RoofSURE to help reduce carbon emissions

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Nov 21, 2008

A review of thermal insulation has revealed that the polyurethane foam used by RoofSURE is a cost effective method of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The RoofSURE system is a spray-applied polyurethane foam treatment for stabilization of roof structures.

It is applied directly to the underside of the slates and tiles, covering the battens, but not the joists, rafters or purlins.

The system can also be used on roofs with underfelt (felt being removed).

The foam conforms to BS476 part 7 to give a class 1 surface flame spread.

The RoofSURE system is only applied by BUFCA accredited installers.

An independent review of the impact of thermal insulation on global warming and the potential of further savings in carbon dioxide emissions was carried out recently.

The results were reported in a document entitled: Thermal Insulation and its Role in Carbon Dioxide Reduction.

This report, written by Caleb Management Services, highlighted three significant findings:.

It was recognised that thermal insulation can play a key role in the cost effective reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in Europe and save up to 350million tonnes per annum by 2010.

Retrofitting of un-insulated or poorly-insulated properties provides by far the biggest contribution to carbon dioxide savings and suggests that the targeting of retrofit programmes to those member states with average carbon dioxide emission rates above 0.5kg/Wh for power generation should be prioritised.

Insulation materials that can be most easily and efficiently retrofitted need to prioritised.

The report also pointed out that insulation materials should be highly efficient in terms of performance at low thickness levels, should have a high strength-to-weight ratio, and should be easy-to-apply, fibre-free and resistant to moisture.

The key requirements listed above admirably describe the properties of spray applied polyurethane (PU) foam.

The two-component liquid system produces a highly-efficient blanket of insulation with a thermal conductivity of 0.02W/mK.

It is particularly easy and cost-effective to apply to a wide variety of substrates and is fibre-free.

Its closed-cell nature renders it very resistant to moisture ingress and grades are available which achieve both Class 1 and Class 0 fire ratings when tested to BS476 Part 7 and Part 6 respectively.

Furthermore it has a very good track record in retrofit applications, both domestic and industrial.

One of the most important aspects of spray-applied polyurethane foam, like that installed by the RoofSURE team, is the fact that it produces a seamless blanket of insulation giving rise to a product without joints.

Any jointed system, including insulation boards, gives rise to a potentially weak point leading to a significant loss of insulation value.

In a report carried out into the life-cycle assessment of insulation materials, it was concluded that "PUR rigid foam can make an important contribution to the protection of the environment, especially through retrofitting of existing buildings".

The RoofSURE system is a spray-applied polyurethane foam treatment for stabilization of roof structures.

It is applied directly to the underside of the slates and tiles, covering the battens, but not the joists, rafters or purlins.

The system can also be used on roofs with underfelt (felt being removed).

The foam conforms to BS476 part 7 to give a class 1 surface flame spread.

The RoofSURE system is only applied by BUFCA accredited installers.

The foam can be installed in one or two fuss-free days, with no disruption or mess to the customer.

Within 30 days of completion RoofSURE will supply a written transferable 30 year manufacturer backed guarantee.