From inefficient energy usage to increased fire risks, it is shocking how damaging poor insulation can actually be when not considered seriously at the outset and throughout the construction and production phase of any development.
So, to bring some much-needed attention to the benefits of insulation, I’m going to look at four of the most valuable things expert, modern insulation can bring to a project:
1. More efficient energy use
The built environment accounts for around 40% of the UK’s total carbon footprint, and we’re committed to finding ways to improve how the systems we build operate more efficiently.
Thermal insulation is about minimising Heat Transfer or Heat Gain so that unwanted changes in temperature are avoided and a system runs smoothly.
Imagine, for example, hot water being pumped around a large building: the distance it travels is vast, and it is highly likely to pass through spaces where its temperature cannot be effectively maintained.
Without effective insulation, water will change temperature on its way through the pipes.
This in turn forces the heating system to work overtime to compensate, ultimately guzzling tons of extra energy and producing excess emissions in the process.
So, by insulating pipework or ventilation ductwork, we ensure that this change of temperature is minimised – so that everything works as it’s supposed to, and the system uses energy as efficiently as possible. Saving energy and costs.
2. Preventing the spread of Fire
Most buildings contain far more combustible products than they would’ve done in years gone by. Complemented by modern compartmental design elements of a building, where flames and hot gases can spread easily, it is imperative that Fire and Health & Safety should be high on the agenda of every construction project.
Firestop insulation blocks off these gaps, and helps prevent the quick spread of a fire, limiting the damage fires cause. Firestopping can be lifesaving as it gives occupants more time to respond to fires and reduces the overall Health and Safety risks. Effective Fire Rated insulation can save lives!
3. Minimise noise
Whether you’re looking to reduce noise pollution or simply create a greater sense of privacy in a building, minimising noise should be high on all of our agendas. In 2015, studies showed that 54% of UK citizens experience noise pollution on a daily basis.
This will have a negative impact on productivity in a working environment and can cause ongoing stress and anxiety in residential environments. This in turn can affect property and rental/lease prices.
Acoustic insulation ensures buildings can minimise sound transmission, minimise noise breakout from Plant and drainage systems and help to create a more comfortable, safer, working and living environment.
4. Make ductwork safer
Ductwork is common in large buildings, distributing both hot and cold air through HVAC systems. But as useful as these networks are, they are also a potential fire risk associated with life safety Extract Systems and Kitchen Extracts.
Because of the way they are networked throughout buildings, they can easily become a pathway for fire to spread very quickly – with the ductwork reaching incredible temperatures.
Fire rated ductwork insulation serves as a barrier between ducts, radically slowing the passage, preventing break in or break out of fire and reducing smoke through the network – and potentially saving lives.
Insulation can be added to existing pipework, or built into our modular services
In many cases, Fascel retrofit insulation into existing pipework systems or onto standard pipework installations – enabling them to live up to standards of energy efficiency and increasing the longevity of the building infrastructure.
But, we also fit insulation as part of our Modular Construction Services, meaning we build expertly insulated pipework systems off-site ready for easy installation on-site once the design, fabrication and production is all approved – before it even gets to the site. You can read more about our Modular Services here.
Where Fascel comes in
Our workforce is fully accredited, and we provide market-leading specialist services for everything from thermal insulation to trace heating and leak detection.
If you’d like to learn more about our Thermal Insulation and Fire Protecting Services, contact Simon Jones at simon.jones@fascel.co.uk or call us on 01582 560606. You can also find out a little more here.
