>>  Building Insulation - Energy Saving / Cold Insulation
Home
 

Insulation Fundamentals

  • Heat always flows from warmer to colder areas. This movement or transfer of heat occurs by one or any combination of three following methods:
  • Conduction
  • Convection
  • Radiation

An example of all three methods of heat flow occurs in the wall space of buildings. The following graphs demonstrate the effects of adding reflective surface and of filling the air space with an insulation material such as EPS. Clearly, heat transfer by convection, a major component of heat flow, can be almost eliminated by the use of insulation.

 

Requirements For Cold Storage Insulation

The most important characteristics of a suitable insulation material are:

  • Low Thermal Conductivity
  • High water resistance, and
  • Durability at low temperature

Other properties like easy workability, negligible capillary absorption should also be taken into consideration while making a selection.

K-Value

  • The comparison of thermal conductivity can be measured by the 'k' value. The 'k' value, of Thermal Conductivity, specifies the rate of heat transfer in any homogeneous material.
  • If a material has a k value of 1, it means a 1m cube of material will transfer heat at a rate of 1 watt for every degree of temperature difference between opposite faces.
  • The lower this value is, the less heat the material will transfer.

The Effect Of Moisture On Insulating Materials

  • Of all materials used for insulation applications, EPS is one of the most resistant to the adverse effects of moisture.
  • Condensation, which may build up within any insulation material under critical vapor flow conditions, only marginally affects the thermal performance of EPS.
  • Even if condensation develops through imporper use EPS will retain its dimensional stability and superior insulation values.

Comparison Of Insulating Material Performance Wise

(Ref : IS 661-1977)
Rice Husk
Water Vapor Transmission 30 Times compared to EPS
Thermal Conductivity compared to EPS at 22 density Not Equal even at 200 D
Water Absorption 140 Times more

EPS Combines Effectively

  • Exceptionally low thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity of EPS is very low compared to Fiber Glass Wool or Rice Husk and Saw Dust.
  • No deterioration of K-value on ageing.
  • No Shrinkage, Good adhesion to facing.
  • Cost effective, 50% load on power can be reduced by proper design of cold storage.


Density V/S Thermal Conductivity

  • Thermal conductivity of EPS varies with density.
  • One should be very careful while choosing density for insulation material.
  • Its low thermal conductivity commensurate with reasonably lower densities makes EPS an attractive case for both for cold and hot insulation.

Guidelines On EPS Usage

  • Ensure proper density(minimum 18 kg/m3 is recommended for best results).
  • Ensure thickness as per requirement(for roof: 6", for wall: 4", for wall which is exposed to sun:6")
  • Ensure proper installation of EPS.
  • Ensure vapor barrier application properly. It should always be applied on warm side.

 


Styropor Roofy from BASF.
Expandable Polystyrene (EPS)

Our Company is authorized to manufacture Roofy by BASF:

Introduction

     Styropor Roofy is made from expandable Polystyrene(EPS). The cellular material made from Styropor is exceedingly light. About 98% of its volume is occupied by air and this is contained within closed cells. For these reasons the material is a very poor conductor of heat and is thus an excellent insulant for use in building construction.

Benefits

    Styropor Roofy gives a protection against extreme climatic conditions, either too hot or too cold due to its low thermal conductivity value. Also it saves energy while cooling or heating the rooms. Therefore roof insulation is a significant field of application for Styropor Roofy.

Applications

 
  • Clean the roof with brush.
  • Apply primer
    Mix preparation - Bitumen 1 lt. + Diesel / Kerosene 2 ltrs.
    For soaking the concrete slab & making it a perfect surface for laying the Bitumen.
  • Apply Bitumen (Grade 85:25)
    It should be applied at 65 deg .C& to be spread uniformly at 1.5 - 1.75 kg/m2 depending on outside temperature. It works as water vapor barrier & also acts as a binding agent.
  • Start laying Styropor Roofy - Expandable Polystyrene - EPS 50mm thickness with 18 gpl density.
  • Spread Polyethylene (PE) plastic sheet of 200-300 micron. PE plastic sheet acts as a water barrier & has a long life. In the past conventional material like Tar felt (Tart with Bitumen) used to get use whose life used to be only 6 years. Joints of PE sheets to be sealed with BOPP tape ( width - 48mm & thickness - 46 micron).
  • Top it up mudfasca / brickbat coba / coarse sand ( cheapest ) material to give slope to roof, with the 4" thickness from one end to other end with 1.5". The purpose of slope is to drain the water.
  • Tile tracing
    Tipping with cement.
    While matching tile tracing, Khura has to be made.

Precautions

     At the intersection of roof & parapet wall, provide concrete gola. The shape of gola has to be convex.

Sewerage Points

     All the sewerage points, the drainage pipe has to be above roof level ( as 2" EPS sheet + 1.5" - average mudfasca) & all around 9"x9" concreting to be done.

     Type of water trap to be used is 3" sewerage pipe & 3" jali with small holes. In the process we are throttling the opening, to avoid the use of welded net.

Marble Tiling

     Specially designed Styropor Roofy with high density of 24 gpl has more compressive strength to take care of marble load that has to be used.
     After Styropor Roofy layer, on PE sheet, one should place welded wire mesh of 1" x 1" & then fine PCC (1" Bajari) should be laid. Concreting along with Bajari will help to take the load of polishing machine while polishing & prevent it from developing cracks to the marble.