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INSULATION; HEATING, VENTILATION & SERVICES; SAFETY & SECURITY
and the impact they may have on other materials and the test result. This means examining whether, for example, a breather membrane was included in the test data available for your choice of rainscreen insulation.
A breather membrane is important to the testing process, as the wind can infi ltrate behind it and exert pressure on the insulation. By assessing the insulation and membrane, both installed according to respective manufacturer guidance, the testing process examines and provides architects with the results of a build-up that more closely replicates what is used onsite. With this in mind, we have recently published test results that assess the performance of our rainscreen insulation with a breather membrane in a minimum of category four hurricane conditions.
A breather membrane is important to the testing process, as the wind can infi ltrate behind it and exert pressure on the insulation
Resilient choices
The inclusion of a breather membrane is one way that ‘true-to-site’ testing programmes have been designed to assess wind load performance. Fixing choice has also been explored, acknowledging site practicalities. In some circumstances, for example,
New from Hörmann – automated driveway bollards
Hörmann UK have announced that they are launching a new automated security bollard that has been designed and built specifi cally for domestic installations. Introduced to counter vehicle thefts, the bollards provide an effective way to increase security and prevent theft from unauthorised access to a property. They are suitable for driveways, entrances to private roads and installation in front of garages for added anti- theft protection. The Hörmann A114 automatic bollards are manufactured from brushed stainless steel and are sleek and elegant in design. Built to be durable and robust, they are available in two barrier heights – 600 mm or 800 mm and with a diameter of 114 mm. They are quick and easy to install being supplied as a ready-to-install ‘plug and play’ unit, with an integrated foundation box. Installation can typically be achieved within 1 hour. Fitted with an electromechanical drive, the bollards are designed for average use frequencies of approximately one hundred cycles per day and require minimal maintenance.
01530 516868
www.hoermann.de/en/innovations/detail/show/automatic-bollard-a-114-600/800-e-plug-and-play
Revolutionary new natural insulation
Ecological Building Systems, a leading supplier of natural building products for sustainable construction, has introduced an exciting new type of sustainable insulation to the UK and Ireland. Gramitherm is the fi rst insulation to be produced from grass, which is sourced
from public parks and grass verges, combined with recycled jute fi bres, plus a recycled polyester binder, to produce one of the most sustainable forms of insulation on the market and is exclusively available from Ecological Building Systems in the UK and Ireland.
info@ecologicalbuildingsystems.com
ecologicalbuildingsystems.com Panasonic heat pump cuts energy costs
An environmentally conscious retired couple in Bedfordshire sought to replace their expensive running and ineffi cient old traditional heating system in their four-bedroom,
1890’s-built
rural property with a more sustainable heating system. After consulting with Clima
Renewables, who had been maintaining the old system, the couple opted to install a Panasonic Aquarea J Series T-Cap Monobloc Air to Water heat pump unit. The installation was completed with the Panasonic Aquarea Smart Cloud control system which allows the couple and the installer to remotely control the heating system.
01707 378670
www.aircon.panasonic.eu
space does not allow the use of a typical 70 mm EJOT fi xing on a steel frame cladded facade and as such, a 50 mm option is used. This recent wind load testing programme explored using 50 mm options against category four hurricane conditions to independently verify performance in such site circumstances. Another test confi guration included a masonry facade with the same insulation installed within an ACS channel fi xed to a light-gauge steel frame without mechanical fi xings. This setup was tested for category fi ve hurricane conditions, again providing independent verifi cation of performance and highlighting possible time and cost savings onsite.
By testing materials in true-to-site
confi gurations, manufacturers can demonstrate that their products meet the specifi c demands of real-world applications. This level of rigour is fundamental in rainscreen systems, where insulation must contribute to thermal and acoustic performance and resist wind pressure to maintain overall facade stability.
Lisa Stephens is product manager at ROCKWOOL UK
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
ADF MARCH 2025
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