Insulate Magazine Issue 13

The only independent 

insulation industry 

trade magazine 

Q-Bot 

Insulation Evolution 

Issue 13 | December 2017 

Getting the Message Across 

Question of Energy Performance 

Fire Safety Now is the Time 

Public Safety First and Foremost

Published on a monthly basis by Versanta ltd 

Corser House, 17 Geen End, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 1AD 

Call 01948 759 351 

Outside of the UK +44 1948 759351 

Monday - Friday 9am - 5.30pm 

Website: www.insulatenetwork.com 

Email: sales@insulatenetwork.com 

Q-Bot Insulation Evolution 

www.insulatenetwork.com 

Contents 

6-9 

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION 

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you prefer not to be part of these lists then please email your details 

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CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 

Rate: No photo classified £25 for 20 words, each additional word 

costs £1. All classified advertising must be paid in advance. We 

must receive your classified advert at least two weeks prior to the 

publication date. 

Getting the Message Across 10-13 

Ensuring Insulation Fits 

14-16 

New Acoustic Stud System 18 

The Effects of Hand Arm Vibration 20-22 

WE DO NOT ACCEPT PHONE IN CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 

In the first instance, email your advert to sales@insulatenetwork. 

com and await your invoice, once payment is received our design 

team will clarify the advert insertion with you directly. CLASSIFIED 

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RESPONSIBLE FOR ERRORS AFTER PROOFING AND INSER- 

TION. 

DISPLAY ADVERTISING. 

Contact one of our sales staff to discuss your requirements on 

01948 759 351. Publisher reserves the right to reject any 

advertising that in its opinion is misleading, unfair or incompatible 

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BACK ISSUES OR REPRINTS 

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CIRCULATION 

The magazine is sent to 17,000 digitial subscribers per month 

Public Safety First and Foremost 23-25 

A Question of Energy Performance 28-31 

Fire Protection Specialists 

33 

Broken Housing Market Been Fixed? 34 

Fire Safety Now is the Time 

36-37 

Insulating our Nation's Homes 38 

©VERSANTA LTD 

No part can be reproduced without the express 

permission of the publisher 

www.instagram.com/insulatenetwork 

www.twitter.com/insulatenetwork 

www.youtube.com/channel/insulatenetwork 

The Vase Enters Final Phase 39-40 

Ecobuild 2018 Preview 42-43 

The UK's only dedicated 

trade journal for the insulation industry 

3

I 

S 

Colin Heath 

Managing Editor 

colin@insulatenetwork.com 

@colinversanta 

Jamie Street 

Creative Director 

jamie@insulatenetwork.com 

@jamieversanta 

It has been a turbulent month for us here at Insulate Magazine. 

Despite exhausting every opportunity and resource to deliver the 

Insulation Awards in year one, our plans were thwarted. 

We apologise to all for the inconvenience caused. It was the hardest 

decision for us to make, given the relentless preparations and the 

support from the industry. 

We will deal with all of the outstanding issues regarding the awards, learn 

from the experience and continue to provide the platform to promote the 

Insulation Industry 

On a positive note, we are proud to bring you another edition of Insulate 

Magazine. Including a great feature on Q-Bot with the BBA, Two articles 

written by our new Technical Editor, Paul Forrester and excellent contributions 

from our regular insulate columnists. With continued industry support 

we are looking forward to taking the publication from strength to strength in 

2018. 

We wish you and your families a pleasant and rewarding festive period, and 

look forward to you joining us in the New Year. 

Enjoy 

P 

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a 

b 

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4 


F 

e

SIG360 work with us 

on site, to ensure we 

not only meet our 

client’s needs but 

exceed them. 

NEIL HARRISON 

HARRISON PROJECTS 

AN SIG CUSTOMER 

BUILD YOUR NAME ON US 

Providing impartial 

product advice 

The SIG360 Technical Centre is a service offering from SIG, that focuses on helping customers 

deliver energy efficient buildings. 

Through an intimate knowledge of building regulations and product performance, brought 

about through more than 50 years specialising in the energy efficiency of the fabric of a 

building, the SIG360 Technical Centre is able to make cost effective and impartial product 

selection to ensure the best energy performance can be achieved. 

The service provided includes energy statements, U value calculations , condensation risk 

analysis, thermal modelling and SAP assessments leading to EPC certification. 

If you are seeking impartial advice on the fabric energy efficiency of your building contact 

SIG360 Technical Centre. 

For guidance you can trust call 0844 443 0059 

email 360enquiries@sigplc.com or visit www.sig360.co.uk 

Talk to the SIG360 Technical 

Centre at the start of your project 

for a 360 o view of cost effective 

and energy efficient home building

Cover Story Exclusive 

Q-bot 

insulation 

evolution 

Mathew Holloway from innovators Q-Bot talks about their robot for 

insulating under floors - and how BBA Certification will help them gain 

prominence in the market place.

The only independent insulation industry trade magazine 

Q-Bot Insulation Evolution 

Mathew Holloway from innovators Q-Bot talks about their robot for insulating under floors 

- and how BBA Certification will help them gain prominence in the market place. 

Introducing an impressive new product that considerably reduces the cost outlay when people are considering 

underfloor insulation. Such an operation traditionally necessitates the complete removal of the 

flooring so that insulation materials can be installed and then the floor re- laid afterwards. This can be a 

nightmare for Housing Associations commissioning this kind of work as residents often need to be 

temporarily rehoused, which amounts to another not inconsiderable cost implication. 

Q-Bot Chief Executive Mathew Holloway explains: 

“To insulate underfloor space in the UK you need to remove 

all carpets and flooring to access the void, then cut 

insulation panels by hand between the joists and roll mats 

of insulation in between, working to a degree of accuracy 

of 1mm, which is really quite difficult. If there are any gaps 

left between the insulation and the joists the insulation is 

not effective. 

“The method is very disruptive and difficult to do well. 

And of course, once it’s done you have to put your 

home back together and redecorate. It’s usually enough 

of a barrier to stop anyone wanting to do it.” 

The new procedure takes one or two days at a fraction of 

the cost and performs just as well as traditional methods. 

This is a particularly welcome innovation for Housing Associations 

as it minimises disruption to residents who also 

benefit from lower heating bills. 

“Specifically, costs are typically half the alternatives and 

£150 per year is saved on heating bills. It also reduces the 

temperature stratification – the difference from your feet to 

your head, creating warm feet, which is a significant factor 

in keeping warm. 

“An independent case study with the Leeds Beckett University 

showed that the heat loss in the building was reduced 

by 25% - that’s a huge amount – meaning more 

than a quarter of heat loss was from the 

floor.” 

Another feature of the robot is that it records 

the whole process and provides 

real time feedback of the thickness of 

the insulation, so that the operator can 

make sure the job is completed correctly 

and the required depth of insulation is 

applied. The fact that the process can be 

monitored and recorded also incentivises 

installers to take pride in their work and 

removes the temptation to cut corners. 

“Generally, the built environment has got 

a problem with accountability and quality 

control. The BBA is trying to address this, 

and Q-Bot is bringing smarter tools that 

8 

www.insulatenetwork.com


have quality control built in. Our robot records what 

happens using cameras and sensors to build a 3D 

map of the void before and after the install. We monitor 

the area and depth of insulation, take measurements 

during the process, and the installers know 

that what they do is being monitored and recorded. 

That gives them the motivation to do a better job. 

