Everything you wanted to know about insulation
Transcription
Everything you wanted to know about insulation
In su l a ti on 2nd Issue January 2016 Everything you wanted to know about insulation * * BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK Contents 1. Introduction 3 2. How does insulation work? 4 3. Condensation Risk Analysis 13 4. How it’s made? 14 5. Testing & quality 20 6. Building Regulations & Standards 22 7. Product Selector 26 8. Build It 9. Glossary 32 49 2 This guide to insulation aims to provide you with everything you need to know about Kingspan’s insulation, from how it works, to its manufacture, and finally its installation. We will also explain the building regulations and how to comply with them for your projects. 3 2. How does insulation work? Thermal insulation is commonly used to prevent heat loss / gain in buildings and so reduce energy usage. The control of heat flow Heat flow is how heat moves. Heat moves from warmer to colder areas. This movement is what causes buildings to get colder in winter (heat leaking from a building into the colder environment outside) and hotter in summer (heat moving from the warmer outside environment into a building). This happens through one or more of three heat transfer mechanisms. conduction; l convection; and l radiation. l Thermal insulation is designed to restrict and resist heat transfer via these three mechanisms. 4 Conduction is how heat moves along or through a material by being effectively passed along from one molecule to another. It can take place in solids, liquids and gases. The ability of a material to conduct heat depends on the material. A low λ–value (‘thermal conductivity’) is important for insulation materials to reduce heat loss through conduction. The lower the thermal conductivity (λ–value), the better the ability of the material to resist heat transfer through conduction. Using a low conductivity gas in insulation rather than just air further helps to reduce conduction. Cold Warm 5 2. How does insulation work? Convection only takes place in liquids and gases. It cannot happen in solids or in a vacuum. When the molecules that make up a gas or liquid heat up, their density will change i.e. warmer air will become less dense and rise. This change in density is called ‘natural convection’ but it can also be sped up by wind or artificial means known as ‘forced convection’. Closed cell insulation with small cell sizes inhibits convection within the cell, making them less prone to affecting neighbouring cells. Cold Air Warm Air 6 Radiation is the method of heat transfer across space from one body to another as energy. Radiation does not need gases, liquids or solids to take place and it can happen in a vacuum. The rate of heat transfer through radiation is controlled by: l the difference in temperature of the surface that is radiating heat and surface that is receiving heat; l the distance between these surfaces; and l the emissivity of the surfaces. Emissivity is how shiny a surface is, in other words, its ability to reflect thermal radiation. A material with a low emissivity reflects heat as radiation and can improve the U–value (‘thermal transmittance’) by limiting heat transfer across cavities. An example would be a low–emissivity foil facing on an insulation panel or board. 7 2. How does insulation work? Measuring insulation performance The effectiveness of thermal insulation is measured by its ability to restrict heat transfer – either its thermal conductivity or its thermal resistance. These are known as the Lambda value and R–value respectively. Lambda value (‘thermal conductivity’, ‘k–value’, ‘λ–value’) Firstly, the λ–value shows how well a material can conduct heat and is measured in units of W/m·K. A good insulation will have as low a λ–value as possible to reduce heat loss. This is a general measurement. To assess how a certain thickness of a material affects heat transfer, you need to calculate the R–value (‘thermal resistance’). R–value (‘thermal resistance’) By dividing a material’s thickness (in metres) by its λ–value, you can find out how well it resists heat transfer at a specific thickness. Thermal resistance is measured in units of m2K/W. The best insulation will have a higher R–value which shows it is better at reducing heat loss. The basic equation for calculating R–values is shown below: Thickness (m) Thermal conductivity (l) 8 U–value (‘thermal transmittance’) The U–value is a sum of the thermal resistances of the layers that make up a building element (i.e. walls, floors, roofs etc.). It includes adjustments for any fixings, air gaps etc. This value shows in units of W/m2K the ability of an element to transmit heat from a warm space to a cold space in a building and vice versa. The lower the U–value, the better insulated the building element is. The basic equation for calculating the U–value is shown below: [ ] U = 1 + ΔU ƩR Ʃ R = The Sum of all the R–Values ΔU = Any corrections for fixings, air gaps etc. Envelopes & Thermal Bridges The elements of a building make up the building envelope (the barrier between inside and outside). For insulation in the building envelope to reduce heat loss through conduction, convection and radiation it must have as few thermal bridges as possible. 9 2. How does insulation work? Thermal bridges (‘heat bridges’ or ‘cold bridges’). Pathways through which heat can escape. The four principal types of thermal bridges are shown below: Repeating thermal bridges are a regular pattern of heat loss pathways, for example from timber studs in the walls. l Non–repeating thermal bridges do not follow a regular pattern and are often caused by gaps in the insulation around window frames. l l l Geometrical thermal bridges are found at junctions between building elements, for example where the wall meets the floor. Point thermal bridges take account of the heat lost at fixings, fasteners and beams. Generally, you can reduce the amount of thermal bridges through good workmanship and using cavity closers. Ventilation & Air Tightness As heat transfer can take place in gases such as air through convection, it is important to control air movement in the building envelope. This can be done through air tightness and ventilation. l l Air tightness will reduce the amount heat loss at thermal bridges by preventing air leaking through the building envelope. Ventilation is used to help the movement of air through cavities in the building envelope. This movement will significantly reduce the chances of condensation forming. 