Insulate Magazine - Essential Insulation Inside - March 2018 Issue 16

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Issue Issue 15 | 16 February | March 2018 

Insulation Stranger Supply Uses and of Insulation Demand 

Insulation 

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Quality 

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Analysis 

Are 

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Insulation Champion 

Insulation Innovation





Outlook 2018 




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Contents 

Welcome to the March 

edition of Insulate Magazine. 

Design of Future Policy : Policy Connect 

Revolutionary Aerogel Blanket 

6 

8 

We have just returned from a highly informative and vastly 

improved ecobuild. At the event we helped MAUER launch 

their new EWI system to the world, the response was 

fantastic. You can find out more about it on page 22. 

Also amongst this months unmissable articles, MIMA 

discuss growing support for non-combustible insulation and 

cladding, Lucideon join the NIA and 3M talk all things PPE 

compliance. We also have information on Knauf and Veolia’s 

new glass recylcing facility, a stunning project featuring 

Kingspan Insulation and a Tyvek Grand Design in London. 

Paul Forrester continues his streak of captivating articles 

with observation of more overlooked uses of 

insulation and the new MAUER EWI system. 

Enjoy! 

gOMS Insulation Quality Analysis 

9 

Pioneering Design Museum : Kingspan 10 

Glass Recycling Facilitiy from Knauf & Veolia 12 

The Importance of PPE Compliance 13 

Lucideon NIA Announcement 15 

Support for Non-Combustible Insulation... 16 

Stranger Uses of Insulation 

18 

Mauer EWI System 

22 

BBA Room in a Roof Scheme 

24 

Colin Heath 

Managing Editor 

colin@insulatenetwork.com 

@colin_insulate 

NIA Helping Landlords 

IMA - Wellbeing and the Built Environment 

Understanding MEES 

Imaginative Building Technology 

25 

26 

29 

30/31 

Insulation Champion - to be annouced at IEX 32 

Jamie Street 

Head of Creative 

jamie@insulatenetwork.com 

@jamie_insulate 

26 

9 

Paul Forrester 

Technical Editor 

6 18 

The UK's only dedicated 

trade journal for the insulation industry 

3

The only independent insulation industry trade magazine 

instant insulate 

A quick look at what is in store in this months issue of Insulate Magazine. 

Head over to page 29 for Understanding MEES 

One of the issues highlighted by the 

roundtable is that buildings rarely 

perform as well in practice as their 

designers predict. 

Read More: Page 6 

A certain amount of common sense 

can be applied to questions about 

‘non-standard’ uses, but sometimes 

requests for the unusual go beyond the 

comfort zone of manufacturers’ 

expertise. 


The building, rated ‘Excellent’ at its design 

stage BREEAM assessment, combines 

renewable energy generating technologies 

with a highly insulated 

construction. 


The glass collected equates to over 

350 million bottles thrown out 

yearly – which could otherwise end up 

in landfill or pollute our environment. 


In the wake of the tragedy at Grenfell 

Tower, what has become clear is that the 

support for using non-combustible 

materials is growing and growing rapidly 

Read More: Page 16 

We believe it’s important that 

landlords have access to the 

most trusted and reliable of local 

specialists, and we hope that our 

online service will enable landlords 

to meet their obligations 


Sustainable buildings are not just about 

energy performance, aesthetics and the 

materials that are used to build them, we 

must also ensure that the people that use 

them are comfortable and happy. 


The U-Value is the most important 

value for the user-independent determination 

of a building’s 

thermal performance. 


Armacell Armagel Aerogel Blanket Turn to page 8 

4 

www.insulatenetwork.com

@INSULATENETWORK 


insulate network puts 

you in touch via every device 


insulatenetwork


Insulate Insight 

Policy Connect to Help 

Shape Design of Future Policy 

Top business forum and the UK’s leading 

construction certification body discuss 

building performance and consumer protection 

for promoting better domestic energy 

efficiency in the UK. 

Just over a year on from the publication of ‘Each 

Home Counts’, and the launch of ‘The Building 

Performance Network’, it was perhaps a timely 

decision for the British Board of Agrément (BBA) 

and the Westminster Sustainable Business Forum 

(WSBF) to get together and consider associated 

issues like closing the building performance gap. 

The roundtable ‘BPN and progress with Each 

Home Counts’ 29 January 2018 was hosted by 

BBA Chief Executive Claire Curtis-Thomas who is 

on the Each Home Counts review team specialising 

in Compliance and Enforcement. 

Held in Portcullis House at Westminster, the event 

was opened by the Chair - Antoinette Sandbach 

MP. George Martin, CEO of the Building Performance 

Network (BPN) provided an overview of the 

network’s approach to improving standards, quality 

initiatives in the Housing sector and what the BPN 

hopes to achieve, and invited participants to discuss 

what discuss what they are currently doing to 

improve building performance in use. 

One of the issues 

highlighted by the 

roundtable is that 

buildings rarely 

perform as well in 

practice as their 

designers predict. 

over the coming months. Suffice to say that hopefully 

these will result in the deployment of initiatives 

that will deliver significant improvements to energy 

efficiency in all manner of commercial and 

domestic buildings and, more importantly, the 

everyday lives of building occupants all over the 

UK. 

Policy Connect’s parliamentary roundtables provide 

an intimate forum to discuss relevant policy topics 

and issues in open debate with policy-makers and 

other stakeholders to help shape the design of future 

policy. 

The next roundtable event takes place in March and 

will focus on infrastructure and flooding. 

One of the issues highlighted by the roundtable 

is that buildings rarely perform as well in practice 

as their designers predict. The difference between 

anticipated and actual performance is known as 

the performance gap, with actual energy 

consumption in buildings found to be between 

twice and ten times higher than originally predicted. 

Needless to say, this is only a small part of the 

bigger picture when it comes to energy usage and 

saving initiatives, and the full list of the 

roundtable’s recommendations will be published 

6 


7

Insulate Innovations 

Armacell Introduce 

Revolutionary ArmaGel Aerogel Blanket 

Armacell a global leader in energy efficiency have launched a next generation Aerogel Blanket. 

The Armacell ArmaGel HT Blanket is suitable for high-temperature applications up to 650 degrees 

C and is available in multiple thickness’ to meet specific customer requirements; 5, 10, 

15 and 20mm. The Aerogel Blanket is produced at a new production line in South Korea and features 

proprietary dust-reducing technology developed by Armacell. 

As part of the company’s new ArmaGel range, Arma- 

Gel HT is optimised for high-temperature applications 

up to 650 degrees Celsius. With its exceptionally low 

thermal conductivity, it is one of the best performing 

insulation materials available today, offering equal 

thermal performance at a fraction of the thickness 

- up to 80 percent thinner than competing insulation 

products. It will introduce new sizes of aerogel 

blankets to the market providing the customer with 

more choice. 10mm thickness is available today, with 

5, 15, and 20mm thicknesses available later in 2018. 

ArmaGel HT offers a multitude of benefits. It is lightweight 

for improved handling and easier transportation. 

For maintenance purposes, product removal is 

made simple reducing both downtime and the need 

to purchase replacement insulation during regular 

maintenance cycles. It cuts easily and conforms to 

preferred shapes. It is hydrophobic and breathable, 

thereby keeping mechanical equipment drier for 

longer and enhancing protection against corrosion 

under insulation. It also offers best-in-class acoustic 

performance and designed thicknesses reduced by 

up to 40 percent. 

Effective insulation is a key factor in tackling climate 

change, as it is one of the simplest, fastest and most 

cost-effective means of improving energy efficiency. 