“People can be very negative when it comes to new 

technology at first, but eventually they see that this 

means they can take pride when working in the built environment. 

It allows installers to differentiate themselves 

from others and demonstrate they can do a good job. 

That philosophy also helped assure the BBA that we 

were minimising risk.” 

The BBA’s specific focus was to test the polyurethane 

foam insulation materials and the spraying process for 

efficiency and safety. 

“We set up an area in BBA Test Services at Watford to 

demonstrate the application process. This was watched 

and monitored, with readings taken to see how deep 

the insulation was. 

“Then the BBA came and visited us to check what 

happened onsite. They also came to see our training 

and even went and talked to our customers. We went 

through a really stringent set of tests.” 

BBA Certification is well-known for sealing a new product’s 

reputation in the market place, leveraging brands 

and providing specifier and consumer confidence. 

Mathew explained why the UK’s leading construction 

certification body was so important for Q-Bot. 

“When you’re a small organisation but one that is rapidly 

growing with the potential to change the world and 

have a really big impact, you have to make sure you do 

everything properly in order to be taken seriously. You 

need to punch above your weight. The BBA is a very 

well-respected mark and organisation. Audits improve 

your control system which gives you a lot of credibility 

and helps show customers that there are processes 

in place that ensure the quality and scalability of the 

service. 

“Because this is a relatively new product and solution, 

we were unsure as to whether the BBA would even 

consider approving something like this as it’s simply 

not been done like this before. We are obviously very 

pleased that the BBA took it seriously. 

“It’s a great relief to finally get our certificate because it 

shows the outside world that what we’ve been saying is 

true. An independent party is happy to say yes, this is a 

process that has quality control built in.” 

Q-Bot has been busy all over the south coast, from 

Hastings all the way up to the north of Scotland, 

through England, Wales and Scotland. 

Trials have also been done overseas, in the US and 

France. With the blessing of the British Board of Agrément, 

this smart little newcomer to the insulation industry 

looks set to make its mark in the built environment, 

throughout the UK and beyond. 


9

Exclusive Insulate Column 

Getting the 

Message Across 

In construction marketing, and the marketing of insulation in particular, there’s a popular type of 

phrase used in trade press and journal articles. It’s often worded, “ever-increasing building 

regulations”, or a close variant on it. But is it the right message to keep shouting? By Paul Forrester.



Getting the Message Across 

It’s easy to understand the appeal: the wording highlights 

the importance of insulation and encourages the reader 

to accept manufacturers as the authority on the subject. 

There’s an imperative: the reader isn’t as up to date as 

they should be, so they should consult the authors to 

find out which products can help their current projects 

comply. 

Looking to the Future 

All of which is fine … except that things are fairly static 

from a building regulations point of view. 

In England and Wales, for example, the U-value targets 

for extensions and alterations to existing buildings have 

been the same for SEVEN years. Revised standards for 

compliance in new-builds were introduced in 2013 and 

2014 respectively, but were still based on a system in 

place since 2006. 

The biggest change - the introduction of a fabric energy 

efficiency standard (FEES) in England - only brought 

the country into line with the sort of lower fabric backstops 

that had been a hallmark of the Scottish Technical 

Handbooks for years. 

Updated standards will be introduced across the UK 

eventually, but there’s no definitive timetable for revision 

- and no reason to make people worry they’re in danger 

of not keeping up with something that isn’t here yet. 

Known Unknowns 

Articles published in the last few editions of Insulate have 

shown customers already see insulation manufacturers 

as the authority. The issue lies in people knowing they 

need advice, and understanding the right time to call on 

the available expertise. From personal experience in the 

last few months, a couple of examples: 

- A property developer wanted to know how best to position 

insulation in a flat roof extension, and was surprised 

to discover his proposed specification was inadequate - 

“Oh, is it 0.18 for a roof now?” 

- A conversation with a college brickwork lecturer yielded 

its own surprises. He thought the U-value currently required 

in walls was 0.35 W/m2K, which is the figure given 

in Approved Document L 2002. 

Fortunately, it was possible to advise on a better flat roof 

specification - but how many other developments are under-insulated 

despite the static thermal targets for existing 

buildings? And what understanding of insulation are 

brickwork students gaining if they’re not familiar with the 

solutions they should see on site? 

The here and now 

It’s not preparing for the future that’s the problem, then, 

but getting everybody up to speed on the present! 

Communicating via traditional construction media will always 

have its place but, arguably, its readers generally 

know what they need to do to make a project succeed. 

On big contracts, workflows are in place to maximise efficiency 

and help things flow as smoothly as possible on 

the way to completion. 

A roofing contractor, for example, knows the specification 

and asks their preferred supplier for a price on insulation 

to achieve the required U-value. The distributor prepares 

a quote and contacts the manufacturer for a calculation 

to back it up. Straightforward, job done, several thousand 

square metres of roof ready to go. 

Of course, the relative simplicity of larger projects pays 

for the advice offered to smaller projects. When a client 

or builder needs guiding step-by-step, insulation manufacturers 

are almost the front line of defence, identifying 

issues in design, specification or installation and steering 

them in the right direction. 

Another example... 

If a chain of correspondence between a housing developer 

and an Approved Inspector includes a comment from 

the latter - “Not much of a link between wall and floor 

insulation, so whoever provides the Energy Performance. 

12 



So how much should manufacturers police the projects 

that cross the desks of their technical teams? 

Acknowledgement of the issue was a start, but the 

words implied no intent to do anything other than have 

an Energy Assessor address it via paperwork. There was 

no suggestion of attempting to educate the contractor 

or have the work rectified, or of helping the developer 

understand why the new properties would benefit from 

greater attention to detail. 

It’s possible the as-built energy performance calculations 

showed a detriment to the predicted performance but, 

ultimately, the work was likely signed off and the properties 

sold, leaving the buyers to suffer cold draughts and 

excessive heat loss - something that was almost certainly 

not acknowledged during the purchase. 

Fighting the Good Fight... 

Reading this, there’s a good chance you have examples 

of occasions where you’ve witnessed sub-optimal 

building work being the rule rather than the exception. 

Skills and training in the construction industry are not 

up to scratch, but the magic bullet remains elusive. 

The Passivhaus Trust recently released a ‘Good Practice 

Guide to Insulation’, and the ‘Builder’s Book’ 

remains available on the Zero Carbon Hub website, but 

these are relatively niche outlets for information, that 

most people won’t easily stumble upon. 

Insulation manufacturers and their trade associations 

do genuinely good work lobbying government and 

campaigning for better standards in the built environment. 

It’s a long term project though, and people need 

advice and guidance now. 

Start the Debate 

If a chain of correspondence between a housing developer and an Approved Inspector includes a comment from the 

latter - “Not much of a link between wall and floor insulation, so whoever provides the Energy Performance Certificate 

needs to be aware” - is there anything the manufacturer reading it can do? 

1 

2 

3 

4 

If traditional media isn’t doing the job, does the answer lie in finding ways to better use social media 

to reach people? 

Perhaps photographic records of projects, even the smallest extension, need to become part of the 

evidence base for compliance so there’s no hiding bad workmanship. 

Indeed, more examples of both good and bad work should be put in the public domain as a source 

of reference. 

Rather than rolling out smart meters, maybe energy companies should be obliged to undertake 

thermographic surveys so homeowners can see for themselves where their money is going? 

13


Insulation News 

Ensuring Insulation Fits 

for Improved Thermal Performance 

Buildings are responsible for nearly 50% of the UK’s energy consumption and carbon emissions. 

