1. What Is EN 14306?
EN 14306 is the European harmonised standard for factory-made calcium silicate (CS) thermal insulation products. Published by CEN (European Committee for Standardization), it specifies the requirements for calcium silicate products used in the thermal insulation of building equipment and industrial installations.
The current harmonised version is EN 14306:2009+A1:2013, with EN 14306:2015 published as a non-harmonised update. The standard is harmonised under the Construction Products Regulation (EU) 305/2011 (CPR), making CE marking mandatory for calcium silicate products placed on the EU market.
Scope & Temperature Range
EN 14306 covers calcium silicate products for service from approximately -50°C to +1000°C. The standard defines three temperature classes: CS1 (230°C), CS2 (650°C), and CS3 (1000°C). In commercial practice, certain calcium silicate formulations can operate across a wider envelope from cryogenic temperatures as low as -170°C up to 1100°C, depending on the specific product grade and manufacturer.
Covered Product Forms
The standard applies to calcium silicate insulation in the form of boards (plates), pipe sections, curved segments, and prefabricated ware. It does not cover products intended for building structure insulation, products with declared thermal conductivity greater than 0.6 W/(m·K) at 10°C, or products used for acoustic performance.
2. Product Types Under EN 14306
EN 14306 classifies factory-made calcium silicate products into four primary shape categories, each with specific dimensional and tolerance requirements.
| Product Type | Description | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Plate (Board) | Flat rectangular panels manufactured to standard or custom dimensions. Common thicknesses range from 20 mm to 100 mm, with standard board sizes of 600×300 mm, 600×400 mm, and 1000×500 mm. | Furnace backup insulation, kiln lining, fireproof partitions, industrial equipment insulation |
| Pipe Section | Pre-formed hollow cylindrical sections designed to fit standard pipe diameters. Available as half-shell (2-segment) or multi-segment configurations for larger diameters. Produced for pipe sizes from 1/2" (21 mm) up to 24" (610 mm) NPS and beyond. | Steam pipe insulation, hot oil piping, district heating networks, process pipework in refineries and petrochemical plants |
| Curved Segment | Arc-shaped pieces designed to fit curved surfaces such as vessel shells, tank walls, and large-diameter ducts. Multiple segments are installed circumferentially to form a complete insulation layer around cylindrical equipment. | Storage tanks, pressure vessels, large-diameter ducts, chimney liners, cyclones and preheaters in cement plants |
| Preformed Ware | Custom-moulded calcium silicate shapes produced to match specific equipment geometries. Includes mitred bends, valve covers, flanged fittings, reducing sections, and other non-standard configurations. | Valve and flange insulation, expansion joints, irregular equipment surfaces, OEM equipment thermal insulation |
3. Key Performance Requirements
EN 14306 establishes mandatory performance characteristics that factory-made calcium silicate products must meet. The following table summarises the principal physical and thermal requirements:
| Property | Requirement / Typical Value | Test Method Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Density | Declared by manufacturer; typical range 170-300 kg/m³ for standard industrial grades. Tolerance: ±10% of declared value. | EN 1602 |
| Thermal Conductivity (λ) | Declared at mean temperatures of 50°C, 100°C, 200°C, 300°C, 400°C, and 500°C. Typical: 0.055-0.065 W/(m·K) at 100°C mean temperature. Maximum change after ageing at declared temperature for 200 hours: ≤20% increase. | EN 12667 or EN 12939 |
| Compressive Strength | Declared by manufacturer. Typical minimum values: ≥2.0 MPa at 10% deformation for standard-density boards. Measured perpendicular to the board face. | EN 826 |
| Flexural Strength | Declared by manufacturer. Typical: ≥0.25-0.50 MPa for standard grades. Particularly relevant for board products subject to bending loads during handling and installation. | EN 12089 |
| Dimensional Stability | Linear shrinkage at the declared maximum service temperature: ≤2% after 200 hours of thermal ageing. Thickness swelling in specified conditions also declared. | EN 1604, EN 14706 |
| Reaction to Fire | Calcium silicate products typically achieve Euroclass A1 (non-combustible, no contribution to fire at any stage) per EN 13501-1. Tested per EN ISO 1182 and EN ISO 1716. | EN 13501-1 |
| Water Vapour Diffusion | Water vapour diffusion resistance factor (μ) declared by manufacturer. Typical: μ = 5-20 for calcium silicate products. | EN 12086 |
| Short-Term Water Absorption | Declared by manufacturer. Calcium silicate is not waterproof; outdoor installations require weather protection (metal cladding or mastic). | EN 1609 |
Note on thermal ageing: A critical requirement under EN 14306 is that after 200 hours of exposure at the declared maximum service temperature, the product must retain at least 70% of its initial compressive strength, and thermal conductivity must not increase by more than 20%. This ensures that the declared performance values remain valid throughout the product's service life.
4. CE Marking Under EN 14306
Under the Construction Products Regulation (EU) 305/2011 (CPR), calcium silicate insulation products covered by EN 14306 must carry CE marking to be legally placed on the EU market. The EN 14306 harmonised standard became mandatory for CE marking from 1 November 2013.
Declaration of Performance (DoP)
The manufacturer must issue a Declaration of Performance for each product type placed on the market. The DoP declares the product's performance against the mandatory performance characteristics defined in EN 14306 -- including thermal conductivity, compressive strength, reaction to fire, and dimensional stability. Under CPR Article 7, by drawing up the DoP, the manufacturer assumes full responsibility for the conformity of the construction product with its declared performance.
