1. health and fitness

THE VERY FABRIC OF COMFORT,
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Buildings, in particular the energy we consume
through using our buildings, has one of the
biggest environmental impacts on our planet.
They also have a big impact on our lives as we
spend up to 90% of our time indoors – either in
buildings or vehicles – whether that’s at work, at
home, or in our spare time. Yet very few people
think, and really challenge, how the buildings
they spend time in are actually performing.
And what we should expect from our buildings.
Foreword
At Saint-Gobain, our aim to be
the world leader in sustainable
habitat has driven us to create
the Multi-Comfort concept
for buildings. Incorporating
Passive House design, it’s a
way of designing and building
sustainable, healthy and
comfortable home and
working environments.
We rarely consider whether a building really
meets our needs, unless it suddenly isn’t working
for us or it makes us feel uncomfortable. How
many of us have been in a restaurant where it’s
hard to hear our conversation? Or have been
disrupted by the noise of neighbours either at
home, or work? Or have been in a meeting room
at work where the light quality is so poor it’s
hard to work? How many of us have been at our
children’s schools, and have thought how the
rooms echo and the impact this could have on
our children’s learning? It’s when we notice these
sort of things, that we begin to question just how
comfortable our buildings are.
The Multi-Comfort concept, and ‘My Comfort’
starts from the central premise that all buildings
can be designed to:
· P
rovide the highest levels of all-round
comfort for their users;
· Genuinely and positively contribute
to our health and wellbeing;
· Deliver the highest levels of efficiency
for their owners – saving home owners
and bill payers money on energy;
· Achieve the Passivhaus standard
of energy efficiency.
Multi-Comfort – for everyone
This book explains, in detail, what it feels
like to be in a Multi-Comfort building, and
outlines the central design principles behind
the Multi-Comfort building concept.
Peter Hindle MBE
Senior Vice-President & Director
of Sustainable Habitat,
Saint-Gobain
It is intended to inspire and assist owners and
designers of both new buildings and those to be
upgraded by providing the theories and models
that will help us all to achieve improved comfort,
health and wellbeing in the buildings we
design,construct and use on a daily basis.
Further information about this new building
concept, to read in conjunction with this book,
can be found online at: www.multicomfort.co.uk
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Multi-Comfort Buildings – The benefits of Multi-Comfort buildings
Contents
Introducing the Idea of
Multi-Comfort
6
Imagine a building…
8
The Importance of comfort,
health & wellbeing in buildings
24
The benefits of Multi-Comfort buildings
28
Multi-Comfort building criteria
38
Products & sytems:
42
Themal Comfort
45
Audio Comfort
57
Visual Comfort
68
Indoor Air Comfort
74
Issue Number: 1
Issue Date: March 2015
Code: SGSH-MCBC-1501
4
5
Multi-Comfort Buildings – Introducing the idea of Multi-Comfort
Introducing the idea
of Multi-Comfort
When we typically spend 90%
of our time indoors or in vehicles,
it’s fair to say that the buildings
we live, work or play in every
day, can have a significant
impact on our comfort, health
and wellbeing.
Buildings should provide us with a
comfortable, healthy habitat in which to be
successful, efficient and safe as we set about
our daily routines.
Imagine a building that’s not just good for the
environment, but good for you – and for all the
other people who live, work or play in it too.
Imagine a building that combines the highest
level of thermal performance with excellent
acoustics, visual comfort, superb indoor air
quality and outstanding energy efficiency.
WE TYPICALLY SPEND
90% OF OUR TIME
INDOORS OR IN VEHICLES
Imagine a Multi-Comfort building...
