Hygrothermal Performance Testing of External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems to ETAG 004, M.O.A.T. 22 & Bespoke Programmes
The external walls of buildings are exposed to a wide range of weather conditions, including: wetting and drying, heating and cooling, freezing and thawing, to name but a few. To ensure External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) perform satisfactorily, and to predict their expected design life, sample panels must be subjected to accelerated testing.
At Ceram, we now have the capability to provide ETICS testing for the complete performance requirements of M.O.A.T. 22 and ETAG 004. The hygrothermal performance tests assess how products and materials react over time when exposed to extreme changes in humidity and temperature. M.O.A.T. 22 and ETAG 004 test programmes are aimed at renders, however, the tests can also be applied to other materials and finishes: cement particle boards, glass reinforced plastic (GRP), MgO boards, brick slip systems and cladding.
Through the investment in two new rigs, each with a double aperture capable of accommodating large-scale panels (up to 7m2), we are able to provide rapid turnaround times, resulting in quicker product development and certification.
CE Marking
Testing to ETAG 004 is necessary to obtain CE marking for render products. Ceram is a Notified Body under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and accredited to ISO 17025; hence we can provide testing support to certify products for CE marking purposes.
Product Guarantees
The M.O.A.T. 22 test programme can be combined with structural strength and wind loading tests to predict the expected lifetime of a render product, thus allowing manufacturers to guarantee the lifetime of their products. At Ceram, we have the capabilities to conduct both static and dynamic wind load testing.