Our new product is environmentally safe, chloride-free 

and landfill disposable. In addition, it features 

Armacell’s innovative dust-reducing technology, 

LoDust, making it the right fit for installers. 

Patrick Mathieu, President 

& CEO of the Armacell Group: 

“We are excited to launch the next generation 

aerogel technology, enabling us to 

deliver a complete portfolio of thermal and 

acoustic insulation solutions. In combination 

with our core elastomeric flexible foam offering 

and design capabilities, the enhanced 

performance parameters of ArmaGel deliver 

state-of-the-art solutions to our customers 

around the globe with an excellent quality/ 

cost ratio” 

8 



Building Insulation Quality 

Analysis Via Unique gOMS 

greenTEG AG: Solutions for insulation quality assessments 

The gO Measurement Systems (gOMS) is a 

cloud-based, wireless system for measuring 

U-value, R-value, humidity and temperature in 

building physics applications. The system enables 

simultaneous measurements with up to 16 sensor 

nodes. All measurements can be monitored remotely 

in real-time via the cloud. The gOMS is the only 

system on the market which generates quantitative 

data regarding the building insulation quality (U-value, 

R-value) wirelessly and checks it against the strict ISO 

9869 norm. All measurements can be made non-invasively. 

real-time. 

greenTEG AG 

greenTEG provides Swiss made thermal sensing 

solutions for applications in building physics, photonics, 

med-tech, industry, and R&D. The company was 

founded in 2009 as a ETH Zurich spin-off. Today, 

greenTEG supplies OEMs and researchers at world 

class research institutes with sensors and measurement 

systems. 

Applications in building physics and beyond 

The U-Value is the most important value for the user-independent 

determination of a building’s thermal 

performance. Because different parameters can be 

measured with the gOMS, various scenarios and 

applications are possible. U-Value measurements 

are conducted when an energetic refurbishment is 

planned and the status quo of a building needs to 

be determined in the planning phase. Especially with 

older buildings it is often unclear which materials were 

used and how their properties change over time. 

A further application case is the detection of heat 

bridges to identify the source of mold or to prevent 

mold growth, for example when refurbishing windows. 

Continuous monitoring of facilities such as archives 

are also possible. 

Specifications 

The gOMS consists of a base station and up to 16 

sensor nodes. The sensor nodes send the data via 

Lora protocol to the base station where they are 

transferred via a safe 3G connection to the cloud. The 

data can be monitored and analyzed at all times in 


9


Insulate News 

Kingspan Specified 

for Pioneering Museum Design 

Roof and floor insulation products from 

industry leading manufacturer — 

Kingspan Insulation — have formed an 

integral part of the iconic building envelope for 

Scotland’s first museum of design. 

KENGO KUMA & ASSOCIATES’ design for V&A 

Dundee sets an impressive figure against the city’s 

waterfront. Its angular form, wrapped with horizontal 

concrete panels, draws inspiration from the dramatic 

cliffs of the country’s east coast. BAM Construct UK 

and Dundee City Council are overseeing construction 

of the £80 million museum which is due to open this 

September, providing 1,650 m² of world class exhibition 

facilities. 

The building, rated ‘Excellent’ at its design stage 

BREEAM assessment, combines renewable energy 

generating technologies with a highly insulated 

construction. To insulate the building’s expansive flat 

roof, whilst also providing effective drainage, over 

6,500 m2 of Kingspan Thermataper TT46 LPC/FM 

was specified along with a further 1,000 m2 of Kingspan 

Thermaroof TR26 LPC/FM. 

The high-performance roofing products were installed 

by Q9 Cladding Solutions. They can achieve thermal 

conductivities as low as 0.022 W/m.K and are 

compatible with most mechanically fixed single–ply 

waterproofing systems. Kingspan Insulation’s specialist 

tapered roofing design team provided a detailed 

layout scheme for the products. This ensured that the 

build-up met the target thermal performance requirements 

with a minimal construction depth, limiting 

structural support requirements, whilst also effectively 

channelling water off the roof space. In addition, both 

products have been approved to Factory Mutual Research 

Standard 4470: 2016 for Class 1 Steel Deck 

Roof Assemblies and LPS 1181:Part 1. 

To insulate the ground floor throughout the building a 

further 5,300 m2 of Kingspan Kooltherm K3 Floorboard 

was installed. Kingspan Insulation has now released 

Kingspan Kooltherm K103 Floorboard as part 

of its Kooltherm K100 range of premium performance 

insulation boards, offering a thermal conductivity of 

just 0.018 W/m.K across all board thicknesses. 

As part of the project’s BREEAM commitments, 

considerable care was taken to ensure the materials 

specified met the highest standards in responsible 

sourcing. All three Kingspan Insulation products 

installed at the museum have been assigned the 

highest possible BRE Green Guide Summary Rating 

of A+. The insulated boards, manufactured at 

Kingspan’s facilities in Herefordshire and North 

Yorkshire, are also certified as ‘Excellent’ under the 

demanding BES6001 Responsible Sourcing 

Standard. As a result, they contributed toward the 

award of credits within the Materials section of the 

building’s BREEAM assessment. 

Photo Credit: Ross Fraser McLean 

10 


10

The complete 

insulation system for 

energy efficiency & 

condensation control 

AF/Armaflex Class 0 

The #1 choice for condensation 

control & energy efficiency. 

• Closed cell flexible elastomeric foam 

provides built in vapour barrier 

• Low thermal conductivity for long 

term energy efficiency 

• Built-in Microban® antimicrobial 

protection prevents mould and 

bacteria growth 

• Euroclass B/BL-s3, d0 for entire 

range 

• FM and UL approved 

Armafix Ecolight 

Eco-friendly pipe supports made 

using 100% recycled PET foam. 

• Prevents thermal bridging at pipe 

fixings for HVAC applications 

• Available in 13, 19, 25, 32 & 40mm 

thickness 

• Density of 95 - 105kg/m³ 

• Thermal conductivity 0.033 W/(m•k) 

• Temperature range -30°C up to 

+80°C 

• Self seal closing seam for fast 

application 

Armaflex RS850 Adhesive 

The drip-free adhesive for faster 

and cleaner application of 

Armaflex. 

• Reduced solvent emissions, ideal 

for installations in workshops and 

confined spaces 

• Extended 3 year shelf-life 

• Thixotropic, non-drip gel based 

adhesive 

1. 2. 3. INSTALL 

1. Fit clamp to threaded rod 

& insert Armafix Ecolight pipe 

supports. 

2. Fit adjoining lengths of 

AF/Armaflex Class O tube. 

3. Seal Ecolight pipe supports & 

AF/Armaflex Class O tube with 

Armaflex RS850 adhesive. 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE AROUND THE WORLD 

t: 0161 287 7100 e: info.uk@armacell.com w: armacell.co.uk


Knauf and Veolia Open 

New High Tech Glass Recycling Facility 

Knauf Insulation and Veolia have officially opened a new high-tech glass recycling facility in St 

Helens. Each year, over 60,000 tonnes of used glass bottles and jars will now be given a new 

lease of life as the partners join forces to clean, separate and refine household glass, before 

transforming it into high performance, energy-saving insulation solutions. 

Veolia’s world-first facility uses the latest technology 

to sort and separate glass at a micro-level 

with exceptional accuracy, delivering an ultra-pure 

glass cullet. The state of the art machinery includes 

vibrating screens for size sorting, magnets to extract 

ferrous materials and eddy current separators[i] for 

non-ferrous materials. 

