and oxygen and
under certain adverse metallurgical conditions chloride ions are
capable of initiating stress corrosion cracking in susceptible
metal alloys such as austenitic stainless steels.
It is not practical to indicate a safe upper limit for chloride
content since water can leach out soluble chlorides from
substantial volumes of insulating materials and allow them to be
concentrated at the metal-insulation interface. In addition, water
from outside sources such as the process itself or wind-driven
spray can substantially increase the chloride content of the
insulation.
In conditions potentially conducive to stress corrosion cracking,
appropriate safeguards should be adopted (see BS 5970).
Special forms of calcium silicate incorporating corrosion
inhibitors are commercially available.
NOTE 2 Some organic matter may be present either in fibrous
form or as a bonding agent. It is suggested that the composition
of the product be checked with the manufacturer for use in
process conditions where organics may present a hazard,
e.g. processes involving powerful oxidizing agents or thermal
insulation on pipework and plant in a flammable atmosphere.

10 Identification of asbestos-free
material
10.1 In order to identify those materials which are
not subject to control by Government regulations,
(see note), asbestos-free calcium silicate preformed
insulation, manufactured in accordance with Part 2
of this standard, shall be distinctively coloured
yellow. The colouring matter shall remain
sufficiently stable and permanent under service
conditions to permit the ready identification of the
outer surface of the insulation.
NOTE Government regulations4) concerning
asbestos-containing insulation require that special precautions
be observed in order to safeguard the health of individuals who
are handling these materials or who are working in the vicinity.

10.2 Materials which contain asbestos fibre shall

not be other than self-coloured.

11 Standard shapes and sizes

11.1 Preformed calcium silicate shall be supplied in
the form of flat slabs, bevelled lags, pipe sections or
radiused and bevelled lags, complying with the
following.
NOTE Not all suppliers provide the full range of standard
shapes and sizes listed in a) to d). Conversely other shapes and
sizes may be available. Suppliers literature should be consulted
for details of the range offered.

a) Flat slabs: types I and II

Length: 600 mm to 1 000 mm
Width: 150 mm to 1 000 mm
Thickness: 25 mm to 100 mm;
b) Pipe sections: type I only
Length: 914 mm
Diameter: to fit standard mild steel pipes of
external diameter up to 329 mm
Wall thickness: 25 mm to 75 mm.
c) Flat bevelled lags: types I and II
Length: 600 mm to 1 000 mm
Major width: 150 mm to 166 mm
Thickness: 25 mm to 100 mm.
d) Radiused and bevelled lags: type I only
Length: 914 mm
Width of outer curved surface:
approximately 140 mm to 170 mm depending on
radius of curvature, thickness and number of
lags to fit circumference
Thickness: 25 mm to 100 mm.

3)

This is indicated by a noticeable change in the slope of the graph obtained from an automatic recording of thickness versus
load, according to 2.5.3 b) of BS 2972:1975.

4)

Statutory Instruments 1969, No. 690, Factories, The Asbestos Regulations 1969.

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BS 3958-2:1982

11.2 Flat slabs shall be free from warp. Mating faces

shall be plane and edges shall be square to the
surfaces and to one another.
11.3 Pipe sections and lags shall be concentric and
free from warp. Mating faces shall be plane and
ends shall correspond with a plane at right angles to
the long axis.
11.4 Bevelled edges of radiused and bevelled lags
shall correspond with the radii of the curved surface
to be insulated.

12 Dimensional tolerances

13 Marking
Each package shall be indelibly marked with the
following:
a) the manufacturers name, mark or symbol;
b) the manufacturers type designation and
maximum service temperature limit: if the
material contains asbestos, this shall be clearly
indicated;
c) the nominal dimensions;
d) the number of this British Standard,
i.e. BS 3958-25).

The insulation shapes shall be in accordance with

the dimensions stated by the manufacturer (or
supplier, as appropriate), subject to the following
tolerances.
a) Slabs and lags
Length and width: 3 mm
Thickness: 1.5 mm, + 3 mm.
b) Pipe sections
Length: 3 mm
Inside diameter: 0 mm, + 5 mm
Thickness (average): 1.5 mm, + 3 mm
Uniformity: the local thickness at any point shall
not vary from the average thickness by more
than 3 mm.

5) Marking

BS 3958-2 on or in relation to a product is a claim by the manufacturer that the product has been manufactured in
accordance with the requirements of the standard. The accuracy of such a claim is therefore solely the manufacturers
responsibility. Enquiries as to the availability of third party certification to support such claims should be addressed to the
Director, Quality Assurance Division, British Standards Institution, Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 4SQ in
the case of certification marks administered by BSI or to the appropriate authority for other certification marks.

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BS 3958-2:1982

Appendix A Method of test for

alkalinity
A.1 Preparation of sample. From the bulk
sample, taken in accordance with BS 2972, cut five
pieces, each of approximate mass 5 g, from separate
units. Crush these pieces and mix thoroughly.

A.2 Determination of pH. Weigh 2 g of the

crushed sample and shake well for 10 min
with 100 mL of distilled water at room temperature.
Leave to settle for 5 min and measure the pH of the
mixture, using a standard pH meter
(see BS 1647 and BS 3145) and decanting the
solution if necessary. Repeat the test on a
further 2 g of the sample and report the mean pH
value.

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BS 3958-2:1982

Publications referred to
BS 874, Methods for determining thermal insulating properties, with definitions of thermal insulating
terms.
BS 1647, pH scale.
BS 2972, Methods of test for inorganic thermal insulating materials.
BS 3145, Specification for laboratory pH meters.
BS 3533, Glossary of terms relating to thermal insulation.
BS 3958, Specification for thermal insulating materials6).
BS 3958-1, Magnesia preformed insulation.
BS 3958-3, Metal mesh faced mineral wool mats and mattresses.
BS 3958-4, Bonded preformed man-made mineral fibre pipe sections7).
BS 3958-5, Bonded mineral wool slabs (for use at temperatures above 50 C).
BS 3958-6, Finishing materials; hard setting composition, self-setting cement and gypsum plaster.
BS 5422, Specification for the use of thermal insulating materials.
BS 5970, Code of practice for thermal insulation of pipework and equipment.

6) Referred
7)

to in the foreword only.

In course of revision.

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BS 3958-2:
1982

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