6
Thermal Efficiency Standards in
New and Existing Dwellings
A Guide to Scottish Technical Standards
Section 6 - 2010
CI/SfB
(M2)
Uniclass
L6815
Residential
December 2010
Contents
Topic
The Sullivan Report
3
Introduction
4
Overview
6
Standard 6.1 – Carbon dioxide emissions
8
Standard 6.2 – Building insulation envelope
10
Standards 6.3 to 6.9
13
Glossary of terms
14
Detailed requirements
16
Energy Performance Certificates
17
Separating wall thermal by-pass
18
Complying with Section 6 using SAP 2009
22
Pitched roof solutions
24
External wall solutions
28
Floor solutions
34
ECOSE Technology
38
Sustainability
39
Knauf Insulation product range
40
How Knauf Insulation can help
42
Knauf Insulation publications
43
®
The Sullivan Report - a low carbon building standards strategy for Scotland
Summary
The publication of the Sullivan Report “A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for Scotland” is an important step for Scotland
and one which will result in Scotland having the highest energy standards in Europe. The report sets achievable, high performance
standards for both new and existing buildings within a realistic time frame.
Introduction
In August 2007 the Scottish Executive appointed an independent panel to advise on the development of a low carbon building
standards strategy to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions (CO2) from domestic and non domestic buildings. The
intention being to move the energy performance standards for Scotland closer to the exacting energy performance standards adopted
by countries in the Nordic region. The panel was chaired by Lynne Sullivan, the Sustainability Director of Broadway Malyan Architects
and included the heads of the building regulatory systems in Norway, Austria and Denmark, along with a wide variety of industry
experts and specialists. This expert panel have set out a route map for the way forward which should eventually lead to the delivery
of zero carbon new buildings and includes measures that enable existing buildings to be able to reduce their carbon emissions, a vital
measure as a large percentage of the total building stock already exists.
Key points
The panel came forward with 56 recommendations to be considered most of which are the responsibility of Scottish Building
Standards Division, including:
• Staged increases in energy standards in order to deliver significant reductions in carbon emissions from new buildings,
the aims are to achieve;
Low carbon buildings by 2010
Very low carbon buildings by 2013
• Target of net zero carbon emissions for space heating, hot water, lighting and ventilation within the next 10 years
Net zero carbon buildings are buildings where space and water heating, lighting and ventilation are included in any calculations
• Total-life zero carbon buildings by 2030
Total life zero carbon buildings are buildings which are responsible for net zero carbon emissions over their lifetime, including construction, use, maintenance and eventually demolition
• Backstop levels of U-values and airtightness for building fabric should be improved in 2010 to match those of Nordic countries
Recommendation for new domestic buildings
The 2010 changes in energy standards should reduce CO2 emissions by 30% more than the standards introduced in 2007
The 2013 changes in energy standards should reduce CO2 emissions by 60% more than the standards introduced in 2007
Recommendation for new non-domestic buildings
The 2010 changes in energy standards should reduce CO2 emissions by 50% more than the standards introduced in 2007
The 2013 changes in energy standards should reduce CO2 emissions by 75% more than the standards introduced in 2007
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
3
Introduction
Background to the
2010 edition
In 2007, Scottish Ministers convened
a panel of experts to advise on the
development of low carbon building
standards. The conclusion of their
work was The Sullivan Report which
recommended a staged improvement in
energy standards on a three year cycle.
In response to this report, The Scottish
Government recently published a new
version of its Technical Standards which
replaces the 2007 edition and which
came into force on 1 October 2010.
The 2010 edition represents the first
improvement stage since the 2007
edition, with the aim of achieving a
30% improvement in carbon emissions
compared with 2007 standards.
The 2010 edition maintains the same
concept as the 2007 edition, namely
a carbon dioxide emissions based
methodology for assessing the energy
performance of new buildings. This allows
designers to adopt a whole-building
approach to design. In addition, there are
measures to limit energy demand through
the building fabric and fixed building
services.
The aim of Section 6
The aim of Section 6 is to ensure that
effective energy efficiency measures are
incorporated into dwellings and buildings
consisting of dwellings. The 2010
changes lead to an increase in the level of
thermal insulation required and introduce
the use of low carbon equipment (LCE)
such as solar water heating.
Overall changes from the
2007 edition
The overall changes from the 2007
edition are as follows:
• the annual CO2 emission rate is now
calculated using the new 2009 version
of SAP
• the Target Emission Rate has been set
at 30% less than the 2007 target
• the limits for fabric heat loss have been
made more stringent
• the rules for determining the number
of air permeability pressure tests on a
development have been modified
• guidance on dealing with
conservatories has been changed
• calculation of U-values allowing for
thermal bridging using the updated
2007 edition of BS EN ISO 6946
‘Fabric First’ – why exceed
minimum requirements
• 6.2 – Building insulation envelope
Section 6 of the Scottish Building
Standards sets minimum standards for the
thermal performance of the building fabric
elements (roof, wall, floor, windows and
doors) by reference to maximum U-values.
However, it should be remembered that
this is the minimum level of performance
required so why settle for this when a
much more efficient insulated fabric can
quite easily be achieved and delivers all
of the long term associated benefits such
as:
• 6.3 – Heating systems
• Reduced energy bills
• 6.4 – Insulation of pipes, ducts and
vessels
• Reduced CO2 emissions
• different assumptions have been
introduced for the thermal transmittance
through cavity separating walls
What is covered in Section 6?
Within Section 6, there are nine
standards that potentially relate to
dwellings (Standard 6.10 only relates to
non-domestic buildings). The subjects are:
• 6.1 – Carbon dioxide emissions
• 6.5 – Artificial and display lighting
• 6.6 – Mechanical ventilation and air
conditioning
• 6.7 – Commissioning building services
• 6.8 – Written information (building
services efficiency guidance and
related recommendations)
• 6.9 – Energy performance certificates
The guidance to the Standards
recommends that Section 6 should be
read in conjunction with all the other
sections but in particular with Section 3
Environment, which includes standards on
subjects that are closely linked to energy
efficiency, including:
• heating (temperature standards and
systems)
• ventilation for health (reducing air
infiltration, condensation, trickle vents
and ventilation of conservatories)
• natural lighting (when extensions and
conservatories are built in front of
windows)
• combustion appliances (safe operation,
fire protection and fuel storage)
Scope of this guide
The aim of this guide is to explain the
requirements of Section 6 of the Domestic
Technical Standards 2010 and set out
the relevant Knauf Insulation solutions.
It includes the calculations involved in
proving compliance with requirements
in respect of CO2 emissions and also
thermal bridging. It covers not only new
dwellings but also conversions, alterations
and extensions, including conservatories.
Where there are differences between
the guidance in the 2010 edition of the
standards and that published in 2007,
these are highlighted.
• Reduced reliance on renewable technologies
• More comfortable internal environment with less temperature fluctuations
To comply with this revision of the
Section 6 it may be necessary to install
a renewable energy technology (solar
thermal hot water) in order to meet the
Target Emission Rate (TER) determined by
the SAP 2009 methodology. However,
a new dwelling constructed with a
reasonably well insulated fabric, with
well designed construction details (to
limit thermal bridging and prevent air
leakage) will require the minimum amount
of renewable technology to be installed
in order comply with the CO2 emission
reduction target imposed by Section
6. For full details on how this can be
achieved – see pages 22 and 23
By adopting a fabric first approach, house
builders and developers can ‘future proof’
their designs making them applicable to
future regulatory changes as we approach
the requirement for zero carbon homes.
Forward thinking developers could take
the approach of amending their designs
now and adopting a highly insulated
fabric which would result in future
requirements being met by additional
renewable technologies being simply
“bolted on” to their existing designs.
It is worth remembering that if the
renewable technologies fail, are not
adequately maintained or suffer from
reduced performance over time a well
insulated dwelling will still provide a
highly efficient fabric which requires no
maintenance in order to deliver its thermal
performance – and it’s there for the
lifetime of the dwelling.
`
Where Section 6 does, and
does not, apply
Except where set out in the list of
limitations to individual standards, Section
6 applies to:
Not all the standards in Section 6 apply
to these applications, except in the case
of new dwellings.
• new dwellings, i.e. houses, flats and
maisonettes, including non-domestic use
within dwellings and common parts of
blocks of flats
For example, Standard 6.1, which
requires the use of an approved
calculation methodology to determine
CO2 emissions, and Standard 6.9,
which requires the issue of an Energy
Performance Certificate, do not apply
to work on existing dwellings, ancillary
‘stand-alone’ buildings which are less than
50m2 in area.
• ancillary “stand-alone” buildings
• conservatories and atria
• extensions
• alterations
• conversions
A summary of the limitations is shown in
Table 1.
Table 1
Summary of limitations to the Domestic Standards
Limitations to Domestic Technical Standards
[“X” = Standards do not apply, “?” = Standards do not apply if impracticable]
Circumstances where limitations apply
Whole-building
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
Conversions – see Glossary of terms for definition on page 14
X
?
?
?
?
?
Extensions
X
Alterations
X1
Common parts of domestic buildings and buildings ancillary to a dwelling which are
stand-alone and are less than 50m2 in area
X
6.7
6.8
X
X1
1
Common parts of domestic buildings and buildings (other than conservatories) that are
ancillary to dwellings, which are either unheated or heated only for frost protection 2
6.9
X
X1
X
X
Buildings that will not be heated or cooled, other than use of heating only for frost
protection 2
X
Buildings with an intended life of less than 2 years
X
X
X
X
Building services
Buildings that do not use fuel or power to control internal temperatures
X
Buildings that do not use fuel or power for water services
X
X
X
X
Buildings that do not use fuel or power for lighting
X
Buildings that do not use fuel or power for ventilation or cooling
Secondary heating appliances
X
X
X
Process and emergency lighting
Heating for frost protection only
X
X
2
X
X
X
X
X
X
Lighting systems in domestic buildings
1
Standards 6.1 and 6.9 apply if the extension or alteration to a stand-alone building increases the size of that building to 50m² or more.
2
Heating solely for frost protection is heating rated at no more than 25 W/m2 of floor area.
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
X
5
X
Overview
New dwellings
New dwellings need to satisfy all the
Standards of Section 6. However, there
are circumstances where additional
guidance needs to be taken into account.
Where there is non-domestic
accommodation within a dwelling, such
as a consulting room or an office, with a
floor area no more than 50m2, for use by
the occupant of the dwelling in a business
capacity, that part of the dwelling should
be treated as part of the new dwelling
and therefore assessed in line with
Standard 6.1.
Where the floor area is greater than
50m2, the guidance and methodology
for non-domestic buildings should be
followed.
Common areas in blocks
of flats
Common areas, or other areas in blocks
of dwellings, which are heated and
whose total floor area is less than 50m2
may be treated as “stand-alone” buildings
and, therefore, not subject to Standard
6.1.
In this case, elements (including dividing
elements) should have U-values at least
as good as those chosen for the rest
of the building, using Standard 6.1
methodology. In addition, the area of
windows, doors, rooflights and roof
windows should be limited to 25% of the
total floor area of the common areas.
Where the total floor area is 50m2 or
more, these areas should be assessed
either by using the guidance in Standard
6.1 for non-domestic buildings, or
ensuring that key values for glazing area,
U-values etc, are used in the domestic
Standard 6.1 calculation – see Standard
6.1 on page 8 for details.
It is also important to pay attention to
controlling air infiltration at common
stair entrances and shafts, e.g. lifts and
common stair enclosures.
Stand-alone buildings
Stand-alone buildings that are to be
heated but are less than 50m2 in floor
area must comply with Standards 6.2 to
6.8, although they are exempt from the
energy performance calculation (6.1) and
the production of an Energy Performance
Certificate (6.9). Their insulation
envelope should achieve the same level
of performance as an extension. For a
definition of a stand-alone building – see
the Glossary of terms on page 15.
Examples of stand-alone buildings that
could have a floor area less than 50m2
include:
• a heated stair enclosure in a block of
flats
• a heated summerhouse separated from
a dwelling
• a conservatory attached to a new or
existing dwelling – see page 10 for
details.
Heated stand-alone buildings with a floor
area of 50m2 or more, should comply
with Standard 6.1 for non-domestic
buildings, whereas stand-alone buildings,
other than conservatories, that are
either unheated or heated only for frost
protection, are exempt from Standard
6.2.
Conservatories and atria
In the past, conservatories were unheated
additional spaces that were occupied
for only part of the year. Now, they are
seen as additional living spaces which
are available for use the whole year
round and, since they are heated, need
to be designed to limit energy demand
and CO2 emissions. For a definition of a
conservatory – see Glossary of terms on
page 14.
Although attached to new or existing
buildings, conservatories are classed
as “stand-alone” buildings and, if they
have a floor area of less than 50m2, do
not need to comply with Standard 6.1.
However, if they are larger than 50m2,
they should comply with Standard 6.1 for
non-domestic buildings.
Conservatories should be thermally
divided from the dwelling, being outwith
the insulated envelope, and any heating
to the conservatory should have controls
that can isolate it from the rest of the
heating system, e.g. by using TRVs. The
dwelling to which the conservatory is
attached should be assessed as if there
were no conservatory.
But, not all conservatories are subject to
the Standards. For example, a glazed
conservatory of not more than 8m2 in
floor area is exempt, provided it does not
contain a fixed combustion appliance,
sanitary facilities and is not less than 1m
from the boundary.