6
7
THERMAL
Imagine a building…
…which keeps itself warm using very
little energy
...without the need for radiators in
every room
...saving you money to spend on
what you like
8
9
THERMAL
Imagine a building…
…keeping your ideal indoor
temperature, all year round
...where every wall is warm to touch
...without draughts – even on
the floor
10
11
AUDIO
Imagine a building…
…where you’re protected from the
noise outside
...where you can’t hear neighbours
...where you can make noise without
disturbing others
12
13
AUDIO
Imagine a building…
…where sounds you want to hear
are crystal clear
...where you can hear perfectly,
anywhere in the room
...where you’re not distracted by
background noise
14
15
VISUAL
Imagine a building…
…which is full of natural light
without glare
...where close-up work is easy and
colours are rich
...bringing the outdoors inside,
making you feel good
16
17
INDOOR AIR
Imagine a building…
…with a constant supply
of fresh, clean air
…where rooms never
feel stuffy
…that keeps you feeling
awake and alert all day
18
19
INDOOR AIR
Imagine a building…
…that keeps outdoor
pollution outside
…which actively purifies the air
…that removes harmful
VOC levels
20
21
ECONOMIC
Imagine a building…
…without worry of high energy
bills or running costs
…needing little maintenance
…that doesn’t cost the
earth to build
...nor the environment
22
23
The importance of comfort,
health & wellbeing in buildings
The Multi-Comfort building concept is designed to deliver comfort for
everyone – in any type of building. Reduced energy usage and lower
ongoing operational and maintenance costs mean you can actually
save money, while enjoying all the additional long-term benefits of a
future-proofed, sustainable building that gives you improved comfort,
health and wellbeing - we all deserve Multi-Comfort buildings?
According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), health is a state of complete physical,
mental and social wellbeing – and not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity.
MULTI-COMFORT
BUILDINGS BRING THE
OUTDOORS INSIDE
24
Wellbeing is increasingly being acknowledged as a
valid yardstick in public policy. The UK government
began to collect data on ‘national wellbeing’
in 2011, to complement existing financial and
economic measures of the nation’s progress.
We all value wellbeing
People fundamentally value wellbeing; it is a core
metric in our everyday lives. Wellbeing should,
therefore, play a central role in the design of
buildings. It should also provide a meaningful
and real way of evaluating buildings.
Architects and engineers have increasingly
been focusing on the question of how to
achieve a healthy indoor environment that
contributes to people’s feelings of wellbeing. But
the relationships between people’s wellbeing
and their indoor environments are complex.
As a result, controlling and improving indoor
environmental factors has largely been dealt
with in an individual way, taking factors one at
a time and making recommendations for the
improvement of each.
Taking a holistic approach to the importance
of comfort, health and wellbeing in buildings
is the way forward. By carefully considering all
the different areas of comfort that a building
can (and indeed should) provide, we are able to
improve people’s wellbeing within buildings
– regardless of the types of buildings and the
specific activities taking place inside them.
All-round comfort, at any time
Comfort is a state of physical ease and wellbeing
in a given environment. Within a building,
various conditions are required to enable people
to be comfortable, and to be able to efficiently
and effectively perform the tasks relevant to
that space.
25
Multi-Comfort Buildings – The importance of comfort, health & wellbeing in buildings
THERMAL
AUDIO
VISUAL
INDOOR AIR
ECONOMIC
26
There are five main considerations that affect
people’s perception of comfort inside buildings:
· T hermal comfort: determined by air
temperature, humidity, draughts, etc.
· Audio comfort: determined by parameters such
as noise from outdoors, vibrations, clarity of
hearing, intelligibility of speech, etc.
· Visual comfort: determined by factors such as
view, light quality, luminosity, glare, etc.
· Indoor Air comfort: determined by indoor air
quality parameters such as fresh air supply,
pollutants, odours, etc.
· Economic comfort: determined by the
affordability of constructing, running and
maintaining the building.
The four factors of thermal, audio, visual and
indoor air comfort in buildings are better
understood today than ever before. However, in
combination, these factors become powerful
tools for designing happy, healthy, energyefficient buildings that deliver considerable
economic benefits – as well as all-round positive
wellbeing effects for everyone.
Happy, healthy, energy-efficient buildings
A Multi-Comfort building has temperatures of
relative stability, neither too hot nor too cold, so
we can function comfortably, whatever we’re
doing. Multi-Comfort buildings have the right
type and right amount of light, neither too
much nor too little, for specific tasks – whether
it’s bedtime reading, performing surgery or
completing work. Multi-Comfort buildings have
audio environments that are well balanced to
block out unwanted, harmful noise and enhance
those sounds that we want, and indeed need,
to hear. In Multi-Comfort buildings, indoor air is
kept fresh and clean – while harmful pollutants,
whatever the source, are reduced.
The correct balance of these combined factors
gives us comfort within a building that we are
happy to occupy, where we function efficiently,
are healthy and have a high level of wellbeing.
Saint-Gobain:
Leading the way in
sustainable habitats
As the world’s largest provider
of materials and construction
technologies, Saint-Gobain
creates and delivers innovative,
high-performance solutions
that enhance our habitats and
our daily lives.
