VIEWPOINT
HOW CAN YOUR CUSTOMERS EVIDENCE INSULATION PERFORMANCE?
Matt Neary, National Sales Manager, Knauf Insulation
BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS are under increased scrutiny. The Building Safety Act (BSA) now requires a ‘golden thread’ of information showing how every building is designed and built, including the insulation. Your customers need to show clear evidence that the insulation they’ve installed meets the thermal, acoustic and fire safety performance required for the application.
But it can be difficult to navigate what seems like an endless list of product marks and third-party standards. Merchants who can help their customers cut out the noise and get to grips with insulation performance credentials are likely to earn return business.
CE Marking and Declaration of Performance
CE Marking is used to evidence that a product’s declared performance is in conformity with a harmonised European standard or that a European Technical Assessment has been issued for the product. All construction products require CE marking, unless an appropriate harmonised standard doesn’t exist.
A Declaration of Performance (DoP) is issued as a necessary
“A Declaration of Performance (DoP) is issued as a necessary part of CE marking. DoPs show the performance of products in relevant areas, such as thermal conductivity for an insulation product.”
July 2025
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
part of CE marking. DoPs show the performance of products in relevant areas, such as thermal conductivity for an insulation product. This allows your customers to compare the characteristics of insulation products even if they are made from different materials by different manufacturers. Not all characteristics have to be declared. If it isn’t relevant to the application, the characteristic will be listed as NPD (No Performance Determined) on the DoP. Remember, CE Marking and the DoP do not confirm fitness for purpose in a particular application – this must be assessed by the specifier for the project.
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, manufacturers are theoretically required to adopt UKCA marking, which functionally mirrors CE marking, but the deadline for switching has been extended indefinitely. Both CE and UKCA marks remain valid in the UK.
Evidencing fire safety Fire safety is a crucial aspect of insulation performance. For your customers to make informed decisions that comply with Building Regulations, they will need evidence of a product’s reaction to fire.
All CE or UKCA marked insulation materials are given a Euroclass reaction to fire classification, which indicates the extent to which the material will ignite, emit smoke, or produce flaming droplets, and therefore how it will contribute to a fire’s growth or spread. For example, all Knauf Insulation glass mineral wool and rock mineral wool products are non-combustible, with a Euroclass A1 or A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire classification. Your customers can use a product’s DoP to demonstrate the Euroclass reaction to fire classification.
Application assurances It’s crucial to understand that CE and UKCA marks do not confirm whether a product is suitable for an application. Agrément certificates are provided for this purpose by third parties such as the British Board of Agrément (BBA) and Kiwa. These certificates provide assurance that a product or system is fit for purpose under Building Regulations.
Agrément certificates are a mandatory requirement for
products in certain applications under the Building Regulations, such as for insulation products used to fully or partially fill masonry cavity walls. But even in situations where they aren’t mandated, a certificate can still be invaluable.
What it says on the tin In the age of greater accountability and tighter regulations, your customers need to be certain that their insulation will perform. As a merchant, you can offer more than just stock — you can provide support, expertise and access to documentation that helps projects pass inspection and meet regulations. By getting to grips with the essentials you can help your customers buy better, build smarter and stay compliant. BMJ
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