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Abstract

This paper describes the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Pro gram (NVLAP), administered by the National Bureau of Standards, and sum marizes the proficiency testing program for the Thermal Insulation Materials Laboratory Accreditation Program (Insulation LAP). NVLAP and its procedures for assessing, evaluating, and accrediting laboratories are presented briefly. The scope of the Insulation LAP is described. The results of the proficiency testing program over a four year period of testing are given. Eight tables show the sta tistical results of data submitted by participating laboratories for thermal trans mission properties, thermal conductance, surface flammability, settled density, critical radiant flux, and smoldering combustion.

Keywords

Critical radiant flux Laboratory accreditation Proficiency testing Settled den sity Smoldering combustion Surface flammability Thermal conductance Ther mal insulation Thermal transmission properties.

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References

Federal Register, 15 CFR Part 7-NVLAP Procedures, Vol. 49, No. 218, November 8, 1984, pp. 44622-44628.

Hall, W.A., et al , NVLAP Insulation LAP Handbook, NBSIR 85-3184 National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD (June 1985).

Berger, H.W. , 1984 NVLAP Directory of Accredited Laboratories, NBS Special Publication 687, National Bureau of Standards , Gaithersburg, MD (Feb. 1985).

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American Society for Testing and Materials C 518-76, Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter, Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

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American Society for Testing and Materials C 236, Thermal Conductance, Guarded Hot Box, Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

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Federal Register, 16 CFR Part 1209-Interim Safety Standard for Cellulose Insulation, Vol. 44, No. 131, pp. 39966-39968, Sec. 1209.6, Test procedures for determining settled density (July 6, 1979).

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Federal Register, 16 CFR Part 1209-Interim Safety Standard for Cellulose Insulation, Vol. 44, No. 131, pp. 39969-39971, Sec. 1209.6, Test procedures for critical radiant flux (July 6, 1979).

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Federal Register, 16 CFR Part 1209-Interim Safety Standard for Cellulose Insulation, Vol. 44, No. 131, pp. 39972-39972, Sec. 1209.7, Test procedures for smoldering combustion (July 6, 1979).

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American Society for Testing and Materials E 84-81a, Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials, Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

NVLAP and the Thermal Insulation Proficiency Testing Program

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