A roofed-in atrium is considered to be a
heated part of the dwelling, with its roof
forming part of the insulated envelope.
For details of energy requirements – see
under Standard 6.2 on page 10. For
other environmental requirements relating
to conservatories, e.g. ventilation and
daylighting, see Section 3 of the Technical
Standards.
`
Existing dwellings generally
Where work is to be carried out to
alter, extend or convert a building, the
building fabric should be designed in
accordance with the guidance on thermal
bridging and air infiltration described
under Detailed requirements – see page
16. Reference should be made to the
principles set out in the SBSA document,
Accredited Construction Details (Scotland)
2010.
In addition, the recommendations in
BRE Report, BR 262, Thermal insulation:
avoiding risks, 2002 edition, can be
followed.
Extensions
Extensions do not need to comply with
Standard 6.1, the relevant standard being
6.2 which gives recommendations on
improving the performance of the building
fabric – see Standard 6.2 on page 10 for
details.
However, the designer can choose to use
the methodology outlined in standard
6.1, in which case, a default value for
air permeability of 10m³/hr per m² @50
Pa can be assumed or, alternatively, the
extension can be tested for airtightness.
Alterations
Alterations can relate to the insulation
envelope or to the heating system. Any
alterations that involve increasing the floor
area or bringing areas previously outside
the insulation envelope within it should be
treated as extensions or conversions.
The types of alteration that affect the
insulation envelope – see Standard 6.2
– are:
• infilling existing openings
• insulating internal elements
• creating or replacing windows, doors
or rooflights
• altering, dismantling and rebuilding
part of the insulation envelope
For details of relevant U-values – see
Table 5 on page 11.
Alterations to an existing heating/hot
water system in an existing dwelling
(or a building consisting of dwellings)
– see Standard 6.3 on page 13 – can
include the installation of a new or
replacement heating system.
It should be remembered that only the
work that forms the alteration and the
impact of that work on the existing
building need be considered.
Conversions
The building as converted must meet
the requirements of Standards 6.2 to
6.7 as far is reasonably practicable,
but in no case be of a worse standard
than before the conversion. In the case
of Standard 6.8, the requirements
apply without qualification.
Different requirements apply to
conversions, depending on whether or
not the building was previously heated
– see Standard 6.2 on page 12 for
details.
Examples of work which involve
conversion of an unheated part of a
dwelling are:
•upgrading a roof space
•turning an unheated garage or
deep solum space into a habitable
apartment
Where a building was previously
designed to be heated, the impact
on energy efficiency as a result of a
conversion may be negligible.
With historic, listed or traditional
buildings, the energy efficiency
improvement measures that should be
invoked by conversion can be more
complex and each building should
be assessed on its own merits – see
Standard 6.2 on page 12 for details.
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
7
Standard 6.1 – Carbon dioxide emissions
The standard
Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that:
(a) the energy performance is estimated in accordance with a methodology of calculation approved under regulation
7(a) of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008; and
(b) the energy performance of the building is capable of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
The aim of the standard
The aim of Standard 6.1 is to reduce
carbon dioxide emissions from heating,
hot water and lighting in new dwellings.
This standard has the greatest influence
on design and specification and to
comply, it will be necessary not only to
improve significantly on the individual
backstop levels of the standards, e.g.
the elemental U-values in Standard 6.2,
but also to incorporate new low carbon
equipment (LCE).
The building fabric measures shown in
Table 2 apply to all the heating and hot
water packages. The heating and hot
water packages to be used in conjunction
with the standard building fabric values
are shown in Table 3.
Table 2
Standard values relating to the building fabric
Fabric characteristics
Where it is proposed to use renewable
energy for heating, Article 13 of the
European Directive 2009/28/EC
recommends a number of techniques.
Floors U-value
0.15
0.13
1.5
1
Party wall heat loss U-value
Area of openings
0.2
25% of total floor area
2
Thermal bridging allowance
3
Orientation
Shading
Sheltered sides
Calculating the TER for the
‘notional dwelling’
They cover the building fabric, as well as 5
system packages for heating and hot water
systems relating to different fuel types.
0.19
Openings U-value
To comply with Standard 6.1, the
calculated carbon dioxide emission
(measured in kilograms per square
metre of floor area per annum) for
the ‘proposed dwelling’, the Dwelling
Emissions Rate (DER), should be less than
or equal to the target carbon dioxide
emissions for a ‘notional dwelling’, the
Target Emissions Rate (TER).
The use of these standard values is
intended to deliver on aggregate 30%
fewer carbon dioxide emissions than
would arise from the application of the
2007 Standards.
Walls U-value
Roofs U-value
How to comply
In order to establish the target carbon
dioxide emission rate (TER) for the
notional dwelling a (i.e. a dwelling of
the same size, shape and ‘living area
fraction’ as the proposed dwelling), the
dimensions and ‘living area fraction’
of the proposed dwelling and a set of
standard values need to be entered into
the Government’s Standard Assessment
Procedure SAP 2009 methodology.
TER calculation values
y-value of 0.8 (as implied by Accredited Details)
all glazing orientated east/west
Average overshading
2
Chimneys
none
Ventilation
natural ventilation with intermittent extract fans. 4 for dwellings with
floor area more than 80 m2, 3 for smaller dwellings
Air infiltration
Hot water cylinder
Primary water heating losses
(where applicable)
7 m³/hr per m² at 50 Pa
Combined cylinder with 75 litre solar store - 150 litre cylinder
insulated with 50 mm of factory applied foam (cylinder in heated
space); cylinder temperature controlled by thermostat
primary pipework insulated
Low energy light fittings
100% of fixed outlets
Thermal mass parameter
The value identified for the proposed building should be used
The U-value is the average U-value of all openings (windows, doors, rooflights) based on one opaque door, area 1.85 m² of
U=1.5, any other doors fully glazed. For windows, doors etc, a frame factor of 0.7, light transmittance of 0.80 and solar energy
transmittance of 0.63 are assumed.
1
If total exposed façade area is less than 25% of the floor area, the area of windows, doors and roofs should be taken as the area of
the total exposed facade area.
2
For the purposes of setting the TER, a y-value of 0.08 is identified, which assumes using the principles set out in the BSD document
Accredited Construction Details (Scotland) 2010.
3
`
Table 3
Details of standard heating and hot water system packages
Main space heating system fuel 1
1
2
System
Gas (package 1)
LPG (package 2)
Oil (package 3)
Electricity (package 4)
Biomass (package 5)
Open flues
None
One
One
None
One
Heating system (pump in
heated space)
Gas boiler room sealed fan
flued, 90.2% efficiency
LPG boiler room sealed fan
flued, 90.2% efficiency
Oil boiler room sealed fan
flued, 93% efficiency
Air to water heat pump
Wood pellet boiler HETAS
approved
Heating system controls
Programmer +room
thermostat +TRVs +Boiler
interlock +weather
compensation + delayed
start
Programmer +room
thermostat +TRVs +Boiler
interlock +weather
compensation + delayed
start
Programmer +room
thermostat +TRVs +Boiler
interlock +weather
compensation + delayed
start
Programmer +room
thermostat
Programmer +room
Hot water (HW) system
(not applicable if combiboiler)
Stored HW (from boiler)
separate time control for
space and water heating
Stored HW (from boiler)
separate time control for
space and water heating
Stored HW (from boiler)
separate time control for
space and water heating
Stored HW by electric
immersion
Stored HW (from boiler)
separate time control for
space and water heating
Secondary space heating
None
10% closed wood
logburning room heater
10% closed wood
logburning room heater
10% electric
None
Solar thermal system
Yes 2
Yes 2
Yes 2
Yes 2
Yes 2
thermostat +TRVs
+ weather compensation +
delayed start
Detailed notes and qualifications relating to this table can be found in paragraph 6.1.2 of Section 6.
Evacuated tube (collector efficiency ɳ0 = 0.6, heat loss coefficient a1 = 3), oriented between SE and SW, pitch not more than 45º from horizontal, solar powered circulation pump.
Calculating the DER for the
‘proposed dwelling’
Buildings with multiple
dwellings
Once the TER is established, it is
necessary to calculate the DER, using the
details of the dwelling as proposed.
When assessing a proposed block of
flats or a terrace of houses, the floor
area-weighted average DER of all the
individual dwellings may be compared to
the corresponding area-weighted average
TER for the notional block or terrace.
Where specific values cannot be
provided for the dwelling, the following
assumptions should be made in the
SAP calculation:
• all glazing orientated East/West
• average overshading
• two sheltered sides
• a decorative fuel-effect gas appliance
with 20% efficiency, where gas
secondary heating is proposed via
a chimney or flue but no appliance
installed, or
• if there is no gas point, an open fire
with 37% efficiency, burning solid
mineral fuel (for dwellings outwith
a smokeless zone) and smokeless
solid mineral fuel (for those within a
smokeless zone)
The calculation should also take into
account:
• the back-stop U-values in Table 4 under
Standard 6.2 on page 10 for details,
and
• guidance on systems and equipment
within standards 6.3 to 6.6 on page
13 for details
Since the aim is for all the dwellings to
have roughly the same standard of energy
efficiency, the standard warns against
trying to make one dwelling
super-insulated so that another may have
a high percentage of glazing.
Common areas in buildings
with multiple dwellings
A simplified approach
An alternative way of meeting
Standard 6.1 which avoids the use
of the calculation methodology is to
design to values that are at least as
good as those used for the ‘notional
dwelling’ – see Tables 2 and 3.
The simplified approach may still
be used where values are used that
will achieve the same or better CO2
emissions. For example, by using:
• a boiler with a higher SEDBUK
efficiency
• a ground source heat pump instead
of an air source heat pump
• a declared air infiltration rate of
7 m3/hr per m2, or lower
Communal areas in blocks of dwellings
(exclusively associated with the dwellings)
with a total area greater than 50 m²
should be assessed either:
• a total area of openings of 20%
to 25% of the total floor area
(windows, doors, rooflights, and
roof windows)
• in relation to Standard 6.1 for
non-domestic buildings, or
It should not be used where the
building is likely to suffer from high
internal temperature in hot weather or
where air-conditioning is proposed.
In this case, the guidance to Standard
6.6 should be followed.
• by ensuring that the glazing area
is no more than 25% of the total
communal floor area of the building
and the U-values, as well as the thermal
bridging and air infiltration values, are
equal or better than those indicated for
the ‘notional dwelling’in Table 2
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
Note: Even when using the simplified
approach, an Energy Performance
Certificate (EPC) will be required, on
completion of the dwelling, to meet
Standard 6.9.
9
Standard 6.2 – Building insulation envelope
The standard
Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that an insulation envelope is provided which reduces heat loss.
This standard includes the back-stop
U-values which apply to new
developments, as well as limiting U-values
for use when altering, extending and
converting existing buildings.
The back-stop values are needed for the
following reasons:
• To help reduce energy demand
(particularly where use of buildingintegrated or localised low carbon
equipment (LCE) may reduce carbon
dioxide emissions but not energy
consumption), and
• To ensure that a good level of fabric
insulation is incorporated, especially
to construction elements that would be
difficult and/or costly to upgrade in the
future
Maximum U-values
Maximum U-values are given for all
elements of the same type (area-weighted)
and individual elements.
The area-weighted average U-values
shown in column (a) of Table 4 below
give robust backstop values for the main
elements of the building.
The individual elemental U-values shown
in column (b) of Table 4 apply to localised
areas within a building element. These
localised areas may be designed with
a higher U-value than the average,
providing the remainder of the element
has a lower U-value so that the average
U-value for that element is maintained. An
example of a localised area might be a
meter box set into an external wall. It is
particularly important to limit individual
U-values to avoid the risk of condensation
– see Building Standards, Section 3,
Environment.
Extensions
However, the area of glazing is not
limited. This allows, for example, a
dwelling to be extended to create a
highly-glazed stand-alone building, such
as a sunroom, with glazing in excess of
the limits identified in Table 5.
As extensions are mostly of new
construction, there should be no need to
accept a lesser specification, as can be
the case for alterations and conversions.
The building fabric should be designed to
the U-values shown in Table 5 according
to whether or not the U-values of the wall
and roof of the existing building are
poorer than those in column (a) of the
table, or will be greater once the existing
building is upgraded.
Conservatories
Where not exempt, a conservatory should
be thermally divided from a dwelling.
The elements dividing the conservatory
thermally from the dwelling (e.g. wall,
door or window) should have U–values
equal or better than the corresponding
exposed elements in the rest of the
dwelling. Any windows and doors which
are part of the thermal division should be
draught stripped to a similar standard to
those of the exposed windows and doors
elsewhere in the dwelling.
In addition, the area of windows, doors,
rooflights and roof windows should not
be more than 25% of the floor area of the
extension, plus the area of any openings
built over and removed as a result of the
extension work.
However, this percentage can be
exceeded if the area-weighted overall
U-value of all the elements in the extension
is no greater than that of a ‘notional’
extension designed to Table 5 and with
the area of windows, doors and rooflights
being 25% of the total extension floor
area (plus equivalent area of ‘built over
openings’).
A conservatory (heated or unheated)
should be built to the U-values given
in columns (b) and (c) of Table 5, with
the exception that glazing and framing
elements forming the walls or roof of a
conservatory are unlimited in area and
should have a maximum area weighted
average U-value of 2.0 W/m2K and a
maximum individual elemental U-value of
3.3 W/m²K.
For highly-glazed extensions, where SAP
data is available for the existing dwelling,
an alternative approach might be to
provide a revised SAP calculation of the
whole dwelling, as proposed, including
the extension, using the target-based
methodology of Standard 6.1.
