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£1m loan keeps Hemsec Ltd at forefront of modern methods of construction

A £1m loan from Mayor Steve Rotheram’s Flexible Growth Fund has enabled pioneering local company Hemsec Manufacturing Ltd to open a new Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Manufacturing Hub in Knowsley, creating 25 jobs and helping the city region’s drive to become net zero carbon by 2035.

Hemsec started out in St Helens in 1928 making cork cabinets to store ice for ice-cream makers. After decades of innovation, Hemsec were one of the UK’s first to develop structural insulated panels (“SIPs”) for residential applications at scale in 2007, foreseeing the UK’s need for more energy-efficient buildings, and for fast construction using modern methods of construction (MMC).

Panelised construction is a modern method of construction that involves the fabrication of structural panels off-site, which are then transported to the construction site for assembly.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) provide a superior airtightness and insulation level, particularly in comparison to traditional masonry methods of building homes, producing homes that can significantly improve standards of living and are cheaper to heat.

Hemsec currently works with local housing associations on the development of low-carbon homes which can be built at speed and cost a fraction of price to heat, helping to appease the housing shortage whilst reducing energy bills significantly for occupants.

The £1m loan from the Flexible Growth Fund, the maximum amount available to a single applicant, has enabled Hemsec to create a new manufacturing hub in Huyton in Knowsley, creating 25 new jobs along with two apprenticeships for local people.

Speaking about the loan, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, who recently officially opened the new plant, said:

“This is exactly what our Flexible Growth Fund was created for—empowering local companies to innovate, create jobs, and stay ahead in their field. Hemsec’s new manufacturing hub is not just an investment in their future but in the future of our region, driving forward our ambitions to be a leader in modern, energy efficient construction and helping us on our path to becoming a net zero city region by 2035.”

Cllr Mike Wharton, Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade, said:

“The purpose of our Flexible Growth Fund is to provide fast and flexible loans to successful businesses to enable them to grow.

“Hemsec have long been pioneers in modern methods of construction and this loan will help them to stay at the forefront of this exciting sector and create jobs for local people in the process.”

Stephen Painter, Managing Director at Hemsec, said:

“The opening of Hemsec’s SIPs Manufacturing Hub represents a transformative moment for the Liverpool City Region and the British manufacturing industry. With the capabilities of this pioneering press machine, we have an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate the construction of much-needed truly affordable social housing, providing safe and sustainable homes for our communities.

“A fabric-first approach to sustainable buildings is crucial for ensuring the performance of our homes is optimised now and remains for the lifetime of the building, securing longevity in energy efficiency.”

The Flexible Growth Fund was established by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority with £20m in 2020, offering flexible, low-interest loans that businesses can access quickly and easily, to enable projects to be completed.

Managed by River Capital, it is available to small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) undertaking expansion projects and with the ability to raise 50% in match funding from the private sector.

All loans are paid back to the Combined Authority with interest, enabling the money to be reinvested in local businesses.

Source: Growth Platform

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Revolutionary rainscreen retention solution proves less is more

SFS Group Fastening Technology and Kingspan Insulation have pooled their respective expertise in rainscreen cladding support systems and insulation materials, to launch an optimum performance solution offering A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire  presenting the potential to optimise envelope design on buildings of any height.

The NVELOPE®NVS-RP range of stainless steel brackets has been developed specifically to retain Kingspan’s latest insulation development – Kingspan AlphaCore®panel silica-based insulation which offers a thermal conductivity of just 0.020 W/mK, with a Euroclass A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire. The slimline material is available in thicknesses of 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50mm with a weight ranging from 3.6-9.0 kg/m2.  AlphaCore® Pad is also water-repellent.

Crucially, the combination has the potential to create far slimmer façades which will withstand the weather as well as optimising energy performance.  This is because, instead of compromising AlphaCore® Pad’s thermal performance with multiple fixing penetrations, SFS has completely re-imagined established components from its NVELOPE® system to absolutely minimise cold-bridging. 

The NVS designation describes the range’s existing stainless-steel L-shaped bracket that is available in single or double format and adds three types of RP Retaining Plates: Single, Double and the End Plate.  Their versatility not only facilitates the retention of all the AlphaCore® Pad thicknesses, without the need for traditional fixings, but remains quick and easy to install.    

