Army Sustainability Workshopy y p

PRESENTED  BY  LEBANON  GREEN  BUILDING  COUNCIL(LGBC)

NOVEMBER  12  – 13  – 19 DECEMBER  1  &  8  

Th l I l i d B ildiTh l I l i d B ildiThermal Insulation and Building Thermal Insulation and Building SustainabilitySustainability

Climate Change & Energy

“ li h d i f“ Climate Change and Energy Usage is one of the most significant issues of our time…”

Building Sustainability and

Green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by:Sustainability and 

the Green Building Concept

Efficiently using energy, and other resources therefore reducing energy consumption leading to lower carbon footprint

Protecting occupant health and safety and improving employeeConcept

C bC bEnvironmental Environmental 

Protecting occupant health and safety and improving employee productivity

Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation

Indoor Indoor AirAirQuality,Quality,H lth &H lth &

CarbonCarbonEmissionsEmissions

Friendly ProductsFriendly Products

Health & Health & safetysafety

BuildingS t i bilit

..it is changing the way we design build andSustainabilityEnergy Energy 

EfficiencyEfficiencywe design, build and operate buildings..

INSULATION:   Central  to Energy Efficiecy Buldings consume between 25%‐40% of  total global energy 

Global EnergyBuldings consume between 25% 40% of  total global energy consumption. (OECD Report) Crucial to improve energy efficiency of buildings

Building Energy Cooling and heating account between 40%‐70% of a building’s energy consumption.

Energy reduction  Energy efficient equipment Automation advances Legislation by regulatory authorites. ( Green Building Councils)

Insulation Benefits

One of the easiest and most efficient technologies available today tosignificantly reduce energy costs. Other benefits include personal comfort,sound control, condensationcontrol, fire protection and personnel protection. IT HAS BECOME THE FOCUS, AND IT IS CENTRAL TO THE GREENBUILDING CONCEPT.

Insulation Insulation –– Changing key selction criteriaChanging key selction criteria

Long term Thermal efficiency

Factors that affect 

Cost Vs. value

Long term operating costpeformance

Long term operating cost

Cost to comply with energy reduction initiatives

Environmantally safe products

VOC i t

Fire & Smoke Standards

H lth l t d i h VOC requirements

Global Warming potential (EPA)

Certification requirements ( LEED)

Health related issues such as bacterial growth

Indoor air quality

Insulation  types All insulation materials provide important energy environmental and safety benefitsAll insulation materials provide important energy , environmental and safety  benefits   Insulation products provide more energy saving and pollutant reduction than what it takes to 

manufacture them ! But not all may perform the same over a period of time .  Like ALL building materials insulation is affected long term by the environmental factors Like ALL building materials, insulation is affected long term by the environmental factors. Insulation efficiency will change over time. The size of the change depends on type of insulation

Traditional technologyO C ll fib i l i• Open Cell or fibrous insulation

• Fibreglass • Mineral wool ( Rockwool)

New technologyNew technology• Closed Cell• Crosslinked Polyolefin (flexible)• Elastomeric• Rigid cellular (PU, Phenolic) 

Health, and Health, and Indoor air Indoor air 

Integral elements of the building sustainability include health and safety of occupants as well as concern for the environment

Quality  Quality   Health  and indoor Air quality 

Green Building Councils have set regulations in regard tothe use of materials that may harm employees andoccupants health .

VOCs ( Volatile Organic Compounds) emitted by materialsare regulated with materials being tested to Green Starare regulated with materials being tested to Green StarCertification

Moisture within insulation can promote the growth ofbacteria and microbes that can affect human health. Thesefind their way in the air stream and distributed through theHVAC system. Closed cell materials perform better in thisregard than fibrous materials.

Materials should be tested to ASTM G21 for microbial Materials should be tested to ASTM G21 for microbialactivity.

LEED credit points for VOC, energy reduction and anti‐microbial properties.

Fire and Fire and smoke safetysmoke safety

Building and occupant safety is paramount and a key element in building sustainability. Fire and smoke safety  is enforced through national and smoke safety  smoke safety  international building codes that exist throughout the world.

There are a number of national and international tests for duct and pipe insulation materials Most common areand pipe insulation materials. Most common are 

British Standard BS 476 (UK, Middle East, India, Asia)

ASTM E84 (North America) ASTM E84 (North America) 

AS /NZ 1530.3 ( Australia, New Zealand and Pacific)

EN 13501‐1 ( newly introduced in Europe)( y p )

ISO 5659 ( Smoke density and toxicity)

BS 6853 ( smoke density and toxicity)  All tests assess the spread of flame and/or smoke  density and 

toxicity of insulation material. 

Fire and Fire and smoke safetysmoke safety

Fire and smoke tests vary and cannot be compared to each other.

Fire tests vary in terms of sample size requirements. Majority are smoke safety  smoke safety  laboratory scale tests.