The new facility enables Knauf Insulation to secure its 

glass supply and maximise the use of recycled materials 

instead of virgin minerals. Also the proximity of 

the new facility will save approximately 375,000 miles 

of road journeys. 

The glass collected equates to over 350 million bottles 

thrown out yearly – which could otherwise end 

up in landfill or pollute our environment. With a £10M 

investment and a decade long commitment from 

Knauf Insulation, both companies are demonstrating 

their dedication to sustainable and circular manufacturing. 

John Sinfield, Managing Director at Knauf Insulation 

Northern Europe, said: 

“Our insulation solutions play a key role in helping reduce 

carbon emissions and benefit the environment. 

and the fact we have delivered this in partnership with 

Veolia demonstrates what can be achieved when 

two leaders in their respective fields work together to 

achieve mutual goals.” 

Estelle Brachlianoff, Senior Executive Vice-President 

at Veolia UK & Ireland, said: 

“This innovative new facility is a £10 million investment 

in the UK green economy which is good for 

jobs, good for the community and good for the 

planet. 

“To see our site officially open today is a vote of confidence 

in our technology and the quality of cullet we 

produce - and by using a significant amount of this 

glass in its manufacturing process, Knauf Insulation is 

setting the standard for other manufacturers to follow 

– making use of recycled material mainstream rather 

than niche. 

“We want to see this first-of-its kind partnership pave 

the way for others; where waste is seen as an 

indispensable commodity and given a completely 

new lease of life. It would be fantastic to see more 

key industry players follow Knauf Insulation and incorporate 

circular economy thinking into production.” 

“We have been using recycled glass in our manufacturing 

process for some time already. As well as 

securing our glass supply, the quality and consistency 

that we are getting now from the new facility will 

enable us to increase further the percentage of glass 

cullet we use in the manufacture of our Glass Mineral 

Wool insulation solutions, taking us one step further 

in our sustainability journey. 

“This is also a real boost for the circular economy 

12 www.insulatenetwork.com


Insulate Columnist 

The Importance 

of PPE Compliance 

Insulate Magazine columnist George Elliott, a technical specialist at science-based technology company 3M, 

discusses the importance of PPE Compliance 

Pespiratory protective 

Personal Protective 

Equipment (PPE) can be 

vital for protecting workers 

who are fitting and removing 

insulation, but it can quickly 

become redundant when worn 

incorrectly. 

Non-compliance can come in 

many forms but is typically seen 

when workers do not wear their 

PPE correctly, or choose not 

to wear it at all. It is therefore 

important to make compliance 

part of an organisation’s culture, 

putting safety at the forefront of 

the minds of both workers and 

management. 

The Personal Protective Equipment 

at Work Regulations Act 

1992 states that employers must 

give personnel suitable training on 

the use of supplied PPE and ensure 

that it is worn when required. 

Items such as hard hats, respirators, 

goggles and protective 

clothing can go a long way 

towards protecting an individual 

from hazards associated with the 

insulation industry – but PPE is 

only effective when it is worn, and 

worn correctly. 

Choosing PPE 

When selecting which items to 

supply workers with, health and 

safety managers should choose 

equipment that is not only adequate 

for the job, but also suitable 

for the wearer. 

While the level of protection given 

by PPE is of high priority, comfort 

is also a very important factor 

in the selection process. Considering 

the size, fit, weight and 

allowable movement in the PPE is 

therefore essential. 

Involving workers in the selection 

process can help to reduce 

incidences of non-compliance or 

disregard for PPE. The Workers’ 

Choice campaign by 3M aims to 

ensure that supplied equipment 

does not become a hindrance to 

an individual and fulfils comfort 

requirements. 

Poor compatibility between PPE, 

like safety glasses and respiratory 

protection, can often be a reason 

behind non-compliance. If safety 

glasses and respirators have not 

been designed to accommodate 

one another, wearers may find 

that their eyewear steams up 

(causing them to remove the item) 

or their PPE fits incorrectly on 

their faces – potentially reducing 

the protection provided. 

3M offers extensive free product 

trials, giving employees time to 

initially try solutions and managers 

a chance to ensure that there is 

worker buy-in. 

Open Discussion 

Encouraging open conversation 

about PPE use, and giving 

a workforce methods of raising 

issues, can be a positive way to 

improve compliance in the workplace. 

Sometimes personnel simply do 

not realise the seriousness of 

incorrect PPE wear and experienced 

workers may think they 

know best. 

3M also offers questionnaires to 

help health and safety managers 

get valuable feedback from their 

workforce. This helps to identify 

the reasons why they may not be 

wearing their PPE – perhaps because 

it’s uncomfortable, restricts 

their ability to do their job or that it 

takes too long to put on. 


13

A key part of improving compliance 

rates is properly training 

employees on not only how to 

wear their equipment correctly, but 

also why it is important to do so 

For more information on this topic, 

or for information about the 

selection and use of 3M PPE in the 

workplace, call the 3M helpline on 

0870 608 0060. 

Training 

Sometimes non-compliance can be unintentional 

- employees may not be aware they are wearing 

their PPE incorrectly. 

A key part of improving compliance rates is 

properly training employees on not only how to 

wear their equipment correctly, but also why it 

is important to do so. Those informed about the 

hazards they face may be more likely to want to 

protect themselves. 

The type and level of training required will depend 

on the nature of the work and the hazards 

involved. Workers should be informed of the 

correct way to wear each item, the approved 

cleaning, maintenance and storage methods, 

and also how to spot and report defects. 

Setting the Tone 

Compliance should be regularly monitored and 

nonconformity addressed promptly. 

Managers have to be noticeably visible in complying 

with any safety requirements. Wherever 

possible, they should engage with workers in an 

encouraging manner if and when they observe 

non-compliance. Asking non-confrontational 

questions that tap into the reasoning behind the 

non-compliance can help with making future 

improvements. 

In addition to mandatory signage, it can also be 

useful to display awareness posters that signify 

the risks and rules of PPE compliance around the 

workspace. This will keep safety at the forefront 

of everyone’s mind. 

14



Lucideon Becomes 

Member of National Insulation Association 

Lucideon, the international 

materials development 

and commercialization 

organization, is delighted 

to announce that it is now a 

member of the National Insulation 

Association (NIA). 

The NIA represents manufacturers, 

system certificate holders 

and installers of cavity wall, external 

wall, internal wall, loft, roof 

and floor insulation and draught 

proofing in the UK. 

For Lucideon, membership of the 

NIA will facilitate introductions 

within industry and the promotion 

of its services, as well as the 

opportunity to attend members’ 

meetings and the annual conference. 

The sharing of industry 

news and briefings on policy 

matters, regulations and technical 

matters will ensure Lucideon 

remains abreast of developments 

within this sector. 

Neil Marshall, chief executive 

at the NIA, said: 

“As the insulation industry’s 

leading trade association, we’re 

very pleased to have Lucideon 

join us as they will not only bring a 

wealth of knowledge and expertise 

regarding EWI, but will also 

strengthen our industry voice with 

Government and external stakeholders.” 

Joanne Booth, business 

manager, construction at 

Lucideon, added: 

“Being a member of the NIA will enable us to 

further support and provide up-to-date advice to 

our own customers who are key players in the 

External Wall Insulation (EWI) industry. 

“I’m very much looking forward to participating in 

the EWI Technical Committee meetings. Using our 

extensive knowledge and testing experience, we 

will be able to provide an insight into the key 

factors affecting the performance of EWI systems 

under the current controversial aspects of 

durability and resistance to wind loads which are 

negatively affecting the industry.” 