Well-insulated existing and new-build properties will help improve that figure, but only if the insulation 

is correctly fitted in the first place. global leaders in PIR manufacture, Recticel Insulation, 

provides a guideline to installation practices and techniques in respect of one of the more innovative insulation 

products on the market. 

A Green Building Council report released earlier this year 

revealed 25 million homes need to be refurbished by 

2050 in order to meet insulation standards, and achieve 

the UK’s pledge to cut carbon emissions by 80%, by 

then in line with the 2008 Climate Change Act. Excess 

energy used to heat draughty buildings is a major 

contributor to the country’s carbon footprint, hence the 

need for quality insulation that is fitted to a high 

standard. The onus on providing buildings which deliver 

in terms of thermal performance will largely fall on 

architects, developers and the building industry as a 

whole. However, manufacturers can also play their part 

by continuing to refine the properties and performance 

of ‘fabric first’ materials which are so vital in putting a 

thermal seal on the building envelope. 

Innovative Solution 

Dedicated to raising the standards of insulation 

products in the UK, Eurowall + represents Recticel Insulation’s 

commitment to PIR innovation to improve a building’s 

thermal performance and enhance the comfort and 

wellbeing of its occupants. Eurowall + was the first rigid 

insulation board to feature a tongue and groove joint on 

all four sides. This interlocking feature ensures boards slot 

together easily to provide insulation that is solid and airtight 

and minimises heat loss caused by thermal bridging, 

as well as offering effective protection against elements 

such as wind-driven rain. 

In the quest for improved energy efficiency, designers can 

be left with little option but to increase the thickness of 

insulation in a dwelling’s external walls. This additional 

insulation can be added internally, externally or within 

the cavity, all of which mean that floorplans need to be 

enlarged, which for housebuilders can mean smaller 

rooms or fewer houses per plot. 

Eurowall +, a premium, full-fill cavity insulation board 

manufactured from high performance closed cell polyisocyanurate 

(PIR) foam, has been developed to allow 

designers and housebuilders to maintain traditional build 

techniques, without compromise to thermal performance. 

It’s resulted in a board that achieves a U-value of 0.18W/ 

m2K to enable compliance with Part L1A of the Building 

Regulations 2013 in England and Part L1A of the Building 

Regulations 2014 in Wales. 

Installation Made Easy 

Installing Eurowall + couldn’t be easier. To help the 

installer fit the boards the right way, there is a different 

gas-tight foil-faced finish on each side: one is distinctive 

grey alkali-resistant facing for placing against the inner 

leaf; where wet cement can affect the foil facing. The 

other is a low emissivity multi-layer aluminum facing 

which enhances the thermal resistance of the cavity. 

In terms of reveals, wall ties continue to be installed at 

every second course of blockwork, rather than every 

course, as is common practice. Two ties are positioned 

within 225mm of the reveal. Corner details are formed 

by cutting the boards squarely and closely butt-jointing. 

A vertical 300mm wide DPC covers the corner and runs 

the full length of the junction. Cavity trays are fitted by 

either cutting the insulation at an angle and running a 

DPC over the top of it, or using a partial-fill board behind 

the section where the DPC is due to be fitted. 

14 


Case study: Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire 

Eurowall + was used by Mentmore 

Homes in the construction of two energy-efficient, 

detached five-bedroom 

homes in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, 

valued at £2.5 million each. 

The high-quality, traditionally-constructed 

homes feature external walls built 

using brick/block cavity construction. 

Cavity wall is the UK’s most common 

method of wall construction for residential 

dwellings. For Mentmore Homes, 

a significant challenge was to retain a 

standard-sized cavity while complying 

with the latest Building Regulations. 

To maximise the thermal performance 

of the external walls without increasing 

the width of the 100mm wide cavity, 

Mentmore Homes specified Eurowall 

+ full-fill insulation. Using this high-performance 

PIR insulation board enabled 

the developer to meet the thermal performance 

required to achieve Building 

Regulation compliance. 

A total 500m2 of Eurowall + boards 

were used in the wall construction 

of the two houses. Nicholas Peck, 

contracts manager at Mentmore 

Homes was impressed with the performance 

of Eurowall +: “We wanted to 

make the properties as energy efficient 

as possible; to make this happen the 

best place to start is the insulation,” he 

said. “Specifying Eurowall + meant we 

didn’t have to increase the size of the 

wall cavity and lose space inside the 

properties“. 

The panel’s interlocking feature was 

another element of the product that 

Peck says was beneficial: “Eurowall +, 

because it slots together so easily will 

remain solid and airtight,” he said. “We 

required a high-performance product 

for this extremely high-profile project 

and Eurowall + didn’t disappoint”. 

15

Case study: Hedge End, Southampton; 

Ludgershall, Andover 

Ease of handling and simplicity of installation were just 

two of the reasons Foreman Homes selected Eurowall + 

to insulate the walls of the homes on two large housing 

developments in the south of England. The schemes at 

Hedge End, Southampton, and Ludgershall, Andover, together 

contain a mix of over 300 plots of social and private 

housing; homes vary in size from two- to five-bedrooms. 

Mark Kew, a bricklayer with Foreman Homes, applauded 

the benefits of using Eurowall +: “In 35 years’ 

experience in construction, the insulation developed by 

Recticel is easy to cut accurately due to the grid printed 

on the foil-facing side which makes it easy to install with 

minimal waste. I can honestly say our quality and speed 

have excelled as a result of its use.“ 

In total over 15,000m 2 of Eurowall + insulation was installed. 

For Foreman Homes, using Eurowall + meant the 

homes’ external walls could be built quicker and easier 

resulting in a corresponding saving in construction costs. 

And, the full-fill insulation’s excellent thermal performance 

will mean that residents on both developments will be able 

to enjoy their comfortable, energy-efficient dwellings. 

As these case studies demonstrate, innovative PIR 

products such as Eurowall + contain a host of benefits to 

fit the 21st century need for insulation which improves a 

property’s thermal performance and speeds-up the overall 

construction process. However, for the performance to 

match the quality of the product, its installation has to be 

correct – hopefully first time. 

16 


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Siniat Targets High Rise Multi-Occupancy 

with New Acoustic Stud System 

An innovative thin partition system from 

leading drywall products manufacturer Siniat 

is set to help multi-residential developments 

increase floorspace while providing high-specification 

acoustic insulation. 

Resilient Acoustic Stud (RAS) 90 is the newest addition 

to Siniat’s specialist stud range, allowing specifiers and 

installers to maximise saleable floorspace for both new 

builds and refurbishments without compromising 

performance. 

RAS 90 is capable of exceeding Part E of Building Regulations 

for acoustic performance in residential buildings 

at a partition width of only 150mm – up to 50mm thinner 

than traditional partitions. It is the first product in the RAS 

range to be designed specifically for use in the residential 

sector, as well as hotels, student accommodation and 

change of use projects. 

With value in every square metre of living space, RAS 

90 increases net internal areas to have a demonstrable 

impact on development value. Most recently, Galliard 

Homes’ Great Scotland Yard development – a 95,000 sq 

ft hotel refurbishment – gained an additional one square 

metre per room by switching from a traditional party wall 

and external corridor partition to a RAS system. 

The stud’s simple design means that frame installation 

can be up to 50 per cent quicker than standard systems. 

