Testing FAQs

There are several test methods for measuring the radiative performance, thickness, and color of roofing and wall products.

For roofing products, the test methods are listed in the CRRC-1 Product Rating Program Manual and ANSI/CRRC S100 standard. These tests must be performed by an Accredited Independent Testing Laboratory (AITL).

For exterior wall products, the test methods are listed in the CRRC-2 Wall Product Rating Program Manual. These tests can be performed by an AITL or Wall Approved Manufacturing Testing Laboratory (Wall AMTL) that has received approval by the CRRC (Color Family Additional Elements only).

An AITL is an independent product testing facility that is accredited to the International Standard, ISO/IEC 17025, and approved by the CRRC to test products for the Roof and/or Wall Program. An AITL is not owned by or affiliated with any manufacturers. The CRRC only accepts test data from an AITL for CRRC product ratings.

An Approved Manufacturer Testing Laboratory (AMTL) is a laboratory that is affiliated with a roofing or exterior wall manufacturer and has been approved by the CRRC to submit color measurements (Roof and/or Wall Program) and radiative properties data for Color Family Additional Elements (Wall Program only).

See CRRC Accredited Test Labs and Test Farms for a list of approved labs. For information on becoming a Roof AMTL, see Become An Accredited Testing Laboratory. For information on becoming a Wall AMTL, see Become a Licensee: Wall Program.

CRRC AITLs in good standing are able to use the CRRC AITL Logo, which consists of the CRRC Logo appended with the text “Accredited Laboratory.” For the AITL Logo use guidelines, please visit CRRC Logo Use Requirements. To obtain a logo file, please contact [email protected].

Approved Test Farms in good standing are able to use the CRRC Test Farm Logo, which consists of the CRRC Logo appended with the text “Test Farm.” For more information or to obtain a logo file, please contact [email protected].

A CRRC product rating is only based on measurements taken by a CRRC-approved AITL on a new sample (set of product test specimens). The measurements must be conducted in accordance with the requirements in the CRRC-1 Product Rating Program Manual and ANSI/CRRC S100 standard (for roofing products) or the CRRC-2 Wall Product Rating Program Manual (for wall products).

The laboratory must notify the CRRC within 10 business days of any personnel changes as they pertain to the designated Responsible Person(s) who oversees CRRC testing. In order to maintain approval as a CRRC test lab, the laboratory must retain at least one designated Responsible Person. Any lab employee that is designated as the Responsible Person must attend a CRRC laboratory training workshop. For additional requirements, see Chapter 2 of the CRRC-1 Product Rating Program Manual or Chapter 2 of the CRRC-2 Wall Product Rating Program Manual.

Any CRRC-approved AITL can test products for the Wall Rating Program as long as certain conditions are met. The CRRC must receive confirmation that the laboratory has the proper equipment capabilities to perform the test methods specified in the CRRC-2 Wall Product Rating Program Manual. The AITL must also participate in a CRRC Wall Program training and perform testing on a set of wall product specimens provided by the CRRC. For more information, please contact [email protected].

The CRRC annual renewal process typically occurs between February 1 and April 1 each year. All AITLs, AMTLs, and Test Farms must pay an annual fee to continue participating in CRRC product rating programs. Additionally, AITLs and Test Farms are required to upload a copy of their current ISO/IEC 17025 Scope of Accreditation certificate to the CRRC Online Rating Portal.

There is only one annual renewal fee for AITLs and Test Farms, regardless of their participation in both the Roof and Wall Programs. Since the requirements for AMTLs differ between the Roof and Wall Programs, an AMTL is required to pay the renewal annual fee based on the program in which it is participating. If a company is an AMTL for both the Roof and Wall Programs, then the company must pay a separate AMTL renewal fee for each program.

All AITLs, AMTLs, and Test Farms are permitted to submit colorimetry data to the CRRC. However, only certain AITLs offer colorimetry testing. For the tests offered by each AITL, please see CRRC Accredited Labs and Test Farms. See the CRRC-1 Product Rating Program Manual (for roofing products) and CRRC-2 Wall Product Rating Program Manual (for wall products) for detailed requirements.

In order to test products for a CRRC Rapid Rating, the AITL must be authorized as a CRRC Rapid Ratings Laboratory. This entails a separate application and training process. Visit Become an Accredited Testing Laboratory for detailed information.

All roofing products are tested in accordance with the test methods approved by the CRRC. For the Rapid Ratings process, the CRRC requires the use of ASTM D7897 for the simulated soiling and weathering of roofing product samples, in addition to the product-specific test methods for radiative properties (i.e. initial testing, lab-aged testing, and three-year aged testing). See the CRRC-1 Product Rating Program Manual and ANSI/CRRC S100 standard for more detailed information on test methods and product types.

Yes. Yes, the initial radiative properties of a new product sample (set of test specimens) must be tested prior to conducting ASTM D7897. The lab must also take radiative property measurements after completing the lab-simulated aging process.

Yes. If an application is submitted to the CRRC for a Rapid Rating and the product previously received an initial rating from the CRRC, the Rapid Ratings Lab is required to take the initial solar reflectance and thermal emittance measurements on a new product sample (specimens sent by the manufacturer). The lab will then conduct the Practice for Laboratory Aging of Roofing Products (ASTM D7897) and take laboratory-aged measurements.

Contact the CRRC at [email protected] to obtain a free bottle (25 mL) of carbon black.

It is recommended to use masking tape to reduce the usable area of a test specimen to 10 cm by 10 cm (4 in by 4 in) for standard products (e.g., single-ply membrane, coated metal, and field-applied coating) that are not profiled or variegated in color or texture.

Yes. The slide method can be used on specimens with a minimum usable area of 10 cm by 10 cm ( 4 in x 4 in).

No. At this time, there is no standard practice for the laboratory aging of exterior wall products.