The exacting thermal specification for NHS Lothian’s new Midlothian Community Hospital in Bonnyrigg includes EcoTherm® polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation roofboard.
Bespoke 140mm thick Pitched-Roof thermal roofboard is providing maximum insulation for minimum thickness for the project’s 3,500m2 pitched roof. EcoTherm® insulation is being laid over rafters and above the waterproof membrane in an inverted warm roof construction. With all the timber - and waterproof layer - on the ‘warm’ side of the insulation, rather than in the cold void above, there is less risk of deterioration of structural components caused by roof-space condensation.
EcoTherm® worked with specialist insulation suppliers Clyde Insulation Supplies, and roof truss manufacturer - and installer of the EcoTherm® insulation - Ochil Timber Products, to provide a durable, thermally efficient insulation solution. Excellent technical support played a key role in securing the order for EcoTherm®, says Ed Anthony of Clyde Insulation Supplies. “EcoTherm®’s technical team supplied thermal calculations for various roof constructions considered during the design process,” he comments. “These assisted in specifying 140mm Pitched-Roof board, offering a thermal resistance (‘R’ value) of 6.087m2K/W, as the best insulation option for the project’s thermal efficiency specification and pitched roof design,” he comments.
EcoTherm® Pitched-Roof insulation board has a lightweight, rigid PIR foam core with aluminium foil to both sides. Rigid PIR foam insulation has extremely low thermal conductivity values and a high compressive strength, exceeding 140kPa at 10% compression. In addition, the stable and inert structure of PIR boards gives them an almost indefinite service life, with no degradation in insulating properties over the complete life cycle of the building – so there is no reduction in the building’s low carbon performance, and no energy is required to make or install expensive or carbon intensive replacements.
EcoTherm®’s PIR boards have zero Ozone Depletion Potential and a Global Warming Potential of 3, well below the target limit of 5. Boards are available in a range of standard thicknesses from 25mm to 200mm, with bespoke options available to suit specific insulation demands, as supplied for the Midlothian Community Hospital project.
Robertson Capital Projects will deliver the new £18m healthcare facility with sister companies Robertson Lothian undertaking the design and build, and Robertson Facilities Management providing a range of management services for the project’s 30 year duration. The new hospital will provide a much needed, high quality, regionally based primary healthcare facility including in-patient accommodation and general medical services in an attractive landscaped environment. Works are scheduled to be complete by autumn 2010.
With production facilities across Europe, and a brand new high-capacity line at its plant in Essex, EcoTherm® supplies its product range in the UK through insulation distributors and builders’ merchants nationwide.
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