Notified Body Involvement
Depending on the product characteristic, certification follows System 1 or System 3 under the CPR. System 1 involves a Notified Body for product certification, factory production control assessment, and continuous surveillance. System 3 involves a Notified Testing Laboratory for initial type testing. The Notified Body's identification number must appear alongside the CE mark on the product or its packaging.
Factory Production Control (FPC)
Manufacturers must establish and maintain a documented Factory Production Control system that ensures consistent product performance. This includes raw material inspection, in-process testing, finished product sampling, calibration of test equipment, and procedures for handling non-conforming products. The FPC system is subject to audit by the Notified Body under System 1 certification.
CE Marking & Label Information
The CE marking must be accompanied by: the manufacturer's name and address, the last two digits of the year of first affixing, the product type designation code per EN 14306, the declared performance values, the Notified Body identification number (for System 1 products), and a reference to the harmonised standard (EN 14306). The DoP must be accessible via a link from the CE marking or provided in paper copy upon request.
Important: A distributor cannot declare performance under its own name by relying on a certificate issued to another manufacturer. The CE marking and DoP must reflect the actual manufacturer responsible for the product. This is relevant for OEM and private-label arrangements in calcium silicate supply chains.
5. How Mingfa Products Comply with EN 14306
Mingfa calcium silicate products are manufactured to meet the performance requirements of EN 14306. The following table maps Mingfa product series to the relevant EN 14306 classifications and product types:
| Mingfa Product Series | EN 14306 Product Type | EN 14306 Temperature Class | Key Compliance Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG Series (Standard) HCS-17, HCS-20, HCS-23 | Plate (Board) | CS2 (650°C) / CS3 (1000°C) | Standard-density calcium silicate boards. Density 170-270 kg/m³. Thermal conductivity 0.055-0.065 W/(m·K) at 100°C. Compressive strength ≥2.0 MPa. EN 13501-1 Class A1 fire rating. |
| LG Series (High-Temp) HCS-25, Grade 1100 | Plate (Board) | CS3 (1000°C) | High-temperature formulation for 1000-1100°C service. Density 250-300 kg/m³. Linear shrinkage ≤2% after 200-hour ageing at 1000°C. Suitable for the most demanding furnace and kiln backup insulation applications. |
| SCS Series SCS-25 | Pipe Section / Curved Segment | CS2 (650°C) / CS3 (1000°C) | Pre-formed pipe sections and curved segments. Available for pipe diameters from 1/2" to 24" NPS. Half-shell and multi-segment configurations. Thermal and mechanical properties equivalent to corresponding LG board grades. |
| GF-1100 Fireproof Board | Plate (Board) | CS3 (1000°C) | Fire-rated board for passive fire protection. Density 350-450 kg/m³. Tested for fire exposure at 1100°C. Euroclass A1 per EN 13501-1. |
Third-party test reports from accredited laboratories can be provided to demonstrate compliance with EN 14306 requirements for thermal conductivity (EN 12667), compressive strength (EN 826), linear shrinkage after thermal ageing, and reaction to fire (EN 13501-1). Contact Mingfa's technical team to request specific test documentation for your project's compliance requirements.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the temperature range covered by EN 14306?
EN 14306 covers calcium silicate insulation products for service from approximately -50°C to +1000°C, with the highest classification (CS3) rated for 1000°C continuous. In practice, certain calcium silicate grades can operate from cryogenic temperatures as low as -170°C up to 1100°C depending on the specific product formulation. The standard's Annex B specifically addresses the determination of minimum service temperature for cryogenic applications.
Is EN 14306 the same as ASTM C533?
No. EN 14306 is the European standard (CEN/CENELEC) using a multi-property designation code system with temperature classes CS1 (230°C), CS2 (650°C), and CS3 (1000°C). ASTM C533 is the US standard (ASTM International) using a simpler two-type system: Type I (649°C) and Type II (927°C). ASTM C533 also has explicit leachable chloride limits for stainless steel compatibility (referencing ASTM C795), while EN 14306 focuses on the CE marking framework under CPR 305/2011. Both standards mandate asbestos-free products and cover similar physical property requirements, but the classification approaches and regulatory frameworks differ significantly.
Do Mingfa calcium silicate products comply with EN 14306?
Yes. Mingfa calcium silicate products are manufactured to meet the performance requirements of EN 14306. The LG series maps to EN 14306 CS2 and CS3 classifications, and the SCS series for pipe insulation aligns with EN 14306 pipe section and curved segment product types. Third-party test reports can be provided to demonstrate compliance with EN 14306 thermal conductivity, compressive strength, and linear shrinkage requirements. For CE marking purposes under projects requiring full Notified Body certification, Mingfa can coordinate with EU-recognised testing laboratories to provide the necessary test documentation.
About the Author -- Mingfa Insulation Technical Team
Mingfa Insulation's technical content is authored by our in-house engineering team with 34+ years of specialized experience in calcium silicate R&D and manufacturing. Established in 1991 as a joint venture with the China Building Materials Academy, our team holds ~20 national patents. For technical inquiries, contact lzmfgr@163.com.
Industrial Insulation Standards & Certifications -- ISO 9001, ASTM C533, EN 13501-1 overview
GB/T 10699 -- Chinese National Standard for Calcium Silicate Thermal Insulation
Mingfa Calcium Silicate Product Range -- LG, SCS, GF-1100 & Composite Brick Series