Insulate Magazine Issue 15

Mauer innovate industry with 

Unique New EWI System 

The only independent 

insulation industry 

trade magazine 

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Anthony Joshua Vs Parker 

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Issue 15 | February 2018 

Insulation Supply and Demand 

A Sound Opportunity 

Are you Bricking it? 

Insulation Innovation 

Free Magazine

Insulation 

Outlook 2018 




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Contents 

As the front cover implies, this month’s insulate 

magazine is a technical knockout! Packed with 

essential insulation we are sure you will be 

better informed for existing and upcoming projects. 

We Introduce MAUER who are due to launch their 

revolutionary EWI system to the market next month, get 

involved it their competition on page 20 

The February issue marks an exciting evolution for Insulate 

Magazine. New features including #Insulation, Insulate Debate 

strengthen the excellent line-up of articles our readers have 

become familiar with. 

Don’t forget, if you haven’t already you can subscribe to 

Insulate Magazine for free at: 

www.insulatenetwork.com. 

Enjoy the mag, 

Colin Heath 

Managing Editor 

colin@insulatenetwork.com 

@colininsulate 

Instant Insulate 

4 

Are You Bricking It? 8 

Thermal Facts - #Insulation 

9 

Cheap Insulation Changed the Industry? 10-11 

Heated Behind Closed Doors 12-13 

A Sound Opportunity 

14-15 

The Importance of Face Fit Testing 

16-17 

Key to the Industry's Success 

18-19 

Mauer Competition 20-21 

Driving Up Quality 

22-24 

Putting Offsite in the Spotlight 26-28 

New Government Quality Drive Support 29 

GDPR General Data Protection Regulation 31-32 

Climate Change and Our Carbon Footprint 34-35 

Silence is Golden 36-37 

Jamie Street 

Head of Creative 

jamie@insulatenetwork.com 

@jamievinsulate 

9 

22 

14 10 

Paul Forrester 

Technical Editor 

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 9 for five thermal facts and #insulation 

That’s all well and good, providing 

they are working properly after 

being properly tested and 

assessed by industry experts. 

Read More: Page 12 

And because this is a magazine 

about insulation and constrution, 

another question is: could a 

similar fate befall buildings that 

don’t deliver their designed 

performance? 


It is important to understand why 

a specification has beeen made 

as this sets the parameters for 

exploring opportunities to value 

engineer the solution 


Respiratory face fit testing 

ensures that a chosen piece of 

equipment is capable of sealing 

adequately to a particular individual. 


There has been much positive 

movement so far – more than we 

could ever have expected - and 

2018 is most definitely the year 

for the gaps to be filled in the 

Government’s aspirations. 


This work is extremely important 

as it will clearly set out the 

specifications and standards that 

will apply to the installation of 

insulation measures 


Whilst some improvements have 

been made and plenty of homes 

are better than they were, we 

still have many homes that are 

woefully inadequate... 


Acoustics is a vital build 

consideration during the early 

planning stages for both architects 

and developers, to ensure a 

comfortable and quiet 

environment for occupants. 


Has Cheap Insulation Changed the Industry? Turn to page 10 

4 

www.insulatenetwork.com

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6 


7

Insulate Insight 

Are you 

Bricking it? 

John Taylor, Technical Director at Euroform Products 

The use of sheathing boards as part of a through-wall construction with timber or steel frame (SFS) 

systems is not a new concept. Most will be confident in the competent installation of the sheathing 

board in these applications, but given the wide range of sheathing boards available across the 

market, John Taylor, Technical Director at Euroform Products, explains why the installation method for this 

external finish needs careful attention. 

Regardless of the external wall finish 

to be used, there is an ever more 

demanding requirement for sheathing 

materials to not only be quicker 

to install, but to also have the 

capability to contribute towards the 

securing of other elements within 

the façade system. 

Where a brick façade is concerned, 

the challenge comes because not 

all sheathing boards have pull-out 

capability whilst remaining workable. 

Those that do provide adequate 

pull-out performance are able to 

act as a potential contributor to 

the securing back of any thermal 

insulation. 

Importantly, sheathing materials better 

suited to SFS will have a medium 

density to help speed of install. 

It is this density which enables the 

product to be ‘scored and snapped’ 

as opposed to cutting using sawing 

equipment on-site. 

While these types of sheathing 

board provide general practical onsite 

benefits, when using with SFS, 

particular attention must be paid to 

the expansion gaps required and 

the fixing types being used. 

Although this might sound like common 

sense, what few realise is that 

the fixing types specified are not 

merely ‘recommended’. Instead, the 

sheathing board will have been systematically 

tested for factors such 

as loading and fire performance – 

using the specified fixing type. Any 

deviation from the fixing type, or the 

profile of fixing methodology, will 

mean the installation does not comply 

with the specification that was 

tested – and therefore performance 

cannot be guaranteed. 

Unlike façades where the carrier 

rail and SFS will generally take the 

load of the cladding tiles or panels; 

with brick the sheathing board 

plays a much more integral role in 

the performance of the overall wall 

build-up. 

As such, it is absolutely essential 

that installation guidelines are followed 

to the letter – playing particular 

attention to the fixing type, 

profile, expansion between board 

joints and edge fixing distances. 

The trend of using SFS with brick 

is not expected to decline anytime 

soon, which makes it a real 

opportunity for contractors. So, 

if you’re bricking it… make sure 

you’re fixing it right. 

8 



ESSENTIAL TWEETS FROM THE INDUSTRY 

Thermal Facts 

The First Insulation 

The earliest form of insulation was 

during the Middle Ages, when the walls 

of homes were stuffed with mud and 

straw to keep out the cold 

Asebestos Insulation 

Asbestos insulation originated in 

Ancient Greece. The term translates to 

mean “inextinguishable.” 

Harmful Asbestos 

In the mid-1970s, home improvement 

companies traded asbestos insulation 

for fiberglass insulation after finding out 

the harmful effects asbestos has on 

lungs. 

Fibreglass Invention 

Fiberglass was invented when a 

young researcher named Dale Kleist 

attempted to create a vacuum-tight 

seal between two pieces of glass and 

a high-pressure jet of air shot through 

and turned them into fibers. 

EWI Store @EWIStore 

New blog post has just gone live on EWI Store, all about our predictions 

for EWI in 2018... #blog #post #insulation #2018 #NewYearNewInsulation 

http://ow.ly/PsUf30i0XAh 

Icynene @icynene 

You can make your #passivehouse even more #comfy. Choose the right 

#insulation http://bddy.me/2BCVoqj 

Knauf Insulation UK @KnaufUK 

Insulation solutions for rainscreen cladding for assured compliance. To 

learn more about this #CPD visit http://goo.gl/9hYFJW 

Rockwool UK @ROCKWOOLUK 

Our new platform helps us get to know more about you, meaning we 

can help you with the right information for the right phase of your project. 