10 Controlling moisture Heat transfer can also take place in a liquid, so it is essential to avoid moisture build–up in the building envelope. Condensation can reduce the performance of insulation. Condensation Takes place when water vapour in warm moist air meets cold surfaces that are resistant to water vapour. The water vapour condenses into liquid water droplets as either surface condensation or interstitial condensation. l Surface condensation takes place on the visible surfaces of a building. Indoors, this can increase the risk of mould, which reduces air quality, and can cause staining. Thermal bridges can cause surface condensation as heat is drawn out, leaving the inside surfaces cold. 30 g/m2 fine mist 30–50 g/m2 droplets run down windows and walls 51–250 g/m2 droplets run down sloping surfaces 11 >250 g/m2 droplets drip from horizontal surfaces 2. How does insulation work? Interstitial condensation happens between the layers in a construction, i.e. inside the roof, wall or floor. It can damage these elements or even cause them to fail completely. Building elements can be designed to resist interstitial condensation, or ventilation can be used to remove any condensation that forms before it causes any damage. l ? Did You Know: The average person produces up to 40 g of moisture per hour by breathing. 12 3. Condensation Risk Analysis If insulation is installed correctly, the risk of condensation can be reduced or even completely avoided. A Condensation Risk Analysis (CRA) assesses the risk of condensation forming once insulation is installed. They are available alongside U–values from our Technical Service Department. Here is an example: T D The top line (T) shows the temperature and the bottom line (D) represents the material’s predicted dewpoint temperature. The dewpoint temperature is normally lower than the air temperature and describes the point at which moisture in the air will condense. This depends on the amount of moisture in the air. If it is very humid, the dewpoint temperature will be higher. The amount of insulation you use and how you place it is key to keeping materials above their dewpoint temperature, and so avoiding condensation. You can use a vapour control layer like polythene on the inside (‘warm side’) of insulation to reduce water vapour from passing from warm to cold sides of the construction and condensing. 13 4.How it’s made: Kingspan Kooltherm (Phenolic) insulat Top layer of facing Oven 2 1 Bottom layer of facing 3 14 tion Benefits: � Thermal conductivity of 0.020–0.023 W/m.K � Amongst the thinnest commonly used insulation product for any specific U–value � Class 0 core � Uses a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) blowing agent � Closed cell structure � Fibre–free core. 1 5 2 3 4 4 5 15 The wet foam insulation mix is added directly to the bottom layer of facing, it then expands to meet the top layer of facing. As it dries, the foam reaches a tacky / adhesive phase that bonds itself to the foil facing. The foam is then cooked under pressure once it has reached the necessary thickness. The insulation hardens or cures in a secondary oven. As the foam cures, it becomes a bright pink colour. The boards are cut to the necessary size, packaged, and sent to the loading bay for collection. 4. How it’s made: Kingspan Therma (PIR) Insulation 3 2 Top layer of facing 1 Bottom layer of facing 16 Oven Benefits: � Thermal conductivity of 0.022–0.026 W/m.K � Class 1 core � Uses a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) blowing agent � Closed cell structure � Fibre–free core. 1 The wet foam insulation mix is added directly to the bottom layer of facing, it then expands to meet the top layer of facing, bonding to it at the adhesive stage. 2 The mix is then cooked under pressure once it has reached the necessary thickness. 3 After hardening, the insulation is still releasing heat from the exothermic reaction of the foam. 4 The boards are cut to the necessary size, packaged and stored for collection. 4 ? 17 Did You Know: PIR must be cured for much longer than phenolic insulation. Once packed, it is cured in a temperature controlled warehouse for one day per 25 mm thickness. 4.How it’s made: Kingspan OPTIM-R (vacuum) Insulation Benefits: � Thermal conductivity of 0.007 W/m.K � Insulating performance up to 5 x better than other commonly available insulation materials � Ideal for constructions where lack of space is an issue. 1 3 2 18 1 The dry insulation mix is pressed into shape. This step also helps to remove air from the insulation. 2 The insulation core is placed inside a fleece coating which protects it from dust. 3 The insulation is cooked to ensure it is as dry as possible. 4 The insulation is wrapped inside a foil facing. 5 The vacuum chamber removes the air from the insulation panel. 6 The edges are sealed. ? Did You Know: The panel surface should look wrinkled. If it is smooth this is because air has entered the panel through a puncture so the performance will not be as good. Every single panel made is individually tested. 6 4 5 19 5. Testing & Quality We test our insulation products for a number of reasons: 1. Standards – To make sure that the products meet or exceed regulatory requirements. 2. Quality – To guarantee that the insulation is of top quality. 3. R&D – To make the products more efficient in their performance or use of raw materials. Some of the tests performed are listed below: Thermal conductivity l Dimensional stability Reaction to fire l Compressive strength Length and width l Tensile strength Thickness l Compressive creep Squareness l Short and long term water absorption Flatness l Water vapour transmission l l l l l l 20 Rigid insulation boards will be crushed to test their compressive strength and freeze tested for 24 hours to make sure they still work in harsher weather. If the product has a foil facing, it will be water tested for 12 hours to make sure the facing does not delaminate (come unstuck) if exposed to moisture. Every OPTIM-R panel is made individually, so every single board must be tested once it’s made. A sample from every batch of Kooltherm and Therma produced is tested and only released for sale on successful completion of those tests. 21 6. Building Regulations & Standards: Domestic England New Build Wall Existing Buildings New Build Best Starting Point (Fabric Only) Extension Refurbishment Best Starting Point (Fabric Only) 0.16 0.28 0.30/0.55* 0.16 Floor 0.11 0.22 0.25 0.11 Pitched Roof – Ceiling Level 0.11 0.16 0.16 0.11 Pitched Roof – Rafter Level 0.11 0.18 0.18 0.11 Flat Roof 0.11 0.18 0.18 0.11 * A U–value of 0.55 W/m2.K is used for cavity insulation and 0.30 W/m2.K for internal or external wall insulation. ** Column A for extensions where existing dwelling’s walls and roof U–values are worse than 0.70 W/m2.K in the walls and worse than 0.25 W/m2.K in the ceiling. Column B is for other extensions, upgraded existing thermal elements, non–exempt conservatories and conversion of unrelated buildings. 