Lucideon provides support 

throughout the lifecycle of 

products, systems and buildings, 

from developing new materials 

and laboratory testing, to factory 

production control and on-site 

investigations. 

The purpose-built, large-scale 

construction laboratory at Lucideon’s 

Stoke-on-Trent headquarters 

has a 300 anchorage strong 

floor, loading rigs with 900 tonne 

capacity, as well as large-capacity 

hygrothermal testing chambers 

and an indoor dynamic wind 

loading and wind uplift test rig. 

To find out more about Lucideon 

and its service offerings for the 

construction industry, please visit 

www.lucideon.com/construction. 


15

Insulate insulate Columnist columnist 

Growing Support for 

non-combustible insulation and cladding 

Sarah Kostense-Winterton Executive Director, MIMA 

I 

n the wake of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, 

what has become clear is that the support for 

using non-combustible materials is growing 

and growing rapidly. Along with MIMA, the Royal 

Institute for British Architects, the Association 

of British Insurers, the All-Party Parliamentary 

Group on Fire Safety and Rescue and the Communities 

and Local Government Select Committee 

have all recommended the use of non-combustible 

materials only on high rise and sensitive 

building façades. 

Building owners have also been seeking support in 

assessing the safety of their buildings with the Metal 

Cladding and Roofing Manufacturers Association 

(MCRMA) publicly stating in November 2017 that, 

“Guidelines are not legal requirements, and should 

be considered the minimum acceptable standards. 

The legal requirement is for buildings to adequately 

resist the spread of fire and therefore, common sense 

suggests the use of limited combustibility materials 

wherever reasonably possible. Furthermore, it is a 

great concern that to date there is no guidance to 

discourage highly combustible façades from being 

installed on buildings under 18m (such as a five-storey 

block of flats).” 

Sarah Kostense-Winterton is Executive Director of MIMA, the Mineral 

Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association, the industry trade body for 

non-combustible, breathable insulation which provides an authoritative 

source of independent information and advice on glass and stone wool 

insulation. MIMA actively promotes the benefits of mineral wool insulation 

and the contribution it makes to the energy efficiency of buildings and to 

the comfort and well-being of their occupants. 

For further details of the guidance, please visit MIMA’s website at http:// 

mima.info/info-centre/news/ or contact Sarah at sarah@mima.info 

This guide provides information in respect to building 

façades, and includes details of A1 and A2 

Euro-class rated non-combustible façade materials 

which meet the highest standards of performance 

in relation to fire whilst also delivering on energy 

efficiency. 

Additionally, whilst our guidance focusses on building 

façades, the guidance it offers is also relevant to 

other building aspects such as at roofs and cavities 

which contain insulation materials. 

MIMA has responded to this call by publishing 

guidance recommending that all mid- and high-rise 

buildings of 12 metres and over should be reviewed, 

as well as all sensitive and high occupancy buildings 

such as hospitals, schools, hotels and sports 

arenas, regardless of their height. 

16


Industry guidance and recommendations for non-combustible materials only 

The MCRMA supported their November statement with the following advice to its members to be taken in 

conjunction with professional advice: 

PE ACM (Polyethylene Aluminium Composite Material) should not be used for 

construction, internally or externally, at any height. 

The overwhelming priority is to satisfy yourself that you have taken reasonable 

steps to ensure that the building adequately resists the spread of fire, not 

that you have followed the minimum requirements of the current guidance. 

A marginal cost benefit is not a reasonable justification for choosing a significantly 

more combustible product. 

Height – for the purposes of fire safety, and in the knowledge that refurbished 

buildings may have poor standards of passive fire safety, the MCRMA considers 

the appropriate threshold for height consideration to be 12m. This 

represents a typical three-storey building where one would have a reasonable 

expectation to survive escaping via a window, in the event that stairs were 

inaccessible. 

High Buildings (>=12m) – the major elements of the external façade should 

comprise only limited combustibility materials (subject to items 7 and 8). 

These include the sheathing board (where used), the insulation, the mounting 

system and the external facing material. Thermal isolation pads and vapour 

membranes located between the sheathing board (or structure) and insulation 

are not included, but the total combustible energy content of minor 

components should not exceed 20 MJ/ m2. There are currently too many 

concerns regarding the BS 8414 test to confidently use it as the sole measure 

of fire safety of an ‘as installed’ system. The MCRMA is seeking further 

evidence on the robustness and predictability of BR 135 results when systems 

contain commonly found construction errors and variations such as 

wall penetrations. 

Low Buildings (< 12m) – having no limitation on the combustibility of low rise 

buildings (which often includes hotels, hospitals, schools) is not adequately 

preventing the spread of fire. 

If combustible insulation is used, it should be Euroclass B or C and only used 

in conjunction with limited combustibility (A1 or A2) external facing material. 

If combustible external facing material is used it should be Euroclass B (and 

used with class A1 or A2 insulation). 

Toxicity –It is possible that in future, toxicity and smoke performance will 

be regulated. It is nevertheless common sense to choose materials with 

superior toxicity and smoke characteristics (i.e. ‘s2’ or above). 

‘Limited Combustibility’ – for the purposes of this guidance, also includes 

‘non-combustible’. Above 12m, limited combustibility external facing products 

that rely on bonding or adhesives for their mechanical integrity must 

prove their mechanical stability in a fire through the successful pass of a BS 

8414 test. This includes ACM material, non-mechanically fixed materials 

and sandwich panels. 

Low melting point materials – care should be taken with materials such 

as zinc. Above 12m, the MCRMA would advise where a material is specified 

with a melting point below aluminium, that a BS 8414 test verifies 

the mechanical performance. Similarly, MCRMA advises against using an 

external facing material that has a significantly higher melting point than the 

mounting system (e.g. Corten on aluminium). There is a danger in such situations 

that the load bearing framework could disintegrate in a fire prior to 

the facing material, resulting in a catastrophic collapse of the entire façade. 

Roofing – MCRMA reminds members that similar diligence should be 

shown when considering the re performance of a roof. 

Product Identification – missing or incorrect product marking was a major 

obstacle in the identification of materials following the Grenfell fire. Given 

the difficulties associated with identifying similar looking materials, MCRMA 

recommends that the installed major elements are traceable and identifiable 

(e.g. through visible markings or radio frequency (RFID) tags). This is not 

only good quality control practice but will also help building control inspectors 

check that the correct materials are being used during construction. 

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG, previously DCLG) has also produced a series 

of guidance notes for building owners since June 2017. These notes have included information on assessing the materials 

on buildings, assessing the compliance of the materials used and undertaking remedial works. 

MIMA’s guidance will be available at the beginning of March and will be circulated to a wide range of stakeholders, 

including building owners, local and national government organisations and departments as well as Ministers and 

Parliamentarians. 


17


Exclusive Insulate Column 

Stranger Uses of 


Paul Forrester Technical Editor, Insulate Magazine 

Insulation should be a reliable sector of construction 

in which to work - most products 

are made for specific applications, certified 

to demonstrate their suitability in those applications, 

and sold via a distribution network designed 

to see them reach building sites. But what 

happens when people get other ideas? by Paul 

Forrester 

Although the construction industry’s resistance to 

change is frequently cited as a bad thing, it does offer 

one or two perks. Repeating and refining a limited 

number of methods or processes, for example, quickly 

builds a vast database of knowledge about what works 

and what doesn’t. 

The journey of manufacturing, testing and 

approving products makes sure they’re used 

appropriately and safely, and will do what the manufacturer 

claims when used as part of those proven building methods. 

For anybody offering technical support in the use of 

insulation products, that predictability is a foundation 

for confident, accurate advice. 

