The appliance of lintel PSI-ence

Latest News Tue, Mar 22, 2016 5:05 PM

The appliance of lintel PSI-ence

Catnic has invested heavily in the research and development of thermally modelled details, to provide efficient psi-values for its lintels.

This means that when specifying Catnic’s steel lintels, house builders, architects and building engineers can achieve the best possible SAP ratings and, going forward, the most operationally energy and therefore carbon efficient buildings that comply with Part L1A 2010 of the building regulations.

Richard Price, Technical Director of Catnic, explained: “Energy escapes from a building fabric in three ways: via air leakage through holes and gaps in the building, as heat loss through the fabric of the building components measured as the u-value and as heat loss through thermal bridges measured as y-values and/or psi values.

“Thermal bridges generally occur between different building elements such as junctions between floors and walls, or walls and windows for example.”

Building Regulations call for every new building to be subjected to a SAP calculation to determine its energy efficiency, with the aim of ensuring the design and construction of thermally efficient buildings. The U-values, air leakage and the psi values are all required as part of the SAP calculation. The psi value is used to determine the y-value of the building (which is a percentage of the heat loss over the total area of the building envelope).

While there are standard tests to determine air leakage and a calculation to determine the u-values, there are several options for determining psi values, in order to reach a y-value for the building envelope: a house builder or developer can use the default figures provided, they can use accredited details, or products and systems that have their own thermally modelled details.

BRE IP 1/06 lists the default psi values for cavity wall lintels, covered under accredited construction details that can be used in SAP 2009 calculations. However, by selecting lintels that have been individually thermally modelled, the psi values can be considerably better than those provided by the default values given in BRS IP 1/06.

“Using the improved psi values provided with our thermally modelled lintels in their SAP 2009 calculations makes it easier for the house builder, architect or building engineer to ensure the dwelling emission rate meets the required target emission rate of the building.

The thermally modelled psi values can be entered directly into SAP 2009 with no penalties. This means that, by using Catnic’s thermally modelled lintels, it is easier and more cost effective to design buildings that comply with Part L1A 2010,” said Richard Price.

Featured News

Specification news
New Sales Manager for Vox Ignis

Global voice alarm and emergency audio and alarm systems business Vox Ignis has...

Read More >>

Specification news
UK construction output continues to slide

Construction activity decreased for the fourth consecutive month as rising business...

Read More >>

BUILDING PRODUCT LIBRARY - LATEST BROCHURES

AKW Bathroom Catalogue 2025 Brochure

AKW Bathroom Catalog...
By AKW

Download Now >>

Baths Collection Brochure Brochure

Baths Collection Bro...
By AKW

Download Now >>

Your high performance facade panel. With James Hardie, It’s Possible™ Brochure

Your high performanc...
By James Hardie

Download Now >>

James Hardie brings unique designs to life with beautiful fibre cement products that are built to last. It’s Possible™ Brochure

James Hardie brings...
By James Hardie

Download Now >>

fermacell® The Specification Guide Brochure

fermacell® The Speci...
By James Hardie

Download Now >>

BUILDING PRODUCT DIRECTORY - LATEST PRODUCTS

SOPRALENE FLAM 180 AF
SOPRALENE FLAM 180 AF

Membrane composed of elastomer modified bitumen and a non woven polyester reinforcement.The upper...

Read More >>

FLAGON SR DE PVC
FLAGON SR DE PVC

Membrane composed of flexible PVC and a polyester reinforcement. Available in different RAL...

Read More >>

FLAGON S PVC
FLAGON S PVC

Membrane composed of flexible PVC. Available in different RAL Colours.Used for detailing work. The...

Read More >>

CONSTRUCTION VIDEOS - LATEST VIDEOS

Why our Canopies Last Longer
Why our Canopies Last Longer

https://www.aandslandscape.co.uk/ Find out why A&S Landscape Canopies last longer than alternatives....

Watch Now >>

Enclosed Dining Canopy - Hampton Gardens School
Enclosed Dining Canopy - Hampton Gardens School

A&S Landscape designed and installed a large enclosed, curved roof canopy for Hampton Gardens School...

Watch Now >>

Dining Area Canopy at John Spendluffe Technology College
Dining Area Canopy at John Spendluffe Technology College

We designed and installed a new dining area canopy for John Spendluffe Technology College. This has...

Watch Now >>