Retrofit Standards for External and Cavity Wall Insulation

Robin Byrne

Certification & Inspection Officer, NSAI

Overview

• Background

• S.R. 54:2014

• External Insulation

• Cavity Wall Insulation

Background

• NSAI Agrément Certification• Set up in 1987

• Relates to design and fitness for use of a product/system

• Compliance with Irish Building Regulations

• Confirm durability in Irish conditions

• Installation

Background

• NSAI Agrément Installer Schemes:• Set up where quality of installation plays

large part in end performance of product

• External wall insulation (130 installers)

• Full fill cavity wall insulation (139 installers)

• Added confidence to homeowner for work conducted as product & installer both independently & regularly audited

• Primary certification & preferred guidance for SEAI grant scheme

Background

• NSAI Agrément Installer Schemes:

• Scheme documents outline responsibilities for Cert holder, Installer and NSAI

• Training, documentation, storage, product traceability, site work, photos, homeowner’s manual

• Registration & surveillance audits

S.R. 54:2014

• Technical guidance on:

• Energy efficient retrofit

• Application of retrofit measures

• General building science

• Management of retrofit projects

• Based on the most recent standards and technical guidance

S.R. 54:2014

• Deals with building fabric and services

• Typical existing construction/installation

• Appropriate retrofit measures

• Detailed design issues for each measure

• Detailed installation considerations for each measure

S.R. 54:2014

• Examples of design considerations:

• Disruption to occupants

• Adaptation of roof lines

• Public footpath encroachment

• External services

• Impact resistance

• www.standards.ie

Other Standards

• prEN 16809-1• Specification for bonded and loose-fill

EPS insulation products before installation

• prEN 16809-2• Specification for bonded and loose-fill

EPS insulation products after installation

• Your Standards Your Say www.nsainep.ie

External Insulation

• Potential issues:• Thermal bridging

• Roof line not extended

• Ventilation

• Penetrations not sealed

• Guttering

• Maintenance

• Services: Cables, meter boxes

External Insulation

• Potential issues:• No fire barrier installed

• Use of renders in cold weather

• Use of uncertified materials

• Impact resistance

• Documentation:• Insufficient records/photos

• No product traceability

30/03/2011 NSAI Agrément Certification Schemes

Full Fill Cavity Wall Insulation

• Restrictions:• Building must be at least 3 years old• 40mm minimum existing cavity width• No signs of dampness on inner face of

outer leaf• Fair-faced block work not suitable• Fair-faced brickwork with tool flush

joints• Electric cables must be sheathed

Exposure Zones

• Normal:• Impervious cladding

and rendered walls up to 12m in height

• Fair faced unrenderedbrickwork with tooled flush joints up to 2 storeys in height

• Severe:• Unrendered brickwork

is not suitable

Full Fill Cavity Wall Insulation

• Potential issues:• Wrong drill pattern• Insufficient examination of existing

cavity• Ventilation• Unsuitable construction• Unsuitable location• Existing partial fill

24/06/2009 NSAI Agréme

nt –Product Standa

rds & Retrofit

Further Information: www.nsai.ie

THANK YOU