New tricks 

There will always be projects where unusual site conditions 

are encountered, or where a unique detail needs 

treating in a different way. 

In such situations, the architect or specifier might be 

aware of it and tackle the issue head on. Other times, 

the manufacturer’s technical helpdesk might spot a 

potential stumbling block and pass the query back for 

further thought. 

A certain amount of common sense can be applied to 

questions about ‘non-standard’ uses, but sometimes 

requests for the unusual go beyond the comfort zone 

of manufacturers’ expertise. Every once in a while, 

somebody throws a curveball. 

The next section of the article relies heavily on a background 

in rigid foam insulation, but sales and technical 

staff working for manufacturers of other insulation types 

undoubtedly get their fair share of strange requests for 

advice too. 

Question Time 

Of course, not long after the article’s publication, the A 

short quiz for you: which of the following are real applications 

in which people wanted to use rigid insulation 

boards? 

• Lining the hull of an aluminium catamaran. 

• Refurbishing an oast house. 

• A hog roast cooking pit. 

• A chamber storing, and keeping warm, 

large pots of honey. 

• In the floor of a chimpanzee enclosure. 

• For a new building at an owl sanctuary. 

Strength of Feeling 

It is, as you have probably guessed, a trick question. 

They’re all real, and a couple of them are not as 

detached from common practice as they might sound 

(the owl sanctuary, meanwhile, is both real and simply 

a fun reference for any Alan Partridge fans). 

Where the chimpanzee enclosure was concerned, a 

floor is a floor regardless of what species of great ape 

walks on it. 

18 18 


A certain amount of common sense can be 

applied to questions about ‘non-standard’ 

uses, but sometimes requests for the unusual 

go beyond the comfort zone of manufacturers’ 

expertise. 


19 

19

20 www.insulatenetwork.com 


It was a perfectly normal floor with no unusual loads 

and, as such, merited no special consideration 

beyond its potential to one day inspire a magazine 

article(!). 

Oast houses were buildings for drying hops as part of 

the brewing process, most commonly found in South 

East England and the West Midlands. Many are 

converted and refurbished, mainly for domestic use 

(including in this example), and are typically characterised 

by their unusual shape. The only way to sensibly 

fix rigid sheets was to a timber frame constructed 

internally, avoiding the need to follow the contours of 

the structure. 

Stranger Things 

The catamaran, the cooking pit and the warming 

chamber were all less clear cut. The conditions in 

which the insulation was expected to be used, the 

way it would be fixed, and the surrounding constructions 

were all unclear. 

unconventional applications doesn’t just mean being 

willing to seek advice. It means being prepared to 

potentially consult several different sources. 

It also means being prepared to work 

collaboratively to try and arrive at a solution that 

has the best chance of succeeding. There’s a good 

chance the person you speak to wants to help but 

is simply uncertain - perhaps because the product 

they’re giving advice about is not well suited to your 

proposal, or because the information they’re being 

asked to make a judgement on is insufficient. 

If the inclusion of insulation is not part of an holistic 

approach to making the chosen project and 

application as efficient as possible then there is little 

to be gained from installing it in an isolated area - 

because the lack of any resulting benefit will be most 

unexpected. 

It was possible to understand why someone wanted 

to use insulation for these distinctly different applications, 

but it was difficult to understand how best to 

use it to achieve a good result - or even what a good 

result would be! 

There are no clearly defined U-value targets for these 

situations; it is not obvious how to achieve continuous 

insulation, or whether vapour control measures 

are a necessity. The client couldn’t put into words exactly 

what they wanted to achieve - they just wanted 

to know if the insulation was ‘suitable’. 

And that’s a difficult question to answer. Just because 

something could be used, does it mean that it 

should be used? 

Grand Designs 

IProblem solving is inherent to the construction 

industry, finding solutions for new ideas and 

unfamiliar situations. But specifying insulation for

@INSULATENETWORK 


insulate network puts 

you in touch via every device 


insulatenetwork


New Product Innovation 

Mauer EWI System 

Paul Forrester Technical Editor, Insulate Magazine 

Freezing cold weather gripped the UK at the 

end of February and into March, and the 

deficiencies of the country’s housing stock 

were once again laid bare for all to see. A gas 

supply warning, issued at the height of the poor 

conditions, only served to highlight the fragility 

of relying heavily on mostly imported fossil 

fuels. 

It’s easy to talk about pursuing better standards for 

new buildings as an answer to this. That remains 

important, but the real differences stand to be made 

in tackling existing homes and buildings. 

Energy bills and fuel poverty; unhealthy buildings 

and weather-related fatalities (including overheating 

in summer); carbon emissions targets and the UK’s 

contribution to climate change - all will remain an 

issue without ambitious retrofit targets. 

Mixed success 

Government schemes like the Green Deal and ECO 

have tried to kick-start energy efficiency improvements 

with varying degrees of success. Where improvements 

to existing homes have been made, they 

have tended to be the ‘low hanging fruit’ of relatively 

straightforward solutions. 

Achieving a wider level of retrofit, however, means 

engaging with and incentivising owner-occupiers and 

the private rented sector. 

With that in mind, April 2018 sees minimum energy 

efficiency standards for rental properties come into 

effect. From the beginning of the month, landlords will 

not be able to offer new leases on properties in Energy 

Performance Certificate (EPC) bands F or G. In 

2020, active leases will fall under the regulations too. 

An English Housing Survey in 2014 suggested there 

are more than a quarter of a million private rental 

properties in England and Wales that do not meet the 

minimum band E requirement, and there are already 

calls to tighten the rules to band C by 2030. 

Mission impossible? Not necessarily... 

Mauer UK Ltd want to help tackle these issues, particularly 

fuel poverty. Achieving retrofit at scale means 

finding new solutions to improve the building fabric 

of properties with solid walls or narrow, hard-to-treat 

cavities - thereby reducing fuel consumption and 

energy bills for occupants. 

The team at Mauer, led by Dan and Matt, have immersed 

themselves in the development of a unique 

external wall insulation (EWI) system providing an 

efficient and cost-effective answer to the challenges 

faced by existing solutions. 

The self-funded project has led to the first genuine 

innovation in the EWI industry for several years, and 

they are proud to introduce it to the readers of Insulate 

magazine. 

Embracing off-site manufacturing (OSM) 

One of the difficulties of producing a viable insulation 

solution is the variety found across the housing stock. 

A system that is easy to apply on one site may be 

impossible at another, and that uncertainty is harmful 

to the success of the industry. 

Recognising this variety, Mauer use laser-scanning 

technology to digitally survey each property. The 

results are uploaded to CAD software to create a 

bespoke design to millimetre accuracy. In turn, that 

design informs a manufacturing process that takes 

full advantage of the benefits of OSM. 

Every insulation component is produced and cured in 

factory conditions before being delivered to the installer, 

fully finished, ready for use as a 

project-specific ‘kit’. 

22 


23 

23 

Product Features Summary 

• Ideal for new and existing buildings; traditional procurement or modular build 

• Manufactured off-site; installation is fast and not weather dependent. 

• Independently tested to ETAG 034 (European technical approval of kits for external wall claddings). 

• Complete system, including composite facade board (CFB) and steel framing system, assessed and awarded an Agrement 

certificate by Kiwa BDA. 

• Durable, low-maintenance and robust: suitable for any exposure and impact zone. 

• Unrivalled structural stability under wind loading. 

• U-value of 0.295 W/m2K, based on TRISCO numerical modelling calculations. 

• Core insulant material: Knauf Supafil Frame (blown mineral fibre giving complete coverage). 