Unlike traditional metal studs, RAS 90 features an inbuilt 

visco-elastic acoustic material which prevents airborne 

and impact sound from passing through dividing walls, 

removing the need for cavities or an acoustic brace. 

Lee Hamilton, product manager for Resilient Acoustic 

Stud at Siniat, commented: 

“RAS 90 is a simple but game-changing innovation for 

creating high-performance acoustic partitions. Its unique 

design provides a minimum 45 DnTw +Ctr while only 

using half the amount of metal needed for a standard 

partition, making it thinner, lighter and faster to install than 

traditional equivalents. 

“In the context of the housing shortage, the design and 

construction sectors need to find new ways to speed up 

project delivery and maximise space. RAS 90 reduces 

installation time while delivering the high acoustic 

performance required for modern homes to ensure quality 

of life for residents.” 

Reflecting Siniat’s commitment to driving technological 

innovation in drywall products, RAS 90 has been developed 

by the business’ own acoustic engineering team at 

its Innovation and Technology Centre in France, which is 

managed by parent company Etex Building Performance. 

18


Insulation 

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and K118 Insulated Plasterboard feature an advanced, fibre-free insulation 

core, enabling them to achieve an outstanding thermal conductivity of 

0.018 W/m . K. As a result, the products can enable buildings to be built to 

the upper levels of fabric performance with minimal thickness. 

Further information on the Kingspan 

range is available on: 

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literature@kingspaninsulation.co.uk 

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Pembridge, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 9LA, UK 

www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/lowerlambda 

® 

Kingspan, Kooltherm and the Lion Device are Registered Trademarks of 

the Kingspan Group plc in the UK and other countries. All rights reserved. 

insulatenetwork 19

insulate columnist 

The effects of Hand-Arm 

Vibration (HAV) in the Workplace 

Insulate Magazine columnist George Elliott, a technical specialist at 

science-based technology company 3M, explains ways of controlling 

HAV exposure levels in the workplace 

The repetitive use of power tools when placing insulation into walls, ceilings and thermal 

controlled areas exposes personnel to significant levels of Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV), a 

health hazard that almost two million people in the UK are exposed to in the 

workplace, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 

HAV is the transmission of vibration from a piece of equipment or a tool into the body, 

resulting in potential injury and serious health conditions, if used for too long. The most 

commonly-associated health risk is hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), commonly 

manifested in Vibration White Finger, a painful and permanent condition that can 

lead to finger numbness, hand tingling and bone cysts. 

Users also often complain of a sore sensation and limited movement in the 

hands, commonly diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome. This 

musculoskeletal problem reduces the sufferer’s ability to manipulate 

objects. 

HAV damage is detrimental and irreversible, yet entirely preventable. 

Employers have a duty of care to their workforce, to ensure that 

they have adequate protective measures in place to control 

excessive HAV exposure. 

For this reason, the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 

states a need for HAV-related risk assessments and requires 

consequential measures to be put in place to control such exposure. 

Continues page 20... 

20

21


The importance of risk assessment 

According to the HSE, a good power tool supplier 

should recommend a range of appropriate tools and 

include vibration design information. In addition, 

they should provide a clear description of the vibration 

risk of each tool and instructions on how to safely use it. 

Although all vibrating tool manufacturers are required to 

provide figures quantifying each tool’s vibration HAVS 

level, a full assessment is still crucial. This is because a 

manufacturers’ figures are typically generated using a 

standard test carried out on a flat panel with new 

machines. 

The only way to realistically conclude values for each 

working condition is to measure vibration in 

the environment that the tool will be used, using the 

actual tool, substrate and abrasive. 

A competent person within the company should 

measure each tool’s vibration level using the HSE’s 

purpose-built calculator, available from: 

http://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/information.htm. 

However, the testing equipment can be expensive, so 

smaller businesses may wish to use an independent 

company. Even for larger organisations, this can provide 

extra peace of mind. Because the effects of HAV are 

cumulative, the calculator gives the total length of time 

that a vibrating tool can be safely used for by any single 

person over the course of a day, even with breaks. 

How much action is required? 

The level of activity that employers need to take is 

determined by the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations. 

This depends on two different values – the 

exposure action value (EAV) and the exposure limit value 

(ELV). The EAV is 2.5m/s2 (equal to 100 points on the 

HSE calculator). The ELV is 5m/s2 (or 400 points). 

These figures relate to an eight-hour period during a 

single working day. If a tool’s vibration level is less than 

the EAV over an eight-hour period, it can theoretically be 

used for eight hours a day. 

vibration to the lowest level reasonably practicable, 

doing likewise for the exposure level if it is above the 

EAV. In any workplace where employees are exposed 

to HAV, employers must provide access to a competent 

occupational physician to receive detailed feedback 

about each individual, regularly monitoring and 

reporting any confirmed cases HAVS or carpal tunnel 

syndrome through the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases 

and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 

(RIDDOR). 

Taking Action to Reduce HAV Exposure 

Employers can place stickers on tools explaining how 

long they can be used for or use tool timers, which 

measure how long the tool has been used for and sound 

an alert when the limit is reached. 

A company can also use alternative, non-vibrating 

methods where possible; automating tasks; using jigs, 

clamps or rotating work involving vibrating tools between 

several workers. Using a tool with a lower vibration 

measurement or a smart sensor can also help. 

Personnel should be trained to not hold vibrating tools 

too tightly; use lower 

speed settings; ensure 

tools are properly 

stored and maintained; 

and check 

them before use. 

HAV exposure is not 

limited to the workplace 

- DIY tools 

used outside of work 

can also contribute. 

Although out of the 

employer’s control, 

HAV risk should be 

communicated to 

employees, nonetheless. 

For more information, visit www.3M.co.uk/safety. 

Once the EAV is exceeded, employers must demonstrate 

that significant health surveillance is being undertaken, 

along with measures aimed at reducing exposure 

to the lowest possible level. 

If the exposure level surpasses the ELV, the operator 

must immediately stop using tools likely to cause vibration. 

The employer must then reduce the risk from 

22 www.insulatenetwork.com


Insulate insulate Columnist columnist 

Hackitt Review Must Put Maximum 

Public Safety First and Foremost 

Sarah Kostense-Winterton Executive Director, MIMA 

With the Hackitt interim report expected before Christmas, we all have high hopes for 

Dame Judith’s independent review. What is clear is that we simply cannot and must not 

compromise on public safety. 

As the organisation representing the non-combustible insulation manufacturers, MIMA is firmly supportive 

of the scope of the Building Regulations review but believes we need to be more stringent, albeit 

prescriptive with particular attention being given to all mid- and high-rise, sensitive and high occupancy 

buildings such as schools, hospitals and care homes. 

Fit for purpose? 

We need to go wider with a review that fully considers 

the implications for fire safety in technology advances. 

Current developments in technology mean it is perfectly 

practical to track a product from factory to installation 

while keeping a digital record of what the product characteristics 

are. A record for current and future building 

occupants. 

We should consider whether wider testing methodologies 

are fit for purpose. Specifically focusing on whether the 

testing regimes applying in all buildings are only testing a 

perfect installation rather than a ‘real world’ one. 

Current regulations are ambitious 

Currently ‘guidance’ for facades in buildings over 18m 

high sits in multiple documents with Approved Document 

B referencing a variety of supporting documents which 

don’t lead to clear guidance on what is or isn’t permitted. 

