INSULATION
Insulation creates healthier buildings
Matt Prowse of Knauf Insulation discusses how insulation can help combat the problems of sick building syndrome, including noise and indoor air quality, sustainably
he average adult spends 90 per cent of their time indoors – and this percentage has increased over the past year as people deal with Covid-19 restrictions. But what if the building you live or work in itself is making you sick? For many people, Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a reality. Insulation can play a role in making buildings, and occupants, healthier.
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SBS was first identified in the 1970s and refers to symptoms experienced by someone only when they are within a specific building. These symptoms typically reduce when the person is elsewhere. There are a number of factors thought to contribute to SBS, ranging from specific equipment used indoors, to cleanliness and even stress levels. But for architects and specifiers, it’s the building’s fabric that’s important. The way buildings perform, and the materials they are made from, has a significant impact on the internal environment and therefore the health of occupants. Insulation is a good example. There are many health conditions exacerbated by low temperatures – such as pneumonia, circulatory disorders and arthritis – so high performing insulation is essential. Installed correctly, insulation creates a comfortable indoor environment, keeping buildings warm in cold weather and cool in warm weather. It also creates homes that are cheaper to run – leaving occupants with more money to spend on other things to keep them healthy – fresh food, exercise and dental treatment, for example. For architects and specifiers, it’s important to know how product choice affects the indoor environment. Beyond the thermal, fire and acoustic performance considerations, providing ease of correct installation should be top of mind. For example, during installation, mineral wool insulation products adapt to imperfections in the substrate. Other insulation products – such as rigid foam boards – can be
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ADF APRIL 2021
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