• Overall fire rating of Euroclass A2 (non-combustible). 

• Insurance-backed product. 

• Eligible for ECO funding. 

• Complete traceability of all raw materials. 

• Mauer is a working partner on several UK and European energy efficiency and innovation projects. 

• Approximate 25% cost saving compared to conventional EWI solutions. 

• Choice of finishes: brick or stone-effect all derived from one Mauer-specific raw material. Colour matching available, and 

bespoke patterns and sizes available. 

Working with Mauer 

Visit mauer.uk.com/get-in-touch to find out more 

about the Mauer EWI system, case studies and 

its further development, or to enquire about using 

it on a project or becoming an installer. 

The Mauer technical team assist throughout, 

including a constant on-site presence and 

monitoring of the design, production (based in 

East Lancashire) and installation.


New BBA Room in a Roof 

Scheme Cuts Inspection Costs 

IA unique scheme to make Room in Roof 

installation compliance quicker and cheaper 

has been launched by the British Board of 

Agrément (BBA). 

Just one inspection is required with the BBA’s new 

Room in Roof Insulation Installer Scheme, the first of 

its kind in the industry. 

“This new all-inclusive service makes it quicker 

and more cost-effective for insulation contractors 

to ensure their room in roof projects comply with 

regulations,” said Ken O’Sullivan, Head of Audit & 

Inspection at the BBA. “Until now installers have been 

required to gain separate approvals for pitched roof 

and internal wall insulation installations. This new 

scheme requires just one, lowering costs and saving 

time for contractors.” 

Properly insulated loft conversions and rooms in roofs 

can retain up to 25% of heat generated in a house. 

Work must be done correctly to ensure it complies 

with energy efficiency, ventilation, fire protection 

standards and Building Regulations. The RiR scheme 

has been developed following feedback from BBA 

competent installer scheme members, leveraging the 

technical excellence offered by the BBA and its Approved 

Installer network to deliver properly and safely 

insulated rooms in roofs in a more cost-effective and 

timely way. 

Existing BBA Approved installers need only ask to 

join the scheme. Those not yet BBA Approved must 

register for assessment. 

The British Board of Agrément was formed in 1966 

and offers certification, testing, audit and inspection 

services to manufacturers of construction products 

and systems and installer approval. It is also the UK’s 

leading authority on the assessment of insulation 

products and installation techniques. 

For further information contact eives@bbacerts.co.uk 

24 

24 




NIA Helping Landlords 

Meet New Energy Efficiency Regulations 

Insulate Magazine columnist Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the National Insulation Association 

A 

The National Insulation 

Association (NIA) is 

providing assistance to 

private landlords to help them 

meet new regulations by 

providing access to NIA 

installer members to carry out 

work. 

On 1st April 2018, the Government 

is introducing new regulations 

in England and Wales which 

will require private landlord’s with 

premises that are rated EPC band 

F or G to upgrade them to band 

E by installing insulation measures 

before they can renew tenancies 

or re-let the properties. 

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of 

the NIA commented: “Landlords 

can contact their local NIA Installer 

member free of charge through 

the installer postcode locator tool 

on our website www.nia-uk.org 

to obtain a survey and quotation 

and details of grants available to 

help pay for the work. By using 

an NIA member, landlords can be 

safe in the knowledge that the installer 

meets stringent criteria and 

has signed up to the NIA’s Code 

of Professional Practice providing 

added assurance and recourse.” 

“We believe it’s important that 

landlords have access to the 

most trusted and reliable of local 

specialists, and we hope that our 

online service will enable 

landlords to meet their obligations 

by making their properties more 

energy efficient.” 

“Landlords should be thinking 

about what they need to do to 

meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency 

Standard (MEES) and how 

they can provide warmer homes 

for their tenants. The minimum E 

rating may be raised further in the 

future and so landlords with buildings 

rated F or G may decide that 

they wish to spend more than the 

minimum in order to bring those 

buildings to D or above.” 

For more information about all 

the work above and 

membership of the NIA 

please email 

neil.marshall@nia-uk.org 


25



Wellbeing 

and the Built Enviroment 

Simon Storer, Chief Executive of Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA) 

Wlhether it is at home, in workplaces, leisure facilities or healthcare environments, there can 

be no doubt that people spend large amounts of their time in buildings. In the drive towards 

both sustainability in construction and reducing our carbon footprint, we need to ensure that 

we build with this in mind. So, naturally we should be creating buildings that ultimately make people 

feel healthier and happier. 

We already know that a well-designed 

and insulated building fabric 

provides the benefits of energy 

reduction, lower fuel bills and 

better control of internal temperature, 

keeping the occupants warm 

in winter and cool in the summer 

which all adds to their comfort and 

wellbeing. But it’s not just an issue 

of temperature that impacts our 

wellbeing; we need to design to 

control humidity and consider the 

acoustic and visual comfort of occupants. 

Well-designed ventilation 

systems promoting good indoor air 

quality, coupled with good natural 

light are essential elements for 

good health. 

Of course, the improved health of 

building occupants is a key consideration 

since warm, dry homes 

help to reduce the impact on the 

NHS by the most vulnerable in our 

society. Living in under-heated, 

cold and draughty homes can 

pose severe health risks, due to 

the higher instances of damp and 

mould, which exacerbates health 

issues such as asthma, bronchitis, 

heart and lung disease. 

A comfortable thermal environment 

that will meet all these needs and 

those of all occupants is of course 

a challenge, particularly when you 

take into consideration individual 

preferences and also the vagaries 

of a building’s thermal environment. 

High performance PIR insulation 

has an important role to play in 

any new build or retrofit project 

which aims to substantially raise 

thermal performance standards 

and improve the building’s internal 

environment. Good design and 

workmanship also play their part, 

as does good detailing. Ultimately, 

it’s a balancing act of a complex 

set of interdependent factors – 

however, the benefits of getting it 

right are worth it. 

Sustainable buildings are not just 

about energy performance, aesthetics 

and the materials that are 

used to build them, we must also 

ensure that the people that use 

them are comfortable and happy. 

The design of our built environment 

has a significant impact on 

the nation’s health and we need 

to ensure that we get it right first 

time in order for everyone to feel 

better about themselves in the 

longer term, and to ensure that we 

do not have to go back and retrofit 

buildings in the future because we 

failed to deliver today the highest 

performing insulation that is 

practically and economically 

available. 

For more information about 

Insulation Manufacturers 

Association visit the official 

website: 

www.insulationmanufacturers.org.uk 

26 


Sustainable buildings are not just about energy 

performance, aesthetics and the materials that are used 

to build them, we must also ensure that the people that 

use them are comfortable and happy. 

27

A site for 

sore eyes 

Looking at the advantages of BBA Certification 

As you well know, major construction work on building sites 

involves a huge amount of product and materials checking, not 

least to make sure everything meets the exacting requirements 

of building regulations. This can be stressful at the best of times 

and a helping hand is always welcome. 

That’s why more and more people are coming to the BBA for 

off-site certification of their products. For many years now, our 

work in the offsite construction sector has brought peace of mind 

to hundreds of architects and manufacturers alike. 

BBA Agrément Certificates are widely read and respected by 

industry decision-makers who want to select innovative products 

that have been thoroughly assessed by the BBA. Our assessors 

have decades of experience in evaluating Offsite Construction, 

and we are currently assessing many new systems, adding to the 

many already approved including insulated concrete formwork, 

SIPs and framed systems. 