Recognised as one of the
world’s top 100 most innovative
companies, Saint-Gobain
has expertise across an
exceptional range of materials
and technologies, from flat
glass and building materials
to high-performance polymers
and abrasives. For the past
350 years, Saint-Gobain has
pioneered the development of
innovative materials that shape
the way we live.
Our goal is to contribute this
rich experience to building
a better, more comfortable,
more sustainable future.
This is what has led us to
develop the Multi-Comfort
concept.
27
Multi-Comfort Buildings – The benefits of Multi-Comfort buildings
The benefits
of Multi-Comfort
buildings
When we typically spend 90%
of our time indoors or in vehicles,
it’s fair to say that buildings can
have a significant impact on our
comfort, health and wellbeing.
Let’s review some of the evidence:
INDOOR AIR
The Environmental Audit Committee
believes that air pollution is nearing a ‘public
health crisis’, causing nearly as many deaths
as smoking. There are an estimated 29,000
deaths annually in the UK from air pollution.
Nitrogen dioxide is known to cause
inflammation of the airways, reduce lung
function and exacerbate asthma. Particulate
matter (tiny invisible specks of mineral dust,
carbon and other chemicals) are linked to
heart and lung diseases, as well as cancer.
Some particulate matter lodges in the lungs,
while the finest particles can enter the
bloodstream, risking damage elsewhere in
the body.
The report says that traffic is responsible for
42% of carbon monoxide, 46% of nitrogen
oxides and 26% of particulate matter
pollution, and that many schools that are
sited near major roads should filter the air
coming in to the buildings. The report also
recommends that new schools, care homes
and hospitals should be built far away
from major roads because of the dangers
of air pollution.
New research tapping into the public’s
energy saving attitudes and behaviours has
been revealed by the Energy Saving Trust in
the first of a series of public opinion trackers
known as the UK Pulse.
In hospitals, avoiding stress generated by
high sound levels and improving sleep
quality helps patients recover faster and
facilitates the work of the staff.
According to the Dementia Services
Development Centre (DSDC) at the University
of Stirling, Well-designed homes, which
are accessible, with good natural light
and good insulation to improve warmth
and reduce noise, can promote health and
wellbeing. Good design can also help with
the management of dementia. People with
dementia are calmer and less likely to get
lost or become distressed in an environment
designed with their needs in mind. This
has been recognised by the Department
of Health, which has made up to £50m
available to NHS trusts and local authorities
to help tailor hospitals and care homes to
the needs of people with dementia.
Source: Dementia: Finding Housing Solutions,
National Housing Federation report.
ECONOMIC
The findings from the Ipsos MORI survey of
over 2,000 UK respondents show nearly half
of householders, 44%, claim to live in homes
with draught problems, 37% in homes with
condensation problems and 28% in homes
with mould. All three issues were even
higher among renters.
Source: Energy Savings Trust, 7th August 2014,
(www.energysavingtrust.org.uk)
Toxic Home Syndrome, which affects around
15.3 million houses in the UK, is where a
person’s health deteriorates because of the
air circulating in their home. Scientists have
warned simple day-today tasks, such as
doing the washing or cooking dinner, could
be putting families at risk of cardiovascular
disease, lung cancer and asthma.
Air circulating indoors, contains more than
900 chemicals, particles and biological
materials with potential health effects.
Coughing, watery eyes, dizziness, sneezing,
feeling tired and suffering headaches can
be common signs of poor indoor air quality.
While more severe symptoms include eye
irritation, rashes, muscle pain, respiratory
problems, asthma, fever or chills, hearing
loss, nose bleeds, wheezing and lung disease.
Air pollution is estimated to be the leading
cause of environmental burden of disease
in Europe.
Source: Daily Mail Online, 21st January 2015
(www.dailymail.co.uk)
Source: Environmental Audit Committee report,
(www.gov.co.uk)
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Multi-Comfort Buildings – The benefits of Multi-Comfort buildings
A study of workers in a Californian call centre
found that having a better view out of a
window was consistently associated with
better overall performance: workers were
found to process calls 7% to 12% faster.
Computer programmers with views spent
15% more time on their primary task, while
equivalent workers without views spent
15% more time talking on the phone or to
one another.
VISUAL
Source: Heschong Mahone Group (2003) Windows
and Offices: a Study of Worker Performance and
the Indoor Environment (Technical Report) for
California Energy Commission, 2003, pp 2-4.