For you that means less time searching and more focus on the project 

details. Experience our content on www.rockwoolgroup.com 

TaperedPlus @TaperedPlus 

Design done, specified, ordered in 24 hours & supplied in 

under two weeks from enquiry! We designed and 

provided a PIR Tapered Scheme to work in conjunction 

with the liquid #waterproofing system on the roof of 

Europe’s biggest shopping mall. 

Energy Loss 

Today, an un-insulated home can lose 

up to 60% of its energy through walls 

and the loft 

9

10 www.insulatenetwork.com 


Insulatedebate 

Insulate debate is an exciting new addition to the February issue of Insulate 

Magazine. Each month will feature a new insulation themed article, in which 

readers are invited to join the discussion. The following month the best responses 

will be printed in insulate magazine and featured online. You can send your responses 

to this months article to news@insulatenetwork.com . Join the debate! 

Has Cheap Insulation 

Changed the Industry? 

Has cheap insulation had a negative impact on the Industry by creating the perception it is a 

commodity? Or has it created greater awareness for the need for people to insulate their homes to 

improve energy efficiency and reduce energy bills? We take a look at the topic and put it over to you 

to share your thoughts on the influence of free and cheap insulation. 

Free and Cheap Insulation 

Major Government lead campaigns such as the Green 

Deal have been a significant driver in giving the perception 

that insulation should be free or cheap. A simple 

search for free insulation results in various credible websites 

such as Which? , Money Saving Expert and gov. 

uk informing searchers how they can get free insulation 

from major energy suppliers such as Eon and NPower. 

These websites carry significant mainstream influence 

and are frequently the first port of call for people 

looking for trustworthy advice on how to improve their 

homes. 

Short and Long Term Effects of Free Insulation 

Whilst free insulation may not damage the industry 

in the short term, what are the long term effects? If 

insulation was cheap or free once how do you convince 

people of its value in the future? As soon as the term 

“insulation” is used are end-users or even people 

involved in the construction process immediately 

thinking of insulation as an inexpensive purchase? As 

with many everyday items, if people get something 

for free it’s hard to convince people to pay significant 

amounts of money for it again in the future - is the immediate 

thought process “how can I get this cheaper?” 

Insulation Differentiation 

If the difference in the free insulation compared to the 

insulation you are purchasing is unclear, the process of 

selling it becomes complicated. How do you convince 

someone they need insulation in the floors if they are 

convinced they only need it in the loft? What is different 

about the insulation in the loft, compared to the insulation 

in the floors and what does this insulation board do 

compared to that. 

Even worse, what if people don’t even realise it is 

insulation? Something that is obvious to a 

professional, may be completely new territory for a 

individual. It begs the question is their enough clear and 

accessible information to educate individuals on the 

true value of different types of insulation in their property, 

and sufficient information to convince them that 

insulation is a worthwhile investment.

No Purchase Necessary 

In everyday purchasing it’s extremely uncommon to get 

something free without purchasing something else. In 

a supermarket you might have to purchase two of a 

certain item to get a third free. When purchasing a new 

kitchen you might get one of the appliances for free as 

a result of buying the rest of the range. There’s a deal to 

be had but never a free for all that might seem the case 

with insulation. 

In these instances their is always a value attached to 

the freebie, people know the value of these appliances 

and items. For most Insulation isn’t a frequent purchase, 

there isn’t a clear understanding of what it is worth and 

therefore by getting insulation for free leaves the impression 

that insulation will be cheap or even free in the 

future. 

Insulation Visibility 

When living in our homes we can’t see or feel 

insulation. It operates in silence behind the scenes, 

helping the end-user reduce energy bills or living in 

quieter conditions. It’s not like a sofa we sit on, a carpet 

under our feet or a decorated wall we can see. People 

may feel warm in their homes but first instincts may be 

to think the heating is on, or if it has anything to do with 

insulation it’s because of what’s installed in the roof rather 

than other areas of the living environment. 

This lack of visibility, both visually and in the 

subconscious can only stand to further devalue the 

perception of insulation for the end-user and ultimately 

those people specifying and installing product on a 

development. If an occupants main concern is cosmetic, 

it may be easier to cut corners on insulation to 

ensure the end-user gets the visual experience they 

expect. 

Energy Saving Benefits 

One of the areas where there is likely to be greater 

understanding is the energy saving benefits of insulation 

installation. Advisory websites indicate hundreds 

of pounds per year can be saved per year as a result 

of isulation being installed. But is this value as instantly 

recognisable and therefore ultimately important, or 

influential to an end-user? If a housebuilder says to the 

future occupant we will give you free insulation, is this 

as attractive as saying we will give you free carpets 

and curtains? Even if the benefits of those items aren’t 

as long term as the free insulation, their benefits are 

instantly recognisable in their home and on their bank 

balance. 

The Value of Insulation 

These topics raise some interesting points surrounding 

the actual and perceived value of insulation. Is this a 

non-issue? Or is it an underlying issue that effects the 

seriousness in the merits of installing sufficient energy 

saving insulation in homes, commercial buildings and 

more? 

Join the Debate 

Our favourite responses to this article will be printed 

in next months issue, and will be featured online. 

Send your responses via email to this address: 

news@insulatenetwork.com 

www.insulatenetwork.com 11


Insulate Insight 

Things Can Get Seriously Heated 

Behind Closed Doors 

The BBA’s Hygrothermal testing chamber 

ensures thermal insulation materials are safe 

and fit-for-purpose. 

The thermal performance of a structure, whether it’s a 

corporate office block, municipal building or a private 

home, is greatly improved by External Wall Insulation 

Systems (EWIS), such as External Thermal Insulation 

Composite Systems (ETICS). Moreover, these systems 

also support the effectiveness of materials and systems 

installed by roofing contractors. That’s all well and good, 

providing they are working properly after being properly 

tested and assessed by industry experts. 

BBA Test Services can test a range of ETICS, VETURES 

and render systems for use on masonry, steel and timber 

framed walls. In particular, it has the capabilities to meet 

the testing requirements of ETAG 004, ETAG 17 and 

MOAT 22. 

The following are test areas related to ETICS, 

incorporate all that’s necessary to maximise the 

thermal performance of a building’s structure: 

Durability 

Monitoring the performance of materials after hygrothermal cycling to simulate the service life of the system. 

Colour change measurements can also be taken after exposure to ultra violet light. 

Energy efficiency and thermal performance 

Procedures testing for thermal conductivity and resistance with the use of a sophisticated heat flow meter 

installed in the BBA’s hi-tech test facilities in Watford. This large, state-of-the-art piece of equipment is UKAS 

accredited and accurate to ±1.5%. 

Hygrothermal testing 

Utilising its ETAG 004 environmental chamber, BBA test experts apply heat/rain and heat/cold cycling procedures 

plus heat/spray and freeze/thaw cycling. 

Mechanical testing 

Tests include resistance to hard and soft body impact, resistance to pull through of fixings, and bond strength 

tests to ensure the systems are safe and secure. 

Water penetration 

Water absorption tests help predict and ensure the hygrothermal and freeze/thaw performance of a system, 

while vapour transmission rates are essential for condensation risk analysis. 

Windloading 

Focuses on a product’s ability to resist wind uplift, essential for high-rise buildings and exposed locations. 