The guidance on thermal bridging and air
infiltration under Detailed requirements
should be followed – see page 16,
unless the recommendations in the BSD
document, Conservatories have been
followed, in which case these issues
are considered to have been taken into
account.
Table 4
Maximum back-stop U-values for building elements of the insulation envelope
(a) Area-weighted average U-values
[W/m2K] for all elements of the
same type
(b) Individual elemental U-value
[W/m2K]
Wall 1
0.25
0.70
Floor
0.20
0.70
Roof
0.18
0.35
Windows, doors and rooflights
1.8
3.3
Stand-alone buildings
Type of element
For heated stand-alone buildings of less
than 50m², the fabric values identified
in columns (b) and (c) of Table 5 and the
guidance on thermal bridging and air
infiltration under Detailed requirements
should be followed – see page 16.
1
Excluding separating walls and separating floors between heated areas where thermal transmittance need not be assessed provided
measures to limit heat loss arising from air movement within the separating wall are made - see pages 18 - 21
1
`
Table 5
Maximum U-values for building elements of the insulation envelope for extensions, alterations and heated stand-alone buildings less than 50m2 in area
Area-weighted average U-values [W/m2K] for all elements of the same type
(a) Where U-values for wall and roof of the
existing dwelling are poorer than 0.7 and 0.25
respectively
(b) Where the conditions described in column
(a) do not apply
(c) Individual elemental U-value [W/m2K]
Wall 1
0.19
0.22
0.70
Floor 1
0.15
0.18
0.70
Pitched roof (insulation between ceiling
ties or collars)
0.13
0.15
0.35
Flat roof or pitched roof (insulation
between rafters or roof with integral
insulation)
0.15
0.18
0.35
Windows, doors and rooflights
1.4 2
1.6 3
3.3
Type of element
1
Excluding separating walls and separating floors, provided there is no heat loss due to air movement within a cavity – see pages 18 - 21
2
Windows with a Window Energy Rating of Band A may also be used – see www.bfrc.org for details
3
Windows with a Window Energy Rating of Band C or better may also be used – see www.bfrc.org for details
Alterations
Infilling existing openings
There are two approaches to infilling
existing openings:
• For small openings of not more than
4m2 in area – the U-value should be at
least as good as the surrounding area
of the element, subject to maximum
U-values of 0.70 W/m2K for a wall or
floor 0.35 W/m2K for a roof
• For large openings of more than 4m2
in area – the U-value should be in
accordance with column (b) of Table
5, or subject to the maximum U-values
shown above, but compensated for by
adopting lower U-values for other parts
of the building envelope
Insulating internal elements
Where the alteration causes an internal
element to become an external one, the
U-values should be as shown in column
(b) of Table 5, or in accordance with
the maximum U-values for infilling small
openings (above), but compensated for by
adopting lower U-values for other parts of
the building envelope. Where this affects
a boundary wall, which is the property
of the adjoining building, no upgrading
need be carried out.
Creating or replacing windows,
doors or rooflights
Where windows, doors and rooflights are
being created or replaced, their U-values
should be as shown in column (b) of Table
5. Any existing window that has received
secondary glazing should achieve a
U-value of about 3.5 W/m2K.
Where only one or two windows or doors
are to be replaced, and there is the need
to match the existing ones, the frame may
be disregarded, provided that the centre
pane U-value for each glazed unit is
1.2 W/m2K or less.
Where additional windows, doors and
rooflights are being created, the total
area of these elements (including existing
ones) should be no more than 25% of the
total floor area of the dwelling.
expected of new construction. It may
not, however, be reasonably practicable
for a dwelling, which is in a habitable
condition, to have its internal space
significantly reduced in area or height in
order to accommodate internal thermal
insulation; or to have external thermal
insulation installed, unless the owner of
the dwelling specifically wants it done.
In the majority of cases, however, after
an alteration of this nature, the individual
building elements should be able to
achieve at least the average U-values
shown in column (c) of Table 5.
Further guidance on this subject can be
found on the Energy Saving Trust website
www.energysaving trust.org.uk.
Altering or re-building the
insulation envelope
Where the insulated envelope is to
be altered or dismantled and rebuilt,
the opportunity should be taken to
improve the level of thermal insulation in
accordance with column (b) of Table 5.
However, certain constructions are easier
to upgrade than others. For example, a
building that was uninhabitable should,
after renovation, be able to achieve
almost the same level of thermal insulation
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
11
Standard 6.2 – Building insulation envelope (continued)
Conversions
Conversion of unheated buildings
Conversion of historic, listed or
traditional buildings
Where an unheated building or a
building (e.g. a barn or steading) or part
of a dwelling that is only heated for frost
protection is to be converted, the building
should achieve the same standards to
those for an extension – see page 10.
Whilst achieving the U-values
recommended in Table 6 should remain
the aim for previously heated buildings
of this type, a flexible approach to
improvement should be taken, based
upon an investigation of the traditional
construction, the form and character
of the building and its suitability for
improvement.
Upgrading a roof space will usually
involve extending the insulation envelope
to include, the gables, the collars, a part
of the rafters and the oxters, as well as
any new or existing dormer construction.
The opportunity should be taken at this
time to upgrade any remaining poorly
performing parts of the roof which are
immediately adjacent to the conversion,
for example, insulation to parts of the
ceiling ties at the eaves.
Improvements to the fabric insulation of
the building will often depend on factors
such as whether or not improvement work
can be carried out in a non-disruptive
manner without damaging the existing
fabric or whether potential solutions are
compatible with the existing construction.
When converting an unheated garage or
a deep solum space, the work will usually
involve extending the insulation envelope
to include, the existing floor/solum,
perimeter walls and the roof/ceiling to
the new habitable part.
However, innovative but sympathetic
solutions to energy efficiency can often
result in an alternative package of
measures being developed. For example,
carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced
without affecting building fabric through
improvements to the heating system (refer
to standards 6.3 and 6.4), the lighting
system (standard 6.5) or by incorporating
low carbon technologies (such as a
biomass boiler or a heat pump). In the
latter case, consultation with the planning
authorities at an early stage is advisable.
Conversion of heated buildings
For heated buildings, a less demanding
approach than for unheated buildings
is recommended while still ensuring that
some overall improvements are made to
the existing building.
Where a heated building is to be
converted, the existing building fabric
should be examined and upgraded in
accordance with Table 6.
Table 6
Maximum U-values [W/m2K] for building elements of the insulation envelope – conversion
of a heated building
(a) Area-weighted average U-values
[W/m2K] for all elements of the
same type
(b) Individual elemental U-value
[W/m2K]
Wall 1 2
0.30
0.70
Floor
12
0.25
0.70
Roof
1
0.25
0.35
1.6
3.3
Type of element
Windows, doors and rooflights
34
1
Where upgrading work is necessary to achieve the recommended U-values, the more demanding U-values shown in column (b) of Table 5,
where reasonably practicable
2
Excluding separating walls and separating floors, provided there is no heat loss due to air movement within a cavity – see pages 18 - 21
3
The total area of windows, doors and rooflights, should not exceed 25% of the floor area of the dwelling created by conversion,
alternatively, a compensatory approach should be taken
4
Windows with a Window Energy Rating of Band C or better may also be used – see www.bfrc.org for details
Standards 6.3 to 6.9
Standard 6.3 – Heating system
Every building must be designed and
constructed in such a way that the
heating and hot water service systems
installed are energy efficient and are
capable of being controlled to achieve
optimum energy efficiency.
The guidance in this standard refers to
the main heating systems for dwellings,
but should be considered along with the
guidance in Section 3, Environment.
It covers efficiencies and controls for the
following systems:
• Wet and dry central heating
• Heat pump systems
• Solar water heating
• Micro combined heat and power
In the case of existing buildings, the
guidance relates to alterations to space
heating and hot water systems, as well
as their replacement, in alterations,
extensions and conversions, although for
conversions the requirements need only
be met if reasonably practicable.
In historic buildings, it may be more
feasible to improve the heating system
to the highest possible level, since it is
likely to be more difficult to improve the
building fabric.
For conservatories, it is important to install
controls that regulate it from the rest of the
dwelling, e.g. by installing thermostatic
radiator valves.
Standard 6.4 – Insulation of
pipes, ducts and vessels
Every building must be designed
and constructed in such a way that
temperature loss from heated pipes,
ducts and vessels, and temperature
gain to cooled pipes and ducts, is
resisted.
The guidance in this standard is
concerned with preventing the
uncontrolled loss of heat from heating
pipes and ducts and any uncontrolled rise
in temperature in spaces where they are
situated.
of hot water storage vessels, vented
copper hot water storage cylinders should
comply with the heat loss recommendations in BS 1566-1: 2002.
For work on existing buildings, new or
replacement fittings should be insulated
as for new buildings, although it is
recognised that it may not be possible
to insulate services that pass through or
around the existing structure.
Standard 6.5 – Artificial and
display lighting
Every building must be designed and
constructed in such a way that the
artificial or display lighting installed
is energy efficient and is capable of
being controlled to achieve optimum
energy efficiency.
For dwellings, this standard relates to
fixed lighting, both internal and external.
For fixed internal lighting, at least 75%
of the fixed main light sources to a
room, including lamps, should be low
energy types with a luminous efficacy of
at least 45 lumens per circuit watt, e.g.
strip fluorescent or compact fluorescent
(CFLs). However, for the common areas of
domestic buildings, all fittings should be
low energy types.
Advice on the use and specification of
low-energy lighting can be found in GIL
20, Low energy domestic lighting and
CE61 Energy efficient lighting - guidance
for installers and specifiers, which are
available from the Energy Saving Trust.
Standard 6.6 – Mechanical
ventilation and air conditioning
Every building must be designed and
constructed in such a way that:
(a) the form and fabric of the building
minimises the use of mechanical
ventilating or cooling systems for
cooling purposes; and
(b) ventilating and cooling systems
installed are energy efficient and are
capable of being controlled to achieve
optimum energy efficiency.
For hot water pipes and warm air
heating ducts, reference is made to the
2001 edition of BS 5422 for detailed
information. In the case of the insulation
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
Standard 6.7 – Commissioning
building services
Every building must be designed and
constructed in such a way that energy
supply systems and building services
which use fuel or power for heating,
lighting, ventilating and cooling the
internal environment and heating the
water, are commissioned to achieve
optimum energy efficiency.
Commisioning means bringing the
building services systems in a building
to the levels of efficiency expected and
enabling their safe operation.
Standard 6.8 – Written
information
The occupiers of a building must be
provided with written information
by the owner on the operation and
maintenance of the building services
and energy supply systems.
The aim of this standard is to make
information that will lead to the correct
use and maintenance of building services
equipment available to the occupier of the
building.
Standard 6.9 – Energy
Performance Certificates
Every building must be designed and
constructed in such a way that:
(a) an energy performance certificate
for the building is affixed to the
building and is displayed in a
prominent position
An Energy Performance Certificate
(EPC) needs to be made available to
prospective owners and tenants whenever
a dwelling is constructed – see page 17.
An EPC is also required for the marketed
sale or rental (new lease) of an existing
home. It has to be available to any
prospective buyer or tenant to allow them
to make an informed decision on the
energy performance of the buildings.
Domestic legislation also requires the
provision of an energy report which is
generated along with the EPC as part
of the Home Report prepared for any
marketed sale.
13
Glossary of terms
Accredited Construction Details
Accredited Construction Details (or ACDs)
are details of junctions at openings and
at junctions between elements (such
as a wall/floor junction) which have
been created as one way of meeting
the Standards. They are available in
the Scottish Building Standards Agency
document, Accredited Construction Details
(Scotland) 2010, downloadable from
www.sbsa.gov.uk.
The details focus specifically on measures
to minimise thermal bridging and air
leakage, as well as the risk of both
surface condensation and interstitial
condensation. The details can be built
using the construction skills currently
available.
This document provides two levels
of guidance:
• Specific guidance related to each
selected construction type and on each
construction detail
• Supplementary guidance is also
provided on associated issues including
the selection of insulation, the selection
of membranes, air infiltration and some
examples of construction issues
The calculation of specific thermal bridges
and an assessment of their buildability will
need to be determined by independent
means if they are to be accepted as
complying with the requirements of
Section 6. Calculated psi (Ψ) values
for each junction can then be used to
establish the ‘y-value’ for the proposed
dwelling and will be more beneficial to
housebuilders and designers than using
the default ‘y-value’ of 0.15 when seeking
compliance with the requirements of the
Technical Standard.
Compliance with Section 6 can be
shown by calculating the psi values in
accordance with BR497, Conventions for
calculating linear thermal transmittance
and temperature factors.
Alternatively, where the dwelling is built
using Accredited Construction Details
(as created by the Building Standards
Division) a ‘y-value’ can be calculated
by assigning the relevant psi value of the
ACD to the length of the bridging element
of each junction.
Building ‘y-value’
The ‘y-value’ of a building is the
allowance for non-repeating thermal
bridging that is inserted in the SAP
2009 calculation. It can be calculated
as the sum of the length of each thermal
bridge multiplied by its linear thermal
transmittance (Ψ) divided by the total
area of all external elements, except party
walls.