A comprehensive US study in the late 1990’s
suggested a link between the physical office
environment and retention and recruitment
of staff. One of the most significant results
was the importance workers placed on the
‘visual appeal’ of the workplace compared to
many other factors.
Source: American Society of Interior Designers
(1999) Recruiting and Retaining: Qualified
Employees – by design.
A meta-analysis in 2006 of 24 studies
(including 6 office studies) found that poor
air quality (and elevated temperatures)
consistently lowered performance by up to
10%, on measures such as typing speed.
This analysis appeared to demonstrate
that the optimum ventilation rate is
between 20 and 30 litres/second (l/s), with
benefits tailing off from 30 up to 50l/s.
This is significantly higher than minimum
standards required, which are typically
between 8-10l/s (although these vary
considerably by country).
Source: Wargorcki P. (ed.) Seppänen O. (ed.)
Andersson J. Boerstra A. Clements-Croome D.
Fitzner K. Hanssen SO. (2006) REHVA Guidebook:
Indoor Climate and Productivity In Offices.
30
Office workers with more light exposure
at the office have longer sleep duration,
better sleep quality, more physical activity
and better quality of life compared to
office workers with less light exposure in
the workplace, according to a study from
Northwestern Medicine and the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign published in
the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Employees with windows in the workplace
received 173% more white light exposure
during work hours and slept an average
of 46 minutes more per night than
employees who did not have natural light
exposure in the workplace. Workers without
windows reported poorer scores than their
counterparts on quality of life measures
related to physical problems and vitality, as
well as poorer outcomes on measures of
overall sleep quality and sleep disturbances.
There was also a trend for workers in offices
with windows to carry out more physical
activity than those without windows. This
highlights the importance of exposure to
natural light to employee health and the
priority designers of office environments
should place on natural daylight exposure
for workers.
Source: www.technology4change.com,
12th August 2014.
In July 2013, the Zero Carbon Hub (ZCH) and
the NHBC Foundation published a report, the
culmination of work by the Indoor Air Quality
(IAQ) Group, which stressed the point that as
new homes become more airtight, adequate
ventilation is relied upon increasingly to
maintain satisfactory indoor air quality
(IAQ). Building on that work, and following
industry interest, the ZCH have outlined
issues and problems which can arise during
the process of delivering ventilation systems
in new homes. These issues can of course
result in buildings not being adequately
ventilated – leading to poor air quality and
potentially health issues for occupants. Study
ongoing: refer to www.zerocarbonhub.org
THERMAL
Data indicates that around 90% of
hospital wards are of a type that is prone
to overheating, and the ability to control
temperatures is often limited. Awareness of
the Government’s Heatwave Plan amongst
healthcare professionals and uptake of
the actions advised within it should be
independently reviewed.
Health and Wellbeing Boards should consider
how to ensure delivery of the plan in care
homes. The Care Quality Commission should
consider setting standards for maximum
temperatures in hospitals and make sure
staff can control internal temperatures.
Source: Managing climate risks to
well-being and the economy, Adaptation
Sub-Committee, Progress Report 2014.
Seminal research in 2003 identified 15
studies linking improved ventilation with
up to 11% gains in productivity, as a result
of, dedicated delivery of fresh air to the
workstation, and reduced levels of pollutants.
Source: Loftness V. Hartkopf V. and Gurtekin B.
(2003) ‘Linking Energy to Health and Productivity in
the Built Environment: Evaluating the Cost-Benefits
of High Performance Building and Community
Design for Sustainability, Health and Productivity,’ –
USGBC Green Build Conference, 2003.
Research has proven that well-designed
sound environments in offices and schools
favour concentration and facilitate
communication, so having a positive effect
on the interaction and behaviour of people
within such buildings. Learning is more
effective and less tiring when pupils can
comfortably hear and understand.
Exposure to extreme heat is already a health
issue. Currently, one-fifth of homes in England
could experience overheating even in a cool
summer. Flats, which are generally more at
risk of overheating than houses, now make
up 40% of new dwellings compared to 15%
in 1996. Urban greenspace, which helps to
mitigate the urban heat island effect, has
declined by 7% since 2001. In the UK, excess
deaths from high temperatures are projected
to triple to 7,000 per year on average by the
2050’s as a result of climate change and a
growing and ageing population.
