Mark It: Certification = Confident Consumers

In January, the National Insulation Association (NIA) announced an updated standard for Faced Metal Building Insulation with two major additional requirements:

• A third-party certification mark must be on the finished product label for R-value.
• A third-party certification mark must be on the finished product label for surface burning characteristics.

For decades, Home Innovation has conducted third-party sampling and testing of after-laminated R-values to ensure compliance to NIA’s “Certified Faced Insulation Standard” (NIA 404). The NIA standard specifies the unfaced fiberglass insulation must meet the thermal resistance requirements of NAIMA 202-96 (Rev. 2000). The actual thermal performance obtained from the laminated product will depend primarily on the recovered thickness, which depends on a number of variables determined in the laminating process.

Home Innovation is an ISO 17025 accredited test lab, ISO 17020 inspection agency, and ISO 17065 third-party certification body. We have a dozen accredited thermal tests, including ASTM, NAIMA, and NIA. We also offer third-party certification programs that verify insulation products meet these stringent specifications and the thermal performance requirements. Our Home Innovation Lab Certified program gives clients confidence that the insulation they choose will perform as required right out of the bag.

For more information about any of our building product certification programs, contact Deanna Seale, P.E., Directory of Laboratory Services.  

# # #

ABOUT: Home Innovation Research Labs, located in Upper Marlboro, Md., is a full-service research, testing, and consulting firm determined to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of single- and multifamily homes and home building products – in short, we aim to perfect the home. Founded in 1964 as a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), our team has been integral in solving many of our client’s most difficult product and technology issues, and helping to introduce some of the most groundbreaking innovations in construction. Through an interdisciplinary research approach – including market research, building science analysis, laboratory testing, and standards development – we help to find a home for innovation in the construction industry.

NOTE TO EDITORS ON STYLE USAGE: To identify this company and its work correctly, first reference should be "Home Innovation Research Labs." In subsequent mentions, “Home Innovation” should be used; we are not identified by an acronym. Prior to February 12, 2013, the company was known as the NAHB Research Center.