Thermal insulation in Morocco: the RTCM energy code, insulation products and design checks

Thermal insulation in Morocco is driven by the RTCM, the building energy regulation adopted by Decree No. 2-13-874 under the energy efficiency Law 47-09. It sets envelope requirements by climate zone, met either through prescriptive values or a performance calculation. Only a few insulation products carry mandatory standards: metal-faced sandwich panels (NM EN 14509, with NM certification required) and sprayed polyurethane foam (NM ISO 8873). The usual insulants follow homologated product standards, and U-values are calculated with NM ISO 6946. Insulation choices are fixed at design stage, not on site.

Scope

The page addresses the insulation of the building envelope: roof terraces, external walls (in the cavity, inside or outside), floors over unheated spaces or the ground, and the glazing performance that the RTCM counts in the overall balance. Acoustic panels and pipe lagging are mentioned only where they share products with thermal insulation.

Decisions start at preliminary design, when orientation, wall build-up and glazing ratio are set, and are confirmed at detailed design with the thermal justification. On site, insulation is placed with the masonry, the roof waterproofing and the joinery, so it is checked at those milestones rather than as a separate stage.

Regulatory table

Reference, edition, status, the text that makes the rule mandatory and the verified source (standards catalogue 2026-10-25; NM statuses checked against the official list of the Ministry of Industry and Trade).

ReferenceEditionStatusText making it mandatorySourceNote
Décret n° 2-13-874 du 15/10/2014
Règlement général de construction fixant les règles de performance énergétique des constructions (RTCM)		2014mandatoryThe text itself (published in the Official Bulletin)full textMandatory thermal requirements for the envelope by climate zone, with a prescriptive or performance-based route.
Loi n° 47-09
Loi relative à l'efficacité énergétique		2011mandatoryThe text itself (published in the Official Bulletin)full textEnergy efficiency law that provides the legal basis for the RTCM, energy audits and energy labels.
BO n° 6306 du 06/11/2014
Numéro complet du Bulletin officiel (RTCM + règlement incendie)		2014mandatoryThe text itself (published in the Official Bulletin)Secrétariat général du gouvernementOfficial Bulletin carrying the full text of the RTCM and of the fire regulation, useful when checking fire reaction of insulants.
NM EN 14509
Panneaux sandwiches autoportants, isolants, double peau à parements métalliques - Produits manufacturés – Spécifications (IC 19.8.084)		NM EN 14509:2015mandatoryDécision/arrêté d'homologation n° 4528-14, certification NM exigéeMCINET listSelf-supporting insulated sandwich panels with metal faces; mandatory, NM certification required.
NM ISO 8873
Plastiques alvéolaires rigides - Mousse de polyuréthanne projetée utilisée dans l’isolation thermique des bâtiments – Spécifications ; (IC 05.8.026)		NM ISO 8873:2006mandatoryDécision/arrêté d'homologation n° 1965-06MCINET listSprayed rigid polyurethane foam for thermal insulation; mandatory product standard.
NM EN 13162 / 13163 / 13164 / 13165
Produits isolants thermiques manufacturés (laine minérale, PSE, XPS, PU)		2019-2020approved—IMANORFactory-made insulants (mineral wool, EPS, XPS, PU): homologated specifications giving the declared thermal conductivity.
NM ISO 6946
Résistance thermique et coefficient de transmission thermique — calcul		2020approved—IMANORCalculation method for thermal resistance and transmittance of walls, used to justify RTCM compliance.
NM ISO 10211
Ponts thermiques — calculs détaillés		2020approved—IMANORDetailed calculation of thermal bridges at slab edges, lintels and balconies.
NM EN 13501-1
Classement au feu des produits de construction — réaction au feu		2021approved—IMANORReaction-to-fire classes of construction products; to be checked against the fire regulation where insulation is exposed.
Guides RTCM
Guides d'application du RTCM		2014-2016voluntary—AMEEVoluntary RTCM application guides, no longer online and to be requested from the energy efficiency agency AMEE.