Cameron MacBride, the National Façade Manager for Kingspan Insulation, confirms: “Kingspan AlphaCore® Pad provides a balance of both thermal and fire performance, giving designers greater freedom to achieve compliant systems in tight spaces. Collaborating with SFS has allowed us to find a solution to maximise the thermal performance of AlphaCore® Pad. The NVS RP range avoids having to fix through the board in multiple places, which reduces thermal bridging. This combination of materials will be used where those pinch-points within a structure occur, in areas where land values are high, and the overall wall thickness becomes more important. These solutions using newer, optimal technologies are therefore going to offer the designer more flexibility in challenging situations, and hopefully boost the lettable or saleable space to its maximum.”

A series of technical data sheets explains the configuration and application of the different NVS-RP components, along with the non-compressible thermal pad which helps ensure the assemblies’ performance, while both the bracketry and the Kingspan AlphaCore® Pad insulation will be available to contractors through the two companies’ normal sales channels.

For further information, visit the product page of the SFS website to see a video case study of the project https://uk.sfs.com/systems/nvelope/nvsrp 

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ROCKWOOL® offers non-combustible solution for student accommodation

Unilife offers high-quality accommodation for students in Guilford, Southampton, and Winchester, providing premium student accommodation with a focus delivering a high-quality student experience.

With the availability of accommodation one of the factors students consider when choosing which university to study at, Unilife was looking to expand the accommodation on offer at the main campus of the University of Surrey in Guildford.

Unilife turned to Stelling Properties, one of the UK’s leading modular development and construction companies, when the need for more student accommodation arose.

Student accommodation has to be affordable, comfortable, have a location close to the campus, and, ideally, be quick to construct to minimise disruptions on campus during the academic year.

Stelling designed a six-storey accommodation block with 99 studio bedrooms and communal areas that could be mainly manufactured off-site as modular units. Each of the studio bedrooms has space for a bathroom, a study corner, a bed, and a kitchenette.

By manufacturing the modules offsite, Stelling was able to produce high quality units very quickly, completely independent of the weather conditions onsite. It also meant that, as soon as the groundworks had finished and the slab was ready, the accommodation block could be assembled because the units were being built at the same time as the groundworks.

“The planning process for off-site projects of this size is slightly different from traditional construction projects,” explains Jordan Griffiths, project engineer at Stelling Properties. “The design has to be absolutely perfect before we go onsite. It’s slightly more complicated and there is more work upfront. Once we are installing the units onsite, it is too late to make major design changes.

The solution was found with ROCKWOOL RWA45 non-combustible stone wool insulation, which was used for the floors, walls and ceiling of each accommodation unit.  “It is really important that all teams involved, client, architect, factory, and onsite, communicate regularly and clearly to make projects like this successful. There is very little room for error. For example, the interfaces between the units and the groundworks can be challenging. We work on +/- 2 mm tolerance in the factory, while onsite the tolerance can be +/- 10 mm. Each team needs to be absolutely clear about what is expected.”
A module takes about 10 days to make in the factory. Once on site, the module can be moved from the lorry to its final position in four minutes. On average, Stelling installed eight to 12 modules per day.

The whole block is built with steel frames and thin wall metal partitions. While steel frame buildings are known for their durability, they also present a challenge by causing thermal bridging, resulting in higher thermal loss than buildings made from wood and bricks.  In addition, thin metal walls conduct noise easily – presenting an acoustic challenge for lively student accommodation.

As a result, special attention was given to the overall insulation of the new accommodation block. The solution was found with ROCKWOOL RWA45 non-combustible stone wool insulation, which was used for the floors, walls and ceiling of each accommodation unit. ROCKWOOL RWA45 is known for its thermal and natural acoustic properties, but also for its fire resilience capabilities. What’s more, RWA45, like all stone wool insulation, will maintain its performance over the lifetime of the building1.

“We have been working with ROCKWOOL on many of our projects and know the products well,” adds Jordan Griffiths. “Working with the ROCKWOOL technical support team, we very quickly established that RWA45 was the right insulation for this project.”

In time for the new academic year, Unilife will open new high quality, safe and comfortable accommodation close to the university and Guildford town centre.  Interruption to the town itself and the university campus was kept to an absolute minimum due to the quick installation of the prefabricated accommodation modules.