22 Wales Scotland Existing Buildings New Build Existing Buildings Refurbishment & Extensions* A B Conversion of Heated Buildings 0.15 0.17 0.22 0.30 0.25 0.13 0.15 0.18 0.25 0.16 0.10 0.11 0.15 0.25 0.15 0.18 0.10 0.13 0.18 0.25 0.15 0.18 0.10 0.13 0.18 0.25 Extension Refurbishment Best Starting Point (Fabric Only) 0.21 0.30/0.55* 0.18 0.15 ? Did You Know: You can find more detailed information on building regulations by visiting our website: www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/buildingregs or calling our Technical Services Department on 01544 387 382. 23 6. Building Regulations & Standards: Non–Domestic England New Build Existing Buildings New Build Best Starting Point (Fabric Only) Extension Refurbishment Best Starting Point (Fabric Only) Extension (Domestic in Character) Wall 0.22 0.28 0.30/0.55* 0.22 0.21 Floor 0.18 0.22 0.25 0.18 0.18 Pitched Roof – Ceiling Level 0.14 0.16 0.16 0.14 0.15 Pitched Roof – Rafter Level 0.14 0.18 0.18 0.14 0.15 Flat Roof 0.14 0.18 0.18 0.14 0.15 * A U–value of 0.55 W/m2.K is used for cavity insulation and 0.30 W/m2.K for internal or external wall insulation. 24 Wales Scotland Existing Buildings Existing Buildings Extension (Other Buildings) Refurbishment Best Starting Point (Fabric Only) Refurbishment, Extensions & Conversions of Unheated Buildings 0.26 0.30/0.55* 0.18 0.25 0.30 0.22 0.25 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.15 0.16 0.14 0.15 0.25 0.18 0.18 0.14 0.15 0.25 0.18 0.18 0.14 0.15 0.25 ? Conversion of Heated Buildings Did You Know: You can find more detailed information on building regulations by visiting our website: www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/buildingregs or calling our Technical Services Department on 01544 387 382. 25 7. Product Selector: Roofs Roof Insulation OPTIM-R®* Pitched Roofs Over / between / under rafter sarking Breathable membrane Flat Roofs Tapered roofing system Under partially bonded built–up felt Under cold liquid applied waterproofing Under mastic asphalt Under mechanically–fixed, single–ply non–bituminous membranes Under fully adhered singly–ply membranes In LPCB/FM approved constructions Traditionally protected membrane / Roof gardens Car park decks Lightweight protected membrane / maintenance access Insulation suitable for use under Green Roofs Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) *Overlay board may be required Kooltherm® K7 Pitched Roof Board Thermapitch® TP10 P P Thermaroof TR26 LPC/F P P P P P 26 P P P f® FM Thermaroof® TR27 LPC/FM Thermataper® TT46 LPC/FM Thermataper® TT47 LPC/FM Styrozone® N 300 R & H 350 R Styrozone® N 500 R & N 700 R nilvent® TEK® Building System P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 27 7. Product Selector: Walls Wall Insulation OPTIM-R® Kooltherm® K5 External wall Board Kooltherm® K8 Cavity Board Kooltherm® K12 Framing Board Kooltherm® K15 Rainscreen Board P Partial fill cavity walls Internal dry–lining Insulated render systems Rainscreen cladding systems P Timber frame Steel frame Basement walls Cavity Closers Breathable membrane Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) 28 P P P P K Pl Kooltherm® K17 Insulated lasterboard Kooltherm® K18 Insulated Plasterboard P P Thermawall® TW50 Thermawall® TW55 Styrozone® N 300 R & H 350 R nilvent® Kooltherm® Cavity Closer & Kooltherm® Cavity Closer PLUS Thermabate® & Thermabate® PLUS P P TEK® Building System & TEK® Cladding Panel P P P P P 29 P 7. Product Selector: Floors Floor Insulation Kooltherm K3 Floorboard ® OPTIM-R® Solid ground floors P P P Suspended ground floors Floating ground floors Kooltherm® K10 FM Soffit Board & Kooltherm® K10 PLUS Soffit Board P P Soffit lining Heavy duty / industrial / cold floor stores 30 Thermafloor® TF70 Styrozon 300 P P P P ne® N R P ? Styrozone® H 350 R Styrozone® N 500 R Styrozone® N 700 R P P P Did You Know: To find out how much insulation you need for a floor means you need to find out the P/A Ratio. Check out the glossary for how to do this. 31 8. Build it: Pitched Roofs Insulation between and under rafters (Fully filled – Unventilated) Kooltherm K7 Pitched Roof Board & K18 Insulated Plasterboard U–value (W/m2.K) 0.11 0.13 3 3 3 3 3 Kingspan Kooltherm K18 Insulated Plasterboard 82.5 62.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 Kingspan Kooltherm K7 Pitched Roof Board 150 125 150 125 100 Item Plaster skim 32 0.15 0.18 Thickness (mm) Kingspan nilvent 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Counter–batten 38 38 38 38 38 Slate / tile batten 25 25 25 25 25 Tiles / Slates 30 30 30 30 30 Figures based on rafters at 600mm centres. Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 0.14 Insulation between and under rafters (Partially filled – Ventilated) Kooltherm K7 Pitched Roof Board & K18 Insulated Plasterboard U–value (W/m2.K) 0.13 Item Plaster skim 0.15 0.18 Thickness (mm) 3 3 3 Kingspan Kooltherm K18 Insulated Plasterboard 82.5 62.5 62.5 Kingspan Kooltherm K7 Pitched Roof Board 110 110 75 Ventilated rafter cavity 50 50 50 Sarking felt 2 2 2 Slate / tile batten 25 25 25 Tiles / Slates 30 30 30 Figures based on rafters at 400mm centres. Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 33 8. Build it: Pitched Roofs Insulation between and under rafters (Fully filled – unventilated – Sarking Board) Kooltherm K7 Pitched Roof Board & K18 Insulated Plasterboard U–value (W/m2.K) 0.11 0.13 3 3 3 3 3 Kingspan Kooltherm K18 Insulated Plasterboard 82.5 62.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 Kingspan Kooltherm K7 Pitched Roof Board 150 125 150 125 100 Item Plaster skim 34 0.15 0.18 Thickness (mm) Sarking board 18 18 18 18 18 Kingspan nilvent 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Tiles / Slates 30 30 30 30 30 Figures based on rafters at 600mm centres. Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 0.14 8. Build it: Flat Roofs Warm flat roof on concrete deck (Single–ply waterproofing – Fully Adhered) Thermaroof TR27 LPC/FM U–value (W/m2.K) 0.10 0.11 Plaster skim 3 3 3 Plasterboard Item 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.18 0.25 Thickness (mm) 3 3 3 3 12.5 12.5 12.5 Timber battens 25 25 25 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 25 25 25 25 Concrete deck 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 Screed to falls 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 Vapour control layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 100+120 100+110 85+90 160 145 120 85 1.5 1.5 1.5 Kingspan Thermaroof TR27 LPC/FM Single–ply membrane 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 35 8. Build it: Flat Roofs Warm flat roof on metal deck (Single–ply waterproofing – Mechanically fixed) Thermaroof TR26 LPC/FM U–value (W/m2.K) 0.10 0.11 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.18 0.25 Item Thickness (mm) Profiled metal deck – – – – – – – Vapour control layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 105+105 95+95 160 150 140 120 85 Kingspan Thermaroof TR26 LPC/FM Single–ply membrane 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 These calculations assume the use of telesc opic tube fasteners with a thermal conductivity of 1.00 W/m.K or less, the effect of which is insignificant. Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 36 1.5 8. Build it: Balconies & Terraces Warm flat roof on timber deck (Single–ply waterproofing) OPTIM-R & Thermaroof TR27 LPC/FM U–value (W/m2.K) 0.10 0.11 Plaster skim 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Plasterboard 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 Timber joists 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 Plywood deck 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 Vapour control layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 40 25 25 25 1.5 1.5 35 35 Item Protection layer 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.18 0.25 Thickness (mm) Kingspan OPTIM-R Balcony & Terrace 45+50 40+40 30+30 30+30 50 System Kingspan Thermaroof 25 25 25 25 25 TR27 LPC/FM Fully adhered single–ply 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 membrane Deck covering 35 35 35 35 35 e.g. paving slabs For purposes of these calculations, the bridging effect of Kingspan OPTIM-R flex infill panels has been taken to be 20%. The actual bridging effect will depend upon the final design of the OPTIM-R Balcony & Terrace System. 37 Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 8. Build it: Walls Cavity Wall Kooltherm K8 Cavity Board U–value (W/m2.K) 0.15 0.16 0.18 0.21 0.22 0.26 0.28 0.30 Item Plaster skim Plasterboard Plaster dab cavity 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 Blockwork (Thermal 100 conductivity 0.15 W/m.K) 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Kingspan Kooltherm K8 100 Cavity Board 90 75 60 50 40 40 35 Cavity 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 Brick Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk Thickness (mm) 3 50 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 Calculations assume a minimum clear cavity of 50mm. The type of wall tie used may change the thickness of insulation required. Calculations assume a stainless steel flexible tie with 2.5 ties per m2. For cavity widths less than or equal to 125 mm, calculations assume a cross–sectional area of the tie of 12.50 mm2; For cavity widths greater than 125 mm, a cross–sectional area of 23.00 mm2. 38 External Wall Board Kooltherm K5 External Wall Board U–value (W/m2.K) 0.15 0.16 0.18 0.21 0.22 0.26 0.28 0.30 Item Thickness (mm) Dense plaster 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 Brickwork 215 215 215 215 215 215 215 215 Bedding compound 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 Kingspan Kooltherm K5 120 External Wall Board 110 100 80 80 60 60 55 Polymer render* 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 These calculations assume the use of telescopic tube fasteners with a thermal conductivity of 1.00 W/m.K or less, the effect of which is insignificant. * Other cladding options are available as shown, but these may alter the U–values achieved. Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 39 8. Build it: Walls Internal Wall Insulation Kooltherm K18 Insulated Plasterboard U–value (W/m2.K) 0.18 0.21 0.22 0.26 0.28 0.30 3 3 3 3 3 3 Kingspan Kooltherm K18 Insulated Plasterboard 112.5 92.5 92.5 72.5 67.5 67.5 Timber battens cavity 25 25 25 25 25 25 DPC strip (if there is a risk of moisture penetration) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Sandstone 450 450 450 450 450 450 Item Plaster skim Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk For this application we recommend you contact us to carry out an exposure risk assessment to examine the risk of damp or rain penetrating the masonry and the suitability of this solution for your project. Calculations assume sandstone stonework of a lambda value of 2.30 W/m.K. Calculations assume the use of carbon steel fasteners of cross–sectional area of 4mm2 at a density of 16.7 per m2. 40 Timber Frame Kooltherm K12 Framing Board & K18 Insulated Plasterboard U–value (W/m2.K) 0.15 0.16 0.18 0.21 0.22 0.26 0.28 0.30 Item Plaster skim Kingspan Kooltherm K18 Insulated Plasterboard Kingspan Kooltherm K12 Framing Board between timber studs OSB Thickness (mm) 3 3 3 42.5 37.5 32.5 3 3 3 3 3 * * * * * 80 70 60 120 120 100 120 110 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 Kingspan nilvent 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 Cavity 50 Dense blockwork (1.13 W/m.K) 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Polymer render 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 Calculations assume the 140mm timber studs have a thermal conductivity of 0.12 W/m.K with a 15% bridging factor. * 12.5mm plasterboard needed 41 Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 8. Build it: Walls Dwarf walls (Loft Conversion) Kooltherm K7 Pitched Roof Board & K18 Insulated Plasterboard U–value (W/m2.K) 0.15 0.16 0.18 0.21 0.22 0.26 0.28 0.30 Item Plaster skim Kingspan Kooltherm K18 Insulated Plasterboard Thickness (mm) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 62.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 Kingspan Kooltherm K7 110 Pitched Roof Board 140 120 100 90 60 50 50 Ventilated loft space Sarking felt 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Tiles on tiling battens 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 Calculations assume studs at 400mm centres. Ventilated construction. Where the insulation between the studs exceeds the depth of the stud, the stud must be battened–out to correspond with the thickness of the insulation and to allow for a stop batten to be fitted. Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 42 8. Build it: Floors Ground Floor – Below Screed Kooltherm K3 Floor Board U–value (W/m2.K) 0.11 0.13 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.25 Item Thickness (mm) Screed 65 65 65 65 65 65 65 Separation layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Kingspan Kooltherm K3 150 Floor Board 120 100 80 70 60 50 Concrete slab 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 Damp proof membrane 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Figures based on a P/A ratio of 0.5. The soil has been assumed to be sand or gravel. Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 43 8. Build it: Floors Ground Floor – Beam & Block Kooltherm K3 Floor Board U–value (W/m2.K) 0.11 0.13 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.25 Item Thickness (mm) Screed 65 65 65 65 65 65 65 Separation layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Kingspan Kooltherm K3 150 Floor Board 125 110 80 75 60 55 Damp proof membrane 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Beam & block 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Figures based on a P/A ratio of 0.5. The soil has been assumed to be sand or gravel. Calculations assume 100mm dense block infill of Lambda 1.13 W/m.K. Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 44 Ground Floor – Concrete OPTIM-R Flooring System U–value (W/m2.K) 0.11 0.13 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.25 Item Thickness (mm) Screed 65 65 65 65 65 65 65 Separation layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Protection layer 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System 70 60 50 40 30 30 25 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Concrete slab Protection layer 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 Damp proof membrane 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 – – – – – – – Hardcore Figures based on a P/A ratio of 0.5. The soil has been assumed to be sand or gravel. The bridging effect of the Kingspan OPTIM-R Flex infill panels has been taken to be 15%. The actual bridging effect will depend upon the final design of the OPTIM-R Flooring System. Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 45 8. Build it: Floors Ground Floor – Suspended Timber (Between Joists) Kooltherm K3 Floor Board U–value (W/m2.K) 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.25 Tongue & Groove chipboard 18 18 18 18 18 Kingspan Kooltherm K3 Floor Board 170 140 120 100 80 Item Figures based on a P/A ratio of 0.5. The insulation is laid between 50mm wide floor joists at 400mm centres. The soil has been assumed to be sand or gravel. Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 46 Ground Floor – Floating Floor Thermafloor TF70 U–value (W/m2.K) 0.13 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.25 Tongue & Groove chipboard 18 18 18 18 18 18 Vapour control layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Kingspan Thermafloor TF70 130 110 90 75 60 55 Concrete slab 150 150 150 150 150 150 Damp proof membrane 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 – – – – – – Item Hardcore Figures based on a P/A ratio of 0.5. The soil has been assumed to be sand or gravel. Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 47 8 . Build it: Floors Soffits Kooltherm K10 FM Soffit Board U–value (W/m2.K) 0.11 0.13 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.25 Item Thickness (mm) Concrete deck 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 Kingspan Kooltherm K10 FM Soffit Board 180 150 125 100 90 85 75 These calculations assume the use of telescopic tube fasteners with a thermal conductivity of 1.00 W/m.K or less, the effect of which is insignificant. Find me at www.uvalue–calculator.co.uk 48 9. Glossary A ACD Approved / Accredited Construction Details are a set of standardised construction details developed by regulators to deal with the issue of heat loss / gain and other issues. Acoustic insulation a product used to impede the transfer of sound, either via airborne or impact transfer. Typically internal constructions within buildings are required to utilise acoustic insulation products to aid in minimising the transfer of sound from one adjacent room into another. “Approved Document E” and Part E – Robust Details” contain further information on common methods of controlling the transfer of sound in buildings. Air tightness Air tightness is the uncontrolled leakage of air from a building through cracks, unsealed penetrations or interfaces between different building elements. Ambient when referring to heat, temperature, etc. ambient describes the surrounding conditions. i.e. the Ambient temperature is the average temperature surrounding a material. B Ballast a ballast layer is typically used in warm or inverted roofs down to weigh down the insulation or waterproofing system. Common items used to form ballast layers include concrete paving slabs, round washed pebbles or a green roof system (e.g. plants and growing medium such as soil). The weight of the ballast required is dependent on results from a wind uplift calculation. BER Building Emission Rate details the energy performance of a building calculated following the NCM (National Calculation Methodology) eg SBEM. These measurements will be compared to the TER to define whether a building passes building regulations. BIM Building Information Modelling manages the information required for a construction project. This database is referred to as AIM (Asset Information Model). In accordance with the government’s ‘Construction Industry Strategy 2011’, all new public constructions should use BIM from 2016. 49 9. Glossary Blowing Agent a blowing agent is a substance used during the manufacture of cellular foam insulation products. These agents are typically used to enhance the thermal performance of the finished product by filling the cells within the insulation with a low thermal conductivity gas. The Kooltherm and Therma ranges of insulation products we produce use Pentane based blowing agents with zero Ozone Depletion Potential and low Global Warming Potential (GWP). BPEO Best Practice Environmental Option includes initiatives such as Kingspan’s Waste Collection Service. BREEAM is an environmental assessment and rating system for buildings. It uses recognised measures of performance, which are set against established benchmarks, to evaluate a building’s specification, design, construction and use. Breathability A non–scientific term used when discussing moisture transport through a construction (see Ventilation). Building Control Bodies are public and private organisations that assess and verify compliance with building regulations and standards. Building envelope separates the internal and external environments, such as a roof or walls. In order to provide the adequate protection against heat leakage, the building envelope should have as few thermal bridges and unintended gaps a possible. Built–up roof a roof made up of layers of building elements, typically roofing felt and asphalt with waterproofing layer and gravel on top. Butt Joints a joint made from two materials placed end to end without overlapping. They are used in pipe insulation and when