They are however set by government authorities and fire experts and deemed acceptable to assess materials in terms ofand deemed acceptable to assess materials in terms of preventing spread of fire and smoke in that country.

Things you should knowg y• Materials should be tested in the same form as  supplied to 

the market• Thickness of material CAN affect the test result. So the tests 

h ld th t i l i l ti thi k d f d tshould cover the typical insulation thicknesses used for duct and pipe insulation. 

• Most tests require only samples to be submitted by the manufacturer. There is no verification sample supplied ismanufacturer. There is no verification sample supplied is representative of the material sold in the market. A limitation often exploited by sub‐standard materials.

Fire and Fire and smoke safetysmoke safety

THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATION PROVIDES THE MAXIMUM SAFETY FOR BUILDING OWNERS

smoke safety smoke safety 

THIRD PARTYTHIRD PARTY

Third Party certification involves:

• Factory audit by a certified laboratory • Witnessing of the material manufacturedTHIRD PARTY THIRD PARTY 

CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATION • Witnessing of the material manufactured• Samples taken away for testing • Annual review/test and verification 

Some third party certifiers have introduced their own “large scale” fire tests that better simulate fire growth in a building.

F t M t l (FM) i h i ti Th i t ti Factory Mutual (FM) is one such organisation. Their testing regime for duct and pipe insulation involves large scale testing and is considered to be the most severe test.

Materials that meet the criteria are listed online for verification.

Insulation  Insulation  selectionselection

Building Sustainability is concerned about energy efficiency not only based on initial design conditions, but long term performance that will provide continuous energy savings selectionselection

What you should know What you should know 

With a myriad of insulation materials available, how does one select the “right” insulation material to provide both initial and long term energy savings?yy

when deciding on when deciding on insulation materialsinsulation materials

long term energy savings?

Manufacturers state data that are obtained at set laboratory conditions. These conditions often do not represent actual  pconditions experienced in a country

Some important insulation properties vary with temperature d h idit ( i th l d ti it bilit )and humidity ( i.e. thermal conductivity, vapour permeability). 

Are some insulations better than others in this respect?

How much will  thermal  performance change over time AND HOW MUCH WILL THIS AFFECT ENERGY COSTS?

Key performance

Thermal Conductivity (k) defines how good a material insulates (W/mK).performance 

Insulation properties

It is independent of thickness. The lower the k value the better a material insulates

It varies according to mean temperature. ASTM C518 most common test method.(fixed consitions)properties Vapour Permeability is the diffusion of water VAPOUR into

the insulation (gas phase). It varies with Temperature and Relative Humidityp y Even with foil facing, water vapour will penetrate insulation IT IS THE MOST CRITICAL PROPERTY IN LONG TERM

PERFORMACE

Water abrosption is the amount of water(liquid) a material can absorb

Water in any insulation material decreases its thermal conductivity significantly ( up to 10 times)conductivity significantly ( up to 10 times).

Very important in cases where condensation occurs – some materials like closed cell do not allow spread of water.

Vapour PermeabilityWhat is water vapour? What affects vapour What is the affect on insulation ?

Water exists in the atmoshere in two forms:

What is water vapour?

Vapour permeability depends of vapour pressure differential.

permeability?

Vapour permeability is one of the leading causes of condensation and affects thermal conductivity

What is the affect on insulation ?

Liquid Gas

Vapour permeability is concerned about the GAS form

Vapour pressure is dependant on : Temperature

and affects thermal conductivity

The condensation is more critical is system where ambient conditions are severe in terms of highconcerned about the GAS form

of water. Permeability measured by

ASTM E96 in set RH % and temp conditions.

p Relative Humidity

are severe in terms of high temperature and high Relative Humidity(%RH)

temp conditions. Vapour pressure increases

both with Temperature and Relative Humidity (%RH)

PAGE  14

WATER VAPOUR CAN PENETRATE ALL INSULATION MATERIALS INCLUDING FOIL FACED MATERIALS

Water Vapour Permeability & Condensation• Condensation can be the result of wrong thickness selection, but also high vapour permeability of 

insulation used

Condensation mechanismCondensation mechanism The higher ambient temperature and Relative humidity as compared the lower conditions

insulation used

humidity as compared the lower conditions on the inner interface set up as Vapour Pressure differential.

Vapour will permeate through the insulation until it reaches the colder ineer surface of the insulation  

It will CONDENSE at those conditions forming t d t ti th i l tiwater and saturating the insulation.

