EN 13820:2003

Overview

EN 13820:2003 is a European Standard developed by CEN that specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the organic content in thermal insulating materials used for building applications. The standard is primarily intended for inorganic insulation products containing low percentages of organic compounds, whether unfaced or as the insulating core of faced products. Knowing the organic content is critical for verifying fire performance and ensuring material compliance with safety regulations such as those outlined in prEN 13501-1 (Fire classification of construction products).

By following EN 13820:2003, manufacturers, testing laboratories, and quality control specialists can accurately determine the organic content in thermal insulation products, supporting quality assurance and regulatory compliance across the European construction industry.

Key Topics

• Scope of Application

  • Applies to thermal insulating materials used in buildings
  • Focuses on inorganic products with low organic content
  • Not intended for adhesives, facings, coatings, or materials containing water of hydration and combined carbonate or sulphate

• Test Principle

  • Organic content is determined as the loss of mass from a previously dried test specimen when heated at a specified temperature for a specified duration

• Equipment and Apparatus

  • High-precision balance (to 0.001 g)
  • Temperature-controlled ventilated oven (typically 105 ± 5 °C)
  • Temperature-controlled ventilated furnace (typically 500 ± 20 °C)
  • Inert test specimen containers (e.g., pre-heated porcelain crucibles or aluminum trays)
  • Desiccator for cooling and maintaining dryness of specimens

• Sampling and Conditioning

  • Removal of facings/coatings before testing
  • Specification of test specimen size, quantity, and preparation
  • Drying and conditioning protocols to ensure accurate mass loss measurement

• Calculations and Reporting

  • Organic content expressed as a mass percentage
  • Results calculated as the mean value across multiple test specimens
  • Detailed requirements for test reporting and documentation of procedures and results

• Quality Control

  • Includes a simplified method (Annex A) for factory production control, featuring streamlined sample preparation and weighing procedures

Applications

• Building Product Compliance
  • Essential for certifying that thermal insulating materials meet fire safety requirements, particularly Euroclass A1 classification under prEN 13501-1, often without separate fire testing
• Quality Assurance in Manufacturing
  • Enables insulation material manufacturers to control production quality, maintain consistency, and verify compliance with specifications
• Testing and Certification Facilities
  • Provides accredited laboratories with a harmonized protocol for organic content analysis, supporting product certification and regulatory documentation
• Research and Development
  • Useful for R&D teams evaluating the impact of formulation changes or sourcing on the organic content and fire safety of new insulation products

Related Standards

• EN 13501-1 – Fire classification of construction products and building elements - Provides fire performance criteria for insulation products
• EN 13162 to EN 13171 (Series) – Product standards for various types of building insulation materials
• ISO 1716 – Reaction to fire tests for products - Determination of gross heat of combustion (calorific value)
• EN ISO 1182 – Non-combustibility test for building materials

EN 13820:2003 is an essential reference for anyone involved in the production, testing, or certification of thermal insulating materials for building applications. By providing a standardized approach for determining organic content, it ensures quality, enhances safety, and supports regulatory compliance in construction projects across Europe.