Conservatory
A conservatory is defined in Appendix A
of the Technical Handbooks as a building
attached to a dwelling with a door and
any other building elements dividing it
thermally from that dwelling and having
translucent glazing (including frames)
forming not less than either:
• 75% of its roof area and 50% of its
external wall area, or
• 95% of its roof area and 35% of its
external wall area
Note – the definition of ‘conservatory’
was amended on 1 May 2007.
DER
The Dwelling Emission Rate (DER) is
the CO2 emission rate for the proposed
dwelling. It is expressed in terms of kg/
m2/yr.
In practice, two DER calculations may
be needed; the first at the design stage,
based on plans and specifications used
in the submission to the Building Control
and the second at the final stage of
completion.
The final calculation should be based on
the dwelling as constructed, including any
changes made since the design stage and
the results of the air permeability test.
EPBD
Eaves detail from the SBSA document, Accredited Construction Details (Scotland) 2010
The objective of the European Union
Energy Performance Building Directive
(EPBD) is to “promote the improvement
of energy performance of buildings
within the Community taking into account
outdoor climatic and local conditions, as
well as indoor climate requirements and
cost-effectiveness.” All member countries
must implement the Directive which has
been updated in 2010. Scotland is
complying with the Directive through the
application of Standards 6.1 and 6.9.
Linear thermal
transmittance (Ψ)
The Ψ-value (often known as ‘psi’ value)
is a quantity that describes the heat loss
associated with a thermal bridge. It is the
rate of heat flow per degree difference in
temperature per unit length of the bridge
and has a unit of W/mK. It is used in
the calculation of the transmission heat
transfer coefficient, which is entered in the
SAP 2009 calculation method.
Stand-alone building
2-D modelling
‘Stand-alone building’ is a term which
was introduced as a result of the 2007
EU Directive 2002/91/EC. It is defined in
Appendix A of the Technical Handbooks
as a building, other than a dwelling, but
including an ancillary building or a part
of a building, that is either:
The calculation of linear thermal
transmittance (Ψ) and the temperature
factor (f-factor) need to be based on
the 2-D modelling techniques described
in BRE Information Paper IP 1/06,
Assessing the effects of thermal bridging
at junctions and around openings in the
external elements of buildings and BR
497, Conventions for calculating linear
thermal transmittance and temperature
factors.
•detached, or
•thermally divided from the remainder
of the main building and incorporates
shut-down control of any heating or
cooling system which is linked to any
main system, and includes a
conservatory
Notional dwelling
The ‘notional dwelling’ is the benchmark
dwelling design from which the Target
Emission Rate (TER) is determined. It is of
the same size and shape as the proposed
dwelling and has the same living area
fraction as the proposed dwelling.
Robust Details
Previously, there were Robust Details for
thermal and sound insulation. Those for
thermal insulation became Accredited
Construction Details but those for sound
insulation retained the Robust Details title.
In England and Wales, the Robust
Details scheme provides an alternative to
pre-completion testing for demonstrating
compliance with the sound insulation
performance standards of Part E of the
Building Regulations for new dwellings.
In Scotland, a range of ‘example
constructions’ have been devised which
are known to comply with Section 5 –
Noise.
SAP
The Government’s Standard Assessment
Procedure (SAP) is the method that must
be used for calculating all CO2 emission
rates for dwellings. It calculates the
energy requirement for heating, hot
water, ventilation and internal lighting for
the dwelling. As well as giving the CO2
emission rate in terms of kg/m2/yr, it also
produces a SAP rating, on a scale from
1–100.
Note – the definition of ‘stand-alone
building’ was added on 1 May 2007.
Temperature factor, f-factor
The result of having gaps in the insulation
layer can be surface condensation and
mould growth. The risk is indicated by
the surface temperature factor, or f-factor,
which is derived from:
The analysis of an eaves detail below
assumes the following:
• 400mm Earthwool Loft Roll 44
• Aircrete block inner leaf
(λ = 0.15 W/mK)
• External cavity fully filled with 100mm
Supafil 37 (λ = 0.037 W/mK)
Junction detail
f = T – T
T –T
s
e
________
i
e
where Ts is the internal surface
temperature, Te is the external air
temperature and Ti is the internal air
temperature.
A minimum f-factor of 0.75 is required to
prevent surface condensation forming.
TER
The Target CO2 Emission Rate (TER) is
the energy performance target that must
be achieved by the proposed dwelling
to comply with the requirements of the
Standard 6.1. It is expressed in terms
of kg/m2/yr. For the 2010 edition, the
requirement is to make a 30% saving over
the 2007 TER.
It includes all the technical assumptions
and rules for calculating the CO2 emission
rate. Software versions of the SAP
calculation method are available from a
number of sources.
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
Temperature distribution
Linear thermal transmittance
y=
0.023
Temperature factor
f=
0.932
15
Detailed requirements
lengths of the thermal bridging element
of each junction in the equation:
HTB = ∑ (L x Ψ), where L is the length of
the relevant thermal bridge
• by adopting a y-value derived from
numerical modelling of individual Ψ
(psi) values calculated in accordance
with BS EN ISO 10211: 2007 Thermal
bridges in building construction - heat
flows and surface temperatures
- detailed calculations. Guidance
on this process is given in BR 497,
Conventions for calculating linear
thermal transmittance and temperature
factors
Thermal bridging
As thermal insulation values of buildings
improve, it becomes more and more
important to limit heat loss where there
are breaks in the insulation layer, i.e. at
thermal bridges.
Thermal bridges fall into two categories:
• repeating thermal bridges that occur
across a building element, such as
timber studs or mortar joints. These are
taken into account within the elemental
U-values
• non-repeating thermal bridges, e.g.
at the junctions between elements and
at the edges of elements, e.g. around
window and door openings
It is for the non-repeating thermal bridges
that a separate allowance needs to
be made in the SAP 2009 calculation
where buildings are subject to Standard
6.1. Advice and further information
on assessment of the effects of thermal
bridging can be found in BRE Information
paper IP 1/06, Assessing the effects of
thermal bridging at junctions and around
openings.
An allowance for non-repeating thermal
bridges can be determined in one of the
following ways:
• by assuming a conservative default
y-value of 0.15 for the proposed
building in the heat transfer coefficient
equation: HTB = y ∑ Aexp, where Aexp
is the total area of external elements
(excluding party walls)
• where construction is in accordance
with the BSD document, Accredited
Construction Details (Scotland) 2010,
by calculating an assessed value,
using the Ψ (psi) value of each junction
(provided in the document) and the
Further commentary on this process
and use of other published documents
providing sources of pre-calculated
values can be found within Accredited
Construction Details (Scotland) 2010.
Air infiltration and air-tightness
testing
As the U-values of the building
elements improve, the heat lost through
uncontrolled air infiltration through gaps
and cracks in the building fabric becomes
much more significant. For example, the
heat lost through air infiltration, which
represented 20% of the total heat loss of a
1960s dwelling, would account for 40%
of the total heat loss today if the dwelling
was upgraded in terms of U-values, but
not air-tightness.
Reducing air infiltration is therefore
essential in achieving greater energy
efficiency, although designers should
be aware that attention to air-tightness
should not compromise the provision
of ventilation for health, the removal of
moisture, the safe operation of combustion
appliances and any smoke control system.
In buildings consisting of multiple
dwellings, common areas which need
particular consideration include common
stair entrances as well as shafts, which
extend through most of the floors (e.g. lifts
and common stair enclosures).
While there is no back-stop or limiting
value for air infiltration, it is recommended
that buildings are designed to achieve
a maximum value of 10 m3/h per m2 at
50 Pa pressure difference. However, it is
probably wise to aim for a lower value
since the air infiltration rate to be used in
the TER calculation is 7 m3/h per m2. It
should be noted also that air infiltration
rates of less than 5 m3/h per m2 can
cause problems of poor ventilation and
condensation.
Reference should be made to Standard
3.14 on ventilation in dwellings for
additional precautions.
Because it is difficult to predict the
final air infiltration rate due to different
approaches to detailing and variability of
workmanship, it is essential to carry out
air-tightness testing on new buildings to
check that the as-built infiltration rates are
as the design values.
Air-tightness testing in Scotland is to be
phased in to allow time for the testing
industry to become better established.
The timescales for introducing testing for
different building types are as follows:
• for building warrant applications made
on or after 1 May 2011 – flats and
maisonettes only
• for building warrant applications made
on or after 1 October 2011 – all
dwelling types
In principle, 1 in 20 completed dwellings
should be tested, although this can
be varied depending on the results of
previous tests within a development.
However, it is advisable to test more
than one example of each dwelling type
completed at different stages in the overall
development.
In smaller developments, the proportion
of dwellings to be tested may increase
depending on the number of different
house types. Normally, for a single
dwelling, testing will be required.
As an alternative to testing, designers
my use the default air infiltration rate of
15 m3/h per m2 in the DER calculation,
although other characteristics of the
building will need to be much more
stringent to compensate, bearing in
mind that the TER calculation uses an air
infiltration rate of less than half the default
value.
Testing should be in accordance
with BS EN 13829: 2001, Thermal
performance of buildings - determination
of air permeability of buildings - fan
pressurization method and carried out by
a member of a professional
organisation who can demonstrate
relevant, recognised expertise in
measuring the air permeability of
buildings. Practical advice on the
procedure for pressure testing is given
in the ATTMA publication Measuring air
permeability of building envelopes.
`
Energy Performance Certificates
Energy Performance
Certificates for New Build
Dwellings
The Energy Performance of Buildings
Directive (EPBD) is a crucial legislative
component of the energy efficiency
activities of the European Union designed
to meet the Kyoto commitment. The
Directive applies minimum requirements
on the energy performance of buildings
and their energy performance certification
through the introduction of Energy
Performance Certificates (EPCs).
The requirement for EPCs for new build
houses came into force in December
2008.
The impact and content of EPCs
It is compulsory for EPCs to be provided
before a property in Scotland can be put
on the open market for sale with vacant
possession. Along with the EPC a Home
Report is also required which contains
details about the properties condition and
a valuation, along with other information.
Energy Performance Certificates tell you
how energy efficient a home is on a scale
of A-G. The most efficient homes – which
should have the lowest fuel bills – are in
band A.
In addition, the Certificate tells you, also
on a scale of A-G, about the impact the
home has on the environment. Better-rated
homes should have less impact through
reduced carbon dioxide emissions.
The average property in the UK is
in bands D-E for both ratings. The
Certificate includes recommendations
on ways to improve the home’s energy
efficiency to save you money and help
the environment. Sellers of newly built
homes will have to provide a predicted
assessment of the energy efficiency of
the property, but a full EPC should be
provided to the buyer when the home is
completed.
Qualifications to produce EPCs
To protect consumers, EPCs must only be
produced by accredited assessors who
are suitably qualified or competent to
produce energy assessments.
Typical example of an Energy Performance Certificate
“Suitably qualified” refers to an individual
having either a qualification or approved
prior experience and learning equivalent
to the National Occupational Standard
requirements relevant to the specific
occupation for which the individual seeks
accreditation. In addition, to be an
Energy Assessor, an individual must be a
member of an Accreditation Scheme.
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
17
Separating wall thermal by-pass
Background
Through whole house testing, it has
become apparent that the actual
energy performance of dwellings, as
constructed, can be significantly worse
than the expected energy performance of
dwellings, as designed.
The results of the testing revealed that
the shortfall was attributable to a
combination of:
• higher than predicted thermal bridging
• higher than calculated U-values being
observed in the test dwellings, and
• previously unaccounted-for heat loss
mechanisms or thermal by-passes
associated with separating walls of
cavity construction
The separating wall thermal
by-pass mechanism
This is a process whereby heat is lost to
an open separating wall cavity containing
cold air which has entered from the
external flanking building elements,
mainly external walls.
Heat loss through walls separating
dwellings was not previously considered
of any significance as it was assumed
that both dwellings were heated and,
therefore, there was no heat flow.
In fact, heat is lost from both sides
of the separating wall to the external
environment, the extent being affected
by external climatic conditions and stack
effect within the separating wall cavity.
It is important to be aware that, where
heated spaces extend into the loft, there is
also a potential thermal by-pass where the
separating wall meets the roof covering.
Table 7
U-values for separating walls
Wall construction
U-value
[W/m2K]
Solid
0.0
Unfilled cavity with no effective
edge sealing
0.5
Unfilled cavity with effective edge
sealing around all edges and in line
with insulation layers in abutting
elements
0.2*
Fully filled cavity with effective edge
sealing around all edges and in line
with insulation layers in abutting
elements
0.0
*Section 6 requirement
Although the thermal by-pass is expressed
as a U-value, it is not a U-value in the
normal sense because the heat loss
mechanism is a combination of heat loss
effects, e.g. through the separating walls,
by air circulation from the separating
wall cavity to other building cavities and,
finally, to the external environment.
Testing has shown that the level of this
heat loss is potentially so high that it is
now included in the SAP calculation for
the Dwelling Emission Rate (DER).
Information on reducing heat loss from
air movement in a cavity separating
wall is available in the SBSA document,
Accredited Construction Details (Scotland)
2010.
However, it is generally thought
reasonable to use the indicative U-values
– see Table 7 in the SAP calculation,
provided that any edge sealing to the
separating wall is aligned with the
thermal insulation in the external wall.
The importance of zero U-values
A calculation for a typical terraced house
with a 7m x 5m footprint indicates that,
by adopting an effective separating
wall U-value of only 0.20 W/m2K,
rather than zero, the extra heat loss is
equivalent to increasing the U-value of
the external walls by 0.08 W/m2K for
an end-terraced house (with only one
separating wall), but by 0.28 W/m2K
for a mid-terraced house. Clearly, there
are great advantages in choosing a zero
U-value solution.