 

1. In tests on materials from real-life construction sites, stone wool has been shown to retain its insulating properties for more than 65 years without a drop in performance. Testing done at Danish Technical Institute (DTI) in 2023

CLICK HER for more information of ROCKWOOL RWA45

 

 

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Expertise in building systems and XPS construction boards from Jackon by BEWI

JACKON by BEWI has two construction systems, the JACKODUR® Atlas insulated raft system and THERMOMUR® Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF), which integrates insulation materials into the concrete formwork, totally revolutionising the way a house is constructed. 

 

 

 

JACKON by BEWI Building Systems exceed the u-value targets of the latest Part L building regs. JACKON by BEWI’s THERMOMUR® 350 Super Block is one of the most energy efficient building systems currently available. It has a U-value of 0.15 straight out of the box, ahead of the required maximum of 0.16 U-value on external walls – part of the requirement that new homes emit 31% less CO2 under the Part L Building Regulations.

ICF constructions have been achieving the new targets for years in their basic configuration, with no “add-ons”, while other types of constructions have had to push their limits in terms of cavities, ties and expensive insulating material in order to achieve the existing levels of thermal performance.

JACKODUR® ATLAS uses XPS (extruded polystyrene) to create an insulated floor slab, while THERMOMUR® ICF uses EPS (moulded expanded polystyrene) to create the formwork. JACKON by BEWI has 60 years of expertise in manufacturing these products, which, in addition to the thermal efficiency benefits, also enable a house to be constructed more quickly and with less waste than other techniques.

The company also offers the market-leading JACKOBOARD® range of waterproof, weight-loading and thermally insulating construction boards for wetrooms and showers.  There is no need to tank wetrooms constructed using either with a waterproof membrane or a paint-on solution, because JACKOBOARD® is manufactured from 100% waterproof XPS. This saves the installer both time and money, since a separate tanking system is not required and only the joints where the boards meet need to be taped.

 

 

www.jackon.co.uk

 

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Kingspan unveils new QuadCore

Kingspan unveils new QuadCore Lower Embodied Carbon range – QuadCore LEC

 

QuadCore LEC has been developed specifically to help reduce the carbon footprint of the buildings it is used on. Using comparative Lifecycle Assessment Data (LCA) data to the EN15804-A2 standard, this breakthrough in insulated panel technology demonstrates a 41% reduction* in embodied carbon in modules A1-A3 (product stage) for QuadCore AWP in a 100mm thickness. The first products in the QuadCore LEC range will be in available in Q1 2023 in the UK and Irish markets.

Further reductions in the embodied carbon of the QuadCore LEC range are expected between now and 2030 and are underpinned by the business commitment to Net Zero Carbon manufacturing by 2030, the introduction of an internal carbon charge, and the investment in H2 Green steel – a company pioneering the manufacture of steel using hydrogen instead of fossil fuels.

Mike Stenson, Head of Innovation for Kingspan Group explained “As a business we are committed to developing high performing, energy efficient, building envelope solutions that help minimise the carbon footprint of buildings over the whole life cycle. Creating products with reduced embodied carbon and enhanced potential for circularity is key to achieving this.

QuadCore is already one of the highest performing insulation technologies in terms of thermal efficiency (underpinned by a 25-year thermal warranty) which could enable higher energy and carbon savings through the operational life of the building. This is the first step on our journey to reducing the embodied carbon of our products and we anticipate some major milestones by 2030 to drive that down even further.”

The new QuadCore LEC insulated panel range will have all relevant independent testing and certification for UK & Irish markets.

 

 

*Quadcore AWP LEC LCA shows a 41% reduction in LCA modules A1 – A3 (product stage) when compared to existing Quadcore AWP LCA to the EN15804-A2 standard for a 100mm thickness. The LCAs for QuadCore KS1000RW and QuadCore Coldstore are currently going through the verification process and EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) will be published ahead of the products launching in Q1 2023. The 41% reduction is achieved through raw material changes. When comparing modules A-C (product stage, construction process stage, use stage, end of life stage) the overall reduction is 17%.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON QUAODCORE TECHNOLOGY PLEASE CLICK HERE TO EMAIL KINGSPAN

 

UK: +44 (0) 1352 716100   IRE: +353 (0) 42 9698 500

 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE KINGSPAN WEBSITE

 

 

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EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING FOAM INSULATION

Foam insulation that expands and contracts ‘could save 40% of cooling energy’

A ‘programmable’ insulation foam that expands in hot weather and contracts when temperatures drop could cut the energy used to cool homes by 40%, according to its creators.

Developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Programmable Materials in Freiburg, Germany, the foam is aimed at enabling widespread reductions in energy consumption.

Air conditioning devices “devour a lot of energy”, the researchers said, contributing to carbon dioxide emissions and climate change. They hope that programmable home insulation could replace air conditioning systems in future.

 

“There is huge potential here – up to 40% of the cooling energy can be saved in this way,” said researcher Dr Susanne Lehmann-Brauns.

The programmable insulation is based on a foam that changes shape depending on the temperature – at high temperatures its pores open and the material expands, but when it cools the pores close and it contracts. Unlike conventional shape memory foams, the researchers said the process is reversible and can happen “over and over again”.

 

Used in a house, the foam elements could expand during the heat of the day to seal ventilation gaps between the walls and their cladding, preventing hot air from entering. At night, it would contract and open the ventilation gaps, allowing fresh air to circulate and cool the building.

The programmable material could also enable high heat transport capabilities in heat pipe applications, the researchers said, or programmable heat storage.

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Kingspan KoolDuct and Kooltherm Pipe Insulation installed on low carbon training centre

Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation and The Kingspan KoolDuct System have been fitted as part of a new training school developed by Nuenta and Ecoforest, supporting installers to make the transition to new, low carbon heating approaches.

The state-of-the-art Ecoforest UK training school in Cannock was officially opened at the start of July. The facility is one of eight around the world and offers a 2-day training course where attendees have the opportunity to get hands-on with a range of technologies including inverter driven ground and air source heat pumps. The centre also provides online courses discussing a range of topics including the environmental and economic benefits of the low-carbon approaches.

In addition to showcasing the latest developments in these technologies, the training courses also emphasise the importance of maximising system efficiency to deliver truly low carbon buildings. This has been put into practice for the facility’s specification, which features leading passive solutions including Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation and The Kingspan KoolDuct System.

 

Craig Baker, Technical Director at Nuenta commented:

“We are delighted to be able to open the facility, helping to address the urgent need for installers trained in the use of low carbon technologies. The Kingspan Technical Insulation products installed in the centre help to showcase best practice and are also helping to reduce operational costs for the school.”

 

The Kingspan KoolDuct System is fabricated from pre-insulated panels and offers a number of benefits over conventional lagged sheet metal alternatives. It is formed from lightweight, insulation panels which can be quickly and easily fabricated into ductwork and installed in long-runs. Ductwork fabricated from the system can also achieve air leakage rates which are a fraction of those of typical rectangular sheet metal ductwork. This highly airtight design, in combination with the premium performance insulation core within the KoolDuct panels, is expected to minimise the energy demand of mechanical ventilation systems within the centre.

Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation was fitted on pipework across the facility. The product provides one of the most thermally efficient pipework insulation solutions, helping to ensure the desired level of thermal performance could be achieve with a minimal thickness of insulation. The product also holds Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold certification, recognising it as having best-in-class low VOC emissions.

To further raise system performance, Kooltherm Insulated Pipe Support Inserts were also installed on the project. These help to effectively isolate the system pipework, limiting thermal bridges at the support, which can account for a significant amount of heat loss from heating and domestic hot water pipework. The inserts also help to ensure the continuous vapour barrier is carried to the support systems.

Both Kooltherm Pipe Insulation and The Kingspan KoolDuct System are available with free BIM product objects which can be freely downloaded from bimstore.co.uk. Additionally, both products are supported with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which are available to download from the Kingspan Technical Insulation website, providing in-depth lifecycle information about the products.

The Centre also features a range of technologies from Zehnder.

 

Chris Kemp, Business Development Manager at Zehnder Group, added:

“The creation of the new Ecoforest training facility in Cannock has been a fantastic joint project to work on and we’re all delighted with the results. Not only has it provided new installers the opportunity to get trained on the ComfoAir Post, it showcases the benefits of the products.”

“We all know that efficient and environmentally friendly heating and ventilation is vital for the future of the sector. Government has very ambitious targets of achieving some 600,000 new heat pumps to be installed across the UK every year. We are currently suffering from a massive skills shortage in our sector and this goes a small way in starting to address that need.”

