What is the difference between PIR and QuadCore insulation foam core?

While PIR and PUR have been used for decades, there’s another advanced insulation that outshines both in fire protection and thermal performance: Kingspan’s QuadCore Technology. With 11 percent better thermal performance than PIR and up to 60 percent improvement over PUR, it is unrivaled in the market. Its fire resistance meets the highest insurance and regulatory standards. As we continue to look for building solutions that are energy efficient, QuadCore is the newest generation of insulation technology in a family of innovation to keep us safe, warm and dry.

Are insulated metal panels tested?

All Kingspan panels manufactured in North America have been thoroughly evaluated by independent third-party testing laboratories for building code compliance and are covered under various product approval listings. In addition, Kingspan insulated panels carry a range of third-party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and material health and transparency certifications for products offered in North America. To view our product sustainability certifications, please visit our certification page. For full testing specifications, please refer to our testing chart on individual product page or contact our technical services department.

What is the R-value of insulated metal panels?

The R-value of insulated metal panels depend entirely on the insulated foam core used. PUR is typically 5-7.1 per inch, while PIR is typically in the 7-7.2 per inch range. The insulation core with one of the highest R-values is QuadCore®, with an R-value of 8.0 per inch. Because of this, most insulated metal panels have an R-value of R-5 to R-64, with panels ranging from 1 inch thick to 8 inches thick. With Kingspan's QuadCore®, R-values can reach as high as R-72. Kingspan insulated panels manufactured in North America use either PIR or QuadCore® insulation foam, with R-values starting at 7.2 per inch for PIR and at 8.0 per inch for QuadCore®. These thermal resistance R-values are quoted at 75°F. For cold storage applications, we offer insulated panels with R-values of up to 9.0 per inch, as measured at 35°F.

How much do insulated metal panels cost?

The exact price depends on specific product used, application and building size. Insulated metal panels are a cost-effective solution compared to other building materials. The benefit of IMPs is the short install time due to less trades being needed onsite. As a result, insulated metal panels can be installed in up to half the time of a traditional multi-part built-up system, saving cost in construction time. IMPs can also save on long-term energy costs due to the increased R-values. As a whole, insulated metal panels are a less-expensive alternative to building material such as concrete.

What is an insulated metal panel?

Insulated metal panels are exterior roof and wall panels that are comprised of two pieces of steel skin with insulation foam in the middle. The insulated foam core can range from a variety of material, but the most common options are PUR (polyurethane), PIR (polyisocyanurate), and QuadCore® (self-blended hybrid insulation core).

How thick is an insulated metal panel?

Insulated metal panels can be as thin as 1 inch, or as thick as 8 inches for cold storage wall panels. Most IMPs for commercial buildings are in the 1 inch - 6 inch range. Our of commercial wall panels ranges in thickness size from 2 inches to 6 inches. Our panel, a cold storage product, is available in multiple thickness from 2 inches to 8 inches.

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QuadCore® KarrierPanel®

Wall Panel Systems

QuadCore KarrierPanel is a cost-effective universal barrier wall alternative solution to traditional multi-component wall systems. KarrierPanel utilizes Kingspan’s fully engineered KarrierRail to securely and safely transmit loads from a wide range of non-combustible façade options to the structural supports behind the insulated panel.

Product Highlights

Allows for faster building close-in and dry-in for reduced building costs
Eliminates thermal-bridging energy losses associated with standard stud/cavity insulation construction
Reduces delays in construction experienced with scheduling multiple trades
Brick ties can also be integrated to combine the look of masonry with the benefits of an insulated metal panel

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Profile	Exterior: Shadowline or flat Interior: Shadowline
Embossing	Exterior: Stucco or non-embossed Interior: Stucco or non-embossed
Gauge	Exterior: 26, 24, 22 ga Interior: 26, 24, 22 ga
Width	24”, 30”, 36”, 40”, 42”
Thickness	2”, 2.5”, 3”, 4”, 5”, 6”, 8”
Length	8' - 53'
Reveal option	⅜" to accommodate rail
Orientation	Vertical or horizontal
Post fabrication	N/A

Insulation Core	R-value
QuadCore	≈ 8 per inch per ASTM C518 @ 75˚F mean temperature ≈ 9 per inch per ASTM C518 @ 35°F mean temperature

Exterior rainscreen claddings are installed over KarrierPanel, a barrier wall product. Please note, the KarrierPanel product has been evaluated and tested in accordance with various US and Canadian standards with a non-combustible cladding. Any deviation to the approved non-combustible rainscreen product for building code compliance is the responsibility of the authority having jurisdiction.

Test

Procedure

Results

Fire

ASTM E84

Flame Spread: 25 or Less / Smoke Developed: 90 or Less

CAN/ULC-S101

Fire Endurance Tests: 10 min (Fastener conditions vary depending on product thickness. Please contact us for detailed information.)

CAN/ULC-S102

Flame Spread: 20 / Smoke Developed: 45 for panel insulation core

CAN/ULC S127

Flame Spread: <500 for foam core

CAN/ULC-S134

Passed: Standard Method of Fire Test of Exterior Wall Assemblies. (Assembly-specific, non-combustible outboards only. Please contact for detailed information.)

CAN/ULC-S138

Passed: Standard Method of Test For Fire Growth Of Insulated Building Panels In A Full-Scale Room Configuration

NFPA 259

Tested for potential heat of building materials

NFPA 268

Passed: Standard test method for determining ignitability of exterior wall assemblies using a radiant heat energy source

NFPA 285

Passed: Standard Fire Test Method for Evaluation of Fire Propagation Characteristics of Exterior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components. Facades and attachments to KarrierPanel should be evaluated as an assembly. Assembly testing is available with select facades. Please contact to discuss your project assembly in detail.

Structural

ASTM E72

Vacuum chamber tested. Panel load / span and deflection tables are available

Thermal Transmission

ASTM C518

Thermal Performance at 35°		Thermal Performance at 75°
Thickness	R-Value	Thickness	R-Value
2	18	2	16
2.5	22.5	2.5	20
3	27	3	24
4	36	4	32
5	45	5	40
6	54	6	48
8	72	8	64

Air Infiltration

ASTM E283

0.003 CFM/ft2 of Panel Area at 6.24 psf

Water

ASTM E331

No uncontrolled water penetration at 20 psf differential pressure

AAMA 501.1

Dynamic water pressure testing – no sign of water leakage at 15 psf

Fatigue

Cyclic test to positive and negative wind loading to ± L/180 deflection

The panels exceeded 2 million alternate cycles without failure or damage

Bond Strength

ASTM D1623

Panels tested for tensile bond strength of metal to foam

Sample placed in an autoclave device and pressurized to 2 PSI at 218°F for 2½ hours

No skin delamination with direct pull off pressure up to 1188 psf

Regional Approvals

City of Houston

Registration #710A

IAS AC473

Certificates MB-267B, MB-277B (Shadowline and Flat profiles only)

City of Los Angeles (LARR)

CCRR 1074; FB 3080

Standard Material Workmanship & Standard Finish Warranties

At Kingspan, we understand the unique challenges that design and construction professionals face every day. To do our part in meeting these demands, Kingspan products are offered with our team’s guidance and technical expertise, followed up after construction is completed with our product warranties:

2 year standard material workmanship warranty
Up to 20 years standard finish warranty

QuadCore 30-Year Thermal Warranty

Only available on QuadCore-equipped panels

The industry’s longest thermal performance warranty. The inimitable science behind QuadCore Technology and comprehensive independent third-party testing has delivered the industry an unparalleled 30-year thermal performance warranty.