Continues>> 

12 


That’s all well and good, 

providing they are working 

properly after being 

properly tested and 

assessed by industry 

experts. 

In addition, the BBA tests a number of 

other insulation product properties to 

demonstrate suitability for other roof, wall 

and floor applications. 

BBA testing provides manufacturers of 

ETICS and EWI products important 

accreditation. Giving access to 

CE Marking to relevant harmonized 

standards, BBA Test Services are a 

notified, UKAS accredited laboratory, and 

associated test reports can be used to 

obtain Agrément Certification, widely 

considered to be the ultimate stamp of 

product approval in the UK. 

For more information about BBA 

Certification services visit 

www.BBAcerts.co.uk 

13


Insulate insight 

A Sound 

Opportunity 

Paul Absolon, Technical Director at CMS Danskin Acoustics, discusses why getting to grips with 

the various treatments available can pay dividends when it comes to working with sound 

reduction systems on-site. 

Regardless of the type of development, 

whether it is residential, commercial, 

leisure or public sector, the effective control 

of sound is a key consideration – both for 

building regulation compliance and occupier 

comfort. Moreover, given high levels of 

impact sound often result in unwanted 

noise travelling between spaces, 

the floor is commonly 

subject to an acoustic 

specification. 

14 



It is important to understand why a 

specification has beeen made as this sets 

the parameters for exploring opportunities 

to value engineer the solution 

Sound reduction systems will typically be specified 

according to the acoustic performance which must 

be achieved and the overall floor build up. At a basic 

level, there are various solutions available which have 

been specifically designed to work with certain types of 

screeds and subfloor. However, there are also systems 

available which are designed for more complex floor 

constructions, such as those which integrate underfloor 

heating or service lines. 

Essentially, when tendering for a flooring package which 

includes a specialist acoustic element, it is important to 

understand why a specification has been made as this 

sets the parameters for exploring opportunities to value 

engineer the solution. 

Scoping the Spec 

Where a residential development is following the Robust 

Detail (RD) route to Part E compliance, it is important 

to understand the difference between a generic detail 

and a proprietary RD. For example, if E-FC-15 is detailed 

then only the Quietlay acoustic underscreed can 

be used. It is the same principle with E-FC-6, as only 

Regupol E48 screed isolation can be installed. 

In contrast, a generic detail such as E-FC-1 does not 

specify a specific brand name. Instead, a range of 

acoustic cradle and batten build-ups – for which many 

of the CMS Danskin Acoustic range of systems have 

been approved – is available to choose from. 

While the RD process simplifies the route to Part E 

compliance and offers some flexibility over the final 

choice of material (dependent on the type of RD), developments 

which follow the Pre-Completion Testing (PCT) 

route or non-residential projects present a much greater 

opportunity to value engineer impact sound specifications. 

Scoping the Spec 

Once the degree of flexibility in the specification has 

been identified, which is typically dictated by acoustic 

and thermal performance as well as material 

thickness and composition, the next step will be to 

consult with acoustic product manufacturers to explore 

all the options. 

Although the role of this technical consultation may 

initially be a simple costing exercise, with greater 

engagement there is further scope for contract floor 

installers to add wider value to the project. For example, 

more experienced acoustic manufacturers who have 

broad sound reduction product portfolios can conduct 

a full review of the specification and make 

recommendations on how improved performance could 

be achieved with reduced floor height. This approach 

often helps installers to deliver a more competitively 

priced package as compared with the original specification, 

whilst also demonstrating a thorough 

understanding of the project requirements. 

Moreover, to assist contract flooring installers with this 

process, CMS Danskin Acoustics will attend project 

meetings and provide on-site training if an installation 

team has not previously used a particular impact sound 

solution. 

The number of sound reduction systems available in 

the past few years has grown significantly, as has the 

number of manufacturers and suppliers. Couple this 

with what can often be a complex supply chain process 

from design to installation, and trying to compete in a 

competitive environment – can feel an impossible task. 

However, by spotting a sound value engineering opportunity 

at the initial point of tendering and then partnering 

with an experienced acoustic manufacturer to see this 

through to completion, the flooring package landscape 

starts to look very different. 


15


Insulate Columnist 

The Importance 

of Face Fit Testing 

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

of fit testing respiratory protective equipment 

Respiratory protective 

equipment (RPE) is critical 

for many insulation activities 

including protecting against 

fine glass fibres while cutting 

materials and avoiding dust hazards 

when using a grinder – but 

tight-fitting respirators must fit 

properly. 

The most common forms of RPE 

are disposable and full or half-face 

reusable respirators. These can be 

suitable in a number of applications 

but for these respirators to work 

effectively, they must create an 

adequate seal to the wearer’s face. 

If this seal leaks, the wearer risks 

breathing in unfiltered, potentially 

hazardous contaminants in the air. 

Even facial hair can affect this 

seal, which is why the Health and 

Safety Executive (HSE) stipulates 

that those who wear tight-fitting 

respirators must be clean shaven 

under the area of the face seal. 

Respiratory face fit testing ensures 

that a chosen piece of equipment is 

capable of sealing adequately to a 

particular individual. 

Testing should be carried out at the 

earliest opportunity, before being 

worn in hazardous environments. It 

is also vital that face fit testing is undertaken 

while the user is wearing 

other Personal Protective Equipment 

(PPE) required in their daily 

work that may interfere with the seal 

of the RPE. 

For example, people wearing respirators 

and protective eyewear often 

adjust the seal of their respirator to 

accommodate their eyewear or to 

make it feel more comfortable, but 

this can significantly reduce the level 

of protection as it may no longer 

provide an adequate seal to the 

face. 

The importance of 

Hearing Protection Equipment 

(HPE) 

While working in a noisy environment 

- such as in the midst of a 

busy construction project or on a 

workshop floor - workers may have 

to wear ear protection at all times. 

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 

(2005) require employers 

to prevent or reduce risks to health 

and safety from exposure to noise 

at work[i]. 

Why is fit testing so important? 

The consequences of using ineffective 

RPE can be seriously harmful 

for an individual, and also have an 

effect on the business should an 

employee wish to take action. According 

to the HSE, some 12,000 

people die each year as a result of 

occupational respiratory diseases, 

of which about two-thirds are 

due to asbestos-related diseases 

or chronic obstructive pulmonary 

disease (COPD). 

Appropriately fitting RPE is essential 

in protecting against chemicals, 

dust and glass fibres when cutting 

insulation and mixing renders. The 

fumes given off by welding and hot 

cutting processes is a varying mixture 

of airborne gases and very fine 

particles, which if inhaled can cause 

a number of respiratory diseases 

including asthma and cancer. 

How to test 

In-house testing using a qualitative 

taste test is common practice for 

users of disposable respirators and 

reusable half masks. This method 

involves placing a hood over the 

user’s head while they are wearing 

their RPE and other PPE, then 

spraying a fine mist of either a bitter 

or a sweet-tasting solution into the 

enclosed hood. During the test, if 

the person can taste the mist, the 

RPE is judged not to have formed 

an adequate seal to the wearer’s 

face and, therefore, the test is failed. 

