Tests and Investigations
Thermal performance
As part of Latitudes ongoing product development program the thermal properties of Latitude have been tested at a number of laboratories here in New Zealand and overseas.
University of Otago
The University of Otago undertook a research project on WoolBloc now Latitude®. The results of this work have been used by Opus International Consultants Ltd as a basis to issue the “Appraisal Certificate” for Latitude®. Furthermore, these results have been published in the International Journal of Energy Research in the paper entitled “Thermal conductivity of wool and wool-hemp insulation”. An electronic pdf copy of this paper can be obtained by clicking here www.latitudeinsulation.com/uploads/Thermal conductivity of wool and wool hemp insulation.pdf
Norwegian Building Research Institute (Norway)
The thermal performance of Latitude® was tested, at a range of densities, at the NBRI as part of a wider product certification process. The tests were carried out in accordance with EN 12667:2001 and EN 8301:1991.
Geoscience Ltd (USA)
The thermal performance of Latitude® was tested, at a range of densities, at Geosciences Ltd, San Diego, California. The tests were carried out in accordance with ASTM C-177.
CIDEMCO (Spain)
As part of our ongoing product development Latitude® is evaluating the impact on different wool types on thermal performance. As part of this process we have completed thermal testing on various wool types at the CIDEMCO laboratory in Azpeitia, Spain in accordance with EN 12667:2001.
Fire testing
Latitude® has been tested to European, Australian and American fire standards and found to comply as described below.
Europe (EN ISO)
Test specimens of Latitude® were tested according to EN ISO 11925-2:2002 (E) by SINTEF NBL (Norwegian Fire Research Laboratory) and were found to satisfy the criteria to EN ISO 11925-2:2002 (E) for flame spread (E), Fs as described in EN 13501-1, Table 1. Copies of these results can be obtained by contacting Latitude®
Australia (AS)
Latitude® has been tested to and passed AS 1530.3 – 1989.
USA (ASTM)
Latitude® has been tested to ASTM E84.
Resistance to mould fungus
Latitude® has been tested to European and American mould and fungi standards and found to be resistant, as described below.
Europe
Test specimens of Latitude® were tested for resistance to mould fungus by “Mycoteam as” in Norway as part of a wider certification project being undertaken on Latitude® by the “Norwegian Building Research Institute”. The conclusion reached by Mycoteam was;
The test and the assessment of the resistance to growth of mould fungus have been verified according to the EOTA testing procedure (Annex C of CUAP “Factory made thermal insulation material made of vegetable or animal fibres; edition June 2003”). The reached class of the product is 1. The test of Latitude®insulation placed the product in class 0. The test is passed.
USA (ASTM)
Latitude® has been tested and passed ASTM C-1338
Water Absorption
Latitude has been tested and passed EN1609
Corrosion (NZS)
Samples of Latitude® were tested for corrosiveness by BRANZ in accordance with NZS 4222:1985. The results concluded that Latitude® was not corrosive.
Formaldehyde absorption
Tests carried out by the Central Testing Facility in Tokyo, Japan found that when an extremely high level of formaldehyde was released into a chamber, Latitude® was able to absorb 96% of the formaldehyde within seven hours. This capability is unique to natural fibres. Whilst this particular attribute of wool insulation is often quoted Latitude®is one of the few wool insulation companies that have actually completed this test.
Test no: 8H71190
Acoustic Properties
Tests have shown that R2.2 Latitude® insulation has similar performance to that of 75mm Sound Barrier fiberglass batts for the frequency range 500Hz-8kHz (typical human voice frequency range) when used in double wall or ceiling cavity systems. Details of such walls are given in figures 2 to 5 of NZBC G6/AS1.
Acoustic testing on a range of different Latitude® product types has been undertaken by the following;
“Impedance Tube Testing of ‘Acoustic Bloc’ Sample”
Report No. 302930-01
Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd
June 2001
“Comparison of the Sound absorbing properties of four fibre products”
Arif B. Effendi
Acoustic Consultant
“WoolBloc Acoustic Insulation”
Determination of usefulness in sound insulating partitions
Marshall Day Associates
Sept 1996
Exposure to temperature cycles
Tests were undertaken on Latitude®by Cawthorn (report ref. no. 54506) to determine the product’s resilience to extreme cycles of heat and cold. This information was used as a basis to determine the product’s suitability for use in Skillion roof applications. The product was found to be suitable for use in Skillion roof applications.
Previous page: Technical Information
Next page: Applications