Of course, our main focus is on the requirements of Building 

Regulations — not just in England and Wales, but also in Scotland 

and Northern Ireland. But we go much further than that. We 

want to ensure that a system is not only waterproof, warm and 

structurally sound; it has to be durable, too. No-one wants to buy 

a system with a short life expectancy, so we seek to ensure that it 

will last for an appropriate period of time. 

Neither are our assessments simply desk exercises. As well as 

testing, we go out to the factory to check system documentation 

and control, making sure that the specification we approve is 

capable of being produced consistently. 

We also go out on site to see units being offloaded and installed. 

That’s because we know that what may seem simple when 

explained in a dry office or factory can turn out to be very 

different on a building site. 

Once we have gathered data from testing, factory inspections 

and site surveillance, we consider how we can use it to establish 

that the requirements of Building Regulations and other statutory 

or non-statutory documents have been met. 

BBA Agrément Certificates are regarded as quite simply the best 

assurances you can get for your off-site products. With BBA’s 50 

years of unrivalled expertise in building and construction 

certification, it’s easy to see why. 

clientservices@bba.star.co.uk 

www.bbacerts.co.uk 

01923 665300



Understanding MEES 

How Landlords Can Prepare for April Deadline Day 

Duncan Voice, Store Manager, Insulation Superstore 

F 

rom April 2018, new MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) will come into force, meaning 

a landlord cannot renew or grant tenancies of longer than six months if their property does not 

meet strict minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standards. Failure to comply, and if 

the EPC rating of a property is an ‘F’ or lower, landlords are liable to pay a substantial fine, alongside 

the long-term loss of valuable rental income. 

Initially applying to domestic and non-domestic lettings 

and lease renewals, surprisingly only one third of UK 

landlords are aware of the new MEES rules, and with 

enforcement set to begin from next month, it is essential 

that changes are made to failing properties now to 

avoid hefty penalties – potentially up to £150,000. 

With MEES set to apply to all privately rented residential 

property from 2020 and to all existing non-domestic 

leases by 1st April 2023, Duncan Voice, 

Construction Materials Online offers guidance on how 

to successfully navigate the standards, as well as 

outlining why making the right choice in materials can 

help landlords future proof their property. 

MEES Basics 

Facing global pressure to reduce carbon emissions 

within the built environment, and to make the UK’s 

housing stock more efficient and attractive, MEES was 

first introduced by the Government in 2015. Contributing 

to the UK’s target of reducing CO2 emissions for 

all buildings to around zero by 2050, and with Build 

Regulations ensuring that new properties meet modern 

efficiency standards, the primary aim of MEES is to 

improve the energy output of the nation’s oldbuildings. 

Enforced by Local Weights and Measures of Local 

Authorities, MEES are based on an EPC rating of E 

and above – any property which is graded as an F or 

G will be considered unlawful to let, unless significant 

improvements are made to improve its energy efficiency. 

Properties which need to meet these standards 

include any domestic privately rented property, with 

only a few possible exemptions, including some listed 

buildings. 

While likely to be seen by many as an inconvenience, 

MEES offers several opportunities for landlords. For 

those with non-compliant properties, there is an 

opportunity to potentially increase market and rental 

value following energy efficiency upgrades, with tenants 

also benefiting from reduced energy requirements 

and lower bills. 

However, with the first deadline looming how can 

landlords of the 10% of UK residential properties and 

18% of commercial properties, which currently have 

an EPC rating of F or G meet the new energy efficiency 

standards quickly with minimal disruption? 

EPC Education 

Landlords can prepare for MEES now by first auditing 

their properties to understand which fall into the scope 

of MEES, as well as where improvements are required. 

While some may be tempted to undertake the required 

works at the end of a lease, a better option for landlords 

is to work with occupants, implementing incentives 

to allow necessary improvements to be made out 

during a tenancy. 

MEES is based on EPC ratings and it is essential that 

landlords carry out energy assessments to determine 

a property’s correct rating, with estimations revealing 

that nearly 70% of these are currently incorrect – 

largely due to changes in the assessment practice. 


29

Carried out by a professional, EPC ratings 

are determined following a detailed survey 

of a building; this includes estimating its 

total energy and CO2 outputs, as well 

as assessing heating systems, insulation 

and windows, with a final grade provided 

between A-G. 

Several courses of action can be taken to 

improve a property’s EPC rating, ranging 

from the replacement of doors, windows 

or lights, to introducing a more efficient 

secondary heating source, such as electric 

heaters. However, where a rating is particularly 

poor, a larger investment may be 

required to address the fabric of a building. 

Insulation plays a vital role in achieving a 

positive EPC rating, and a poorly insulated 

property can potentially lose up to 33% 

of its heat through its roof. For landlords, 

insulation materials need to be evaluated 

based on several crucial factors, including 

lifespan and ease of installation. Flexible 

materials such as spray foam or mineral 

wool are usually simple to retrofit; spray 

foam requires only a hole in the wall for 

applying it into the cavity of an empty 

room, such as a loft. 

Materials with long lifespans are unlikely to 

require further investment and disruption in 

future, and high performing materials significantly 

improve efficiency and occupant 

comfort. Materials such as TLX Gold Multifoil 

can be fitted from a building’s exterior, 

removing the need for internal access, or 

raising of a roof. 

Up to five times thinner than traditional 

forms of insulation, multifoil is also an 

ideal solution for smaller rooms or spaces. 

Achieving the same performance as its 

thicker counterparts, multifoil insulation ensures 

a comfortable internal environment 

all year round, with its reflective surface 

acting as a barrier to thermal transfer, 

resulting in significant energy savings. 

fibre – and, used on its own or combined 

with other insulations, can achieve any 

U-value. Easy to install and with little 

wastage, it’s also an eco-friendly choice, 

produced from 40% recycled materials. 

As an additional consideration, when 

selecting insulation for use in residential 

buildings with multiple occupants, insulation 

should also be chosen based on its 

acoustic performance qualities. Materials 

should impede the transmission of sound 

through a structure - Rockwool’s acoustic 

slab, made from volcanic rock, traps 

sound waves and dampens vibrations, 

and is easy to install around fittings and 

fixtures. Stone installation also provides 

exceptional fire performance qualities; a 

necessity in any residential or commercial 

building. 

Taking it Seriously 

Landlords should not see MEES as a 

box-ticking exercise, instead it should be 

viewed as a commercial opportunity, with 

many tenants and developers now evaluating 

properties based on EPC ratings 

– some tenants may also be willing to pay 

more for properties which are proven to be 

energy efficient. 

With the deadline of April 1 looming, landlords 

should take the opportunity to get to 

grips with the MEES now to understand 

the importance of energy efficiency, as 

well as how the impact of non-compliance 

could negatively affect leases and lending 

conditions. Making the required changes 

quickly will not only benefit both tenants 

and property owners but will go far in 

preventing the need for larger financial 

investments in the future. 

Multi-Layer Foil Insulation SF40 by Super- 

FOIL, is also a good choice for roofs, walls 

and floors. Offering enhanced thickness 

combined with radiant reflective and air 

barrier properties, it provides benefits over 

traditional open-face insulation like glass 

30 www.insulatenetwork.com


Imaginative Use of Building Technology 

Creates a Compact yet Grand Design 

Small may be beautiful, but 

it isn’t always easy. In fact, 

creating a compact new build 

to squeeze into a limited footprint in 

London, while meeting all regulations 

(and the high expectations of a design 

engineer building his own home) 

was a challenge of grand proportions 

for Joe Stuart of Warehome. This 

ambitious project certainly met the 

‘interest factor’ for Channel 4’s iconic 

TV show. Occupying a plot of just 9.5 

x 4 m, the house is a 

contemporary timber frame design 

using structurally insulated panels, 

on the site of a former coffin workshop 

in east London, and is the 

smallest 2-bed residence permitted 

by London planners. 