Solutions to the separating
wall thermal by-pass
As can be seen from the table, the heat
flow can be reduced by fully filling the
cavity, installing an effective seal around
the perimeter and, ultimately, combining
both of the above.
Whatever solution is chosen, there are
other technical issues to be checked.
For example, if the cavity is fully filled,
this may have implications for sound
transmission – see Section 5, Noise.
The SBSA have developed ‘example
constructions’ that will meet the design
performance levels for sound insulation
in Section 5 of the Technical Standards
and which are based on constructions
in general use throughout the UK. They
are available on the Scottish Building
Standards web site.
Similarly, a ‘cavity barrier’ which is
sufficient under fire standards may not
be effective enough to restrict heat flow.
It is important that any solution to the
separating wall by-pass conforms to all
sections of the Technical Standards.
Achieving a zero U-value using
cavity separating (party) walls
A study carried out by Leeds Metropolitan
University on behalf of Knauf Insulation
and other mineral wool manufacturers has
confirmed that an effective zero U-value
can be achieved by fully filling the cavity
of timber frame or masonry separating
walls with glass mineral wool (18kg/m3
density) and placing a sleeved flexible
cavity barrier at the junction of the party
wall with external elements.
For timber frame, glass mineral wool batts
were placed in the cavity, tight against the
inter-stud absorbent insulation. In the case
of masonry construction, the glass mineral
wool was ‘blown’ into the cavity because
this ensures that the insulation is fully in
contact with the masonry leaves, even
where there are variations in the cavity
width.
Knauf Insulation solutions
In response to the need for acceptable
solutions, Knauf Insulation has developed
a number of details for both timber frame
and masonry construction. They focus on
the junctions with pitched roofs where the
thermal insulation is at both ceiling and
rafter level and the junction with external
walls – see pages 19, 20 and 21.
As an indication of the approved
performance of this type of solution for
timber frame construction in Scotland,
Robust Details are available, with and
without sheathing – see Table 8 on
page 21.
Fully detailed solutions will be covered
in the Knauf Insulation Party Wall Bypass
Guide – available in the first quarter of
2011.
Additional information can be found in
the Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers (MIMA) Guide, Preventing Thermal
Bypasses in Party Separating Walls,
downloadable from www.mima.info/.
Timber frame solutions at roof junctions – pitched roof junction where insulation is at ceiling level
Edge sealing at head of party wall achieved
by installing Earthwool Cavity Barrier held in
compression by the roof structure which also
provides fire stopping between the party wall
and the roof covering
Earthwool Loft Roll between and over ceiling joists
Earthwool Timber Frame Party Wall Slab fully
filling the void between the frames
Seal all perimeter joints with tape or caulk
with sealant
Earthwool FrameTherm 40 fully filling void
between the studs
Timber frame solutions at roof junctions – pitched roof junction where insulation is at rafter level
Edge sealing at head of party wall achieved by
installing Earthwool Cavity Barrier held in
compression by the roof structure which also
provides fire stopping between the party wall
and the roof covering
Earthwool Rafter Roll between rafters
Seal all perimeter joints with tape or caulk
with sealant
Earthwool Timber Frame Party Wall Slab fully
filling the void between the frames
Earthwool FrameTherm 40 fully filling void
between the studs
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
19
Separating wall thermal by-pass (continued)
Masonry solutions at roof junctions – pitched roof junction where insulation is at ceiling level
Edge sealing at head of party wall achieved by
installing Earthwool Cavity Barrier held in
compression by the roof structure which also
provides fire stopping between the party wall
and the roof covering
Masonry party wall cavity fully filled with
Supafil Party Wall
Continuous masonry separating wall
Earthwool Loft Roll between and over
ceiling joists
Continuous horizontal strip of adhesive prevents
air movement (and secondary thermal bypass)
into the loft behind the plasterboard lining on the
internal walls
Masonry solutions at roof junctions – pitched roof junction where insulation is at rafter level
Edge sealing at head of party wall achieved by
installing Earthwool Cavity Barrier held in
compression by the roof structure which also
provides fire stopping between the party wall
and the roof covering
Earthwool Rafter Roll between rafters
Seal all perimeter joints with tape or caulk
with sealant
Masonry party wall cavity fully filled with
Supafil Party Wall
Continuous masonry separating wall
Junctions of party walls with external walls – timber frame party wall without sheathing
External cavity wall
Earthwool Cavity Barrier
Earthwool Timber Frame Party Wall Slab
and
Earthwool FrameTherm 40
Party wall finish
Earthwool FrameTherm in external walls
Junctions of party walls with external walls – masonry party wall with render and plasterboard on dabs
External cavity wall
Earthwool Cavity Barrier
Party wall cavity fully filled with
Supafil Party Wall
Party wall finish
External wall cavity fully filled with Supafil or
Earthwool DriTherm Cavity Slabs
Robust
Detail t
an
Compli
Table 8 Robust Details for fully filled timber frame separating walls
Post-fill sound attenuation
Wall type
Minimum cavity width
(mm)
England and Wales
Mean value (dB DnT,w + Ctr)
Scotland
Mean value(dB DnT,w)
Relevant Robust Detail
Without sheathing
60
50.6
61.7
E-WT-1
With sheathing
50
56
66
E-WT-2
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
21
Complying with Section 6 using SAP 2009
Whole-house specifications
The following specifications show how,
for a range of typical dwelling types,
it is possible to meet the CO2 emission
requirements of Section 6 using forms of
construction with reasonably achievable
U-values.
The specifications have been devised
using the SAP 2009 methodology,
using U-values appropriate to the
use of Knauf Insulation products and
making reasonable assumptions about
other aspects of the design, e.g. air
permeability rates and the type of space
heating – see Tables 9, 10 and 11 below.
The examples assume a fully filled
separating wall, with effective edge sealing,
giving a U-value of zero - see page 19.
The CO2 emissions for a dwelling can be
reduced by up to 250 kg/year by using
a zero U-value construction instead of one
with a U-value of 0.2 W/m2K.
Table 9 U-value specifications for each dwelling type
U-values [W/m2K]
No.
Storeys
Type
External walls
Other walls
End-Terrace
0.19
Mid-Terrace
Bedrooms
1
2½ (room-in-roof)
3
2
2
2
3
2
4
5
Ground floors Exposed floors
Roofs at loft
ceiling level
Roofs at rafter level
Windows
Doors
0.19
1
0.15
n/a
0.13
0.18
1.50
1.50
0.19
0.19
1
0.15
n/a
0.13
0.18
1.50
1.50
End-Terrace
0.19
n/a
0.15
n/a
0.13
n/a
1.50
1.50
Mid-Terrace
0.19
n/a
0.15
n/a
0.13
n/a
1.50
1.50
3
Semi-Detached
0.19
n/a
0.15
n/a
0.13
n/a
1.50
1.50
2 (with garage)
4
Detached
0.19
0.19 2
0.15
0.18
0.13
n/a
1.50
1.50
3
4
End-Terrace
0.19
n/a
0.15
n/a
0.13
n/a
1.50
1.50
Mid-Terrace
0.19
n/a
0.15
n/a
0.13
n/a
1.50
1.50
1
Dwarf wall to room-in-the-roof.
2
Same solution as external walls.
Table 10 CO2 emissions and SAP ratings for each dwelling type
No.
Storeys
Bedrooms
Type
Thermal mass
Fabric Energy Efficiency
TER
DER
% DER better than TER
SAP rating
SAP band
1
2½ (room-in-roof)
3
End-Terrace
104.07
46.90
15.85
14.50
8.52
85.00
B
Mid-Terrace
110.13
39.90
15.50
12.97
16.32
85.00
B
2
2
2
End-Terrace
116.01
49.30
18.18
16.72
8.03
85.00
B
Mid-Terrace
122.24
42.30
17.82
15.17
14.87
85.00
B
3
2
3
Semi-Detached
117.10
49.80
17.48
15.98
8.58
84.00
B
4
2 (with garage)
4
Detached
99.73
53.70
15.62
15.28
2.18
84.00
B
5
3
4
End-Terrace
100.96
46.70
15.23
13.81
9.32
85.00
B
Mid-Terrace
106.79
39.90
14.91
12.39
16.90
87.00
B
Solar hot water included as detailed in 6.1.1 of Section 6
Table 11 Standard parameters for all dwelling types
Parameter
Value
Parameter
Value
Party wall U-value
0.0 W/m2K
Ventilation
Natural
0.08*
Low energy lighting
100%
7.0
Heating
Gas condensing boiler 90.3% efficient
Thermal bridging y-value
Air permeability [m /hr per m ]
3
2
*This ‘y-value’ is based on using Knauf Insulation’s specific construction details
and associated psi values. Using Knauf Insulation’s approved construction details
makes it unnecessary to line external walls with a thermal laminate (as required
for Scottish ACDs), thereby reducing significantly the cost of fabric insulation.
`
0.19 U-value
Dwarf wall
– see Table 16
page 27
0.19 U-value
External wall
– see Table 18
page 29
0.13 U-value
Ceiling level
– see Table 12
page 25
0.18 U-value
Exposed floor
– see Table 32
page 37
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
0.18 U-value
Rafter level
– see Table 15
page 26
0.15 U-value
Ground floor
– see Table 26
page 35
23
Pitched roof solutions
The impact of heat loss
through roofs
The roof comprises a large percentage of
the external shell of most dwellings and
is a key interface between the internal
and external environment. Usually, the
most exposed surface of the building,
the roof, must not only be weather-tight
and waterproof, but also must be well
insulated to minimise heat loss.
Without loft insulation, as much as
25% of a house’s heating costs could
be attributed to heat lost through the
roof. Loft insulation acts as a blanket,
trapping heat rising from below. It is
a simple and effective way to reduce
heating bills. Installing Earthwool Loft
Rolls delivers thermal, acoustic and fire
resistance benefits to any roof, as well
as being the most cost-effective solution
for insulating a pitched roof at ceiling
level.
Pitched roof solutions
The following pages include solutions for
roofs insulated both at ceiling level and at
rafter level.
Whilst both types of roof are required
to provide high standards of thermal
insulation, roofs at rafter level should also
be designed to provide protection from
noise. In this case noise from road traffic
and airplanes, rainfall drumming on the
roof and flanking sounds from attached
properties could cause considerable
nuisance within the rooms created in the
roof void.
BBA U-value Competency
Scheme
All U-values referred to in this
publication have been compiled in
accordance with the BBA/TIMSA
U-value Competency Scheme.
Table 12 Ceiling level – between and above joists
Between joists
Over joists
Typical
U-values
(W/m2K)
100
450 (3x150)
0.08
100
400 (2x200)
0.09
• Products have an A+ generic Green Guide
rating
100
340 (2x170)
0.10
• Zero ODP and GWP rated products
100
300 (2x150)
0.11
100
200
0.14
• Products are compression packed to reduce
transport related CO2 emissions
100
170
0.16
100
450 (3x150)
0.08
100
400 (2x200)
0.09
100
340 (2x170)
0.10
100
300 (2x150)
0.11
100
200
0.14
100
170
0.16
100
400 (2x200)
0.08
100
300 (2x150)
0.10
100
200
0.13
100
150
0.16
Insulation thickness (mm)
Insulation over ceiling
Earthwool Loft Roll 44
U-value 0.08—0.16
Earthwool CarbonZero Loft Roll 44
Earthwool Loft Roll 40
• Non-combustible products with the highest
Euroclass A1 rating
• Product manufacture has a very low
environmental impact
• Glass mineral wool insulation products
provide the lowest cost solution for
insulating a roof
• Suitable for use with traditional and vapour
permeable roofing membranes
• Earthwool CarbonZero Loft Roll is the UK’s
first carbon neutral loft insulation
Joist sizes assumed to be 100x48mm at 600mm centres (8% bridging plus 1% for cross noggings).
Table 13 Rafter level – between and below rafters with insulated plasterboard
Polyfoam Linerboard
thickness below rafters (mm)
Insulation
thickness between
rafters (mm)
17.5/9.5
25.5/9.5
30.5/9.5
36/9.5
45.5/9.5
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
• Earthwool Rafter Roll is a non-combustible
product with the highest Euroclass A1
rating
Earthwool Rafter Roll
U-value 0.15—0.27
200
0.17
0.16
0.16
0.15
0.15
175
0.19
0.18
0.18
0.17
0.16
140
0.21
0.20
0.19
0.18
0.17
125
0.23
0.22
0.21
0.20
0.19
100
0.27
0.25
0.24
0.23
0.21
Rafter depth equals Earthwool Rafter Roll thickness plus 25mm unventilated airspace.
Rafters are 38mm at 600mm centres (bridge of 6.33%).
• Earthwool Rafter Roll has an A+ generic
Green Guide rating
• Earthwool Rafter Roll is a zero ODP and
GWP rated product
• Earthwool Rafter Roll is compression
packed to reduce transport related CO2
emissions
• Robust nature of Polyfoam in Linerboard
supports the plasterboard, improving its
impact resistance
Plasterboard facing on Polyfoam Linerboard is 9.50mm (λ = 0.210 W/mK).