Materials and documents to request

MaterialStandardsSupporting documentsBasis
Metal-faced sandwich panelsNM EN 14509NM certificate of the product, delivery note naming the panel and its thermal and fire characteristics.Legal obligation
Sprayed polyurethane foamNM ISO 8873Product data sheet referring to the standard, applicator's record of thickness checks, protection from UV and fire as detailed.Legal obligation
Mineral wool, expanded or extruded polystyrene boardsNM EN 13162 / 13163 / 13164 / 13165Declared thermal conductivity and fire class on the label, equal to or better than the values used in the thermal calculation.Specification (CPS) requirement
Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks used for their insulating valueNM EN 771-4Density class and thermal data on the data sheet, consistent with the wall build-up retained in the calculation.Specification (CPS) requirement

Who does what

PartyRole
ArchitectChooses orientation, wall and roof build-ups and glazing ratio, and ensures the thermal justification is part of the detailed design.
Thermal or energy engineerPrepares the RTCM justification, calculates U-values and thermal bridges, and specifies the insulation performance required.
Waterproofing and masonry contractorsInstall insulation within their systems without gaps, crushing or wetting, as detailed.
Product supplierProvides data sheets, labels and, where mandatory, NM certificates for the insulation products delivered.
Client (owner)Decides the target level (minimum RTCM or better, possibly a sustainability label) and resists substitutions with lower-performing products.

Inspection milestones

  1. Preliminary design (APS) and estimate approved Good practice
    Envelope principles fixed: orientation, glazing ratio, roof and wall build-ups, consistent with the climate zone of the commune.
  2. Detailed design (APD), calculation notes and consultants' drawings approved Legal obligation
    RTCM justification completed with the detailed design and the insulation performance written into the CPS.
  3. Architectural details and coordination of openings Good practice
    Details of slab edges, lintels and balconies drawn to limit thermal bridges; insulation continuity shown.
  4. Roof waterproofing tested Specification (CPS) requirement
    Roof insulation laid as specified, labels checked, boards dry and tight before the waterproofing covers them.

Common non-conformities and follow-up

FindingAction
Insulation delivered with a lower declared performance than the one in the thermal calculation.Refuse the delivery or have the thermal engineer recalculate and confirm in writing before installation.
Boards laid with open joints or crushed by traffic.Replace damaged boards and close the joints before covering.
Insulation left wet by rain before the roof is closed.Remove and replace soaked material; wet insulation loses performance and can damage the waterproofing.
Exposed foam or polystyrene in a space where the fire regulation requires protection.Add the protective lining specified by the architect and check the fire class with the fire regulation.

Frequently asked questions

Is thermal insulation compulsory in Morocco?

The RTCM sets mandatory envelope performance for the buildings it covers. How much insulation is needed depends on the climate zone, the building type and the route chosen for compliance.

Which insulation products have mandatory Moroccan standards?

Metal-faced sandwich panels (NM EN 14509) and sprayed polyurethane foam (NM ISO 8873). Mineral wool and polystyrene boards follow homologated product standards.

Who prepares the RTCM justification?

The architect with a thermal or energy engineer, as part of the detailed design. It relies on U-value calculations under NM ISO 6946 and thermal bridge calculations.

Are the AMEE guides still available?

They are no longer published on the agency's new website; they have to be requested from AMEE. They are voluntary aids, not regulation.

Can the contractor switch to a cheaper insulant?

Only if the replacement's declared performance and fire class are at least equal, and the architect approves the change in writing.

Sources, author and revisions

Written by , architect · under review · updated . Professional reading, separate from the text of the standard: each requirement is classed as a legal obligation, a specification (CPS) requirement or good practice.

Revision log

All standards for this trade (77)

In short: for the "Thermal insulation" trade, the library lists 5 Moroccan regulation(s), 2 mandatory Moroccan standard(s), 18 approved NM and 14 foreign reference(s) used as equivalents.

