ENERGY
of minimal levels of insulation. It can be sprayed on surfaces to provide a seamless surface to prevent the cold bridging gaps between substrates.
When specifying the installation of polyurethane foam members of the British Urethane Foam Contractors Association should be chosen who can carry out installations to high standards. A twenty- five year insurance-backed guarantee may also be obtained for the process. The warranty, which is administered by The Insurance Partnership, of Hull, on behalf of the association, may be purchased for both domestic and contract work undertaken by BUFCA members using BBA-approved products.
BUFCA welcomes the Government’s ENERGISE
move to make UK buildings more energy efficient. The Green Deal scheme will remove the funding barrier for uptake of insulation measures and open up a whole new market for the industry.
Green Deal works on the assumption (the Golden Rule) that repayments can be made from the savings achieved from insulation or renewable measures. In some cases the Golden Rule will not work, for instance in lower income and vulnerable households who struggle to heat their homes to acceptable standards. In this instance Energy Company Obligation funding can be used to provide heating and insulation measures. It may also be used to finance insulation measures in hard to treat properties which might not meet the Golden Rule. The ECO subsidy will be integrated within the Green Deal framework as one package. Public bodies can incorporate insulation measures within their corporate social responsibility (CSR) planning. This is how organisations address their social, environmental and economic impacts of their operations to meet sustainable development goals. Public service
providers have a role in initiating such standards in their communities where others may follow their example. Organisations involved in this may achieve an enhanced reputation for having the most energy efficient buildings with low running bills. This can result in achieving higher rental figures, and assist tenant acquisition or retention. It can also help to address the problem of tenants in fuel poverty and lower unemployment rates. In March 2012 Professor John Hills’ independent report, commissioned by DECC, showed four million households in England to be in fuel poverty, compared to 1.2 million in 2004.
Spray or injected polyurethane (PU) foam can be used in many applications. To avoid the expense of re-roofing, roofs that are simply suffering from nail fatigue, but are otherwise structurally sound, can benefit from the application of foam sprayed onto the underside of the tiles. The process will provide stabilisation, insulation and weatherproofing properties whilst lengthening the existing roof’s longevity. Insulation applied underneath the tiles will keep the loft void warmer, prevent condensation build-up, and should prevent freezing of pipes and tanks. The loft space can subsequently be used for storage. When roof repairs need to be carried out to at least 25% of an existing roof, the roofing contractor has a duty to advise the client to notify the local authority building control department, to ensure compliance with Part L Building Regulations. This generally necessitates insulating the whole roof to meet current energy efficiency standards. PU foam will help to resolve this requirement.
Where loft conversions are being carried out PU foam can be sprayed between rafters in sloping ceiling areas without the need to lower the height of the existing ceiling. The foam is then plasterboarded over in the conventional way. In barn conversions the foam can be dubbed out with a coat of bonding plaster and then Thistle finish plaster. Existing structures should be in a good state of repair with no evidence of rain penetration or damp. Any defects should be made good prior to installation.
In cases of wall-tie failure a liquid polyurethane foam system can be injected into the outer leaf of a traditionally constructed cavity wall via appropriately spaced holes across the entire surface area. This expands within the cavity, adhering to the inner and outer leaves of the wall bonding them together. The material sets and provides structural stabilisation obviating the need to replace deficient wall ties. It also provides high
thermal efficiency values and virtually eliminates air leakage, draughts and cold spots. Following installation the holes are re-filled to provide a close match to the existing mortar.
The properties of polyurethane foams provide a highly efficient blanket of insulation, with a thermal conductivity approximately twice as efficient as mineral fibre. It is particularly cost effective and easy to apply to a wide variety of substrates. Its closed-cell nature renders it very resistant to moisture ingress, and grades are available which achieve both Class 1 and Class 0 fire ratings when tested to BS 476 part 7 and 6 respectively. The foam can be applied in any thickness to suit the insulation requirements of the building when it is spray-applied. Furthermore, it has a very good track record in retrofit applications for use in the public sector, industrial/commercial, and domestic buildings.
Spray applied and injected
polyurethane foam systems can be used to prevent the transmission of sound due to it’s monolithic sealing properties. Application to the building substrate can reduce airborne sound penetration. It is also ideal for soundproofing interior walls and floors and around plumbing stacks to reduce the sound of water rush. The British Urethane Foam Contractors Association has a network of contractors skilled in the installation of sprayed or injected polyurethane foam. When choosing a member specifiers can be assured of the highest standards of quality and service. Installers are required to abide by the Association’s Code of Professional Practice which aims to further good technical and professional conduct and promotes sound relationships between members and their customers. Technical datasheets are freely available on the association’s website to meet current Building Regulations at
www.bufca.co.uk which are designed to assist specifiers with recommended depths of insulation for various building applications. These provide guides to ascertain U-value calculations, construction detailing and dew point analysis, etc. However actual calculations must be carried out on an individual basis. Literature on the use of
sprayed/injected polyurethane for walls, lofts and other applications is available from the British Urethane Foam Contractors Association, based at P O Box 12, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 3AH; or tel: 01428 654011; fax: 01428 651401; Email:
info@bufca.co.uk
PUBLIC SECTOR SUSTAINABILITY • VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4 27
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