Two fails with the same item of RPE 

usually indicates that the product 

cannot provide an adequate seal 

and, therefore, an alternative model 

of RPE should be considered and fit 

tested. 

If the wearer cannot taste the mist 

during the test, they have passed 

the qualitative fit test. 

Frequency 

Fit testing should be done on a 

periodic basis, or whenever there 

is a change that might affect RPE 

performance. 

16 


Respiratory face fit testing 

ensures that a chosen piece of 

equipment is capable of sealing 

adequately to a particular 

individual. 

For example, if the wearer either loses or gains a 

significant amount of weight or undergoes dental 

work, then the shape of their face may change, 

which could affect the respirator seal. 

If an employer decides to switch RPE models 

entirely or a manufacturer makes significant 

changes to the design of their product, fit testing 

will again be required. 

If in doubt, it is recommended that consumers 

seek further advice from the manufacturer, to determine 

whether fit testing will need to be repeated. 

Fit testing can be conducted by a competent 

person from inside the company, or by an external 

service provider. Accreditation under the British 

Safety Industry Federation’s Fit2Fit scheme is 

a good way to judge the competence of testers, 

although this is not a mandatory requirement. 

3M offers a fit testing service delivered by Fit2Fit 

accredited testers. 

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. 

17


Insulate insulate Columnist columnist 

The EiGG is Key 

to the Industry's Success 

Sarah Kostense-Winterton Executive Director, MIMA 

“The EEIG is key to the industry’s success” a 

government official told a group of political 

stakeholders at a roundtable event in 

December. They were speaking of the Energy 

Efficiency Infrastructure Group’s (EEIG’s) campaign 

- for a 20-year national infrastructure programme to 

bring all UK homes up to a decent standard of energy 

efficiency (EPC C by 2035), warmth and comfort 

– and the comment underlines how far the EEIG has 

come in the past year. There is still much more to 

do, but the informal group, supported by a broad 

church of over 25 organisations, and working with 

others in the industry, has had notable successes 

during 2017, including: 

Government pledges around Energy Efficiency in the publication of the Clean Growth Strategy. In particular 

the aspirational target to have all homes up to EPC band C by 2035. 

The National Infrastructure Commission announcing in its interim report that it would examine Energy 

Efficiency as one of its infrastructure priorities as well as producing a stand alone report in spring 2018, prior 

to the NIA in summer 2018. 

A growing realisation amongst UK policy makers, the current government and its backbenchers that energy 

efficiency as a policy priority is a necessity and “an open goal” in terms of its all-round social, economic and 

health and well-being benefits. 

There has been much positive movement so far – more than we could ever have expected - and 2018 is most definitely 

the year for the gaps to be filled in the Government’s aspirations. The EEIG will be seeking: 

Government to fill out the detail on how it will meet its target to have all homes up to EPC band C by 2035. 

The National Infrastructure Commission to follow through in its final report (“Assessment”) on Energy 

Efficiency. 

Initial spending commitments to be at a minimum outlined by the HM Treasury Budget at the end of the year. 

The “how” we do it is perhaps for those who take a strong, 

geeky interest in lobbying and public affairs. It focuses on 

ensuring that government receives pressure from several 

angles, and that multiple government departments and 

political actors are engaged in pressing for change. Our 

plan is supported by the armoury of EEIG communications 

collateral tailored to our specific audiences and the widely 

referenced and respected Frontier Economics report: 

18 


“Affordable Warmth, Clean Growth”, that sets out 

how we can deliver an energy efficiency infrastructure 

programme for buildings (BEIP). 

As part of the EEIG campaign strategy, we will be 

building on our solid body of existing Parliamentary 

support and “champion” MPs but also engage at a 

higher level in government departments as well as 

pulling together cross departmental cooperation and 

communication. The EEIG will be focusing on how we 

can deliver a BEIP programme and potential positive 

outputs such as the resulting economic returns for the 

Government. 

After a plethora of consultation responses 

which kept EEIG members insanely busy over 

December and throughout the Christmas holidays, 

2018 brings many important key policy dates. Non so 

important as the Hackitt Review but also the National 

Infrastructure Commissions standalone report on energy 

efficiency. Areas such as the private rented sector 

and energy performance standards bring us potential 

opportunities for the EEIG to work together. 

The EEIG currently has a wide and varied 

membership (with over 25 members) and there 

has been a good deal of interest from other groups 

to join in the past few months and expanding the 

membership will continue in 2018 – potential areas 

such as the financial services and insurance sectors 

- whilst the structure of the EEIG will remain inclusive 

and informal. 

There has been 

much positive 

movement so far – 

more than we could 

ever have expected 

- and 2018 is most 

definitely the year 

for the gaps to be 

filled in the 

Government’s 

aspirations. 

The EEIG is a coalition which represents those 

who are committed to achieving change and 

delivering good energy efficiency policy. We are not about 

specific products, businesses or organisations but 

committed to achieving the EEIG’s goals. So please 

don’t be shy - come and join us! 

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 

19


Mauer Competition 

Technical Knockout 

Ahead of the launch of their revolutionary 

external wall insulation system, Mauer UK 

have partnered with Insulate Network to bring 

our readers the opportunity to see the UK Boxing 

superstar Anthony Joshua take on Joseph Parker 

at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on March 31st 

2018 

Living up to the headline “Technical Knockout” 

Mauer UK Ltd has developed and designed a unique 

external wall insulation (EWI) System to address the 

challenges and obstacles faced in the current solid wall 

insulation market. Mauer manufacture this product within 

the UK. 

Speaking ahead of the U.K. launch, 

Mauer UK Director Matt Ratcliff said: 

“Over 4 years of Research and Development has gone 

in to the design and manufacture of our truly innovative, 

patented Mauer EWI & Façade Systems. 

From the outset we have stayed true to our core principal 

– to help reduce Fuel Poverty in the UK and abroad. We 

offer technically proven and cost-effective solutions, an 

industry-leading Installer Site Support Service and can 

rely on the support and expertise of our globally recognised 

and respected supplier partners. 

The challenge to create a Retrofit OSM EWI System that 

offers a ‘virtually no wet trade on site solution’ must not 

be underestimated. Through the use of 3D Laser-Scanning 

of every property and in-house Water Jet Cutting 

Technology, our highly skilled Design and Production 

teams are able to produce a millimetre-accurate and quality-assured 

EWI System, complete with a stunning brick 

or stone façade, to remain in-keeping with the existing 

surroundings. 

We have immense pride in what we have achieved to 

date, and have plans to bring further innovation to the 

market in the near future. 

As our official release to the market draws ever nearer, we 

are thrilled to be working with Insulate Network and we 

are looking forward to presenting the Mauer EWI System 

in more detail next month. 

Over the coming months, Insulate Network will be working 

with Mauer to launch the system into the U.K. market, 

with articles and an information point at this year’s 

ecobuild at London’s Excel Exhibition Centre.” 

