ROCKWOOL UK - Experts & Thought Leaders

To support HVAC and building services professionals in meeting the latest thermal performance guidance, stone wool insulation manufacturer - ROCKWOOL has released its Guide to BS 5422:2023. The new brochure clarifies recent changes to BS 5422, the technical guidance document covering thermal insulation of building services, and is available to download. BS 5422:2023 BS 5422:2023 presents updated specification recommendations for effective thermal insulation of pipework, ductwork, and other building services equipment, covering a range of applications throughout commercial and domestic buildings. Changes to the guidance include the removal of thermal performance for legacy materials, adjustments to the heating tables, and the change from ‘National Class’ reaction to fire to ‘Euroclass’ classifications. thermal performance targets The ROCKWOOL Guide to BS5422:2023 puts these changes into context, with a clear breakdown of what each means The changes presented in BS 5422:2023, effective since 30th June 2023, give designers more stringent thermal performance targets in line with energy efficiency commitments and the route to net zero. The ROCKWOOL Guide to BS5422:2023 puts these changes into context, with a clear breakdown of what each means to the designer, on top of providing application-specific advice and best practices. Features of the guide Specifically, the ROCKWOOL Guide to BS 5422:2023 explores: Changes to BS 5422 – an accessible breakdown of each change presented in the latest edition of BS 5422, and how the transitional arrangements are to be managed. Insulation guidance and best practice – an overview of how effective insulation can simultaneously provide thermal performance, acoustic absorption, and fire resistance in building services applications. Up-to-date thermal tables – putting all the new thermal tables in one place, enabling specifiers to review them in the context of the 2023 changes. Relevant ROCKWOOL solutions – the guide presents a series of relevant ROCKWOOL solutions that support designers in meeting the new standards for common building services applications. While following BS 5422 guidance will not guarantee statutory compliance in every construction scenario, following the latest methodology will support building services professionals in effectively insulating their projects and the new ROCKWOOL guide makes it easier to do so, while remaining mindful of wider specification guidance including Approved Document L. statutory compliance “By adhering to the suggestions presented in the Guide to BS 5422:2023, HVAC and building services professionals will be able to more easily increase the energy efficiency of their building projects and progress toward their net zero goals,” said Will Wigfield, Product Manager at ROCKWOOL. Will Wigfield adds, “Our guide makes the recent changes easier to understand while putting insulation best practices alongside the latest thermal tables to provide a comprehensive handbook to delivering comfortable and compliant buildings.”

An exciting new piece of artwork by artist Lubna Chowdhary showcases the versatility and aesthetic potential of exposed heating and ventilation pipes as a design feature, in an impressive 6.5m by 5.5m sculpture made from ROCKWOOL® RockLap H&V Pipe Sections. The ‘Erratics’ exhibition was commissioned by the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) and features a sculpture made possible by a ROCKWOOL donation of 320 meters of its RockLap H&V Pipe Sections, sized with a 140mm inner diameter and wall thickness of 25mm. Heating and ventilation pipes The artist, Lubna, has previously created many commissioned architectural works and the ROCKWOOL piece, ‘Modular 4’, continues the tradition of her site-specific work, playing with scale, repetition, modularity, and geometry to occupy the expansive gallery space at MIMA. RockLap H&V Pipe Sections are designed to maintain the optimum temperature of pipe services The ROCKWOOL insulation used for the sculpture consists of pre-formed cylindrical sections of stone wool with a layer of factory-applied foil on the outer surface. Traditionally used for heating and ventilation pipes in a range of settings, RockLap H&V Pipe Sections are designed to maintain the optimum temperature of pipe services, thereby reducing energy consumption. Unconventional sculptural material Speaking about her repurposing of ROCKWOOL insulation for Modular 4 and treating it as an unconventional sculptural material, Lubna Chowdhary said “My work continuously investigates the relationship between the industrial and hand-crafted, and the industrial precision and modular system of ROCKWOOL was something I could work directly and immediately with. It was a material that could be easily formed and constructed into more complex shapes with minimal tools and processes.” Commenting on the use of ROCKWOOL RockLap H&V Pipe Sections, Will Wigfield, the HVAC & Fire Product Manager at ROCKWOOL, said “Our HVAC products are often deliberately left exposed in modern commercial, retail, and leisure projects to provide an attractive and interesting focal feature that blurs the line between function and aesthetics. It is fascinating to see how Lubna has taken this one step further and transformed RockLap into such a stunning and imposing piece of art. ROCKWOOL was pleased to be able to donate these materials and see them transformed into something so special.”

ROCKWOOL has unveiled a new HVAC Resource Hub to help designers and engineers select insulation products for HVAC settings. The online area features a wealth of technical literature, CPD learning modules and useful specification calculators helping users balance air quality versus thermal, acoustic and fire performance. HVAC Resource Hub Within the new HVAC Resource Hub, which can be accessed on the company’s official website, specifiers will find a comprehensive suite of tools to help overcome design conflicts, including a HVAC Systems Guide complete with specification clauses and installation guidance. Users can also access the company’s new ROCK-EQ calculator that generates HVAC requirements, according to BS EN ISO 12241 standard certification. CPD learning modules CPD learning modules on the latest standards governing HVAC can also be found in the HVAC Resource hub CPD learning modules on the latest standards governing HVAC can also be found in the HVAC Resource hub on the ROCKWOOL website, along with case studies spanning multiple sectors and building types. “There’s a delicate balance to achieve acoustic, thermal and fire performance, while ensuring excellent indoor air quality,” said Coral Morgan, Product Manager – HVAC & Fire at ROCKWOOL, adding “HVAC systems can often generate unwanted noise in buildings or due to openings that prevent effective compartmentalization, there’s a potential fire risk too.” effective specification of non-combustible insulation Coral Morgan adds, “Visitors to the hub will find a wealth of guidance on how to achieve all design and regulatory requirements, without compromise, through effective specification of non-combustible insulation, and because all the information is under one roof, it’s quick and easy to access too.” ROCKWOOL offers a range of non-combustible stone wool products for HVAC applications, which offer high performance against heat gain, heat loss, noise and fire resistance, into and out of the HVAC system.