To offer maximum public safety, the approved document 

should offer the only point of reference and the only permissible 

routes to compliance should be the use of Euroclass 

A1 or A2 rated products on facades which should 

be clearly set out in a redrafted Approved Document B. 

That redrafting should also clearly set out that Approved 

Document B is the only acceptable route to compliance 

Routes to compliance 

Approved Document B is not the only means to 

compliance with the Building Regulations – other bodies 

are permitted to publish their own guidance on how the 

regulations can be met. This has led to industry bodies 

publishing their own guidance on BR135 – these guides 

both contained four routes to compliance including 

desktop studies, which allow for combustible materials to 

be used without even being tested. 

There is substantial confusion within the industry and even 

amongst fire experts about what the official regulations do 

and do not state – many are under the false impression 

that the oft-quoted ‘four routes to compliance’ are in ADB 

or BR135, when they are not. 

Only specifying either A1 or A2 Euroclass products / systems 

can ever offer certainty to occupants that the façade 

will offer the maximum protection against fire. All other 

routes permit human error or judgement in to the system. 

Classification 

References in Approved Document B to national fire 

classifications such as “Class O” alongside Euroclasses 

than is actually the case. Similarly, marketing terms such 

as “fire retarded”, “fire safe” and “non-flammable” are 


23


frequently used to describe the reaction to fire properties 

of materials which are classified as combustible. 

The difference between combustible and non-combustible 

materials is an extremely significant distinction which 

must not be blurred. Combustible materials contain considerable 

fuel loads which contribute to the spread of fire. 

Non-combustible products cannot contain significant 

quantities of combustible materials, including any glues 

and binders, as this would prevent them from achieving a 

non-combustible classification. Fact. 

Building regulations must offer greater assurance of fire 

safe performance for occupants of both residential and 

non-residential buildings over 18m. With the health of 

building occupants, a priority, the smoke toxicity of construction 

products must be tested, classified and labelled 

to provide important information to consumers and made 

a key component within Approved Document B. 

The Euroclass system should be the only classification 

system referenced in a redrafted Approved Document B. 

All reference to the British Standard (BS) ‘Class O’ should 

be removed as this adds ambiguity and uncertainty of interpretation. 

Testing Methods 

No modelling available can ever genuinely replicate the 

behaviour of a fire in a complex building in the real world 

while no fire test on a perfect installation can ever replicate 

fire behaviour in buildings that have received real world 

installation practices. 

Desktop Studies 

There are serious concerns about the validity and accuracy 

of probability-based calculations for both desktop 

studies and fire safety engineering and little to no experience 

is available today to show that buildings assessed 

using Fire Safety Engineering have performed as predicted 

during a fire. 

Desktop studies do not produce a reliable indication of fire 

performance. These generalised assessments can do little 

more than guess at how combustible materials might behave 

in a fire on an unspecified building. The acceptance 

of these studies has promoted a light-touch approach. 

24


BS8414 Test 

Even passing a full BS8414 test does not necessarily indicate 

that a system would provide adequate resistance 

to a real-life fire and do not reflect common installation 

issues in the market, as recognised in the Each Home 

Counts Review. 

Testing regimes must be continually reviewed to keep 

pace with construction practices as well as to ensure the 

process is sufficiently robust. The BS8414 test should be 

updated to reflect real life construction features such as 

windows and vents and the communication of test results 

based on perfect laboratory conditions must highlight 

the limitations of these tests in terms of predicting 

real life performance as highlighted by the Fire Protection 

Association. 

Given the fatal danger of toxic smoke, material testing 

and classification should be introduced for toxicity. These 

products must then be labelled and regulated accordingly. 

new guidance will tackle policing and sanction should 

also be clearly set out. No one can disagree that sanctions 

must be meaningful, tough and properly enforced. 

MIMA believes that public safety is paramount and we 

can be instrumental in developing a comprehensive fire 

risk analysis for both existing and new buildings. However 

Dame Judith must recommend the right framework 

to ensure we can deliver maximum safety for the general 

public across the UK. 

MIMA’s submission to the Hackitt Review can be found 

here at http://mima.info 

Sarah Kostense-Winterton is Executive Director of MIMA, 

the Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association and provides 

the secretariat to the Energy Efficiency Infrastructure Group 

(EEIG). For further details of the EEIG or if you would like to 

join, please contact Sarah at sarah@mima.info 

Enforcement 

Finally, compliance clearly needs to be policed while sanctions 

for non-compliance robust. Approaches on how any 

25

IMPROVEMENTS 

IN SAP* FROM 

USING THE 

HYBRID SYSTEM 

RESULTED IN 

LOWER PROJECT 

COSTS 

Peter Dawson, Housebuilder 

HYBRID INSULATION - TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE 

HCONTROL HYBRID 

HYBRIS 

BOOST’ R HYBRID 

We know that making SAP improvements is 

high on your agenda. We also understand 

that minimal insulation thickness can help you 

to reduce overall project costs. So we have 

good news. The reduction in thermal bridging 

achieved by our Hybrid range is producing 

up to 15% SAP improvement*, proving that 

savings can be made on the DER vs TER 

without compromising on space. 

All Hybrid products can be used in walls and 

roofs, separately or together, to provide a high 

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certified to harmonised standards by accredited 

bodies, are CE marked and have LABC and 

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Each Hybrid product combines both insulation 

and airtightness properties: 

 

 

 

HControl Hybrid, a thin multifoil insulation 

product with a built-in vapour control function 

and an unrivalled thermal performance. 

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function and an exceptional thermal 

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*as calculated over a standard house using Hybrid model 

junctions compared with default junction heat losses

The UK's Only Exhibition 

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18th & 19th June 2018 | EMCC Nottingham 

Register for your free visitor ticket 

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A Question 

of Energy Performance 

Insulation manufacturers sell quality products designed to make people more comfortable in 

their homes and reduce their energy bills - but is the message getting through? And what will 

it take for home buyers and tenants to ask different questions? by Paul Forrester.


A Question of 

Energy Performance 

A friend and I recently went walking 

in the Peak District. It was bright and 

sunny - a perfect November day for 

exploring the Pennine Way - albeit 

cold, particularly in the wind. Our 

route took us through the village of 

Edale, passing picture-perfect stone 

cottages. Outside one home, a man 

in overalls was attacking a 

rigid insulation board with a saw. 

Not in a frenzied sort of way, I should 

make clear! In fact, he was being very 

precise about it. He’d already cut a 

couple of letterbox-sized holes right 

through the board, and was setting 

about removing further sections of 

insulation to around half the depth of 

the board. 

“I want to know how that insulation’s 

going to be used!” I muttered, fighting 

the temptation to go over and 

make a polite enquiry. 

Most likely, it needed to accommodate 

some service penetrations and 

a few lumps and bumps in whatever 

bit of the structure it was going to be 

fixed to. Trouble is, the holes would 

introduce significant cold bridges, 

and the half-cut sections would 

worsen the insulation’s thermal conductivity. 

Other software will display it 

differently, but the important thing is 

knowing what to look for. 

The Heating’s On 

I reconciled my lack of investigative skills with an awareness 

that I might have started ‘preaching’ to the guy 

about how he was ruining the product’s performance, 

and so we continued walking. 

Inspired by this turn of events, a new topic of conversation 

arose: “These last few weeks, I’ve had to have the 

heating on,” my friend bemoaned. He’d only been in his 

new flat for a couple of months - his first taste of home 

ownership - and was encountering low temperatures for 

the first time. “I can’t not have the heating on.” 