Source: Managing climate risks to well-being and
the economy, Adaptation Sub-Committee, Progress
Report 2014.
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Multi-Comfort Buildings – The benefits of Multi-Comfort buildings
In a 2011 lab test which mimicked an office,
a range of office-related tasks were carried
out with the presence of airborne VOCs.
Increasing ventilation from 5l/s to 20l/s
improved performance by up to 8%.
Source: Park JS. and Yoon CH. (2011) The effects
of outdoor air supply rate on work performance
during 8-h work period. Indoor Air 21:4,
pp 284–2905.
A comprehensive study in 2008, conducted
measurements of the physical environment
and occupant satisfaction for 779
workstations in 9 different buildings, and
suggested that lack of access to a window
was the biggest risk factor for dissatisfaction
with lighting.
Source: Newsham GR. Aries M. Mancini S. and Faye
G. (2008) Individual Control of Electric Lighting in a
Daylit Space. Lighting Research and Technology 40,
pp 25-41.
VISUAL
An analysis in 2006 of 24 studies on the
relationship between temperature and
performance indicated a 10% reduction
in performance at both 30°C and 15°C
compared with a baseline between 21°C and
23°C demonstrating the impact thermal
comfort can have on office occupants. A more
recent study in a controlled setting indicated
a reduction in performance of 4% at cooler
temperatures, and a reduction of 6% at
warmer ones.
Source: Wargorcki P. (ed.) Seppänen O. (ed.)
Andersson J. Boerstra A. Clements-Croome D.
Fitzner K. Hanssen SO. (2006) REHVA Guidebook:
Indoor Climate and Productivity In Offices.
Lan L. Wargocki P. Wyon DP. Lian Z. (2011) Effects
of thermal discomfort in an office on perceived air
quality, SBS symptoms, physiological responses, and
human performance. Indoor Air 21:5, pp 376-90.
A study in 1998 found that there was up to a
66% drop in performance for a ‘memory for
prose’ task when participants were exposed
to different types of background noise.
Source: Banbury SP. and Berry DC. (1998)
Disruption of office-related tasks by speech and
office noise. British Journal of Psychology 89:3, pp
499–517
AUDIO
Source: Kaplan R. (1992) The psychological benefits
of nearby nature, pp 125– 133. In Relf D. (ed.) The
role of horticulture in human well-being and social
development, Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.
A study in 2005 found that 99% of people
surveyed reported that their concentration
was impaired by office noise such as
unanswered phones and background speech.
Source: Banbury SP. and Berry DC. (2005) Office
noise and employee concentration: identifying
causes of disruption and potential improvements.
Ergonomics 48:1, pp 25-37.
A study in 2011 investigated the relationship
between view quality, daylighting and sick
leave of employees in administration offices
of Northwest University Campus. Taken
together, the 2 variables explained 6.5%
of the variation in sick leave, which was
statistically significant.
Source: Elzeyadi I. (2011) Daylighting-Bias and
Biophilia: Quantifying the Impact of Daylighting on
Occupant Health, August 2014.
Not only is noise a clear distraction that
hinders office workers carrying out their
work accurately and efficiently, it can also
have a detrimental impact on health and
levels of stress.
Source: Shepherd D. Welch D. Dirks KN. and
McBride D. (2013) Do Quiet Areas Afford Greater
Health-Related Quality of Life than Noisy Areas?
International Journal of Environmental Research
and Public Health 10, pp 1284-1303.
One recent lab-based study using simulated
decision-making tasks showed CO2 having
a significant detrimental impact (11%-23%
worse) at 1,000 parts per million (ppm)
compared to 600ppm, despite 1000ppm
being widely considered acceptable.
Source: Satish U. Mendell MJ. Shekhar K. Hotchi
T. Sullivan D. Streufert S. Fisk WJ. (2012) Is CO2 an
Indoor Pollutant? Direct Effects of Low to Moderate
CO2 Concentrations on Human Decision Making
Performance. Environ Health Perspect 120:12,
pp1671.
32
A seminal study over 20 years ago showed
that workers who had window views of
nature felt less frustrated and more patient,
and reported better health than those who
did not have visual access to the outdoors or
whose view consisted of built elements only.
CO2 levels are one way to measure air quality,
and can occur as a result of poor ventilation.
High CO2 levels have been found to impact
tiredness or decision-making in a number
of studies.