Vapour permability will seriously affect thermal conductivity. 

h l f d i Thermal performance deteriorates exponentially

A closer look at Vapor Permeability of common insulation materials  

Permeance of common insulation materials 

Insulation Material Permeance (Perms) % of maximum recommended2

Cellular Glass 0.0002 1%Physically X-Linked PE Foam 0 006 29%Physically X Linked PE Foam 0.006 29%PVC Nitrile Rubber 0.03 150%Fibreglass/Foil/Canvas/Coating 0.034 170%

9 micron Aluminium Foil 0.05 250%PVC Nit il R bb 0 06 300%PVC Nitrile Rubber 0.06 300%EPDM Rubber 0.08 400%Chemically X-Linked PE Foam 0.08 400%

Polyurethane Board (bare) 0.4 – 1.6 2000 – 8000%P l (b ) 2 7 10000%Polystyrene (bare) 2.7 > 10000%Polyisocyanurate (bare) 3.5 > 10000%Phenolic Foam (bare) 26 > 10000%Fibreglass (bare) 118 > 10000%1D t b d d t t h i l lit t

17

1Data based on product technical literature.2Maximum 0.02 perms as recommended by ASTM C755 (2003) for chilled air ducting.4Calculated from combined performance of vapour barriers.

Vapour Permeability and  effect of % RH 

Vapour Permeability  & effect  of temperature  

The result  of  vapour permeability on i l tiinsulation 

How long before the insulation is deemed as non performing? This depends on the climatic conditions of the region. The decline is faster in hot and humid climates (higher vapour pressure)

as non performing?

Predicted continuous life for vapour barriers according to AS4426.(100‐300 g/m2 max)

Ambient conditions Dew Point 300g/m2 lifetime water accumulation Ambient conditions Dew Point 300g/m lifetime water accumulation Thermobreak

25mm Elastomeric (PVC Nitrile) rubber

(Brand A) 25mm

23°C, 50% RH 12.0°C 58.5 years 11.1 years 27°C, 70% RH 21.0°C 17.6 years 3.3 years 30.2°C, 83% RH 27.0°C 10.5 years 2.0 years 33°C, 90% RH 31.1°C 7.7 years 1.4 years

What is then the effect on thermal conductivity and thermal performance?thermal performance?

Vapour Permeability  and effect on thermal conductivity   INSULATION THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY CHANGE OVER TIME

DUE TO MOISTURE ACCUMULATION AT SPECIFIED ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS

0 1000

0.1200

0.1400

m/°K

)

0.0600

0.0800

0.1000

Con

duct

ivity

(W/m

0.0200

0.0400

Ther

mal

C

0.00000 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Time After Installation (Years)

Physically X-Linked Polyolefin Foam PVC Nitrile RubberPhysically X Linked Polyolefin Foam PVC Nitrile RubberFG/Foil/Canvas/Coating Fibreglass/9 Micron FoilChemically Crosslinked PE Foam

Implications of change in Thermal Conductivity

Conditions Thermal Conductivity Heat Flow per sqm Assuming 10 000 d t

Assuming 25mm of insulation for duct 30 C , 80% relative humidity

y p q 10,000 sqm duct 

As installed  0.036 W/mK 26 W 260 KW

Year 3 0 056 W/mK 36 W 360 KWYear 3  0.056 W/mK 36 W 360 KWYear 8  0.083 W/mK 46 W 460 KW

Energy consumption changes Year 0 to Year 3 : + 38% increase in  energy costs Year 0 to year 8 : + 80% increase in energy costs

PAGE  24

Implications of change in Thermal ConductivityCh f i i l hi k d iChange of critical thickness to prevent condensation 

As the thermal conductivity changes, the thickness to reduce condensation will also changeExample:Example: Year 0 ( at installation) Pipe insulation K value =0.036 W/mK7C, Ambient 32C, Relative Humidity 75%Thickness to prevent condensation : 25mm 

Year 5 Pipe insulation K value =0 052 W/mKPipe insulation K value =0.052 W/mK7C, Ambient 32C, Relative Humidity 75%Thickness to prevent condensation : 40 mm 

PAGE  25

In addition to increasing cooling costs, the change of k value now means that the thickness is NOT enough to prevent condensation. Material will be condensing on the surface leading to expensive ( $$$$$$$) repair costs.

Implications of Vapor Permeability on thermal performance and sustainabilitythermal performance and sustainability.

Vapour Permability is measured by ASTM E96 at controlled l b di i1 laboratory conditions. 

They bare no relation to the ACTUAL ambient conditions that prevail in a region ( eg high temperature in ME)

1

2 prevail in a region ( eg high temperature in ME)

Thermal conductivity will be affected resulting in severe loss of thermal performance and increasing energy costs. (Ref ASHRAE Study‐

3thermal performance and increasing energy costs. (Ref ASHRAE StudyFar East Conference on Air Conditioning in hot climates)

4 Building sustainability and energy savings are compromised !

PAGE  26

4 Building sustainability and energy savings are compromised !

Thank youPlease contact CEDRO at: Thank you T/F: +961‐1‐981944E: info@cedro‐undp.orgwww.cedro‐undp.orgBeirut, Maarad Street, Building 287B, 1st floor

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