“To feel comfortable?” I added, to confirm my 

understanding that he isn’t a Dickensian miser who’d 

huddle around a single candle if it was an option. 

At which point he asked a question that too few 

people consider when looking at property: “Why don’t 

they give more information about the energy efficiency of 

properties?” 

“Who’s ‘they’? Who do you wish you’d had more 

information from?” I asked with genuine interest. 

“The sellers? The estate agents?” he suggested, 

launching us into a wide-ranging conversation about the 

cost of energy and fuel poverty, among other topics. 

Property performing properly 

It brought to mind the fact that, since early 2013, 

advertisements for property being sold or let have been 

required to include the energy rating of the property. It 

also brought to mind the time I was told, anecdotally, that 

many estate agents advise customers, “nobody takes 

any notice of EPCs anyway”. 

Encountering apathy on that scale is dispiriting, but what’s 

even more dispiriting is accepting there might be logic 

behind it. For existing properties, an EPC is based on a 

visual survey and records of work carried out to improve 

the property. It doesn’t allow for the quality of the work 

being undertaken. 

If the cottage we walked past is put up for sale or rent, 

an Energy Assessor will compile the specification and 

include for insulation of a particular thickness and 

performance, installed to an assumed standard. 

30 


The assessment isn’t sophisticated enough to reflect the 

impact of insulation boards being modified to accommodate 

services or irregular building fabric. 

Where improvements are suggested, they’re not always 

feasible, leading the authority of EPCs to be questioned. 

An ex-colleague was once advised to consider ground 

floor insulation to improve the energy rating of his home. 

He’d have had to dig up the floor of every room, since 

there wasn’t enough height to accommodate insulation 

over the existing structure. 

Hardly a practical suggestion, and indicative of the issues 

many properties will face when trying to improve 

occupant comfort. 

Short-term thinking 

SAP calculations, for example. 

On a more optimistic note, 

if the new requirement is 

communicated well then 

it might encourage more 

tenants to ask the same 

question my friend did. If that 

gives television producers reason 

to change what they put on our 

screens, or estate agents to offer 

more informative advertisements, then 

we could start to find ourselves on 

the righttrack. 

As property prices have ballooned and escaped the 

grasp of more and more first-time buyers, estate agent 

adverts seem increasingly targeted at those who can 

afford to add to an existing property portfolio. Seeing 

property as an investment is nothing new, of course, 

but the effective retrofit of properties is becoming an 

urgent consideration - and one that is not effectively 

communicated to buyers or renters. 

Television programmes like Homes Under the Hammer 

only encourage this trend, focussing on quick turnarounds, 

rental yields, and aesthetics and surface sheen. 

On one episode, the person renovating a house decided 

to keep it for their daughter to live in. “We’ve taken a 

bit more time over it than normal,” he said, admitting he 

only aimed for a better standard of work after deciding 

his family would enjoy the benefit of it. 

While it might be idealistic to expect everybody to buy 

in to relatively distant aims like carbon reduction targets 

in 2050, the casual acceptance of such complacency 

on a popular daytime programme only makes the 

retrofit challenge harder, not easier. 

A New Direction? 

Between now and 2020, new legislation will make 

landlords more responsible for better comfort and lower 

energy bills for tenants. Rental properties will have to 

meet a minimum EPC rating of E, and it will be interesting 

to see what impact such a requirement has. 

demonstrate compliance, or risk losing work to those 

who will - especially when other anecdotal evidence 

suggests this has been known to happen with as-built 

31

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SIG Fire Protection Specialists Increase 

Client Service Capabilities Across UK 

SIG Fire Protection Specialists attain FSIDip 

status to increase client service capabilities across UK 

The specialist SIG fire protection service has 

been developed; with six members of the 

national team receiving an industry 

accredited Fire Stopping Inspection Diploma. The 

SIG team receiving the qualification is the largest 

and most experienced dedicated Fire Protection 

team working across the UK. 

The SIG Fire Protection Specialists offer expert advice to 

customers installing fire protection materials, in what is 

a complex and challenging area, especially as now it is 

under increased scrutiny. 

SIG’s dedicated team of Fire Protection Specialists provides 

customers with early engagement and advice on 

Fire Protection and Fire Stopping for a range of new build 

and refurbishment projects. Six members of the team, 

Shaun Hugill, Lee Bentley, Aaron Gardiner, Jon Scott, and 

Dave Steel, as well as National Manager Nigel Gillingham, 

have all studied and received the Fire Stopping Inspection 

Diploma, recognised and accredited by The Institute of 

Fire Safety Managers and Institution of Fire Engineers. 

Due to the complexity of fire protection, detailed 

information such as scope of application, fire tests and 

assessment reports are needed, as they allow robust 

product selection to complement all the other 

construction systems and interfaces in each application. 

This diploma provides each member of the SIG Fire 

Protection Specialist team with knowledge of material 

technical documents, and the latest methods of best 

practice. 

Nigel Gillingham, National Manager, comments: 

“SIG is committed to investing in our people to raise 

knowledge and consistently improve skills and available 

expertise. This has given us a proven level of competency, 

and we are the go-to people for all fire stopping and 

protection, with representation in every region of the UK. 

“This diploma applies a different perspective for the Fire 

Stopping activities we undertake; on our responsibilities; 

the responsibilities others have for Fire Stopping; our responsibilities 

to be accurate in our understanding and our 

knowledge, and our communication in the high risk, high 

liability Fire Stopping arena. 

“I am extremely proud of the team’s enthusiasm whilst 

undertaking this course, and proud that each member of 

the team passed with flying colours.” 

L-R: Nigel Gillingham, Shaun Hugill, Jon Scott, 

Aaron Gardiner, Dave Steel and Lee Bentley 

33


Insulate Columnist 

Has the Broken Housing 

Market Been Fixed? 

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

The announcement in the budget last week of a package of housing measures totalling around £44bn 

was welcome news for everyone in the construction industry. But will this really deliver on the 

Government’s promise to fix our broken housing market? 

Certainly scrapping stamp duty for properties under the £300,000 threshold for first time buyers is good news for the 

consumer but we need to be sure that when they invest in their new home that they are getting a property that is fit 

for purpose. This means being able to buy a home with confidence that has been properly built by a skilled workforce 

and that lives up to current energy efficiency regulations, otherwise any cost savings on stamp duty will be negated by 

higher running costs for the building over its lifetime. 

It is also good to see that there will be a review on the 

controversial topic of ‘land banking’. With claims from 

large builders on the one hand that planning issues are 

the real cause of the problem and claims from others that 

speed of build is being deliberately slowed down to push 

up house prices, it will be good to get some clarity from 

Oliver Letwin on this so that building can proceed at the 

ambitious rate demanded. The announcement that 

support to unlock smaller sites and identify brownfield sites 

to allow SME builders to build 40,000 new homes is great 

news for the construction industry but again we need a 

skilled workforce to deliver on this. 

With around £34 million promised to develop construction 

skills across the country, we need to be sure that we get 

the skills training in place ahead delivery of the ambitious 

target of 300,000 new homes a year, otherwise the 

construction industry is setting itself up for failure and 

consumers will lose confidence. 

Building 300,000 new homes a year is certainly an 

ambitious target and a pledge that we have heard numerous 

times before but we need to ensure that all new 

homes can live up to the expectations of those living in 

them or aspiring to live in them. Will that happen? Let’s 

wait and see. 

