Expert Advises
Entrance of Poland into european structures did not cause significant changes in out everyday lives. However, in a legal sphere and compulsory regulations, these changes are noticable and repeatedly seriously change the existing situation. Also in construction trade, hence in styrofoam based thermal insulations, significant, not to say revolutionary, changes have been introduced. That is why my duty is to inform you, as our clients, about the changes introduced after May 1st 2004. Below I will try to discuss the most significant dofferences between previous Polish norms and currently compulsory european norms.
So far the compulsory norm for the styrofoam producesr was PN-B-20130:Az1:2001. However it has lost validity in 28 January 2004 r. It has been replaced by the PN-EN 13163 european norm (Heat insulation products in constructions. Styrofoam products (EPS) industrially produced. Specification) and being still a project PN-B 20132 (Heat insulation products in constructions. Styrofoam products (EPS) industrially produced. Applications). Certificates of the comformity with the old norm PN-B-20130 loose thair validity in 28 July 2004 r., despite that part of the certificates has longer expiry datei. After that date, all producers are obligued to follow the european norm.
The styrofoam designations have changed radically. You will find them soon on the packaging foil, Certificates of Conformity and invoices. Below the new designations and their "old norm" equivalents are presented:
| “New” designations | “Old” designations |
| EPS 50 - 042 GAP | FS 12 |
| EPS 70 - 040 FACADE | FS 15 |
| EPS 80 - 036 FACADE | FS 15 |
| EPS 100 - 038 ROOF/FLOOR | FS 20 |
| EPS 200 - 036 ROOF/FLOOR/PARKING | FS 30 |
| EPS 250 - 036 FLOOR/PARKING | FS 40 |
| EPS 80 - 040 PLAYERED BOARDS WITH METAL FOILING | FS 15 |
| EPS 80 - 038 LAYERED BOARDS WITH FELT FOILING- ROOF | FS 15 |
On the packages you will find aso coded minimal parameters, which have to be fulfilled by the styrofoam boards and for different types are the following:
- EPS 50-042 GAP
EPS EN 13163 T1-L1-W1-S1-P2-BS75-CS(10)50-DS(N)5-DS(70,-)3 - EPS 70-040 ACADE
EPS EN 13163 T2-L2-W2-S2-P3-BS115-CS(10)70-DS(N)2-DS(70,-)2-TR100 - EPS 100-038 ROOF/FLOOR
EPS EN 13163 T1-L1-W1-S1-P3-BS150-CS(10)100-DS(N)5-DS(70,-)2-DLT(1)5
Designations' explanation (dla EPS 50-042 GAP)
- EPS - abbreviation of the styrofoam name;
- EN 13 163 - norm number;
- T1 - thickness tolerance (ą 2 mm);
- L1 - length tolerance (ą 3 mm);
- W1 - width tolerance (ą 2 mm);
- S1 - rectangularity tolerance (ą 5 mm);
- P2 - flatness tolerance (ą 15 mm);
- EPS - abbreviation of the styrofoam name; EN 13 163 - norm number;
- T1 - thickness tolerance (ą 2 mm);
- L1 - length tolerance (ą 3 mm);
- W1 - width tolerance (ą 2 mm);
- S1 - rectangularity tolerance (ą 5 mm);
- P2 - flatness tolerance (ą 15 mm);
- BS75 - bending resistance;
- CS(10) - squeezing dtress in 10% relational deformation;
- DS(N)5 - dimansional stability in laboratory conditions;
- DS(70,-)2 - dimansional stability in specific temperature and humidity;
- TR100 - sheer to the front surfaces stretching durability;
- DLT(1)5 - deformation in specific temperature and squeezing load;
- Symbs 042, 040, 038, 036 (? W/mK) - mean the maximum values of the heat conductivity coeffiient;
According to previous norms, tha main appreciated feature both by clients and Certifying Institutes was the virtual density, which is the number of kilograms per cubic meter. It ahs been completely forgotten that the basic function of the styrofoam is the thermal insulation expressed by the heat conductivity coefficient ?, which is in non-linear dependence of the virtual density.
The new norm introduces the completeely new approach to the styrofoam boards' marking, which has been based on the most essential parameter, characterizing this product, which is the heat sonductivity coefficient ? and the squeezing stress level with 10% relative deformation. The virtual density is curently just the auxiliary parameter for the heat conductivity coefficient estimation and for different types is:
- EPS 50 - 042 10,8 - 13,2 kg/m3 (former FS 12)
- EPS 70 - 040 13,5 - 16,5 kg/m3 (former FS 15)
- EPS 80 - 036 18,0 - 22,0 kg/m3 (former FS 20)
The mew norm changes completely the approach to the documents needed at the turnover introduction of the styrofoam boards. The PN-EN 13172 norm makes the producer responsible for produced styrofoam boards parameter's declaration, holding current and annual research in own or outside laboratory and stating the manufacturer's declaration of conformity. The CE sign means that the product implements all the european norms. Because the styrofoam boards come under the 3 conformity rating system the CE sign is given by the producer and no certification by the notified body is needed.
