2. Introduction Jim Malek
• Thermal Insulation - The Basics • How to choose the right
K – Value
U – Value Insulation
R – Value
Thermal Bridging
• Sustainability
Building Regulations
• Poly Urethane Insulation
PIR
Phenolic Insulation
• What to look out for
Certification
• Fibrous Insulation
Mineral wool
Fibre Glass
Granulated Insulation
• Reflective Insulation
Thermo Cellular
Reflective Foil
• Polystyrene
XPS
EPS
7. Why & Where is Insulation used? Jim Malek
•Pipe Insulation
Oil Refinery plants and buildings to keep liquids @ a regulated
temperature, typical products should have good fire properties,
shear strength, and compression strength.
•Refrigeration Insulation
Needs to have excellent thermal properties & excellent
compressive strength
•Building Envelop Insulation
Consider ease of application
Lifespan of the product,
Fire Properties,
Eco Friendliness
Manufacture warranties
Climate
•HVAC Industry
Fire
Ease of application
•Transportation
Ease of application
Fire properties
Water absorption
•Space
Effects of Radiant energy
10. Understanding the Thermal Properties Jim Malek
• For example, if you have a product
• What does it all mean? with a K 0.040 and another with
• The K factor is the measure of heat that passes
through one square foot of material that is 1 inch thick
K0.020, the product with the lower K
in an hour. Usually, insulation materials have a K value will in effect help you cut your
Factor of less than 1. The lower the K value, the better
the insulation.
insulation in half!
• The R-factor is not constant. It is the Thermal
Resistance factor of insulation. In layman’s terms, this
refers to the effectiveness of the insulation at retarding
the transfer of heat.
• U Factor stands for Thermal Conductance Factor. It’s
the quantity of heat, measured in W/m2.K, that passes
through a foot of insulation material. Mathematically,
it’s the K-factor divided by the thickness of the
insulation material. Just like the K Factor, the lower
the U factor, the better the insulating properties of the
material. The U value also takes into consideration the
whole building element.
11. R-Values Jim Malek
Material Total
R-Value (R) U-Value (U)
Product thermal resistance + External air film thermal resistance
+ Building material thermal resistance
+ Insulation thermal resistance
+ Air gap thermal resistance
+ Internal air film thermal resistance
12. R-Values Jim Malek
Air space R-values
C = Ehr+hc
C = co-efficient for total heat transfer through the air space
E = effective emissivity of the air space
hr = calculated by means of the Stefan-Boltzmann Law:-
hr = 0.172x10-8 (T14 – T24)
(T1– T2)
T = Absolute temperature of bounding surfaces
hc = convection/conduction coefficient
14. U-Values Jim Malek
R-Value (R) = Thermal Resistance
The insulation material resistance to heat flow
(m2.K/W).
U-Value (U) = Thermal Transmittance
The amount of heat transmitted through the
insulation material (W/m2.K)
1 1
U-Value = or R-Value =
R-Value U-Value
15. K-Values Jim Malek
K-Value (λ) = Thermal Conductivity
Physical property of a material expressing its
ability to conduct heat (W/m.K)
R-Value = Thickness (m)
K-Value
16. Product range – Which Insulation? Jim Malek
Thicknesses to achieve equivalent of 100mm Phenolic insulation*
Phenolic 0.020 100 mm
Rigid Urethane 0.022 110 mm
Extruded Polystyrene 0.030 145 mm
Expanded Polystyrene 0.038 190 mm
Rock Mineral Fibre 0.038 190 mm
Glass Mineral Fibre 0.040 200 mm
Cork
0.042 210 mm
18. Thermal Bridging Jim Malek
Heat gain
Heat energy transfers
across building
elements
19. Roofs: Thermal Breaks Jim Malek
Thermal Break
reduces conduction or
Thermal Bridging
20. Thermal Insulation Jim Malek
Rock Mineral Fibre
(Rockwool)
Type: Bulk Fibre
Description: Spun molten rock fibres bonded with resin
Suitable for:
Non-combustible
Good acoustics
Slightly lower conductivity than glasswool
Allergenic
Settles
Can absorb moisture
Image from www.certainteed.com
21. Types of Insulation Jim Malek
Wool
Type: Loose fill or batt form
Description: Natural wool.
Suitable for:
Easily pumped in installation
Fire retardant
Can compress and settle over time
Can absorb moisture
Chemicals added to make it rodent resistant and fire
retardant
22. Thermal Insulation Jim Malek
Fibreglass (Glasswool)
Type: Bulk Fibre
Description: Spun molten glass fibres bonded with resin
Suitable for:
Non combustible
Easy to cut
Allergenic and itchy to handle (PPE required)
Can easily compress
Can absorb moisture
Image from www.ascentonline.com.au
23. Thermal Insulation Jim Malek
Granulated Rockwool
Type: Loose Fill
Description: Granulated rockwool.