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
25
Pitched roof solutions (continued)
Table 14 Rafter level – between and below rafters
Knauf PIR Laminate*
thickness below rafters (mm)
Insulation
thickness between
rafters (mm)
25
40
• Achieves low U-values even with shallow
rafters
55
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
• Earthwool Rafter Roll is compressible so
it is easy to friction fit tightly between
rafters and avoid cold air penetration
Earthwool Rafter Roll
U-value 0.13—0.23
200
0.16
0.14
0.13
175
0.17
0.15
0.14
140
0.19
0.17
0.15
125
0.20
0.18
0.16
100
0.23
0.20
0.18
• Significantly improves the acoustic
performance of the roof
• Can be used along with an extra layer of
plasterboard to satisfy the requirements
of Robust Details to resist flanking sound
around separating walls
Rafter depth equals Earthwool Rafter Roll thickness plus 25mm unventilated airspace.
Rafters are 38mm at 600mm centres (bridge of 6.33%).
Plasterboard facing on Knauf PIR Laminate is 9.5mm (λ = 0.210 W/mK).
*Available from Knauf Drywall.
• Longer rolls with greater coverage per roll
than equivalent products
Table 15 Rafter level – between and below rafters, incorporating a sarkingboard
Polyfoam Linerboard
thickness below rafters (mm)
Insulation thickness
between rafters (mm)
17.5/9.5
25.5/9.5
30.5/9.5
36/9.5
45.5/9.5
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
• Earthwool Rafter Roll provides a high
level of sound absorption
Earthwool Rafter Roll
U-value 0.13—0.28
• Earthwool Rafter Roll is compressible and
friction fits between studs avoiding cold
air penetration
200
0.18
0.17
0.16
0.16
0.15
• System achieves low U-values
175
0.20
0.19
0.18
0.17
0.17
140
0.22
0.21
0.20
0.19
0.18
• Polyfoam Linerboard provides thermal
and lining function in one operation
125
0.24
0.22
0.22
0.21
0.19
100
0.28
0.26
0.25
0.24
0.22
Knauf PIR Laminate*
thickness below rafters (mm)
Insulation thickness
between rafters (mm)
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
25
40
55
200
0.16
0.14
0.13
175
0.18
0.16
0.14
140
0.19
0.17
0.15
125
0.21
0.18
0.16
100
0.25
0.21
0.19
Earthwool Rafter Roll
Rafter depth = Earthwool Rafter Roll thickness + 50mm ventilated airspace.
Plasterboard facing on Polyfoam Linerboard is 9.5mm (λ = 0.210 W/mK).
Rafters are 38mm at 600mm centres (bridge of 6.33%).
*Available from Knauf Drywall.
Table 16 Dwarf walls in pitched roofs
Polyfoam Linerboard
thickness on face of timber studs (mm)
Insulation thickness
between studs (mm)
17.5/9.5
25.5/9.5
30.5/9.5
36/9.5
45.5/9.5
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
• Earthwool Rafter Roll provides a high
level of sound absorption
Earthwool Rafter Roll
U-value 0.14—0.25
• Earthwool Rafter Roll is compressible and
friction fits between studs avoiding cold
air penetration
140
0.20
0.19
0.18
0.18
0.17
• System achieves low U-values
125
0.22
0.21
0.20
0.19
0.18
100
0.25
0.24
0.23
0.22
0.20
• Polyfoam Linerboard provides thermal
and lining function in one operation
Knauf PIR Laminate*
thickness on face of timber studs (mm)
25
40
55
140
0.18
0.16
0.14
125
0.20
0.17
0.15
100
0.22
0.19
0.17
Earthwool Rafter Roll
Plasterboard facing on Polyfoam Linerboard is 9.5mm (λ = 0.210 W/mK).
Plasterboard facing on Knauf PIR Laminate is 9.5mm (λ = 0.210 W/mK).
Timber stud depth equals insulation thickness (bridge of 7.83%).
Additional airspace resistance of 0.50 m2K/W.
*Available from Knauf Drywall.
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
27
External wall solutions
The impact of Section 6, 2010
The greatest proportion of heat loss
from a typical house, as much as 35%,
is through the walls, mainly because
of their large area. Installing thermal
insulation slows down the rate of heat
loss, thereby giving immediate savings
on fuel bills.
Providing an efficient building envelope
is vitally important in meeting the
requirements of Section 6 of the Scottish
Building Standards.
Innovation driving change
Partial cavity fill and insulated dry linings,
for example, are likely to become less
popular as thermal insulation values rise,
with full fill masonry cavity walls and highly
insulated timber framed walls being able
to achieve improved U-values using
slightly wider cavities and deeper
timber studs.
There is likely to be greater innovation
in other forms of construction, especially
where rainscreen cladding is used to
protect the insulation layer. The recent
tightening of thermal regulations has
placed a greater emphasis on avoiding
thermal bridging and ensuring an
airtight external envelope. As a result,
detailing at junctions is likely to become
more complex and sophisticated.
On the following pages we explore
a number of innovative constructions
which maximise thermal and, where
appropriate, acoustic performance.
BBA U-value Competency
Scheme
All U-values referred to in this
publication have been compiled in
accordance with the BBA/TIMSA
U-value Competency Scheme.
Table 17 Timber frame wall – single layer insulation between studs
Masonry
outer leaf
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
All products 140mm thick
With standard breather
membrane
U-value 0.22—0.32
Tile/timber clad
outer leaf
• Non-combustible products with the highest
Euroclass A1 rating
• Earthwool FrameTherm products have an
A+ generic Green Guide rating
Earthwool FrameTherm 32
0.26
0.29
Earthwool FrameTherm 35
0.27
0.29
Earthwool FrameTherm 38
0.29
0.31
• Products are compression packed to reduce
transport related CO2 emissions
Earthwool FrameTherm 40
0.31
0.32
• Zero ODP and GWP rated products
Earthwool FrameTherm 32
0.22
0.27
Earthwool FrameTherm 35
0.23
0.28
Earthwool FrameTherm 38
0.24
0.29
Earthwool FrameTherm 40
0.25
0.30
• Low cost solution
With Low-E breather
membrane
• Lightweight and easier to cut and handle
than rigid foam boards
• Much faster to install than rigid boards,
which require very accurate cutting
• Sized to friction fit between standard stud
widths with minimum cutting on site
• Products are compressible, and friction
fit between timber studs avoiding cold
bridging at joints
• Completely fire safe, non-combustible
product
• Improves the acoustic performance of
the wall
• The manufacture of Earthwool
FrameTherm products has a very low
impact on the environment
Table 18 Timber frame wall – single layer insulation between studs with low e service void
Masonry outer
leaf with
Low-E breather
membrane
Tile/timber clad
outer leaf
• All the advantages of using Frametherm in
the application above apply
• Provides a service void helping to preserve
the integrity of the vapour control layer
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
Insuation thickness (mm)
U-value 0.19—0.33
Masonry outer
leaf with
standard breather
membrane
Earthwool
FrameTherm 32
140
0.19
0.21
0.23
90
0.24
0.28
0.30
Earthwool
FrameTherm 35
140
0.20
0.22
0.24
• Improves the thermal performance of
timber frame walls within a standard
stud width
90
0.25
0.29
0.32
• Achieves low U-values in a 90mm stud
Earthwool
FrameTherm 38
140
0.20
0.23
0.25
90
0.26
0.30
0.33
Earthwool
FrameTherm 40
140
0.21
0.24
0.25
90
0.26
0.31
0.33
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
29
External wall solutions (continued)
Table 19 Timber frame – insulation between studs and to exterior of sheathing board
Twin insulated – partial fill
Timber studs filled
with:
U-value 0.14—0.25
Insulation
thickness
(mm)
Earthwool DriTherm
32 Ultimate outside
sheathing, thickness (mm)
Masonry outer leaf
• Non-combustible products with the highest
Euroclass A1 rating
Low-E service void
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
• Products have an A+ generic Green Guide
rating
Earthwool
FrameTherm 32
140
50
0.18
0.16
90
50
0.23
0.19
• Zero ODP and GWP rated products
Earthwool
FrameTherm 35
140
50
0.19
0.16
90
50
0.24
0.20
• Products are compression packed to reduce
transport related CO2 emissions
Earthwool
FrameTherm 40
140
50
0.20
0.17
90
50
0.25
0.21
Timber studs filled
with:
• No need for fire stopping (full fill)
• Partial fill system accepted by NHBC
Twin insulated – full fill
Insulation
thickness
(mm)
• Very low U-values can be achieved
Low-E service void • Products manufacture has a very low
impact on the environment
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
• Earthwool FrameTherm is compressible
and friction fits between timber studs
0.15
0.14
avoiding cold bridging at joints
0.19
0.16
Earthwool DriTherm
32 Ultimate outside
sheathing, thickness (mm)
Masonry outer leaf
Earthwool
FrameTherm 32
140
100
90
100
Earthwool
FrameTherm 35
140
100
0.16
0.14
90
100
0.19
0.17
Earthwool
FrameTherm 40
140
100
0.17
0.15
90
100
0.20
0.17
Table 20 Timber frame – single layer blow-in blanket system
Insulation
thickness
(mm)
Perimeter Plus
and standard breather membrane
U-value 0.18—0.39
Perimeter Plus
and Low-E breather membrane
Masonry outer leaf
Tile/timber clad outer leaf
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
• Non-combustible
200
0.21
0.22
• Perimeter Plus has an A+ generic Green
Guide rating
140
0.27
0.29
90
0.38
0.42
• Zero ODP and GWP rated product
200
0.18
0.21
140
0.23
0.28
90
0.31
0.39
• Product is compression packed to reduce
transport related CO2 emissions
• Negligible waste
• Completely fills all gaps, voids and hard
to reach areas around services
• Installation is quick and clean, without
adhesives or added moisture
• Blown from the inside of the dwelling
• Product manufacture has a very low
impact on the environment
The following apply to Tables 17, 18, 19 and 20:
Timber frame bridging factor of 15% to account for studs, noggins and sole plates etc.
Stud depth is taken to be the same as the thickness of insulation specified.
Thermal conductivity of timber studs is 0.12 W/mK.
Ventilated low emissivity external airspace has an R-value of 0.29 m2K/W.
Unventilated low emissivity external cavity has an R-value of 0.77 m2K/W.
Service void has an R-value of 0.78 m2K/W.
`
Table 21 Masonry cavity walls – full fill with built-in mineral wool
Brick outer leaf/cavity/100mm inner leaf (as below),
plasterboard on dabs
Lightweight
aircrete
(λ=0.11)
Standard
aircrete
(λ=0.15)
High strength
aircrete
(λ=0.19)
Medium
density
(λ=0.45)
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
Insulation thickness (mm)
• Products are compression packed to reduce
transport related CO2 emissions
• Zero ODP and GWP rated products
Earthwool DriTherm 32 Ultimate
U-value 0.15—0.33
• Earthwool DriTherm Cavity Slabs have an
A+ generic Green Guide rating
170
0.15
0.16
0.16
0.17
150
0.17
0.17
0.18
0.19
125
0.20
0.20
0.21
0.22
100
0.23
0.24
0.25
0.26
85
0.26
0.27
0.28
0.30
170
0.16
0.17
0.17
0.18
150
0.18
0.18
0.19
0.20
125
0.20
0.21
0.22
0.23
100
0.24
0.25
0.26
0.27
85
0.27
0.28
0.29
0.31
Earthwool DriTherm 34 Super
Earthwool DriTherm 37 Standard and Earthwool DriTherm Cavity Slab (rock)
170
0.17
0.18
0.18
0.19
150
0.19
0.20
0.20
0.21
125
0.22
0.23
0.23
0.25
100
0.26
0.27
0.27
0.29
85
0.28
0.30
0.31
0.33
Block sizes are assumed to be 440 x 215mm, with 10mm mortar joints.
Wall ties are assumed to be stainless steel with a cross-sectional area of no more than 12.5mm2 for
structural cavities up to 150mm wide and two part wall ties with a cross-sectional area of 25mm2 for
larger cavities. U-values are based on an internal finish of 12.5mm plasterboard (λ = 0.210 W/mK) on dabs.
• Non-combustible products with the highest
Euroclass A1 rating
• Earthwool DriTherm Cavity Slabs are the
lowest cost, built-in solution, for masonry
cavity walls
• Earthwool DriTherm 34 and 32 offer
higher levels of performance when
required
• No requirement for fire stops as all
Earthwool DriTherm products are
completely non-combustible and fully fill
the cavity
• No requirement for acoustic cavity stops at
junctions with separating floors and walls
• Products are robust and resilient making
them easy to handle, store on site and
install
• Manufacture of these products has low
environmental impact
• Formally guaranteed for 50 years to resist
the transmission of liquid water and retain
their thermal performance
• 35 year performance heritage
• All products have British Board of
Agrément Certification for all exposure
zones
• Products are installed under compression
preventing moisture penetration and cold
bridging at joints
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
31
External wall solutions (continued)
Table 22 Masonry cavity wall – full fill with injected glass mineral wool
Brick outer leaf/cavity/100mm inner leaf (as below),
plasterboard on dabs
Insulation
thickness (mm)
Lightweight
aircrete
(λ=0.11)
Standard
aircrete
(λ=0.15)
High strength
aircrete
(λ=0.19)
Medium
density
(λ=0.45)
• Supafil products have an A+ generic Green
Guide rating
• Non-combustible products with the highest
Euroclass A1 rating
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
Supafil 34*
U-value 0.16—0.33
• Zero ODP and GWP rated products
170
0.16
0.17
0.17
0.18
• Product is compression packed to reduce
transport related CO2 emissions
160
0.17
0.17
0.18
0.19
• Low cost solution
150
0.18
0.18
0.19
0.20
• Suitable for any cavity width
140
0.19
0.19
0.20
0.21
130
0.20
0.21
0.21
0.22
• Negligible waste when compared to other
solutions
120
0.21
0.22
0.22
0.24
• Installed by approved contractor
110
0.22
0.23
0.24
0.25
100
0.24
0.25
0.26
0.28
• British Board of Agrément Certification for
all exposure zones
85
0.27
0.28
0.29
0.31
170
0.17
0.18
0.18
0.19
160
0.18
0.19
0.19
0.20
150
0.19
0.20
0.20
0.21
140
0.20
0.21
0.21
0.22
130
0.21
0.22
0.22
0.24
120
0.22
0.23
0.24
0.25
110
0.24
0.25
0.26
0.27
100
0.26
0.27
0.27
0.29
85
0.29
0.30
0.31
0.33
Supafil 37
Block sizes are assumed to be 440 x 215mm, with 10mm mortar joints.