Managing Editor at Insulate, Colin Heath said: 

“We’ve been tracking the developments at Mauer for 

some time now and are proud to be partnering for this 

unique launch competition, the system is set to revolutionise 

the EWI Market and what better way to launch 

than with a heavyweight competition such as this” 

Competition Entry 

For a chance to win, simply head over to 

www.insulatenetwork.com/enter_mauer and 

answer this simple question: 

Where is the Mauer system manufactured? 

The winner will be announced on day three of 

ecobuild and tickets will be dispatched via 

recorded delivery to your address. 

Full terms are available at: 

www.insulatenetwork.com/enter_mauer 

20 



Heavyweight Unification Fight 

Principality Stadium Cardiff 

March 31st 2018 

See Opposite Page 


21


Exclusive Insulate Column 

Driving Up Quality 

Paul Forrester Technical Editor, Insulate Magazine 

Car manufacturers have long sold their 

products on the basis of fuel efficiency and 

emissions, despite most paying customers 

knowing they won’t achieve those figures. Similar 

awareness doesn’t yet exist for people looking to 

buy a new home, but do changes in the automotive 

industry hint at a different future in construction? 

A 2014 edition of Audi Magazine, the customer magazinestomer 

of Audi UK, carried an article about fuel performance 

and carbon dioxide emissions figures for cars. As well as 

describing how the tests are carried out, there was also an 

explanation of the usefulness of the results. 

It made for interesting reading, not least because of the 

openness with which it talked about how little relevance 

the test figures had for what would be achieved on the 

road. The other striking thing about the piece was how 

much resemblance its content bore to the construction industry. 

Controlled Conditions 

Tests must be “in strict adherence with European guidelines” 

and have to be done in laboratory conditions because 

the “infinite variations” in road conditions, weather 

and driving style would make it impossible to test one vehicle 

against another in the real world. 

The in-situ testing of construction is almost non-existent, 

with assessment being based around software, paperwork 

and the limited policing of translating design intent to site. 

Statements such as, “it is not practical to test every new 

car” brought to mind building regulations that allow acoustic 

or air pressure testing of a sample of dwelling types. 

In explaining how the figures are “for guidance only” - but 

that they allow for a comparison between models from one 

manufacturer or different manufacturers - it was impossible 

not to think of SAP and SBEM calculations being used 

to assess building compliance, and Energy Performance 

Certificates rating performance without accounting for occupant 

behaviour. 

Uncovering Truth 

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

Volkswagen Group became engulfed in a scandal of its 

own making through the revelations that it cheated emissions 

tests. 

With hindsight, it’s easy to be sceptical about any apparent 

good intent in the magazine article because Audi is 

part of the VW Group. In truth, however, any car manufacturer 

could have written it, so the validity of comparisons 

between the automotive and construction industries isn’t 

diminished. 

If anything, the existence of an even bigger performance 

gap between a car’s lab results and road performance only 

serves to make the comparisons more relevant. 

The reality of building performance is that energy use is 

typically 30% higher once constructed than was predicted 

at design stage. That is far too big a discrepancy to be explained 

away by ‘infinite variations’ of occupant behaviour, 

or site location and weather conditions. 

Strength of Feeling 

Once the full extent of the VW scandal became clear, it 

was not uncommon to hear suggestions that the performance 

of buildings - and housing specifically - should be 

highlighted as a similar scandal in an effort to raise public 

awareness. 

How outraged were people really, though? In 2016, the 

VW Group became the number one car manufacturer in 

the world in terms of sales. 

22 

22 


And because this is a magazine 

about insulation and construction, 

another question is: could a similar 

fate befall buildings that don’t deliver 

their designed performance? 


23 

23


While some of that could be attributed to growth in 

China, it also suggested that other qualities of the brand 

were enough to keep some - if not all - of its existing 

customers. 

The picture has started to change more recently, though. 

2018 has brought reports of a reduction in sales of diesel 

cars generally. The VW issue is seen as part of that, but 

the biggest driver (pun intended) has been the messages 

coming from Government. 

A Taxing Problem 

Talk of higher taxes on diesels - because of pollutants 

other than carbon dioxide - and eventual outright bans 

as part of tackling climate change, lead to the inevitable 

question: why would anybody buy a diesel car right 

now? 

And because this is a magazine about insulation and 

construction, another question is: could a similar fate 

befall buildings that don’t deliver their designed performance? 

Already it feels like the tide could be starting to turn. Stories 

about defect-ridden new homes seem to feature in 

the mainstream media increasingly often. While that may 

not be enough to fire widespread public anger, it can 

only add to the pressure that is starting to come from a 

few voices in the corridors of power for the delivery of 

better quality construction. 

Supply and Demand 

In the automotive industry the tide has largely turned. 

There are more than enough cars to meet demand, so 

car companies now need to invest in an alternative vision 

of the future. VW have committed to 70 billion Euros of 

investment in a shift towards electric vehicles. 

In construction, the incentive for volume housebuilders 

to compete with one another for an alternative vision 

doesn’t yet exist. 60% of new houses are built by just 

ten companies; there are far too few houses to meet 

demand. 

Nipping it in the bud 

Questioning the suitability of current housing stock in a 

similar way to questioning diesel cars would risk 

further damaging a housing market that the Government 

already acknowledges is broken. 

Why would anybody buy a diesel car right now? That’s 

not for Insulate magazine to worry about, but we can 

wonder about the day that low energy construction 

becomes the norm - whether through public or official 

pressure - and there’s a legitimate case for asking, why 

would anybody buy an inefficient home right now? 

24 www.insulatenetwork.com

@INSULATENETWORK 


insulate network puts 

you in touch via every device 


insulatenetwork 

25

Exclusive Insulate Column 

Putting Offsite in the 

Spotlight 

The latest dawn of offsite construction becoming mainstream is at least a 

couple of years old now. It always feels as though a breakthrough is just 

around the corner, but is that an invention of the media that supports it, 

or might things be different this time? by Paul Forrester 

Elsewhere in this issue we make comparisons between 

the automotive and construction industries, and there 

are consistent calls for construction to adopt the sort 

of processes that have improved the quality of vehicles 

rolling off manufacturers’ production lines - an approach 

advocated in Sir John Egan’s report of 1998. 

At the end of 2016, Mark Farmer wrote in his report, 

Modernise or Die, that offsite is the “panacea for construction’s 

ills”. It was the latest call to adopt alternative 

manufacturing techniques intended to deliver the sort of 

‘disruption’ that is arguably much needed and long overdue 

in the industry.For the manufacturer, the most exciting 

innovation might be unseen by the end user, such 

as refining their factory processes to deliver the same 

standard of product while reducing waste and improving 

the efficiency of raw material use. That’s not as easy to 

shout about as an interesting new product, however. 

With limited advancements to be made in the performance 

and physical dimensions of insulation products, 

it makes sense to look at how products can benefit the 

installer. After all, for as many people who ask how to 

install a product before they start work, nearly as many 

wait until the project is half built before they think to 

check. 