For more information:

Tel: +44 (0) 1457 890 400 

Email: info@kingspaninsulation.co.uk

WEBSITE

 

 

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ROCKWOOL® launches the UK’s most thermally efficient stone wool for cavity walls

NyRock® Cavity Slab 032 combines the UK’s lowest lambda rating for stone wool with acoustic and fire performance, plus space saving capabilities

ROCKWOOL has launched NyRock® Cavity Slab 032 providing specifiers with a low lambda, non-combustible stone wool slab for full and partial fill masonry cavities that enables a thinner wall construction.

NyRock Cavity Slab 032 has been developed using NyRock technology, the manufacturer’s patented production process that creates a more efficient fibre structure than traditional stone wool products. With its 0.032 W/mK thermal conductivity value, users can achieve a U-value of 0.18 W/m²K with a thickness of 150mm, depending on construction type, which is 25mm thinner than standard stone wool cavity products within the same wall build up.

As with all ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation, NyRock Cavity Slab 032 can withstand temperatures in excess of 1000°C, achieving the highest Euroclass A1 non-combustible reaction to fire classification. It also benefits from a high density semi rigid composition meaning it will not slump in the cavity and retains the same thermal and fire resistance properties more than 55 years after installation according to independent research.[1]

NyRock Cavity Slab 032 comes in 455mm widths to suit standard vertical wall tie spaces and achieves a closely knitted joint with adjacent slabs, without the need for taping of the joints. This helps eliminate gaps allowing for continuity of insulation across the cavity.

 

“Energy efficiency is a very real and immediate challenge for the construction sector,” said Paul Barrett, Head of Product Management at ROCKWOOL UK. “Alongside the need to improve the thermal effectiveness of existing buildings against a backdrop of rising energy bills, our eyes must also be on the more onerous requirements of the Future Homes Standard and the UK’s wider 2050 net zero carbon target too.

“NyRock Cavity Slab 032 gives specifiers a new level of thermal performance for stone wool alongside spacing saving capabilities, and acoustic and fire performance that are equally critical when providing occupants with comfortable and safe spaces. These performance benefits are also backed by a strong commercial offer including a competitive price point and installation efficiencies such as ease of cutting and fitting on-site.”

 

Having undergone an extensive testing programme, NyRock Cavity Slab 032 is suitable for new build, renovations and extensions and has British Board of Agrément (BBA) certification[2] for full and partial fill applications.

All ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation comprising NyRock technology have water repellent properties and can be recycled indefinitely. Stone wool insulation is manufactured from naturally occurring volcanic rock that is abundant in supply as it is continually replenished by the earth’s crust.

 

CLICK HERE For more details on NyRock Cavity Slab 032 and the wider NyRock range

 

[1] FIW (German test and research institute), Durability Project Mineral Wool, 2016

[2] BBA Certification 22/6252

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QuadCore 2.0 offers increased recycled content and two hour fire resistance

The latest development of Kingspan’s unique, self-blended insulation technology, ‘QuadCore 2.0’, demonstrates that innovation and product performance enhancement do not need to come at the sacrifice of our planet. QuadCore 2.0 is made with a formulation containing a raw material that uses 40% recycled PET. This innovative formulation has satisfied the requirements for a two-hour fire resistance in third-party fire tests for both insulation and integrity — making it the first closed cell insulated panel system to ever achieve this rating.

QuadCore 2.0 is a key step towards one of Kingspan’s Planet Passionate goals to ensure Kingspan recycles 1 billion PET bottles by 2030 and for QuadCore Technology to utilise recycled PET by 2025. The EN1364-1 fire resistance test was conducted by WarringtonFire using our next generation QuadCore 2.0 with 220mm thick, 1100mm wide coldstore, through fix insulated panels, satisfying the requirements of EI 120 and obtained without the need for stitching screws to secure the panel joints. During testing the furnace reached a temperature in excess of 1000’C.

 

Mike Stenson, Head of Innovation commented on the breakthrough:

“Since its launch in 2016, our QuadCore Technology has been at the forefront of closed cell insulation innovation, with an unrivalled combination of thermal efficiency, fire performance, environmental credentials and warranty offering. Within our innovation and chemical development teams we are continuously striving to take each of these performance factors to the next level, creating an insulation technology truly designed with future building performance in mind. The inclusion of recycled PET as a raw material in our formulation is a key objective for us globally, as we work towards a more circular approach, with our new breakthrough significantly enhancing performance. The expertise in blended chemical systems available to us following the acquisition of Synthesia in 2017 has helped to make this step change in both sustainability and fire performance possible- as this EI 120 test result shows.”