Suitable for:
Can be retrofitted in cavity walls
Must be treated with water repellent to avoid bridging
the cavity
24. Fibre Insulation Jim Malek
Product Mineral Insulation Glass Insulation
OHS Caution required in case of skin and respiratory Caution required in case of skin and
contamination respiratory contamination
Fire Can give excellent fire performance needs to be Can give excellent fire performance needs to
certified and checked as behaviour can be effected be certified and checked as behaviour can be
when foil attached effected when foil attached
Density Vary from 12kg to 150+ 12kg to 50 KG
K Value 0.038 0.040
Cell Structure Open Cell Open Cell
Consideration with Do not compress as this will reduce effectiveness Same
application Insure correct density is used for the correct application
Do not get wet
25. Thermal Insulation Jim Malek
Thermo Cellular
Type: Reflective
Description: Polymer air-cellular or closed-cell pliable foam core
sandwiched between 2 layers of highly reflective aluminium foil
Suitable for:
Excellent radiation barrier
Fibre-free
Vapour barrier or vapour permeable versions
Moisture resistant and non allergenic
Can provide thermal break
Relatively low material R-value
Requires adjacent air space
26. Thermal Insulation Jim Malek
Reflective Foil Laminate (RFL)
Type: Reflective
Description: Foil laminated to either side of glass fibre
reinforced paper or woven polyethylene scrim
Suitable for:
Vapour barrier or vapour permeable versions
Excellent radiant barriers
No material R-Value contribution
27. Reflective Foil Insulation Jim Malek
Product Reflective foil
Insulation
OHS Totally Safe (may need to wear sun
glasses on bright day)
Fire Can give excellent fire performance
needs to be certified and checked.
• High Thermal Performance /Low
Thermal Mass Density N/A
• 3 Products in 1 application K Value N/A
Vapour barrier, Thermal Cell Structure Closed Cell Structure
Insulation, Thermal Break
Consideration Limited in thermal performance
• Simple & Fast To Install with
application
• Fibre-Free With No Health Risks
28. Thermal Insulation Jim Malek
PIR (polyisocyanurate)
Type: Rigid Board
Description: High performance, fibre-free rigid urethane resin insulation
core.
Suitable for:
CFC/HCFC-free with zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
Closed cell insulation core
Improved strength
Thermo-set non-absorbent core
Low conductivity relative to XPS
Perceived to be more expensive than other insulations
29. Thermal Insulation Jim Malek
Phenolic
Type: Rigid Insulation Board
Description: Super high performance rigid thermoset core sandwiched
between composite facings
Suitable for:
CFC/HCFC-free with Zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
Ultra low conductivity = Highest R-Value per mm
Very low smoke emissions
Improved fire rating - Class 1 (BS 476 Parts 6 & 7)
Can be used as an EIFS
Perceived to be more expensive than other insulations
30. Poly Urethane Insulation Jim Malek
Polyisocyanurate Phenolic Insulation
Product Phenolic PIR Polyurethane
Polyurethane Spray
Spray OHS No need for additional safety No need for Require additional Safety
equipment additional safety equipment
equipment
Density 32-40KG 32-40KG Erratic due to preparation on site
and application.
K Value Can be as low as 0.020 Can be as low as Erratic due to preparation on site
0.022 and application.
Fire Can give excellent fire Can Give good Fire Can Give good Fire performance
performance needs to be performance needs needs to be certified and checked
certified and checked to be certified and
checked
31. Thermal Insulation Jim Malek
Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)
Type: Rigid Insulation Board
Description: Extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) consists of closed cells
and offers improved stiffness with reduced thermal conductivity.
Suitable for:
Material strength
Low thermal conductivity relative to EPS
Can be used in an EIFS
As a thermoplastic material it burns and melts easily
32. Thermal Insulation Jim Malek
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
Type: Rigid Insulation Board
Description: Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid and closed-
cell foam. Usually white, it is made of pre-expanded polystyrene
beads.
Suitable for:
Relatively high compressive strength
Water resistant
Low cost
Thermoplastic material - burns and melts easily
Difficult to cut and shape without creating loose beads
Image from www.finehomebuilding.com
34. Building Regulations (International) Jim Malek
Insulation play a pivotal roll in Building Regulation and
the Environmental Impact of the planet.
Carbon foot print Roof Build up
Expenditure of energy Indoor
Outdoor
Faced build up
Including rendering systems Comfortable Living
Cladding
Conditions
Water Temperature
Fire performance Ducting Temperature
Indoor Space Temperature
Outdoor
