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Polyurethane , or Thermoplastic insulated materials such as Polystyrene . Each has their specific use in the market .”
For the different thermal properties , she suggests contractors request from the manufacturer the U-value to ensure when you are comparing sandwich panels that you are comparing ‘ apples with apples ’. Each insulation offers different properties , some performing for one year while others could be warranted to approximately 20 years , she cautions .
For factors that should be considered when using panels , piping , roofing , refrigerated vehicles and elsewhere : “ The use of sandwich panel insulation is widely used in various applications to assist with making the building envelope more efficient . Typical uses are in controlled environments , which have either the requirements for temperature control , for example , freezer facilities , as well as dust control in data centres or hygiene control in other sectors such as pharmaceutical . Facades and roof insulated panels are also specified in the market as commercial facilities need to perform efficiently .
When it comes to reducing heat , she notes : “ The insulation of choice has an impact on the efficiency of heat control . The U-value and stability of the thermal performance of a sandwich panel play a huge roll in selecting what insulted panel to use .”
In respect of vapour barriers of stainless steel or glass fibre , each with its own properties and costing , and the like , Grove
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recommends one follow the manufacturer ’ s shop drawings for installation guidance as many of the components are used for vapour barriers , while the lifespan of insulation once in service “ all depends on which technology and which manufacturer you align with ”.
“ With thermal monitoring systems , most failures happen at the cut edge of a panel as you are required to infill with foams to fill the gap and that is a human influence which implies it could be installed correctly or not ,” says Grove .
NEW INSULATION PRODUCT SOON TO BE ON MARKET Entrepreneurs Satish Mudaliar and Carl Supra have developed a new form of precast concrete panel which they claim provides a high degree of insulation , because of the 80mm void inside the 100mm concrete panel . It provides insulation not only from heat but sound , says Supra . Their R & D development of the panel commenced with polystyrene and polyurethane , they explain , but they found their current technology beats those options on price .
“ Our product sets new standards because of the 80 % void – and a void costs nothing . To manufacture it requires a steel frame and the concrete is poured around the plastic void . It ’ s suited to mass manufacture which keeps costs down . It is as solid as concrete and easier to transport ,” says Mudaliar .
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It is suited to applications such as internal walls , affordable housing , schools and also has applicability in supermarkets . The product is in the developmental stage with the final test still to be completed .
Supra says polystyrene concrete has been around for some time and is an excellent medium for construction , but extremely cumbersome to work with on site . “ With our mass manufacturing , we can send a structure in a box on the back of a truck – it is that light , but still strong . On site , there is a steel structure that the panels fit into wherever you are in the world , where it can be cemented in .
“ We ’ ve created a panel which has voids in it which displaces 80 % of the concrete but with the same strength . Each side of the panel is 10mm thick , and it is poured in such a way that the concrete flows across and joins up with the other side to make a composite structure . We place a woven polypropylene cloth designed in such a way that it ’ s feathered in order to adhere to the concrete and embeds into the two sides , with additives to make it flexible . This can then be moulded 2.4m high and 600mm wide , for instance . They can be taken to site on a bakkie and placed in the structure by two workers . With ordinary concrete panels , it would require a crane to move them .”
Mudaliar adds : “ Cement is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions on the planet , and this application reduces the concrete volume by 80 %.”
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© Eamonn Ryan / Cold Link Africa
Entrepreneurs Satish Mudaliar and Carl Supra hold their awaiting patent precast concrete panel .
The major focus at the moment for anyone in the HVAC & R sector is how to assist customers to save energy .
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