 

The QuadCore 2.0 insulated panel range is currently going through a further rigorous testing and certification programme, including reaction to fire and various insurer backed standards. Once completed, the first products containing the new core are expected to be ready for market in 2022.

 

What is EI 120?

Fire resistance is a measure of how long construction assemblies can withstand and contain a fire.  The measurement is expressed in Integrity (E) which is the ability to withstand fire exposure on one side whilst stopping the passage of flames and hot gases through to the unexposed side for a period of time, and Insulation (I), the building element will also be able to stop the passage of heat through to the unexposed side up to a maximum non-fire side surface temperature value for a period of time. EI 120 means that the product provides certified integrity (E) and insulation (I) performance for 120 minutes.

 

For more information, please contact:

quadcore.technology@kingspan.com

UK: +44 (0) 1352 716100

IRE: +353 (0) 42 9698 500

Web: www.kingspanpanels.co.uk  

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Kooltherm pipe insulation fitted on leading biomedical research building

The University of Warwick’s Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building (IBRB) is breaking new ground in building design. The £33m facility has been constructed with a cutting-edge offsite approach featuring Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation and Kooltherm Insulated Pipe Support Inserts.

The research building, designed by Hawkins/Brown and Fairhursts Design Group, will provide world-class facilities for over 300 biomedical researchers helping to deepen our understanding of the origins and mechanistic basis of diseases of the brain and body. Working closely with the project team, which included Willmott Dixon and Hoare Lea, NG Bailey has manufactured and assembled much of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing installations at its specialist offsite facility in Bradford. This specification included the installation of over 20,000 lm of Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation and Kooltherm Insulated Pipe Support Inserts, with onsite fitout carried out by specialist contractor Insulation & Cladding Services Ltd (ICS).

The University of Warwick set a target to complete at least 50% of the building work using offsite methods. NG Bailey helped to achieve this with a bespoke, five-storey ‘megariser’, which contains all of the buildings’ primary wet and dry services. The riser was delivered to site in eight sections, greatly reducing the number of deliveries and disruption to neighbours and allowing the installation to be completed in two days compared with the 15 weeks it would have taken with traditional methods. The sections were constructed horizontally at the NG Bailey facility and were lifted and installed using a crane – cutting time spent working at height.

As with all offsite work, careful pre-design was essential to ensure the ‘megariser’ and services were aligned correctly once in-situ. The project team collaborated closely with the use of BIM technologies and this process was supported through the specification of Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation and Kooltherm Insulated Pipe Support Inserts. These products are supported with bespoke BIM objects which can be freely downloaded from www.bimstore.co.uk This allowed service engineers and designers to accurately plan and position pipework and supports. With their leading thermal performance, the products also contributed to the project’s sustainability targets.

 

Stefan Watson, Offsite Integration Manager, Midlands, at NG Bailey explained: “By using offsite manufacture to produce the MEP elements, we removed circa 11,000 working hours from the project and reduced deliveries by around 190 HGV vehicles. The Client set the challenge of at least 50% of the construction being delivered through offsite techniques – and this was achieved.

“This greatly reduced the carbon footprint of the project and the completed building is expected to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. Building services play a significant part in reaching this target and we carefully developed a specification which will keep the building’s energy use to a minimum.”

Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation is one of the most thermally efficient pipe insulation materials in common use. This allowed the project team to effectively insulate the full range of pipe diameters on the project with a minimal thickness of insulation, supporting a faster, installation both in the factory and as part of the onsite work completed by ICS.
The project team also carefully addressed the risk of heat loss through pipe supports by installing Kingspan Kooltherm Insulated Pipe Support Inserts. The premium performance inserts effectively limit thermal bridging through the supports and form an effective vapour barrier. For larger diameter pipework, the inserts are supplied with a metal spreader plate which prevents insulation compression, ensuring the efficiency of the pipework is maintained over time.

The specification of the Kingspan Technical Insulation products also supported work to achieve credits within BREEAM assessment. An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certificate for Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation can be accessed at www.greenbooklive.com. The product is also certified as Eurofins Air Comfort Gold, recognising it as having low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and both products are manufactured under an environmental management system which is certified to ISO 14001:2015.
With Kingspan Industrial Insulation’s free Pipeline Technical Advisory Service, which can be contacted on 0808 168 7363, clear advice and guidance can be accessed at every stage in a project.

www.kingspantechnicalinsulation.co.uk

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