laying loose boards on a floor or roof. 50 C Carrier membrane this is a membrane typically used to provide a suitable substrate for laying another product, i.e. such as for a liquid applied waterproofing system to be applied onto. Refer to individual waterproofing manufacturers for specific recommendations on when such layers are required, and if they are what is used for them. Cavity Closers Cavity closers are insulated extrusions for closing wall cavities at openings such as window reveals and door reveals. Cavity closers reduce heat transfer, avoiding thermal bridging, condensation and mould growth. They can even be used to pre–form openings when window and door frames are fitted later. Kingspan Kooltherm Cavity Closer and Kingspan Thermabate are examples. CE label shows compliance with EN and CEN standards Cellular insulation such as polyurethane, polyisocyanurate and phenolic insulation, which is made up of small individual cells. Centres of rafters/joists the centres of joists or rafters are measured by taking the centre point of one joist/rafter to the centre point of the following adjacent joist/rafter. Timber joists and rafters are traditionally located at 400 mm, 450 mm or 600 mm centres, or in refurbishments sometimes their imperial approximate equivalents of 16, 18 and 24 inches. Closed cell insulation has a more compact and denser structure than open cell insulation. As a result, it decreases the ingress of moisture and is more resistant to heat transmission. Insulation with a closed cell structure is also more resistant to flood damage. Because of its low water take–up, closed cell insulation panels recover from immersion in flood water more quickly than mineral fibre insulations for example. Cold bridging is a type of thermal bridging that occurs when a structural element of a building lets heat flow through it because it has a lower thermal resistance than other components in the construction. 51 9. Glossary Compressive creep is the measure of how much a material changes under long–term load. Heavy duty insulation materials ideally have a low compressive creep so they have a suitable durability in heavy duty applications. Compressive strength is a material’s ability to maintain its structural integrity when compressed. Insulation products with a high compressive strength such as Kingspan Styrozone are used for heavy duty floors and roofs. Condensation The conversion of a substance (typically water when referenced in the construction industry) from the vapour state to a liquid due to a change in temperature or pressure, e.g. such as warm moist air hitting a cold surface causing: a reduction in temperature of the air; and moisture vapour to condense out of the air. The two main occurrences of condensation are: Surface Condensation which can lead to mould and staining through its formation on the visible surface of a material. Interstitial Condensation occurs between the layers of a construction. This type of condensation can both reduce the effectiveness of insulation components and reduce their lifespan. CRA Condensation Risk Analysis is performed on the construction elements of a building, taking into account the order in which they appear, and the building’s geographical location. Kingspan’s Technical department present CRA with U–value calculations. 52 D DER Dwelling Emission Rate details the energy performance of a building calculated using SAP. These measurements will be compared to the TER to define whether a dwelling passes building regulations. DFEE Dwelling Fabric Energy Efficiency. This is compared to the TFEE to comply with building regulations in England. DPM Damp Proof Membrane is used with some insulations to prevent moisture building up on the insulation layer. E Emissivity the ‘shininess’ of a material. A high emissivity will increase the amount of heat transfer through radiation. It is measured in watts per square metre (W/m2) in relation to an ideal black surface as a ratio from 0 to 1. The closer to 0 the emissivity ratio, the lower the emission of heat as radiation. A foil facing on an insulation board allows a low emissivity to be taken when calculating the thermal resistance of an unventilated airspace. eg in a cavity wall construction. EPC Energy Performance Certificate is required upon completion of a dwelling in accordance with the English, Scottish and Welsh building standards. This necessitates energy calculations eg SAP or SBEM. They measure on a scale of A–G, the green to red scale covers the energy efficiency rating, while the blue to grey scale measures the environmental impact rating of the construction. EPS Expanded Polystyrene is a light rigid foam insulation that has low thermal conductivity and high impact resistance. EWI External Wall Insulation – insulation on the outside or cold side of a wall. 53 9. Glossary F Facing is the surface element of an insulation board. Rigid and semi–rigid insulation boards often have a foil facing which lowers the emissivity of the insulation element. Fibrous Insulation is an insulation material made up of fibres rather than cells. Fully bonded typically used in reference to flat roofing, and refers to where a bond between two materials is considered to cover the whole surface. As a full bond covers a greater proportion of the roof area, these systems can generally provide greater restraint against wind uplift than partially bonded systems. G Geotextile membrane a non–woven geo–synthetic membrane used in a variety of applications within the construction industry to act as separation and filtration membranes. GWP Global Warming Potential is a relative measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere, and in turn how much the product is estimated to contribute towards global warming. It compares the amount of heat trapped by a certain mass of the gas in question to the amount of heat trapped by a similar mass of carbon dioxide. A GWP is calculated over a specific time interval, commonly 20, 100 or 500 years. Green Guide Rating The 2008 Green Guide Rating system uses data from Environmental Profiles to classify performance of construction materials in a number of areas to award a summary rating on a scale of E (worst) up to A+ (best). H HTB or Transmission heat transfer coefficient associated with non–repeating thermal bridges the HTB is the overall sum of heat–loss / gain from each junction multiplied by that junction’s length. 