People might be impressed by a radical new product 

design, but that almost always relegates it to a niche 

where uptake is slow. And if people do take a chance on 

it, there’s a risk they’ll try to use like the products they’re 

familiar with. For installers, innovation isn’t necessarily 

the big leap - it’s addressing a shortcoming of an 

existing product or installation technique. 

The Technology 

Revolution 

In talking about offsite, 

you can draw parallels 

with BIM. The revolution in 

digitised building 

information hasn’t quite 

taken off yet, even though 

pockets of the industry are doing amazing things with it. 

Surveys highlight that the industry fully expects to be 

using both BIM and offsite more widely in the coming 

years, so awareness is not the issue. BIM and offsite are 

likely to be intrinsically linked, since to fully exploit the efficiency 

benefits of offsite manufacturing requires having 

a handle on the tools that achieve better collaboration. 

Defining Offsite 

In the same way that ‘BIM’ can describe a number of 

digital processes, so ‘offsite’ covers a variety of techniques 

for delivering buildings. The majority of construction 

can take place in a factory, with near-complete units 

delivered to site, or components can be assembled on 

site. 

Modular systems are already employed for hotels and 

hospitals; while there are companies experimenting with 

small on-site factories that deliver the benefits of offsite 

in the location they’re needed - with the factory removed 

once development of the site is complete. All are valid 

offsite methods, but the spread 

26 



in the location they’re needed - with 

the factory removed once development 

of the site is complete. All 

are valid offsite methods, but the 

spread of experimentation means it 

is harder to judge the potential longterm 

success of one over another. 

All are valid offsite methods, but the 

spread of 

experimentation means it is harder 

to judge the potential long-term 

success of one over another. Lack 

of predictability in the market hurts 

the speed with which it can prove 

itself and be adopted more widely. 

Committing to a factory capable of 

delivering offsite solutions requires a 

level of demand that will bring down 

prices. But prices are too high to 

create that demand, and there is an 

understandable reluctance to invest 

as a result 

Breaking Point 

What we do know is that the cost of 

traditional construction is going up. 

Figures suggest 35,000 new skilled 

workers are required in the industry 

purely for it to stand still. The skilled 

workers already employed are 

commanding higher wages, while 

the overall shortfall in skills is resulting 

in poorer quality and more 

defects. 

Demand from consumers, however, 

continues to make traditional 

construction the preferred solution, 

backed up by a lack of innovative 

financial products to support the 

purchase of alternative solutions. 

Social housing and the private 

build-to-rent sector are therefore 

seen as the sectors best placed 

to drive up the demand for offsite. 

Inevitably, London is also expected 

to be a hub for offsite’s development, 

where lessons learned can 

be translated to other areas of the 

country. 

Developing Solutions 

A few products and systems have 

made their way to market, with an 

emphasis on combining an element 

of offsite manufacture with the 

familiarity of existing materials and 

techniques. 

Only the manufacturers of those 

systems can know how exactly 

enthusiastic the uptake has been. 

Attending a few trade shows, either 

as a visitor or exhibitor, is enough to 

see that while new ideas certainly 

capture the imagination, converting 

that excitement into specifications is 

another matter entirely. 

For as long as customers are 

unwilling to take the plunge, what 

incentive do manufacturers have 

to explore different - in most cases 

radically different - production 

techniques when their factories 

are kitted out and optimised for 

exactly what the market currently 

demands? 

What Kind of Future do we 

Want? 

Returning to those automotive 

comparisons for a moment, the big 

oil and petroleum companies know 

the future lies away from diesel and 

petrol vehicles, but will do what they 

can to keep themselves relevant for 

as long as possible. 

Has the time arrived when construction 

product manufacturers 

need to make a decision? 

There’s a new horizon for the 

delivery of buildings and, while 

it might not be entirely new, it is 

definitely different to what we’re 

used to. Are product manufacturers, 

including in the insulation 

sector, willing to invest in that bold 

new future, or happy to prioritise 

the existing demand in order for the 

status quo to endure for as long as 

possible? 

In Summary: Why Offsite is the Future 

Speed of construction. The building fabric can be assembled while the groundworks are undertaken, 

shaving months off project planning. 

Reliability of materials and manufacture. Consistent processes in controlled conditions means better quality 

and reliable, improved performance. 

Lower costs - if offsite methods can be delivered at scale. 

Flexibility. Offsite methods can be used to construct units in places where traditional construction struggles 

(e.g. ‘infill’ units). 

Less waste. Efficiency in terms of the material used in construction; potential to disassemble completed 

units and re-use elsewhere. 

Reduced site disturbance, and possible health and safety benefits, with fewer on-site processes. 


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



NIA Supports New 

Government Quality Drive 

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

As part of the Governments 

Each Home Counts 

recommendations, British 

Standards Institution (BSI) has 

been appointed by the 

Department of Business, Energy 

and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to 

review and revise the existing 

PAS2030:2017 (specification 

for the installation of energy 

efficiency measures in existing 

buildings) and develop a new 

PAS2035 specification for 

energy efficient retrofit of 

domestic buildings which will 

clearly set out the standards for 

the installation of each energy 

efficiency measures. BSI 

hosted a stakeholder 

engagement workshop on 

10th January 2018 to brief key 

organisations on the work 

involved and seeking their 

support – I attended the event 

on behalf of the National 

Insulation Association (NIA). 

This work is extremely important 

as it will clearly set out the 

specifications and standards that 

will apply to the installation of 

insulation measures. The existing 

PAS2030 is a little complicated and 

there are some aspects that are 

open to interpretation however, this 

project provides the opportunity to 

simplify matters and remove any 

ambiguity ensuring that all installers 

will install to a common, uniform 

standard. 

The NIA will be represented on the 

PAS2030 and PAS2035 Steering 

Groups and the Measures Experts 

Groups and the intention is for 

these new specifications to be 

introduced in October 2018 alongside 

the new Energy Company 

Obligation (ECO) and Each Home 

Counts Quality Mark. 

At the NIA we are very supportive of 

Each Home Counts as it provides a 

vehicle to ensure quality 

installations are delivered on a 

consistent basis and instil confidence 

in policy makers, specifiers 

and householders. In addition to 

contributing to the development of 

the new specifications, we will be 

ensuring that our members are kept 

up to date and provide advice and 

guidance to help them comply with 

the new standards. 

Furthermore we are also working 

with the British Electrical Allied 

Manufacturers Association 

(BEAMA) in developing new industry 

guidance which will clearly set out 

minimum ventilation requirements 

when installing insulation. We are 

also advising the Scottish 

Government on the new quality 

framework they are currently 

developing for Government funded 

schemes. 

For more information about all 

the work above and 

membership of the NIA 

please email 

neil.marshall@nia-uk.org 


29

ecobuild 

The future of the built environment is here 

06-08 March 2018 / ExCeL, London 

Timber 

Concrete 

Infrastructure 

Green & Blue 

Infrastructure 

Offsite 

Energy & HVAC 

Building 

Performance 

District Energy 

Presenting the futurebuild districts 

The ‘must go’ event 

in the construction 

industry calendar 

for forward thinking 

professionals and 

influencers. 

ecobuild 2018 will 

present the latest 

technology, the freshest 

thinking and materials 

to keep you at the 

forefront of the industry. 

