Kingspan Optim-R top of the class in Glasgow

In Glasgow, a Grade B listed primary school has seen three rooms refurbished to offer optimum thermal performance, courtesy of the Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System.

This will help to achieve the most cost-effective solution with the slimmest build-up.

Glasgow City Council has worked with schools in the city, as part of a long-term plan to bring them up to 21st Century standards.

An alternative teaching area, named ‘The Shed’, at Pollokshields Primary School, has been refurbished.

Built in 1878, the enhancements feature a new interactive games area, a quiet room, and a flexible space for activities such as performances and exhibitions.

Here, 85.29 square metres of Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System has been used to achieve outstanding thermal performance.

David Russell, Project Architect at Glasgow City Council, talked about the project.

“The existing space was an external, uninsulated undercroft with a solid concrete floor. To remove the concrete floor and dig down would have been cost prohibitive, so we adopted to build up from the existing floor with the Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System as it is a shallow and cost-effective insulation solution that maintained maximum headroom,” he said.

A damp-proof membrane lined the concrete floor of the annexe and then the Kingspan OPTIM-R boards were laid above this, as it is also a suitable substrate for a tongue and groove floor that results in minimal build up.

To fill the awkward spaces around penetrations, brackets, reveals and where fixtures and fittings need to be installed, the Kingspan OPTIM-R flex strips were supplied in the same thickness as they can be cut with a fine-tooth saw to achieve close-butted joints and continuity of insulation.

David Russell added: “A notable benefit of the system was the speed and ease of installation achieved by the contractor.

“Moreover, as the area to be insulated had been site sized there was negligible waste and only the required material was delivered to site. This assisted the site manager as there was limited space for the storage of materials.”

In addition to the benefits of outstanding thermal performance in a slim build up, the Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System also helped to streamline the build programme.

A panel layout drawing was supplied by Kingspan’s technical team, ready for the council’s approval. This ensured the system could be supplied in accurate sizes, reducing the time spent fitting the insulation.

20-40 mm thick Kingspan OPTIM-R panels are also certified under the demanding BDA Agrément® scheme.

This independent certification is accepted by NHBC and the LABC and can help to fast-track projects through the procedures and approvals processes, further reducing project costs.