54 I ISO International Standardisation Organisation is a certification body that proved assessments such as 9001- quality management, 14001- environmental management, 18001- Occupational Health and Safety (OHSAS), and 50001energy management. IWI Internal Wall Insulation – insulation on the inside or warm side of a wall. K Kappa value relates to the thermal mass of a construction. It is the measure of how much heat will be stored per metre squared of a building and represents ‘k’ in the unit of measure kJ/m2K. ‘k’, or the heat capacity of a building, can be calculated using the following equation: k = 10 – 6 x Ʃ (dj rj cj) dj= thickness of layer (mm) rj = density of layer (kg/m3) cj= specific heat capacity of layer (J/kg·K) The calculation is over all layers in the element, starting at the inside surface and stopping at whichever of the following conditions is encountered first (which may mean part way through a layer): • The total thickness of the layers exceeds 100mm • The midpoint of the construction is reached • An insulation layer is reached (defined as thermal conductivity ≤ 0.08 W/m.K) 55 9. Glossary L Lambda value sometimes called the ‘k–value’ or ‘ʎ–value’, measures the thermal conductivity of a material. k–value is shown in units of W/mK where ‘m’ represents the thickness of the material in metres. Insulants have a low thermal conductivity meaning heat cannot pass through them easily. The k–value shows the general performance of a material with regards to thermal conductivity and does not relate to the material’s thickness. LCA Life Cycle Assessment is how the environmental impact of a building is assessed from raw materials to disposal or recycling. Loose fill insulation for example cellulose or mineral insulations that are typically installed in the air cavities of buildings through a gap or drilled hole in the building element. M Moisture ingress is the act of water entering something. In construction terminology the term is typically used in reference to external moisture (i.e. ground moisture or precipitation) entering a construction. MVHR Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery: A system that ventilates a space by removing indoor air, recovering the heat from that indoor air, and using it to pre–heat fresh air from outside. O Open cell insulation has a structure that allows moisture and vapour to permeate through it. OSB Oriented Strand Board, also known as OSB, Sterling board or Exterior board and is an engineered wood product formed by layering strands (flakes) of wood in specific orientations set within a resin to form a rigid board. The product is typically available in differing thickness from 6–25mm, and comes in differing grades from 1–4. Grades 2–4 are most common, with grade 3 or 4 generally being used in structural applications. A common application for boards of this type is as a structural sheathing to timber frames where they enhance the bending and racking strength of the frame. 56 P P/A Ratio. The perimeter / area ratio is worked out by dividing the exposed perimeter given by the floor area. This will calculate how much floor insulation is need. The exposed perimeter refers only to the walls that connect to an unheated space, so this will mainly be an outside space or areas such as a garage. The smaller the P/A figure the smaller the amount of insulation that is required, for example, a large area with a small exposed perimeter will have less heat loss and, therefore, will require less insulation. Partial bonding is typically used in reference to flat roofing and relates to the method of bonding various components to the substrates beneath. When using a partial bond only a proportion of the two adjacent layers are bonded to one another, this can be to allow for a degree of differential movement, the release of gas during installation, or just due to discontinuity in the substrate, i.e. such as in the case of a profiled metal deck. When referring to built–up bituminous felt partially bonded systems are generally achieved by using a 3G perforated felt, which is loose laid above the substrate (i.e. deck or insulation) and the next layer of felt is then partially bonded to the substrate at the points of the perforations in the 3G layer. Passivhaus or Passive House Standard. ‘A Passivhaus is a building, for which thermal comfort can be achieved solely by post–heating or post–cooling of the fresh air mass, which is required to achieve sufficient indoor air quality conditions – without the need for additional recirculation of air.’ The Passivhaus standard is a very high standard of energy efficiency by reducing levels of heat loss through high levels of insulation and preventing air loss, the building is heated passively through the sun, human occupants and household appliances with the remaining heat being supplied through heating or cooling of air in a mechanical ventilation system. 57 9. Glossary Phenolic Foam (PF) is an insulant such as Kingspan Kooltherm rigid phenolic boards. It has a high compressive strength and a closed cell structure. The thermal conductivity of phenolic foam is lower than that of rigid polyurethane or extruded polystyrene. Plenum in ductwork, a plenum is a space above a ceiling that allows the collection of air in order to let it move between different spaces in the building. PIR Polyisocyanurate foam is a rigid polymeric foam insulation, for example Kingspan Thermapitch that has a thermal conductivity of 0.022 W/m·K. Psi value or Ψ value is the measure of heat loss per K shown in units of W/m·K where ‘m’ details the length of a junction in metres. It is used to estimate the potential for non–repeating thermal bridges. PU is a family of rigid cellular thermoset polymeric foam with a close cell structure that forms both PIR and PUR based polymer forms. Kingspan’s Therma range is made up of PU rigid urethane insulants. PUR Polyurethane foam is a rigid polymeric foam insulation with a high thermal resistance and low thermal conductivity. It can be used on its own or to seal air gaps between existing insulation elements. R Retrofit the installation of insulation over pre–existing building elements or insulation. RH Relative Humidity is a percentage that measures the relationship between the actual moisture content of the air and the saturated moisture content of the air. 58 R–value demonstrates thermal resistance of a material in relation to its thickness. It is measured in units of m2K/W where ‘m’ represents the thickness of the material in metres which is divided by its value. SAP Standard Assessment Procedure which measures the energy performance or efficiency of a domestic building. It covers the energy consumed in relation to the floor area, a fuel–cost–based efficiency rating, and CO2 emissions. The procedure follows the structure of BREDEM (BRE Domestic Energy Model). S Sarking board rigid boards, such as timber planks, plywood or OSB used above rafters in a pitched