For more information about 

Insulation Manufacturers Association please visit: 

www.insulationmanufacturers.org.uk 

34 




Fire Safety: Now is the Time 

for Architects to Take Back Ownership 

Duncan Voice, Store Manager, Insulation Superstore, outlines why architects need to learn a valuable lesson from 

the Grenfell Tower tragedy and take back control of specification. 

In the wake of the Grenfell tower tragedy, there has been a dramatic shift in attitudes towards the role 

of architects within construction. The avoidable disaster has forced the industry to take design quality 

more seriously, whilst also demonstrating how high-quality build specifications can not only protect 

occupants, but save lives. 

A post-Grenfell review is currently underway, spearheaded 

by the Department for Communities and Local Government 

(DCLG), with RIBA also calling for a comprehensive 

reappraisal of Approved Document B and related fire 

standards. Although the official outcome is still yet to be 

determined, there will undoubtedly be a focus on the fact 

that components such as cladding, insulation and fixing 

methods must be considered holistically as part of a robust 

fire safety build strategy. 

Traditionally, architects have always played a significant 

role in the specification of materials; however, the rise of 

complex ‘design build’ contracts is increasingly leaving 

them powerless within the construction supply chain - 

with no say or input on budget cuts or the substitution of 

cheaper alternative products. 

Following Grenfell, it is crucial that architects become 

leaders on fire safety, as well as taking responsibility for 

their specifications, considering the impact of individual 

components across an entire build while future proofing 

their designs by using non-combustible materials. This is 

an issue focused on care, protection and long-term build 

performance, working to ensure tragedies like Grenfell do 

not happen again. 

Vital Lesson 

A critical factor in the failure of Grenfell was the cost saving 

substitution of an FR grade aluminium composite material 

cladding for an unrated grade with a polyethylene 

core, which has since proved combustible in Government 

tests. In addition, the synthetic insulation used on 

the building was made from polyisocyanurate, which is 

known to burn when exposed to heat. Initial reports from 

the disaster also revealed that the insulation chosen for 

the £10m tower refit was acceptable for use on tall buildings, 

but only when combined with incombustible cement 

panels. 

Individually, both the cladding and insulation materials can 

prove problematic, but when used together, they can be, 

and were, catastrophic. Detailed analysis of public documents 

has also revealed a complex chain of contractors 

and sub-contractors, which has raised the question of 

who was ultimately responsible for fire safety during the 

refurbishment. 

95% of buildings screened and covered by the recent 

Government BS8414 testing program failed to meet current 

fire safety standards, indicating that ambiguity and 

confusion is still prominent across the industry. There are 

two major fire components of fire safety to consider; stopping 

fire ignition and intensity, as well as preventing it from 

spreading. These are essential factors when focusing on 

a building’s exterior envelope, with all components of a 

wall contributing to its fire performance. 

A New way Forward 

In the past, architects have been able to ensure that 

specified materials were used as part of a unified design 

strategy. However, facing increasing industry pressure 

to cut costs, this isn’t the reality with performance 

specifications enabling alternative materials to be used - 

often selected by the developer, contractor or sub-contractors. 

This shift in build processes has meant that 

during construction there is no longer a single appointed 

36 



professional who is responsible for ensuring that the 

specified materials perform when placed under pressure 

from potential risks such as fire, heat and smoke. 

Designers now need to take responsibility for any 

non-standard build slip ups. This includes understanding 

how materials work together in a more holistic way, as well 

as their influence on key build factors such as fire safety, 

attention to detail, environmental impact and workmanship. 

Informed specification decisions should be based 

on not just budget requirements or their performance in 

isolation, but on how components interact across the entire 

build and with each other. 

Getting Serious 

Architects play a vital role in ensuring tragedies like Grenfell 

do not happen again, making fire safety not just an 

extra consideration but instead a vital component in the 

early design stages. This is essential when protecting 

a building’s exterior, evaluating and selecting products 

based on their behaviour with other structural elements, 

the surrounding environment and its occupants. 

For example, if a non-combustible insulation product cannot 

be applied uniformly across a façade, it is the architect’s 

responsibility to ensure the implementation of cavity 

barriers to stop, or at least slow fire spreading. Non-combustible 

insulation can also provide an element of building 

preservation during fires, offering an extra opportunity to 

protect its inhabitants. 

This is supported by recommendations from RIBA, which 

has advised that architects should act as a single point 

of responsibility from project conception to completion, 

as this would prevent key specification decisions (such 

as the use of fire-retardant cladding) being transferred to 

contractors during the build process. It would also mean 

that the materials specified not only work together cohesively 

as part of a wider fire safety strategy, but that they 

are also correctly installed and maintained to regulatory 

standards. 

Whilst reviews and investigations are still ongoing, there 

is no doubt that fire safety regulations and standards will 

become more stringent, and undoubtedly architects will 

be expected to play a greater role within not just design, 

but also construction. Designers now have the opportunity 

to educate developers and contractors on the importance 

of incorporating high quality specifications and 

fire protection measures into building design at an early 

stage. Whilst budget cuts are unlikely to be eradicated 

overnight, Grenfell serves as a lesson to all those within 

the industry on how cost cutting can potentially cost lives. 


37



Insulating Our Nation's Homes 

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive, National Insulation Association (NIA) 

Household Energy Efficiency Statistics published by Government last week identified that whilst there 

has been considerable progress in insulating homes across Great Britain there is 

still allot more to be done. 

The figures identified that nearly 16 million homes in the 

UK have only 125mm or less of existing loft insulation 

compared to the current standard of 270mm. These 

properties would certainly benefit from topping up. 

There are still over 5 million homes with cavity walls that 

are not insulated andvonly 718,000 which equates to just 

8% of the 8.5 million homes with solid walls have been 

insulatedvto date. 

It is important therefore that Government continues to focus 

efforts on building fabric insulation measures in the 

new Energy Company Obligation which is due in 2018. 

They need to continue towork with industry and 

consumers in identifying ways to increase the uptake of 

insulation among householders. To this end, the Department 

for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy recently 

issued a call for evidence “Building a Market for Energy 

Efficiency” and the NIA will be responding to this with 

our thoughts on a number of important areas including; 

raising consumer awareness of the benefits of insulation, 

targeted consumer incentives, standards and regulations 

and attractive payment options. 

For more information about the National Insulation 

Association (NIA) contact 

Meava.robson@nia-uk.org 

38 




London's The Vase Building Enters 

Final Phase for Western Thermal 

Western Thermal, leading specialist engineers 

in thermal & acoustic insulation, 

ventilation ductwork, trace heating, and 

fire stopping, with over thirty years’ experience, 

has entered into its final phase of thermal insulation 

and trace heating work for Number One Blackfriars, 

known colloquially as “The Vase”. 

Thermal insulation and trace heating work is being 

completed by the Company on a wide range of mechanical 

and public health systems throughout the 

54-storey building and its basements. 

Western Thermal is working on the former Sainsbury’s 

Group Head Quarters and other core elements of the 

£140 million project that spans 74,925 sq m and includes 

274 homes, including commercial space at 

ground level. The Company has also been working on 

the building’s new four star hotel, which is located on 

the lower three levels. 

Michael Slater, Executive Operations Director of 

Western Thermal, said: “The Vase skyscraper is a rich 

addition to London’s skyline and adds to our fast-growing 

residential project portfolio. We have enjoyed our role 

in this iconic project. 