As seen on Grand Designs: Joe Stuart 

has created a beautifully airtight 

and efficient home on a tiny plot in 

London 

Apart from elegant aesthetics and 

ensuring a sense of light and flow in a 

restricted space, safety and sustainable 

performance were also key considerations. 

To ensure excellent wind, water 

and UV resistance with superior vapour 

diffusion, while also minimising fire risk 

and enhancing airtightness and thermal 

stability, a clever combination of Tyvek® 

membranes, tapes and sealants was 

applied to the building envelope. 

Among the products and systems used 

to achieve the performance goals of this 

design is Tyvek® UV Façade, a specialised 

all black breather membrane with 

excellent longevity, which allows for greater 

design freedom and confidence when 

installed behind open-jointed façades. 

It makes the ideal ‘behind-the-scenes’ 

partner for the elegant Cedar cladding 

that Joe selected for the exterior. 

Another important element is Tyvek® 

FireCurb® Housewrap, an innovative 

fire-retardant breather membrane that 

has been applied to protect the timber 

frame structure and the foam-filled SIPS 

– a vital specification due to the proximity 

of neighbouring buildings. In addition, an 

ingenious concertina-style airtight sealant 

tape, Tyvek® FlexWrap NF, has been 

fitted to thoroughly seal awkward joints 

and penetrations, including the bespoke 

windows that Joe designed. This optimal 

system is completed by Tyvek® Supro, a 

highly valued underlay with many years of 

proven durability. 

Pictures: Joe chose a combination of 

advanced Tyvek® membranes and tapes 

to create a holistic system for the building 

envelope that would optimise both airtightness 

and thermal efficiency, and keep 

the structure and insulation well-protected 

from the elements, for the long 

term. These include: specialised breather 

membranes Tyvek® UV Façade (with 

Tyvek® FlexWrap® NF airtight sealing 

tape) behind the cladding, and Tyvek® 

FireCurb® Housewrap to the walls. 

Undertaking the kind of thorough research 

one would expect from a design 

and engineering professional, Joe says, 

“I chose the best products and combinations 

available. I needed absolute 

reliability when it came to quality and performance. 

Great advice and service from 

the DuPont regional manager and the experts 

at the Tyvek® Building Knowledge 

Centre made addressing the project’s 

complex challenges far easier and more 

straightforward. This may be one of the 

smallest 2-bed houses in London, but it 

will always be one of my most important 

projects, and an example of what my 

practice can achieve.” 

“I know that I have made the right choice 

in Tyvek®,” Joe adds,” and I can have 

complete confidence in the long-term 

performance and energy saving of the 

building envelope.” 

The build took 28-year-old Joe two years 

to complete at a budget of £250,000, but 

now means that he and partner Lina can 

not only leave behind the ‘rent trap’ for 

young Londoners, but can take pride in 

a home they have lovingly poured heart, 

soul and sheer grit into creating. 

For more information about DuPont Tyvek®, FlexWrap® and AirGuard® please 

visit: www.construction.tyvek.co.uk or call 08444 068 722 

in the UK and 087 922 2740 in the ROI. 



Insulate Education 

Insulation Apprentice Champion 

to be Announced at IEX 2018 

On 16th and 17th May the best insulators 

from nine European countries will meet 

in Cologne at the leading Insulation trade 

fair IEX - Insulation Expo Europe to crown the 

European Champion of the insulation trade. 

Showcasing Skill at Insulation Expo IEX 

Insulation Expo Europe provides apprentices with an 

opportunity to showcase the high standards in insulation 

and cladding work for cold and thermal insulation 

as well as acoustic and fire protection. 

The championship is organised by FESI (Fédération 

Européenne des Syndicats d’Entreprises d’Isolation), 

the umbrella trade association of the European 

insulation industry. Apprentices from nine nations will 

compete this year, including teams from Germany, 

the UK, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, 

Denmark, Poland and Ireland. 

The Challenge Ahead 

The challenge that will be faced by the best Insulation 

installers from nine countries involves the lagging of a 

dummy with a variety of different insulation materials. 

FESI general secretary Andreas Gürtler Says 

“The level of technical expertise at the FESI Insulation 

Apprentice Championship is extremely high; each 

nation sends their best insulation apprentices, all of 

whom prevailed in their respective national competitions 

as country champions” 

“But the event isn’t all about the fighting spirit – 

cooperation, mutual understanding and friendship 

among the competitors play an equally important 

role” 

IEX – Insulation Expo Europe 2018 

The European championship will take place at IEX – 

Insulation Expo Europe. As the leading trade fair for 

industrial insulation materials and technologies, IEX 

is the No. 1 destination for insulation companies, facilities 

engineering planners, mechanical engineering 

companies, architects, energy managers and facility 

managers looking for efficient insulation. The trade 

fair puts on display the entire range of materials and 

processing options in thermal, cold, acoustic and fire 

protection. The exhibition spectrum covers everything 

from insulation materials and systems to tools, equipment, 

measuring instruments and software solutions. 

In total, more than 150 exhibitors are expected at 

the Exhibition Centre in Cologne on 16 and 17 May 

2018. 

For more information visit the 

IEX Insulation Expo website 

32 


32


Content Partners 

National Insulation Association (NIA) 

The NIA represents the insulation industry in the UK and our members include manufacturers and 

installers of a number of insulation solutions for your home or business. Both the NIA and its members 

are fully committed to maintaining and raising standards within the insulation industry. 

Contact Name: Neil Marshall Email: neil.marshall@nia-uk.org Website: http://www.nia-uk.org/ Social: 

@NIALtd 

Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association (MIMA) 

Established in 1962 (originally as ‘Eurisol’), the Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association 

(MIMA) provides an authoritative source of independent information and advice 

on glass and stone wool. MIMA actively promotes the benefits of mineral wool insulation 

and the contribution it makes to the energy efficiency of buildings and the comfort and 

wellbeing of their occupants. 

Contact Name: Sarah Kostense-Winterton Email: sarah@mima.info Website: www.mima.info/ Social: 

@MIMA_UK 

Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA) 

Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA) is the representative body for the PIR and PUR 

insulation industry in the UK. Known for 40 years as BRUFMA, IMA will continue to speak 

out on behalf of its members and seek to ensure it is the principal point of contact for all 

audiences relevant to the sector. 

Contact Name: Mel Price Email: mel.price@ima.org.uk Website: www.insulationmanufacturers.org.uk Social: 

@IMA_Org 


33

SIG help us run our 

business smoothly. 

We know we can 

always rely on their 

expert support. 

HAYLEY REYNOLDS 

ITECH ROOFWORKS LTD 

AN SIG CUSTOMER 

BUILD YOUR NAME ON US 

No one knows 

Insulation like SIG 

SIG Insulation started out 60 years ago. Since then we’ve grown to become the UK’s 

leading specialist distributor of insulation, dry lining and related products to the 

construction sector. 

It’s not just our vast product range and major brands that sets us apart from the 

competition. The unrivalled technical expertise and impartial advice of our staff – who 

each have on average 10 years experience within SIG – help you source the products 

you need, and guide you through what the legislation means to your project. 

And when getting the job done relies on having the right products at the right time, you 

need a fast, reliable supplier with UK-wide branches, a huge delivery network and stock 

always available. 

Contact your local branch via www.siginsulation.co.uk

Insulate Magazine - Essential Insulation Inside - March 2018 Issue 16

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