The centrepiece will 

be the comprehensive 

conference programme 

curated by top industry 

fi gures. Surrounding 

this will be a series of 

futurebuild districts, each 

exploring a di erent 

aspect of the built 

environment. 

Be part of 

something 

special 

+44 (0)20 3011 2540 

info@ecobuild.co.uk 

www.ecobuild.co.uk 

#ecobuild 

#ecobuild 

/ecobuildnow 

/ecobuildnow 

/ecobuild_now 

ecobuild-uk 

SUPPORTED BY


Essential Insight 

GDPR 

General Data Protection Regulation 

The General Data Protection Regulation 

(GDPR) will affect every organisation that 

collects, handles or processes any form of 

data where an individual is personally identifiable. 

It covers employee, supplier, client and prospect 

and marketing data – from the Post Room to the 

Board Room. 

The new legislation comes into force on 25th May, 2018 

and replaces the current Data Protection Act. In basic 

terms, it is an upgrade and gives individuals far more 

control over how organisations can use, store or transfer 

their data. It requires organisations to be more transparent 

and accountable regarding their use and handling of 

personal data. 

There is a lot of miss-guided information circulating, 

which should be addressed: 

Brexit means nothing. The Data Protection Bill is 

going through Parliament and this will be known as 

the Data Protection Act 2017. 

Compliance with the current Data Protection Act, 

or being ISO certified does not render you compliant 

with GDPR – there are marked differences. 

GDPR is not Y2K all over again. GDPR compliance 

is a Regulation - a legal requirement - with 

the potential for fines to be administered in the event of 

non-compliance. 

There are three key terms to consider when preparing 

for GDPR. 

Accountability – you will need to document and 

account for all data you have in-house and decisions 

you make in the GDPR preparation process. 

If you can document and justify your legal basis for 

processing, then this is your case for retaining the 

data. 

Transparency – be open and transparent with the 

data subject as to what you will be doing with the 

data and why. What third parties will have access to 

the data? 

Trust – if you achieve the accountability and 

transparency stages, then you gain the trust of the 

data subject. 

The benefits of getting it 

right and embracing 

GDPR are huge 


31


With these key terms in mind, 

a summary of the stages of preparation: 

Data maps should be created to identify where data is held, its journey and the touch points throughout the 

organisation. Ask how it was collected / generated? Where did it come from? how is it used? How long 

do you keep it for? Who is it shared with, and how? Most importantly, can you identify your legal basis for 

holding and processing it? 

You should consider re-training staff, if only to make them aware of the changes and how the organisation 

will be adapting. This could be the difference between a tight ship and a damaging, avoidable breach. 

Your client / supplier agreements will need to be reviewed with privacy in mind – especially those relating to 

data transfers into and out of the business. 

Your Privacy Notice should be updated to include the new and updated rights for individuals such as withdrawal 

of consent, right to be forgotten, subject access requests and data portability. Your Privacy Notice 

should explain precisely how the organisation uses data – if it’s not included in this document, then you 

can’t do it. 

As the data controller or processor, you share joint responsibility with your suppliers (especially lead generators) 

to ensure that data is collected in a way the satisfies the new consent guidelines. 

You should ensure your IT systems offer adequate levels of security for any data stored within it. If you use 

hosted servers, it will be your responsibility to ensure the security satisfies the GDPR. 

You may have to provide accountable evidence of your GDPR preparation (and on-going testing / auditing) 

when submitting contract tenders. You are unlikely to win tenders if your organisation is unable to offer the 

required level of protection for personal data. 

The benefits of getting it right and embracing GDPR are huge: 

You give individuals a genuine choice and on-going control over how their data is used. This builds on customer 

confidence – ensuring your organisation is transparent and accountable. 

It enables you to get a better understanding of the data you have in-house and that data is of premium 

quality – you only hold what you need, rather than what you’d like. 

Only holding the data you need minimises the risk and liability in case of a breach. If you don’t hold it, you 

can’t lose it! 

GDPR is huge task and affects every single business and organisation in the UK that holds personal data – nobody 

is excluded, and ignorance is not an excuse. If you’d like to discuss how GDPR is likely to affect your business, then 

please contact DAMM Solutions – our team offer specialist advice across all industry sectors. 

Web: www.dammsolutions.co.uk 

Email: andyc@dammsolutions.co.uk 

Phone: 0372 683 7111 

32 


March 6 – 8, 2018 

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and conference for the technical foam 

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FIND 

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From the following industry verticals: 

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Exhibitors include: 

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WHERE IMAGINATION TAKES SHAPE 

Register now for FREE at www.foam-expo.com



Climate Change 

and Our Carbon Footprint 

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

Global warming issues are once again in the news and I have been watching with interest 

developments at the World Economic Forum in Davos where the evidence is loud and clear that we 

have an urgent need to curb emissions if we are going to come anywhere near the ambitious 2050 

climate change targets. 

As in previous years, climate change 

and carbon emissions featured 

prominently at the WEF this year. 

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra 

Modi used his opening address to 

warn us of the effects that exploitation 

of natural resources could have 

on humanity, while Anand Mahindra, 

co-chair of the WEF and chairman of 

one of India’s largest conglomerates 

described cutting carbon emissions 

as not only good for the 

environment, but a commercial 

opportunity. He said: “Everything 

that our group of companies have 

done to try and improve energy or to 

reduce greenhouse gases, has 

actually given us a return” and 

pointing out that over the last five 

years Mahindra (the conglomerate) 

has saved almost 60 million kWhs 

of energy - enough to supply power 

to 15,000 homes. French President 

Emmanuel Macron also urged 

listeners to take heed of calls for 

action on climate change and laid 

out his ambition to make France “a 

model in the fight against climate 

change”, with plans to phase out 

coal-burning. 

In stark contrast, the message 

from the United States of America 

couldn’t have been more different – 

after pulling the US out of the Paris 

climate agreement in one of his first 

acts as President, and his recent tax 

levied against imported solar panels, 

it’s unsurprising that Donald Trump 

didn’t mention climate change or 

carbon emissions at all in his 

address. 

However, the WEF’s website is 

thankfully quite positive about the 

future potential for action on climate 

change, stating: “By being more 

innovative and efficient, and working 

with suppliers and local economies, 

companies are finding ways to cut 

carbon and costs. Between now and 

2030, the world will spend $90 trillion 

on infrastructure. How those investments 

are directed will make all the 

difference.” 

They go on to state that we have a 

choice: to lock in backwards-looking 

technologies, or to spend this $90 

trillion investment on sustainable 

projects: “Companies that prioritise 

clean technology, like renewables, 

and avoid investing in high-carbon 

infrastructure are not only being 

environmentally responsible, they 

are also future-proofing their growth 

by factoring in long-term risk and 

positioning themselves as winners of 

the low-carbon economy.” 

So how does all of this affect us? 