Moroccan regulations (5)

Mandatory Moroccan standards (NM) (2)

Approved Moroccan standards (NM, voluntary) (18)

European and French standards (EN, NF, DTU) (7)

Other jurisdictions (equivalents) (7)

Cross-cutting texts (all trades) (38)

2026 reference prices — Thermal insulation

Public reference prices from the CITURBAREA materials library (October 2026), in dirhams excluding VAT; 20% VAT on top (incl. VAT = excl. VAT × 1.2), Rabat-Salé-Kénitra base. These are benchmarks, not supplier prices.

MaterialFrom (excl. VAT)From (incl. VAT)Range excl. VATReliability
Polystyrène expansé PSE 40 mm20 DH / m²24 DH / m²20 DH – 20 DHC (indicative)
Polystyrène extrudé XPS 40 mm72,22 DH / m²86,66 DH / m²72,22 DH – 83,34 DHC (indicative)
Cheville à frapper à rosace pour panneaux isolants (ITE)2,5 DH / u3 DH / u2,5 DH – 2,5 DHC (indicative)
Laine de roche kraft 50 mm, panneau 1,20 × 0,60 m63,65 DH / m²76,38 DH / m²63,65 DH – 63,66 DHC (indicative)
Laine de verre kraft au m² (épaisseur non précisée)29,16 DH / m²34,99 DH / m²29,16 DH – 29,17 DHC (indicative)
Laine de verre Rock Glass parement aluminium 25 mm, au mètre (1 m × 1,20 m)34,72 DH / m²41,66 DH / m²34,72 DH – 34,73 DHC (indicative)
Laine de verre Rock Glass parement aluminium 25 mm, rouleau 20 m × 1,20 m20,83 DH / m²25 DH / m²20,83 DH – 20,84 DHC (indicative)
Laine de verre Rockglas kraft 48 mm, au mètre (1 m × 1,20 m)41,66 DH / m²49,99 DH / m²41,66 DH – 41,67 DHC (indicative)
Laine de verre Rockglas kraft 48 mm, rouleau 24 m × 1,20 m15,91 DH / m²19,09 DH / m²15,91 DH – 15,92 DHC (indicative)
Mousse polyuréthane d'isolation (format non précisé par le)99,16 DH / u119 DH / u99,16 DH – 99,17 DHC (indicative)

Detail in the estimator → · Reference prices and data sheets →

12 materials for this trade in the materials library. Isolation

Guides for this trade

See products, data sheets and supplier prices

Detailed offers by supplier, technical data sheets and product comparison are reserved for account holders. The account is free; no contact details are exchanged, everything goes through CITURBAREA.

Create my free account → Professional? Create my pro space

Estimate my project Book a call

Library maintained by CITURBAREA, construction and architecture platform in Morocco · tools for architects.

All trades

Site set-up · Earthworks · Foundations · Retaining walls & basement · Reinforced-concrete frame · Masonry · Waterproofing · Renders & screeds · Façades · Aluminium exterior joinery · Interior wood joinery · Metalwork, railings · Suspended ceilings, plaster · Floor finishes · Wall finishes (tiles, zellige) · Painting · Plumbing & hot water · Sanitary fixtures · Electrical (power & low current) · HVAC · Lift · Fire safety · Solar thermal & PV · Site works & landscaping · Swimming pool

Does your project comply with these texts?

A registered architect checks your project's compliance, from building permit to handover. Free overall estimate, first call with no commitment.

Estimate my project → Book a free video call Create my free account

Stay informed

Material prices, new planning rules and site advice: one letter a month, written by an architect.

▶ Subscribe to the YouTube channel Channel of architect Yassine AT-TARASSI: sites, prices and procedures on video.
Create my free account →

General information based on official texts: it does not replace a review of your own file. — , architect · Arc Bati Architecture

Create your free account to continue

Supplier prices, technical data sheets and product comparison are reserved for account holders. The account is free and takes a minute.

Create my free account → I already have an account

I am a professional
Ce contenu est consultable uniquement en ligne sur citurbarea.com. هذا المحتوى متاح فقط على الموقع citurbarea.com