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A UNIQUE collaboration BETWEEN the BRE (Building Research Establishment) AND Rockwool has established a simple formula FOR helping specifiers meet Part L (2006) energy efficiency requirements IN rainscreen construction.

A unique collaboration between the BRE (Building Research Establishment) and Rockwool has established a simple formula for helping specifiers meet Part L (2006) energy efficiency requirements in rainscreen construction.

The UK's LEADING insulation manufacturer, Rockwool, AND BRE have come together TO agree a straight-forward calculation TO measure U-VALUE allowances FOR insulation TO include thermal bridging.

Now available FROM Rockwool, the new figures make it significantly easier, MORE efficient AND less expensive FOR specifiers TO meet the Part L regulations.

The provisions OF BR443:2006, the building industry's guide to U-value calculations conventions for different types of construction, had previously assumed a default calculation for thermal bridging of rainscreen insulation, if the designer had not made the recommended 3D thermal calculations.

As few designers and specifiers perform these complex calculations, the default value for a building usually resulted in uneconomic thicknesses of insulation.

Rockwool's technical experts worked WITH Brian Robinson (the author OF BRE443) USING BRE 3D analysis TO find a simpler way OF measuring point loss IN thermal bridging applications. AS these represent the great majority OF applications, the new DATA will be immediately beneficial TO architects, designers AND specifiers.

Tony Richards, Technical Sales Manager OF Rockwool UK comments: "Our new default calculation saves valuable time, money and hassle in an era of stringent industry regulation."

Rockwool AND the BRE recommend that specifiers allow FOR the addition OF 0.1W/m2K TO the wall VALUE IN predicted bridging. The point fixing must incorporate a 5mm thick thermal break PAD, AND the calculation does NOT apply TO metal rail systems.

Richards continues: "In practice, this would mean adding approximately 40mm of Rockwool to a standard 100mm thick insulation slab. This enables the architect and specifier to achieve compliance with far less insulation than the previous default calculations allowed. We offer a U-value calculation service and always recommend that all calculations are verified by the actual cladding manufacturer, using 3D thermal modelling software."

Rockwool Rainscreen Duo-slab insulation provides an effective firesafe thermal insulation FOR rainscreen AND overcladding applications. Recommended installation uses timber battening AND a mixture OF metal headed AND polypropylene fasteners TO attach the insulation TO the wall.

The system provides an economic AND effective method OF improving the thermal efficiency OF older buildings. IN addition, Rockwool provides good acoustic attenuation AND IS fully recyclable TO CREATE MORE Rockwool.

by: Editor

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