Knauf Insulation’s
Earthwool RainScreen Slab has received a second certificate from the British
Board of Agrément (BBA), this time for use behind masonry.
The BBA
certification applies to the use of Earthwool RainScreen Slab as partial fill
thermal insulation on conventional steel-frame walls with a masonry outer leaf.
It is suitable for use on both domestic and non-domestic buildings.
The new
certification comes just two months after Earthwool RainScreen Slab was
certified by the BBA for use in high rise residential applications. This
followed the December 2018 update to approved Document B mandating the use of
non-combustible materials achieving a Euroclass Reaction to Fire Classification
of A1 or A2 s1-d0 in the external walls of certain buildings over 18m in
height. Earthwool RainScreen Slab has the best possible Euroclass Reaction to
Fire classification of A1.
“This latest
certification by the BBA demonstrates that Earthwool RainScreen Slab is a
highly versatile insulation solution,” said Luke Davies, Product Manager – Rock
Mineral Wool at Knauf Insulation. “As well as being non-combustible, Earthwool
RainScreen Slab offers superior thermal performance making it the right choice
for architects, specifiers and contractors.”
“BBA certification
ensures customers specifying or installing Earthwool RainScreen Slab can have
absolute confidence in its quality and performance for buildings of any height
or for any rainscreen application.”
Earthwool RainScreen
Slab has a thermal conductivity of 0.034W/mK. It offers superior robustness and
durability, with a water repellent additive to preserve its integrity while
exposed during construction. It has been wind load tested by the Building Research
Establishment to a maximum design pressure of 3,600Pa or 76m/s – the equivalent
of a category 5 hurricane.
Earthwool RainScreen
Slab is optimised for ease of installation. The improved robustness of the
product makes it easy to manoeuvre in place, and it is designed to adapt to
minor imperfections in the substrate. It is manufactured in the UK at Knauf
Insulation’s Queensferry plant using ECOSE Technology, its patented bio-based
binder. This makes the manufacture of its products 70% less energy-intensive
compared to mineral wool products made using traditional formaldehyde-based
binders.