“Our clients are asking increasingly for our Thermal 

Insulation offering in conjunction with our Trace Heating 

specialism. This trend toward a multi-disciplined approach 


39


to thermal engineering solutions in the construction industry 

is growing, and Western Thermal’s complementary 

nature between the different divisions is what makes the 

Company stand out.” 

Western Thermal’s client for Number One Blackfriars is 

The division has contributed to numerous landmark 

projects including Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, Wembley 

Stadium, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. 

More recently, it has installed thermal insulation at 

Victoria Station, completed major works at the 

Battersea Power Station residential, retail and leisure development, 

and worked on the redevelopment of Bond Street 

Underground Station, along with a number of University 

of Leeds projects including the Worsley building and the 

Edward Boyle Library. 

Western Thermal’s Trace Heating division specialises 

in providing water at a constant temperature through 

a building’s pipes and also protection from frost, which 

is now a commonplace function for thermal insulation 

solutions. It is an important and complex part of any given 

project and key to overall insulation packages. The 

Company’s trace heating systems include self-limiting 

Designer Group, with Brookfield Multiplex Construction 

Europe Ltd being the main contractor. 

Western Thermal’s Thermal division is one of the 

country’s leading heating and ventilation insulation 

contractors. Its services meet the ever-increasing 

demands for both economic and environmental 

efficiency while meeting client specification and 

manufacturers’ recommendations, for both internal and 

external applications. The Company has also pioneered 

specialist insulation jackets using the latest thermal 

materials, which are both removable and reusable. These 

include valve and flange jackets, bespoke Plate heat 

exchanger jackets, which are used in international 

weather stations, and bespoke trace heated jackets, 

which are predominantly used within the food processing 

industry. 

heating cables, flexible resistant series heating cables, 

and metal-sheathed resistant series heating cables. 

The division has contributed to numerous landmark 

projects including 8.5 kilometres of trace heating and 

frost protection at One Hyde Park, one of London’s most 

prestigious residential developments. More recently, 

the Company has delivered its trace heating and frost 

protection services at Royal Liverpool University 

Hospital, the Battersea Power Station development, and 

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40 


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41 

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Industry Event 

Ecobuild 2018 

The Event Shaped by The Industry 

Ecobuild is returning to the ExCeL London in March 2018 and under the new ownership of Futurebuild 

Events Ltd, things are set to be very different. The event is being designed and built around the industry, 

bringing to life the latest technology, freshest thinking and most innovative materials. 

The event is not only being shaped through comprehensive 

industry feedback, but also with direct input from 

leading industry influencers. These include Lynne Sullivan, 

Nathan Baker, Julie Hirigoyen, Darren Richards and Peter 

Murray, who are all members of the ecobuild Steering 

Group which is helping to set the agenda for the event. 

Martin Hurn, Managing Director of Futurebuild 

Events, explains: “New, independent ownership offers a 

unique opportunity to completely overhaul the event. We 

believe that to be as relevant and valuable as possible, 

we need to understand and act on what built environment 

professionals want to see at ecobuild. We see our role as 

to facilitate the agenda, rather than dictate it, and we also 

believe that it is more important to bring future trends to 

life, rather than just thinking and talking about them.” 

The CPD Accredited Conference Programme 

Sustainability will be a key focus at ecobuild 2018, giving 

built environment professionals the opportunity to highlight, 

debate and present issues that matter now and 

will still matter in the future. Central to the event is the 

comprehensive conference programme, curated by top 

industry figures. The programme will provide an interactive 

platform for examining the big issues facing the built 

environment and creating an action plan for change, focused 

on real solutions. 

Day One begins with some of the most pressing global issues, 

delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals, 

the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda. The 

keynote speaker is Paula Caballero, Global Director of 

the Climate Programme at the World Resources Institute. 

Paula is one of the driving forces behind the development 

of the SDGs. 

The conference programme also includes a panel discussion 

on the response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy. There 

will also be focuses on solving the housing crisis and how 

to achieve the aim of making all buildings net zero carbon 

by 2050. 

Sue James, Content Producer for ecobuild, 

commented: “We plan to develop three key recommendations 

from each conference session, with audience 

support in shaping the outputs. This will ensure that each 

topic covered in the ecobuild conference programme 

concludes with actions that can be understood and implemented 

by the wider built environment.” 

ecobuild Sustainability Showcases 

Surrounding the conference arena will be the ecobuild 

sustainability showcases, home to the some of the most 

innovative solutions to the issues facing the built environment. 

The showcases will truly put sustainability at the 

heart of the event. 

They will feature two full-scale builds. One of these properties 

is the zero net carbon home from Zedfactory which 

is designed to minimise fossil fuels and annual energy 

bills. It offers a complete response to the housing crisis 

with build times reduced to two weeks. 

They are also home to The Hive from The Edible Bus Stop, 

a multifunctional, engaging social space. The sustainability 

showcases don’t stop there, more details about the 

confirmed exhibits will be released in the coming weeks. 

42 



The Futurebuild Districts 

The conference arena and sustainability showcases are 

surrounded by the futurebuild districts, each of which will 

act as an immersive and stimulating area where people, 

brands and companies will be able to network and develop 

profitable relationships. 

The Building Performance district is where architects can 

look far beyond the construction and design of buildings, 

instead considering the wellbeing agenda across new 

and HVAC will be presented through a series of seminars 

and workshops. The Green and Blue Infrastructure 

district will offer solutions in water management, external 

landscaping, biophilic design and biodiversity. 

New for 2018 is the Timber district, in association with the 

Structural Timber Association and supported by Wood 

for Good and TRADA. This will be a showcase for the 

latest technological innovations and systems, alongside 

the Timber Talks seminar programme. 

Another new addition is the Concrete district, delivered in 

association with The Concrete Centre and This Is Concrete. 

Here, information and inspiration will be shared to 

realise the potential of concrete as a sustainable material, 

as well as its range of solutions for housing, buildings and 

infrastructure. 

Following its success last year, offsite technology will return 

for the second year in partnership with Explore Offsite. 

The district will feature a ground-breaking exhibition 

of offsite construction solutions and masterclasses. 

build, refurb and retrofit projects too. Leading brands 

responsible for providing the envelope of a building will 

showcase the latest construction materials, products and 

technologies. 

This district will also be home to the RIBA bookshop and 

lounge, a vibrant architect designed space next to the 

seminar area. It will be used to promote the RIBA brand, 

the benefits of membership and to sell relevant architecture 

publications. The design of this area will be decided 

through a competition in association with Rockpanel and 

ROCKWOOL. 

In the Energy and HVAC district, the latest innovations 

and best practices across renewables, smart buildings 

This year will again see District Energy taken to the next 

level. The district will be hosted by the ukDEA and is in association 

with the Danish and Swedish Embassies. It’s set 

to include a programme full of key speakers and debates, 

a networking lounge and a product launch pad. 

Key Partnerships 

ecobuild is working with a number of strategic partners 

who are contributing to the overall strategy and shape 

of the event to ensure it is wholly reflective of the industry’s 

needs. Notable partners include the Considerate 

Constructors Scheme, CIAT, NLA, Bioregional, CIBSE, 

The Edible Bus Stop and the Edge. The event will also 

host the BREEAM Awards and the Offsite Construction 

Awards. 

You can register for a free ticket at www.ecobuild.co.uk/ 

register. Alternatively, share your thoughts and feedback 

about the event by emailing martin.hurn@ecobuild.co.uk. 


43

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Insulate Magazine Issue 13

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