In Europe around 40% of the energy 

used is in buildings and up to 60% of 

that comes from heating and 

cooling, with much of that energy 

coming from the burning of fossil 

fuels. Installing high performing insulants 

such a PIR into our 

buildings (which are currently 

amongst the least energy efficient in 

Europe) is one of the simplest and 

most cost-effective ways to reduce 

energy demand and cut CO2. 

Over the past 15 years or so, there 

has been a range of policies and 

initiatives to improve the building 

stock. Whilst some improvements 

have been made and plenty of 

homes are better than they were, 

we still have many homes that are 

woefully 

inadequate, with occupants and 

owners living in fuel poverty without 

the means to upgrade their property 

or without the understanding of how 

to. 

The PIR industry is ready and waiting 

to meet the challenge to improve all 

existing buildings. Via participation in 

the work of the Each Home Counts 

initiative we are working with 

34 


others to ensure that energy efficiency 

measures are effective through good 

design and installation procedures and 

that compliance and redress routes are in 

place to ensure this happens. 

At a time when the construction industry 

is faced with change and political 

uncertainty, the PIR insulation industry is 

well poised to help deliver better 

performing buildings both now and in 

the future, as well as playing a part in the 

UK achieving the ambitions of the Paris 

climate agreement. 

For more information about 

Insulation Manufacturers Association 

visit the official website: 

www.insulationmanufacturers.org.uk 

Whilst some improvements 

have been made and 

plenty of homes are better 

than they were, we still have 

many homes that are 

woefully inadequate... 

35



Silence is Golden 

Duncan Voice, Store Manager, Insulation Superstore 

The UK population is on the increase and recent 

ONS research predicts that by 2024, some 

urban areas, such as London, expect 

populations to increase by as much as 24%. With 

more people looking to live and work in the world’s 

largest cities, along with the UK Government 

recently pledging to build 300,000 new homes to 

cope with rapidly expanding populations, space will 

become more limited in the coming years. 

With commercial and residential space becoming more 

compact to satisfy demand, developers are now turning 

to innovative build solutions to make the most of every 

square inch. This includes creating more open-plan office 

areas, micro flats or mixed-use developments. Urban 

neighbours are sometimes just a few feet apart so, 

acoustics is a vital build consideration during the early 

planning stages for both architects and developers, to 

ensure a comfortable and quiet environment for 

occupants. 

The market for acoustic insulation products is expected 

to grow by over 5% by 2023*, and alongside an increase 

in demand, there are now hundreds of acoustic 

insulation materials available to suit every type of build. 

When considering acoustic insulation, attention should 

focus on those which provide excellent and consistent 

acoustic performance qualities; impeding the 

transmission of sound through a structure or absorbing 

it into the surrounding surface area to reduce the impact 

of external noise pollution, as well as loud neighbours in 

adjoining rooms. 

With so many options available 

across the market, Duncan Voice, 

Store Manager at Insulation 

Superstore, outlines five 

products he would recommend for 

floor, wall and ceiling applications. 

Walls 

Soundboard 3 

For those living in 

apartment 

buildings, noise 

can be a major 

issue which, if not 

addressed, can have a severe 

negative affect on the 

wellbeing of occupants. Utilising 

three different sound-proofing 

technologies, all laminated together 

for easy installation, Sound Board 

3 is a high-density, gypsum-based, 

direct to wall acoustic 

sound-proofing board. 

Ideal for blocking noise from 

televisions and radios, as well as 

muffled talking from adjoining rooms, 

it is an excellent solution for 

apartment blocks and micro-flats, 

offering exceptional performance and 

exceeding the new Building 

Regulations Part E target of 43Db by 

almost 10% when applied to a brick 

or block wall. 

Easily applied to any flat or level surface 

with nine screws per board, it is 

also quick and easy to install. 

Floors 

JCW Impactalay 

Plus Acoustic 

Floor Insulation 

Noise doesn’t 

just travel through 

walls but also 

floors, and the 

application of high-quality 

insulation 

materials is key to protecting 

occupants from noisy neighbours 

overhead. The JCW Impactalay 

Plus Acoustic Floor Insulation is a 

complete sound-proofing solution, 

comprising of three acoustic layers 

that work together to address impact 

and airborne noise. 

Manufactured using an acoustic 

foam resilient layer, sandwiched 

between two further layers of weight 

36 


further layers of weight-enhancing barrier mat, 

Impactalay is cost-effective and simple to install, and is 

suitable for timber floors as well as all other finishes – 

including carpets, laminate and vinyl. 

Walls 

Rockwool RWA45 

Acoustic Insulation Slab 

In the wake of the 2017 Grenfell 

Tower tragedy, fire safety is a topic 

that continues to dominate the 

construction industry and is a crucial 

consideration during the specification of insulation 

materials for high-rise apartment blocks. In turn, 

manufacturers have responded by creating innovative 

and potentially life-saving materials with a raft of 

benefits, addressing not only the issue of noise, but also 

fire safety, energy efficiency and occupant comfort. 

Alongside its high performing acoustic and thermal qualities, 

Rockwool’s RWA45 Acoustic Insulation Slab offers 

excellent fire insulation and is certified to EN 13162. 

Made from volcanic rock, the product range consists of 

resin bonded slabs, available in a variety of thicknesses 

and densities, making it an ideal solution for residential 

applications. 

Ceilings 

JCW Noise Blocker 

Suspended Ceiling Panels 

With over 454,700 people 

employed in the City, commercial 

space is now 

considered a hot commodity on the UK property market. 

Noise reduction is not only essential in a residential 

setting, but also within a workplace, where noise 

pollution or disruption can negatively impact employee 

productivity and business performance. 

To tackle this problem, the JCW Noise Blocker 

Suspended Ceiling Panel is designed for use in 

suspended ceiling grid systems to minimise room-toroom 

noise transfer by up to 26 decibels, and can be 

used in all types of industrial, retail and commercial new 

or retrofit developments. Noise blockers like this will also 

reduce vertical sound transmission between floors, and 

from services within the ceiling void. 

Suitable for most ceiling systems, noise blockers are 

simply placed onto the back of the ceiling tile and can be 

installed with the ceiling or as a retrofit. 

Roofs 

Marley Eternit 

Fibre Cement Roofing Sheets 

Popular in quirky commercial spaces 

such as bars and restaurants, some 

architects and developers are using 

a corrugated roof style within designs for residential 

properties. This product has been created for acoustic 

insulation for the comfort of dairy cows, by reducing 

the noise from weather elements. Developed by Marley 

Eternit, these roofing sheets are available in a range of 

colours and are generally painted to give a weathered 

look. They do not rust or rot and are made from a 100% 

recyclable material. 

Visit www.insulationsuperstore.co.uk for more 

information on their thermal and acoustic product 

solutions . 

Acoustics is a vital build consideration 

during the early planning stages for 

both architects and developers, to 

ensure a comfortable and quiet 

environment for occupants. 


37


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 

38 www.insulatenetwork.com

@INSULATENETWORK 


insulate network puts 

you in touch via every device 


insulatenetwork 

39

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 Issue 15

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