Source: Bakó-Biró Zs. Clements-Croome DJ. Kochhar
N. Awbi HB and Williams MJ. (2012) Ventilation
rates in schools and pupils’ performance. Building
and Environment 48, pp 215-223.
More than a quarter of UK adults have had
a problem with a nuisance neighbour in the
past year, suggests a survey for consumer
organisation Which?
Loud voices and arguing topped the list of
annoyances. Loud music, slamming doors
and noisy pets also featured. Overall, 27%
of the 2,062 UK adults questioned online
by Populus said they had experienced a
problem. Of those who had experienced
a problem, loud voices were cited by 41%,
followed by loud music and TVs (29%).
Source: www.bbc.co.uk, 16 September 2014.
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Multi-Comfort Buildings – The benefits of Multi-Comfort buildings
A cold home is bad for your health and
increases the risks of cardiovascular,
respiratory and rheumatoid diseases as well
as worsening mental health. Cold homes are
a significant contributor to the level of excess
winter deaths in the UK every year. In 200910, there were an estimated 25,400 excess
winter deaths, over 21% are attributable to
the coldest quarter of homes.
Source: The Guardian, 8th August 2014,
www.theguardian.com.
Research led by a team at the University of
Exeter Medical School, found that a failure
by people to ventilate their homes could
lead to more the development of respiratory
problems. The research discovered that
adults living in energy efficient social
housing may have an increased risk of
asthma. Modern efficiency measures are vital
to prevent heat loss and reduce energy use,
yet some people, particularly those living in
fuel poverty, are unlikely to heat a building
enough – or ventilate it sufficiently – to
prevent the presence of damp and mould,
factors that can contribute to asthma.
Source: Environment International.
AUDIO
34
The health and productivity benefits of good
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) are well established.
This can be indicated by low concentrations
of CO2 and pollutants, and high ventilation
rates. It would be unwise to suggest that
the results of individual studies, even
meta-analyses, are automatically
replicable for any organisation. However
a comprehensive body of research can be
drawn on to suggest that productivity
improvements of 8-11% are not uncommon
as a result of better air quality.
Source: World Green Building Council.
Good lighting is crucial for building user
satisfaction. Several studies in the last
decade have estimated productivity gains
as a result of proximity to windows, with
experts now thinking that the views out
are probably the more significant factor,
particularly where the view offers a
connection to nature.
INDOOR AIR
A growing scientific understanding of
biophilic design, and the positive impact
of green space and nature on (particularly)
mental health, has implications for those
involved in healthcare building design, office
design and urban planners alike.
Source: World Green Building Council.
In homes, protection from outside noise
contributes to a sense of security and privacy,
as well as reducing stress. In the 1990s, the
relationship between noise and health was
recognised as a serious cause for concern,
particularly at night in terms of its effects
on our sleep patterns. Significant vibrations,
which are caused mainly by external sources,
can be particularly disturbing. Traffic noise
alone affects the health of nearly one in three
Europeans. Depending on its properties
(loudness, frequency, etc), noise can have
numerous undesirable effects. The obvious
effect on health is hearing loss due to high
sound levels.
But aside from direct damage to hearing,
other consequences of noise exposure have
been identified. These include cardiovascular
disease, high blood pressure, headaches,
hormonal changes, psychosomatic illnesses,
sleep disorders, reduction in physical and
mental performance, stress reactions,
aggression, constant feelings of displeasure
and reduction in general wellbeing.
Epidemiological studies have shown, for
instance, that the risk of heart attack for those
living close to very frequently used streets
is around 20% higher than for residents of
quieter streets, and that the risk of obesity
increases with the proximity of an airport.
Reduced absences may be a key indicator of
the benefits of good indoor air quality for
businesses. Short term sick leave was found
to be 35% lower in offices ventilated by an
outdoor air supply rate of 24 l/s compared
to buildings with rates of 12 l/s in a 2000
study. The same study estimated the value
of increased ventilation to be $400 per
employee per year.
Source: Milton DK. Glencross PM. and Walters MD.
(2000) Risk of Sick Leave Associated with Outdoor
Air Supply Rate, Humidification, and Occupant
Complaints. Indoor Air 10, pp 212-221.
Various studies since then have suggested
similar conclusions, and although from
the healthcare sector, a key report in 2012
estimated the economic benefits to the US of
providing patients with views of nature to be
US$93 million/year.
Source: Browning B. (2012) The Economics of
Biophilia: Why designing with nature in mind
makes sense.
