Thermal Measurement Laboratory

The Thermal Measurement Laboratory at the University of Salford has been providing a test research and development service to the insulation and construction industry for over 40 years. The Laboratory provides accurate and verifiable measurements of insulation performance of component building materials which is essential for the realistic evaluation of carbon savings in the enormous areas of exposed elements in the built environment.

Measurement credibility of the Laboratory is underpinned by the rigour of accreditation (UKAS Testing laboratory No. 1660, UK Approved Laboratory No. 1145 for UK approved body for UKCA and CE + UKNI marking) for measuring the thermal conductivity and resistance of materials used in buildings.

Committed to excellent professional practice, the testing and calibration activities are carried out in accordance with client requirements and strict UKAS procedures to ensure an impartial, high standard of service and confidence in the reported results.

The Laboratory operates a management system to international standards which meets both the technical competence requirements and management system requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 that are necessary for the Laboratory to constantly deliver technically valid test results within its accredited scope.

Kingspan Insulation has worked with Salford University Thermal Labs for over 20 years. Their expertise, understanding, accreditation and measurement ability for thermal conductivity/resistance testing to a multitude of local & international standards such as to BS, EN, ISO, ASTM has assisted Kingspan Insulation to expand our products into Global specification opportunities; even leading to a creation of other Kingspan Insulation manufacturing plants in other countries beginning in the UK and now as far as Australia. – Kingspan Insulation Ltd

Thermal Measurement Laboratory Expertise

The Laboratory offers expertise in all aspects of thermal properties of building materials, energy conservation, insulation materials and methods to ISO 8301, ISO 8302, BS EN 12667, and BS EN 12664 and provides measurements to product standards EN 13162 – EN 13171.

Our range of services includes:

• Accredited and accurate thermal conductivity/resistance measurements
• Thermo-physical expertise in the built environment (temperature range 0 – 80 °C)
• Expertise in the field of heat transfer mechanisms in thermal insulation
• Initial type testing under the Construction Products Regulation (for UKCA and CE + UKNI marking of thermal insulation products)
• Traceable Thermal Measurements
• Emissivity measurements
• Thermal calculations and impartial technical reports

UKAS Accredited Thermal Conductivity / Resistance Measurements:

• Heat Flow Meter Method (UKAS Accredited)
  • Uncertainty 2.5 to 5%, depending on sample specifications
  • Testing of insulation materials
  • Modified method to test masonry and hard materials
• Built Environment ISO 8302, BS EN 12667, and BS EN 12664
• ASTM standards, based on ISO BS EN methods

The University of Salford Thermal Test Laboratory is well respected within the insulation industry in the UK and throughout Europe. Test reports from Salford are invaluable for compliance with standards and for product accreditation certificates. The academic team are always very professional and friendly, happy to give advice and share their extensive knowledge and experience. Communication with the department is very good, with quick responses for quotes and timescales which are very detailed and clear. – Isothane Ltd.

Moulded Foams are long standing customers of Salford University’s Thermal Laboratory and we continue to enjoy excellent service and support from a highly experienced and customer-oriented team. Salford have consistently provided us with a very personal level of service making the test process simple and reliable. – Moulded Foams Ltd

For information on the location of this lab please visit our visitor information page.