roof. The use of sarking boards is most common in Scotland, where traditionally sarking boards comprised softwood sawn planks fixed to the upper face of the rafters. SBEM Simplified Building Energy Model assesses the energy efficiency of a non–domestic building. The software is used to measure the CO2 emissions of non–domestic buildings and whether they comply with building regulations and standards. SIPs Structurally Insulated Panels are a combination of insulation and structural elements such as timber facings in one board. An example is the Kingspan TEK Building System. Soffit the underside of an architectural component, for example an arch, beam, staircase or underneath car park decks. Insulations for this type of building element include Kingspan Kooltherm K10 FM Soffit Board and Kooltherm K10 PLUS. 59 9. Glossary T Tanking membrane a water proof membrane used to prevent moisture ingress further into a construction. Products of this type are often used in basement wall or floor constructions. A variety of materials ranging from membranes to liquid applied systems, with both bituminous, cementitous and synthetic plastic products all being available in the market place. TER is the Target Emission which is based on a ‘notional building’, concurrent specification, which differs based on the country in which you are building (eg England, Wales or Scotland). TFEE Target Fabric Energy Efficiency is an additional standard in England presented alongside the TER. Thermal bridges are channels through which heat can be lost when a material has a higher thermal conductivity than adjacent building elements. They can also be referred to as Cold bridges or Heat bridges. The three main types of thermal bridges are: Repeating thermal bridges which develop in a regular pattern, for example where there are timber studs in walls. U–value calculations take account of the effect of repeating thermal bridges e.g. a 15% timber bridging fraction might be taken for studs in a timber framed wall. Non–repeating / linear thermal bridges occur in an irregular pattern at junctions between building elements eg around windows or between walls and floors. Point thermal bridges are used as adjustments to the U–value of a building element. They take account of thermal bridging at fixings, fasteners and beams. 60 Thermal Conductivity is the measure of thermal conductivity used on materials in which heat transfer occurs through conduction, convection and radiation. Thermal mass is how well an element absorbs, stores and releases heat per metre squared (See Kappa Value). Thermal Resistivity as with thermal conductivity, this measures a material’s ability to resist heat transfer through conduction, convection and radiation in relation to the material’s thickness or surface emittance (see emissivity). Thermoset is a type of insulation that sets permanently after cooling. If the insulation is reheated it will not change shape. Thermoset materials will not run, melt or drip when exposed to fire. Examples include Kingspan’s Kooltherm and Therma ranges. U U–value The U–value is a sum of the thermal resistances of the layers that make up a building element i.e. walls, floors, roofs etc.). It includes adjustments for any fixings, air gaps etc. This value shows in units of W/m2K the ability of an element to transmit heat from a warm space to a cold space in a building and vice versa. The lower the U–value, the better insulated the building element is. V Ventilation is the process of “changing” or replacing air in any space to remove excess moisture or other pollutants, such as carbon dioxide or ground gases such as radon and replaced with external air (See MVHR). 61 9. Glossary W Water flow reduction layer is a membrane such as Kingspan Aquazone typically utilised within inverted roof constructions where it is laid above the thermal insulation to aid in minimising the cooling effect associated with rain water draining beneath thermal insulation. These products typically compose non–woven, spun–bonded polyolefin with micro–perforations which allow the escape of moisture vapour while preventing the majority of liquid water from peculating further down into the construction. Wind uplift / Wind load calculations wind can apply a positive or negative force onto objects depending on the construction detail, its orientation to the direction of wind, and the difference between internal and external air pressures. Wind load calculations are particularly important for systems restrained to the outside of a building, such as warm or inverted flat roofs and external wall insulation systems such as EWI render and rainscreen systems. A wind load calculation considers a number of factors, such as the location and altitude of the building plot, local topography (i.e. geographical features, valleys, hillside etc.), adjacent structures which may shelter or funnel wind towards the building, also the construction type, its height from ground, and position on the construction in relation to the prevailing wind direction. X XPS Extruded Polystyrene has a high resistance to condensation damage and has a high thermal resistance. Kingspan Styrozone is a rigid extruded polystyrene. Y Y–value is an approximation of a specific building’s heat loss via its junctions. It is calculated by dividing the HTB (overall thermal bridging coefficient) by the buildings’s total exposed area (See HTB). 62 Think something’s missing or want to make a comment? Drop us a line at [email protected] 63 Sales and Customer Service Tel: +44 (0) 1544 388 601 Fax: +44 (0) 1544 388 888 email: [email protected] Literature and Samples Tel: +44 (0) 1544 387 384 Fax: +44 (0) 1544 387 484 email: [email protected] Technical Advice Tel: +44 (0) 1544 387 382 Fax: +44 (0) 1544 387 482 email: [email protected] General Enquiries Tel: +44 (0) 1544 388 601 Fax: +44 (0) 1544 388 888 email: [email protected] Kingspan Insulation Ltd Pembridge, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 9LA, UK www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk @KingspanIns_UK kingspan-insulation-uk KingspanInsulationUK KingspanInsulationUK +KingspaninsulationCoUk Follow, connect, watch and like us. Simply search for ‘Kingspan Insulation UK’ to keep up to date. ® Kingspan, Kooltherm, Nilvent, OPTIM-R, Thermafloor, Thermapitch, Thermabate, Styrozone, TEK, Thermaroof and the Lion Device are Registered Trademarks of the Kingspan Group plc in the UK and other countries. All rights reserved. TM Therma is a Trademark of Kingspan Group plc. Kingspan Insulation Ltd. Registered in England & Wales, No. 01882722. Registered Office: Pembridge, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 9LA UK.