Wall ties are assumed to be stainless steel with a cross-sectional area of no more than 12.5mm2 for
structural cavities up to 150mm wide and two part wall ties with a cross-sectional area of 25mm2 for
larger cavities. U-values are based on an internal finish of 12.5mm plasterboard (λ = 0.210 W/mK) on dabs.
*Available 1st quarter 2011.
• Product guaranteed to resist moisture
penetration
• Wall construction quicker than with built-in
cavity wall insulation
• Installed after wall constructed, allowing
empty cavity to be checked
• The manufacture of Supafil has a very
low impact on the environment
Table 23 Solid masonry walls – external insulation
215mm solid block wall
(λ = 0.150 W/mK)
215mm solid block wall
(λ = 0.450 W/mK)
plus insulation with the following λ values (W/mK):
Insulation
thickness
(mm)
0.038
0.032
0.038
0.032
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
External Wall Insulation System *
U-value 0.14—0.46
BBA Certificate pending
• Rock mineral wool product
is non-combustible with the highest
Euroclass A1 rating
• Compression resistant insulation provides
a high level of support to the render
180
0.16
0.14
0.18
0.15
160
0.17
0.15
0.20
0.17
140
0.19
0.17
0.22
0.19
• Lightweight and robust systems,
advantageous where there are loading
restrictions on the structure
130
0.20
0.18
0.23
0.20
• Water repellent systems
120
0.21
0.19
0.25
0.22
• Impact resistant solutions
110
0.22
0.20
0.27
0.23
• Efficient and quick to install
100
0.24
0.21
0.29
0.25
• Protects the fabric of the building
90
0.25
0.23
0.31
0.27
80
0.27
0.24
0.34
0.30
70
0.29
0.27
0.37
0.33
60
0.32
0.29
0.41
0.37
50
0.35
0.32
0.46
0.42
• Reduces thermal bridging
U-values based on an internal finish of 12.5mm plasterboard (0.210 W/mK) on dot and dabs
0.038(W/mK) based on EWI Rock Slab and 0.032(W/mK) based on EWI EPS Slab.
*Available 1st quarter 2011.
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
33
Floor solutions
Raising standards
The 2010 changes to the thermal
requirements of the Technical Standards
have made it necessary to increase the
insulation thickness in many ground
floors and exposed upper floors.
These new requirements have prompted
designers to reconsider the specification
of insulation in floors, whether above
the slab, beneath the slab or screed, or
within timber floors.
of the thermal resistance of the floor
construction, the shape of the floor and
the insulation provided by the ground.
BBA U-value Competency
Scheme
All U-values referred to in this publication
have been compiled in accordance with
the BBA/TIMSA U-value Competency
Scheme.
The thermal performance of ground
floors is determined by a combination
Table 24 Ground floor – insulation below slab or under screed
Ratio of perimeter (m) to area (m2)
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
Typical U-values (W/m K)
2
Insulation thickness (mm)
Polyfoam Floorboard Standard
U-value 0.12—0.29
170 (2 x 85mm)
0.12
0.13
0.13
0.14
0.14
0.14
150 (2 x 75mm)
0.13
0.14
0.15
0.15
0.15
0.16
130 (2 x 65mm)
0.14
0.16
0.16
0.17
0.17
0.18
100 (2 x 50mm)
0.17
0.19
0.20
0.21
0.21
0.22
85
0.19
0.21
0.22
0.23
0.24
0.24
75
0.20
0.22
0.24
0.25
0.26
0.27
65
0.22
0.24
0.26
0.27
0.28
0.29
No account has been taken for the thermal performance of the concrete slab or screed.
The ground is assumed to be clay with a thermal conductivity of 1.50 W/mK.
• Long term exposure to water has negligible
impact on the thermal performance of
Polyfoam Floorboard
• Can be used above or below the DPM
– above DPM Polyfoam protects it from
damage before and during the concrete
pouring process, below the DPM Polyfoam
protects the DPM from possible puncture
from hardcore and extremes of temperature
at perimeter
• Resists tough site conditions
• Industry leading compressive strength
• Can tolerate traffic from subsequent trades
without damage prior to floor finish
being laid
Table 25 Ground floor – Insulation above slab
Ratio of perimeter (m) to area (m2)
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
Insulation thickness (mm)
• Zero ODP and GWP rated product
Earthwool Thermal Floor Slab Plus
U-value 0.12—0.34
• Non-combustible product with the highest
Euroclass A1 rating
210 (3x70mm)
0.12
0.13
0.14
0.14
0.14
0.15
• Will accommodate slight imperfections in
sub floor
170 (80+90mm)
0.14
0.15
0.16
0.17
0.17
0.17
• High compressive strength
150 (70+80mm)
0.15
0.17
0.17
0.18
0.19
0.19
130 (60+70mm)
• Easy handling and fitting
0.17
0.18
0.19
0.20
0.21
0.21
100
0.20
0.21
0.23
0.24
0.25
0.25
90
0.21
0.23
0.24
0.25
0.26
0.27
80
0.23
0.24
0.26
0.27
0.28
0.29
70
0.25
0.26
0.28
0.29
0.30
0.31
60
0.25
0.28
0.30
0.32
0.33
0.34
The U-values have been calculated assuming a clay subsoil with a thermal conductivity of 1.50 W/mK.
Table 26 Ground floor – Suspended beam and block floor with insulation below chipboard deck
Ratio of perimeter (m) to area (m2)
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
Typical U-values (W/m K)
2
Insulation thickness (mm)
• Structural and thermal solution
Polyfoam Floorboard Standard
U-value 0.12—0.28
• Provides high thermal performance in
limited insulation zone
170 (2 x 85mm)
0.12
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.14
0.14
150 (2 x 75mm)
0.13
0.14
0.14
0.15
0.15
0.15
130 (2 x 65mm)
0.14
0.15
0.16
0.17
0.17
0.17
100 (2 x 50mm)
0.17
0.18
0.19
0.20
0.21
0.21
85
0.18
0.20
0.21
0.22
0.23
0.24
75
0.20
0.22
0.23
0.24
0.25
0.26
65
0.21
0.23
0.25
0.26
0.27
0.28
• Resistant to site damage
• Robust and can tolerate traffic from following trades without damage prior to floor
finish being laid
Concrete beams with aircrete blocks with a thermal conductivity of 0.15 W/mK.
The ground is assumed to be clay with a thermal conductivity of 1.50 W/mK.
Table 27 Ground floor –Suspended beam and block floor with insulation below screed
Ratio of perimeter (m) to area (m2)
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
Insulation thickness (mm)
• Provides high thermal performance in
limited insulation zone
Polyfoam Floorboard Standard
U-value 0.12—0.26
• Compression resistant, supporting screed
under high point loads
170 (2 x 85mm)
0.12
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.13
• Structural and thermal solution
150 (2 x 75mm)
0.13
0.14
0.14
0.15
0.15
0.15
• Resistant to site damage
130 (2 x 65mm)
0.15
0.15
0.16
0.16
0.16
0.17
100 (2 x 50mm)
0.17
0.18
0.19
0.19
0.20
0.20
85
0.19
0.20
0.21
0.22
0.22
0.22
• Robust and can tolerate traffic from
subsequent trades without damage prior to
floor finish being laid
75
0.20
0.22
0.23
0.23
0.24
0.24
65
0.22
0.23
0.25
0.25
0.26
0.26
Concrete beams with aircrete blocks with a thermal conductivity of 0.15 W/mK.
No account has been taken of the thermal performance of the screed.
The ground is assumed to be clay with a thermal conductivity of 1.50 W/mK.
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
35
Foor solutions (continued)
Table 28 Ground floor – Suspended timber floor with insulation between joists
Ratio of perimeter (m) to area (m2)
0.3
0.4
Earthwool
Loft Roll 44
Earthwool
Loft Roll 40
Earthwool
Flexible Slab
0.6
0.7
0.8
• Non-combustible products with the
highest Euroclass A1 rating
Typical U-values (W/m K)
2
Insulation thickness (mm)
U-value 0.13—0.30
0.5
300 (2x150mm)
0.13
0.13
0.14
0.14
0.14
0.14
• Zero ODP and GWP rated products
250 (150+100mm)
0.14
0.15
0.15
0.16
0.16
0.16
200 (2x100mm)
0.16
0.17
0.17
0.18
0.18
0.18
• Earthwool Loft Roll is manufactured to
suit standard joist spacing’s
150
0.19
0.20
0.21
0.22
0.22
0.23
100
0.24
0.26
0.27
0.28
0.29
0.30
250 (150+100mm)
0.14
0.14
0.15
0.15
0.15
0.15
• Fast and simple solution
200 (2x100mm)
0.16
0.17
0.17
0.18
0.18
0.18
150
0.19
0.20
0.21
0.22
0.22
0.23
• Products manufacture has a very low
impact on the environmenty
100
0.24
0.26
0.27
0.28
0.29
0.30
250 (100+75+75mm)
0.13
0.14
0.14
0.14
0.14
0.15
200 (2x100mm)
0.15
0.15
0.17
0.17
0.17
0.18
140
0.19
0.20
0.21
0.21
0.22
0.22
100
0.23
0.25
0.26
0.27
0.28
0.29
• Products friction fit between joists
avoiding cold bridging at the joints
• Low cost solution
The U-values have been calculated assuming 48mm wide joists at 600mm centres.
Table 29 Underfloor heating – Osma Underfloor Heating System
Ratio of perimeter (m) to area (m2)
0.3
0.4
Insulation above
ground bearing slab
Insulation above
beam and block floor
0.6
0.7
0.8
Typical U-values (W/m K)
2
Insulation thickness (mm)
U-value 0.12—0.29
0.5
170 (2 x 85mm)
0.12
0.13
0.13
0.14
0.14
0.14
150 (2 x 75mm)
0.13
0.14
0.15
0.15
0.15
0.16
130 (2 x 65mm)
0.14
0.16
0.16
0.17
0.17
0.18
100 (2 x 50mm)
0.17
0.19
0.20
0.21
0.21
0.22
85
0.19
0.21
0.22
0.23
0.24
0.24
75
0.20
0.22
0.24
0.25
0.26
0.27
65
0.22
0.24
0.26
0.27
0.28
0.29
170 (2 x 85mm)
0.12
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.13
0.13
150 (2 x 75mm)
0.13
0.14
0.14
0.15
0.15
0.15
130 (2 x 65mm)
0.15
0.15
0.16
0.16
0.16
0.17
100 (2 x 50mm)
0.17
0.18
0.19
0.19
0.20
0.20
85
0.19
0.20
0.21
0.22
0.22
0.22
75
0.20
0.22
0.23
0.23
0.24
0.24
65
0.22
0.23
0.25
0.25
0.26
0.26
Pre-channelled boards only required as the layer to receive the underfloor heating system.
Concrete beams with aircrete blocks with a thermal conductivity of 0.15 W/mK.
No account has been taken of the thermal performance of the concrete slab or screed.
The ground is assumed to be clay with a thermal conductivity of 1.50 W/mK.
The decision to use an underfloor heating
system will be taken on its merits as a
heating strategy. The advantages listed
below relate to the use of this system
against other installation methods.
• Insulation and heating is provided by
one complete system
• High quality installation is achievable
and repeatable with pipes installed at
the correct centres
• Avoids the need for clips and mesh to
hold and space the heating pipes and
protects them from site damage in the
construction process
• Heating pipes are carried within the
insulation allowing a thinner layer of
screed
• Prevents warm spots where flow and
return pipes are concentrated
Table 30 Exposed upper floor – Insulation below concrete soffit – Polyfoam
Beam and block
Dense
Medium
Aircrete
Lightweight
Precast concrete Cast slabs
plank (150mm) (200mm) • Aesthetic finish
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
Thickness (mm)
• Moisture resistant solution
Polyfoam Soffit Linerboard
127/6
0.22
0.22
0.21
0.21
0.22
0.22
108/6
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.23
0.25
0.25
U-value 0.21—0.25
• Lightweight product is quick and easy
to install
• Insulation and surface finish installed in
one operation
• Installed from below so no access to area
above floor required
Table 31 Exposed upper floor – Insulation below concrete soffit – Earthwool
Beam and block
Insulation
thickness (mm)
Dense
Medium
Lightweight
Aircrete
Precast concrete Cast slabs
plank (150mm) (200mm) • Aesthetic finish
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
• Installed from below so no access to area
above floor required
Earthwool Soffit Linerboard Extra
165/6
0.20
0.20
0.20
0.19
0.20
0.20
130/6
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.23
0.25
0.25
U-value 0.19—0.25
• Fully non-combustible solution
• Highest Euroclass A1 rating
• Can enhance acoustic performance of floor
Table 32 Exposed upper floor – Insulation between timber joists
Typical U-values (W/m2K)
Insulation thickness (mm)
Earthwool Loft Roll 44
0.25*
0.26*
300
0.15
0.15
0.15
250
0.17
0.18
0.18
200
0.21
0.21
0.21
150
0.26
0.27
0.27
300
0.13
0.13
0.13
• Low cost solution
250
0.15
0.16
0.16
• Fast and simple solution
200
0.19
0.19
0.19
150
0.24
0.24
0.24
U-value 0.13—0.27
Earthwool Flexible Slab
• Non-combustible products with the
highest Euroclass A1 rating
0.33*
• Zero ODP and GWP rated products
• Earthwool Loft Roll is manufactured to
suit standard joist spacing’s
• Products friction fit between joists
avoiding cold bridging at the joints
• Products manufacture has a very low
impact on the environment
*Additional thermal resistance for shelter effect of enclosed unheated spaces, Ru (m2K/W).
