News
passivehouse+ | Issue 17
GMS launches new Icynene spray foam insulations GMS Insulations Ltd, the Irish distributor for Icynene spray foam insulations, has announced the launch of a range of new Icynene products to the Irish and UK markets. Following on from the “outstanding success” of their 100% open cell, 100% water blown Icynene Classic, the company has now launched Icynene Classic Plus and Icynene Classic Max with thermal conductivities of 0.035 and 0.030. The company said that as with all Icynene open cell products, the latest additions are 100% open cell, 100% water blown with a global warming potential of 1. Icynene haves also launched their closed cell range, Icynene Ultraseal Select, in three versions: spray, pour fill for cavities, and
exterior for external use. These three products boast a thermal conductivity of 0.021. Following on from the recent product launches, Icynene Ultraseal Select was successfully used to insulate the exterior of two large storage tanks at Foynes Port, Limerick. GMS said this product was applied to a depth of 50mm and will provide the required insulation value in addition to standing up to the rigours of the Irish climate. For more information see www.icynene.ie. (Left) Icynene’s Classic Plus insulation, available throughout Ireland via GMS Insulations
Ancon extends its range of insulated balcony connectors Ancon has extended its STC steel-toconcrete balcony connector range with two new high performance products and a standard series of connectors manufactured from stainless steel. Ancon STC connectors anchor an external steel balcony to an internal concrete floor slab while minimising heat loss through thermal bridging at the interface. Two sizes have been added to the STC balcony connector range to provide a higher resistance to both moment and shear forces. Typical applications for these high performance products include large cantilever balconies and situations where column layout or rebar congestion limits the number of connectors that can be installed. STC balcony connection brackets are manufactured in galvanised steel as standard but are now also available in stainless steel, referenced SSTC; ideal for applications where maximum thermal efficiency and corrosion resistance is required. Comprising a two-part assembly, the STC and SSTC systems allow phased installation. One component is cast in to the slab edge with the second component installed only when required, avoiding damage by other trades as construction progresses. Manufactured to order, the depth of the fabricated steel bracket component is variable, allowing brackets to be designed
to avoid conflict with cladding to simplify installation. Serrated slots in Ancon’s CEmarked steel brackets provide quick and easy adjustability on site, without stop butts or levelling shims. Featuring an integral high-tech thermal pad, these Ancon connectors are proven through thermal modelling to help prevent condensation and mould growth in buildings. Meanwhile Anconc’s Teplo-BF low thermal conductivity wall tie has been shortlisted in the ‘Best Innovation in Insulation’ category of the 2016 Build It Awards. The latest addition to the Teplo range,
Teplo-BF, features the same ultra-low conductivity basalt fibre body as the original bar-shaped TeploTie, with specially moulded safety ends which make the new tie easier and safer to use and significantly enhanced mortar bond. As well as providing a thermal conductivity of just 0.7 W/mK, meaning it is disregarded as a thermal bridge in U-value calculations, Teplo-BF offers an 80% increase in bond strength over the original TeploTie, making it particularly suitable for use with lime and other slow-drying mortars. (Above) Ancon’s STC low thermal bridging steel to concrete balcony connector