The invention relates to the determination of the gas pressure in an
evacuated thermal insulating board (9) having an insulating core (1)
covered by a film (2). The inventive device comprises an assembly, which
is integrated between the insulating core and the covering film of the
thermal insulating board and which has a body that acts as a heat sink
(3) (Al, Co, Fe, ceramic), and the body's thermal conductivity and
thermal capacity relative to volume are greater than those of the
insulating core. Said assembly also comprises a test layer (4) (0.3 mm
nonwoven fabric made of plastic and glass fibers), which is arranged
between the heat sink and the covering film and has a defined thermal
conductivity that changes according to the gas pressure inside the
evacuated thermal insulating board. From the exterior, a sensor device is
applied to or pressed against the test device, which is placed inside the
evacuated thermal insulating board and which is covered by the covering
film. Said sensor device comprises a body (5) (coppered steel 78.degree.
C., thermoelement (6)) having a distinctly different temperature than
that of the test device (heat sink) whereby creating a heat flux, which
is influenced by the thermal conductivity of the test layer, said thermal
conductivity varying according to the gas pressure inside the thermal
insulating board, and the magnitude of this heat flux is metrologically
determined. The heat sink (3) can be provided in the form of a bottom
part of a container for a getter material.