The U-values have been calculated assuming joists are 48mm wide, spaced at 600mm centres and the same
depth as the insulation.
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
37
ECOSE® Technology
What is ECOSE® Technology?
How does it work?
Sustainability benefits
ECOSE Technology is a revolutionary,
new, formaldehyde-free binder
technology, based on rapidly renewable
materials instead of petro-based
chemicals. It reduces embodied energy
and delivers superior environmental
sustainability. ECOSE® Technology was
developed for glass and rock mineral
wool insulation, but offers the same
potential benefits to other products where
resin-substitution would be an advantage,
such as in wood based panels, abrasives
and friction materials.
By converting bio-based materials into
an inert polymer through a proprietary
process, ECOSE® Technology is used to
create an exceptionally strong binder that
bonds mineral wool insulation strands
together. This revolutionary scientific
discovery eliminates the formaldehyde
and phenols found in traditional binders
used in various industrial processes.
ECOSE® Technology is:
®
Thermal insulation properties, fire
resistance, fire classification, acoustic
insulation, sound absorption and
mechanical properties as well as the high
levels of recycled content are maintained,
with improved product durability.
• manufactured from abundant naturally
occurring and/or recycled materials
• free from formaldehyde, phenols,
pentanes, butanes and acrylics
• made using less embodied energy than
traditional oil based binders
• able to improve the overall
sustainability of buildings
Resulting in mineral wool that is:
• soft to handle and easy to cut, with
minimal dust
• odourless
• without artificial colours or added dyes
– a natural brown colour
Unfaced glass mineral wool with
ECOSE® Technology products meet the
industry’s most stringent standards and
guidelines related to Indoor Air Quality
www.ecose-technology.com
Sustainability
The sustainability agenda
Knauf’s sustainability strategy
Knauf Insulation UK recognises that
everybody has a part to play in a
sustainable future. Our intention is to
lead the industry on the sustainability
agenda, balancing commercial success
with a considered approach to the issues
that threaten our planet and our way of
life. Sustainability must now be viewed
by all businesses as the core of a
sensible long-term business strategy.
Knauf Insulation UK promotes continuous
improvements in sustainable performance
as a guiding principle in our business
strategy by:
Our greatest contribution to sustainable
development is through our products.
They provide the most cost-effective
means of combating climate change by
saving energy, while giving people the
freedom to live and work in comfortable
internal environments.
• promoting awareness in a ‘top-down
approach’ to sustainability, ensuring
that responsible decision making
predominates throughout our business
• measuring our environmental
performance and minimising our
environmental impact through our
continuing investment in efficiency and
innovation
• consulting with our stakeholders and
engaging where appropriate
• communicating with, and providing
leadership to, stakeholders to ensure
that we exert positive influence through
all our business dealings
warmth
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
• providing sustainable solutions to
our customers through our products and
practices
• strengthening our business through
good relationships with customers and
suppliers, and fostering community
prosperity
• sharing our knowledge appropriately
with industry and acting as a role
model to other companies
• facilitating sustainability awareness
in the construction industry using our
products and practices as positive
examples which differentiate us from
our competitors
• Knauf Insulation UK has been awarded
the Carbon Trust Standard for
measuring, managing and reducing its
carbon emissions, and is committed to
making further reductions year on year.
quietness
fire protection
energy saving
39
sustainability
The Knauf Insulation product range
Earthwool – glass and rock
mineral wool
Earthwool® is the new mineral wool brand
from Knauf Insulation, adding the benefits
of ECOSE® Technology – a revolutionary
bio-based binder technology – to create
a new kind of mineral wool insulation
that is naturally brown. It offers significant
improvements in terms of feel, handling
and environmental performance,
while still delivering the outstanding
performance you expect from our
traditional mineral wool.
Earthwool has unified Knauf Insulation’s
core glass and rock mineral wool range
under a single name, replacing the Crown
and Rocksilk brands. This single identity
helps to create the most comprehensive
range of mineral wool products and
makes the task of finding the best solution
a simple one – the answer is now always
Earthwool.
Earthwool covers a wide range of
products from lightweight rolls of loft
insulation with a thermal conductivity of
0.044 W/mK to high performance slabs
with a conductivity of 0.032 W/mK.
The Earthwool range offers the designer
great flexibility in thermal, acoustic and
fire applications.
Earthwool Rafter Roll is a high
performance glass mineral wool
insulation product designed for pitched
roofs, combining the best qualities of
glass wool, such as superb thermal
performance, sound absorption and fire
resistance.
The compression packaging of
Earthwool Rafter Roll means less
handling is required and the fact that
it friction fits between rafters makes
installation much quicker and easier
than using rigid foam boards
Earthwool CarbonZero Loft Roll 44
is the UK’s first ‘carbon neutral’ loft
insulation. Knauf Insulation are investing
in reforestation and buying carbon credits
to offset the already low levels of carbon
emitted during the manufacture and
transport of Earthwool CarbonZero Loft
Roll 44.
Building on the impressive sustainability
credentials of glass mineral wool, it
is perfect for high profile Eco-projects
that have low environmental impact
objectives, proving that premium
insulation like Earthwool CarbonZero
Loft Roll 44 doesn’t have to cost the
earth.
Earthwool Flexible Slab is a multipurpose thermal and acoustic rock
mineral wool insulation slab specifically
designed for installation by friction fitting
in a wide variety of thermal and acoustic
applications.
Earthwool Flexible Slab is ideal for
use in applications such as internal
partitions, between timber and metal
studs, and between timber rafters and
floor joists.
Earthwool DriTherm Cavity Slabs
(glass and rock) are specifically designed
for use in masonry cavity external walls.
They offer very high levels of thermal
resistance to help meet the new Building
Regulation standards.
performance, sound absorption and
fire resistance, Earthwool DriTherm
Cavity Slabs are fast to install and
do not require fixings to hold them in
position. Furthermore these highly
cost-effective products are moisture
resistant, sustainable and recyclable
at end of life.
As well as combining the best qualities
of mineral wool, such as superb thermal
Earthwool FrameTherm is a specialist
product for use in timber frame construction,
which is available in both roll and slab form.
Earthwool FrameTherm is used for ‘friction
fitting’ between timber studs or rafters and is
570mm wide to suit commonly used timber
stud and rafter spacings.
Earthwool FrameTherm slabs and rolls
are available in a range of thermal
conductivities to provide design
flexibility. They also have the highest A1
fire classification.
Blowing wools
Supafil is a premium quality,
non-combustible, glass mineral wool
insulation designed to be blown into
existing and newly built cavity walls.
Perimeter Plus™ is a specialist super
high performance loose glass mineral
wool designed to be blown into timber
frame walls from the inside of a house
under construction. The innovative Blowin Blanket® system creates a thermal,
acoustic and fire resistant barrier for
timber frame construction.
The product completely fills all gaps,
voids and hard to reach areas around
pipes, electrical wires and fixtures
ensuring excellent coverage and a
custom fit regardless of shape or size.
Installation is a quick and clean process
and does not require adhesives or
moisture and generates neglible waste.
Polyfoam – extruded polystyrene (XPS)
Polyfoam is a high performance,
lightweight, cellular thermal insulation
with excellent structural strength and very
high moisture resistance.
This makes Polyfoam ideal for use in all
types of floor, with or without underfloor
heating and in applications where moisture
and/or loads in use are a design concern
(such as the internal lining of existing
solid walls or terraced roofs and
balconies).
Unlike all other lightweight insulation
board products, the fact that Polyfoam
has such good structural and thermal
insulation properties makes it an
extremely practical solution.
Floorfoam – extruded polyethylene (XPE)
Floorfoam is closed cell extruded
polyethylene foam available in roll form.
Its closed cell nature makes it excellent at
cushioning vibrations.
It has been developed specifically to
comply with Building Regulation
requirements for a resilient layer in
separating floors.
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
Its prime function is to reduce the
passage of impact sound energy.
It is available in thicknesses of 5mm
and 10mm, which provide increasing
levels of impact sound absorption.
41
How Knauf Insulation can help
Making the right choices
Technical Advisory Centre
As the only UK manufacturer of
multiple types of insulation products,
Knauf Insulation is able to offer
impartial advice to ensure that the
most appropriate product is used
in the right way to achieve optimal
energy and cost efficiency. Knauf
Insulation has therefore developed a
range of services to help its customers.
Our Technical Advisory Centre, offers
ongoing, high level technical support
including the provision of U-value and
condensation analysis calculations, NBS
specification clauses and CAD drawings.
Call 01744 766666 for help and advice.
With the confusing array of insulation
choices on the market today, our
primary intention is to share our
knowledge and expertise, empowering
our customers to make the most
appropriate product selection.
Knauf Insulation is a fully accredited
member of the prestigious and industryleading British Board of Agrément (BBA)
U-value and Condensation Calculation
Competency Scheme. The scheme,
which was launched on 1st April 2010,
has been created by the British Board of
Agrément in conjunction with the
Thermal Insulation Manufacturers and
Suppliers Association (TIMSA) to promote
and assist accurate, objective and
consistent calculation of U-values and
condensation calculations within the UK
construction industry.
CPD Seminars
As a member of the RIBA CPD
Providers Network, Knauf Insulation
offers CPD training designed to
maintain, enhance and increase the
knowledge and skills of the
professional to the benefit of his
or her capabilities.
For more information please visit:
www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
Training programme
Successful compliance with
Regulations will require specifiers and
contractors to update their knowledge.
Knauf Insulation recognises its
responsibility to support
the specifier and contractor with
comprehensive training.
BBA/TIMSA Competency
Scheme
All U-values referred to in this publication
have been compiled in accordance with
the BBA/TIMSA U-value Competency
Scheme.
As a result, Knauf Insulation customers
can be assured that the U-value and
condensation calculations supplied to
them are in line with all relevant industry
standards, accurate and consistent,
and there is a clear and comprehensive
audit trail in place.
Building Regulations
Compliance Guides
Available in print and online, these guides
explain through the use of worked
examples the routes to compliance with
the Building Regulations. As well as this
one on the revised edition of Section
6 of the Scottish Technical Standards,
versions are available for Approved
Document L1A and L1B for England and
Wales.
Project and Specification
Managers
Knauf Insulation has a team of Business
Development Managers and Project
and Specification Managers covering
all parts of the country. Their role is
to provide cost-effective solutions to
specifiers for thermal insulation, acoustic
insulation and fire protection.
For more information please visit:
www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
Knauf Insulation publications
CI/SfB
|
|
|
| (M2) |
Uniclass
L6815
Residential
Newbuild
November 2010
Thermal Efficiency Standards in New Dwellings
A guide to Approved Document L1A 2010 (England and Wales)
Thermal Efficiency Standards in New Dwellings 2010
Thermal Efficiency Standards in Existing Dwellings 2010
Insulation Solutions for
Buildings
Knauf Insulation has produced a
technical guide containing over 800
insulation systems for all aspects
of insulation specification. The
Insulation Solutions for Buildings
guide provides technical information
on the thermal, acoustic, fire and
environmental performance of
differing insulation products, as
well as detailed information on the
relevant regulatory requirements.
Working towards a sustainable future
Knauf Insulation with ECOSE® Technology
The guide covers glass and rock
mineral wool, as well as foamed
plastics and other insulation
materials, making it the most
comprehensive reference book
available.
To obtain copies of these publications,
either telephone 0870 668 660, or
visit the download section of our web
site at www.knaufinsulation.co.uk,
which contains pdfs of the full range of
our brochures.
Health Sector Guide
Education Sector Guide
Also in production:
• New Housing Sector Guide
• Party Wall Bypass Guide
• Thermal Bridging Guide
• Self Build Guide
Technical Advisory Centre Tel: 01744 766666 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
43
Ref: KB162810
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www.knauf insulation.co.uk
www.thinkinsulation.com
December 2010
Awarded to:
Knauf Insulation
Knauf Insulation Ltd.
PO Box 10
Stafford Road
St Helens
Merseyside
WA10 3NS
Customer Service (Sales)
Tel: 0844 800 0135
Fax: 01744 612 007
email: [email protected]
Technical Advisory Centre (TAC)
Tel: 01744 766666
Fax: 01744 766667
email: [email protected]
Literature
Tel: 08700 668 660
Fax: 0870 400 5797
email: [email protected]