A study by neuroscientists suggested that
office workers with windows received
173% more white light exposure during
work hours, and slept an average of 46
minutes more per night. Workers without
windows reported poorer scores than their
counterparts on quality of life measures
related to physical problems and vitality, as
well as poorer outcomes on measures of
overall sleep quality, sleep efficiency, sleep
disturbances and daytime dysfunction.
Source: Chueng I. (2013) Impact of workplace
daylight exposure on sleep, physical activity,
and quality of life. American Academy of Sleep
Medicine 36.
There were nearly 1m homes in the UK with
damp problems in 2012 according to the
English housing survey. Damp problems were
most common in privately rented homes,
where 9% of private rented houses had
damp, compared with 5% of social housing
properties. Owner-occupied homes were the
least likely to have damp.
Source: The Guardian, 8th August 2014,
www.theguardian.com
35
AUDIO
INDOOR AIR
THERMAL
DPS IMAGE TO GO HERE
VISUAL
ECONOMIC
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37
Multi-Comfort Buildings – The benefits of Multi-Comfort buildings
Multi-Comfort building criteria
In order to design and build Multi-Comfort
buildings, the following criteria should
be met:
Heating & Cooling
Energy Demand
PH
RESIDENTIAL
New-Build
RESIDENTIAL
Renovation
NON-RESIDENTIAL
New-Build
NON-RESIDENTIAL
Renovation
15kWh/m2/p.a
or 10W/m2
25kWh/m2/p.a
15kWh/m2/p.a
or 10W/m2
25kWh/m2/p.a
40-60%
40-70% 11
Limit Value: 10%
Limit Value: 10% 3
Relative Humidity 12
THERMAL
Overheating Prevention 2
PH
Thermal Bridging
PH
Acoustic Sound Insulation
(Design Values)
0.01 W/mK
INDOOR AIR
0.01 W/mK 9
+3-6dB of current acoustic regulation and/or
guidance level for building type 4
N/A in most cases 5
In line with currect reverberation control regulation
and/or guidance level for building type
N/A
In line with currect regulation and/or
guidance level for building type
Speech Clarity/
Intelligibility (c50)
Due consideration to be given to frequency transfer of noise
based on selection of structural materials
Harmonious Resonance
VISUAL
0.01 W/mK
+3dB of current acoustic regulation level
for building type 4
Acoustic Absorption
AUDIO
0.01 W/mK 9
Daylight Autonomy 13
8am - 6pm
DA 60% at 300lux
Optimise existing openings
through glazing spec. 1
BREEAM 16
Optimise existing openings
through glazing spec. 1
0.6 V/h @ 50pa
Limit: <1.0V/h@50pa
Target: <0.6V/h@50pa
Airtightness (n50)
PH
0.6 V/h @ 50pa
Limit: <1.0V/h@50pa
Target: <0.6V/h@50pa
Ventilation 14, 15
PH
30m3/hr/person 8
30m3/hr/person 8
To be agreed with Passivhaus Institute (PHI) based
on a review of planned occupany patterns/ratios 8
Use of EN15616 tested materials or 18
Control of VOC’s
(3 routes to compliance)
Internal materials finishes that remove VOC concentration or 19
Primary Energy Demand
Total VOC Concentration <300µg/m3
+ Formaldehyde levels <100µg/m3 17
Total VOC Concentration <150µg/m3
+ Formaldehyde levels <100µg/m3 17
120kWh/m2/p.a
To be agreed with Passivhaus Institute (PHI) based on a
review of electrical appliances & equipment planned
PH
0.08 - 0.15 W/m2K 6
Fabric U-Values
ECONOMIC
Window U-Value
Installed Value
OPEX vs CAPEX
Analysis
1.1 Uw DGW and 0.8 Uw TGW 7
Provision of design statement used for planning that accounts for potential future building use and adaptability
(Includes: Maintenance costs, standard build cost comparison with Multi-Comfort build cost, ROI based on running costs)
Using Type III EPD Verified (EN15804 Compliant) LCA/EPD Data of all
Fabric and M&E components to inform specification 10
Embodied Energy
Analysis
See over for notes
38
39
Multi-Comfort Buildings – The benefits of Multi-Comfort buildings
Notes on building criteria (previous page):
1To endeavour to try and optimise natural lighting
levels in existing openings with new glazing
solutions, and try to optimise to new build levels.
This is subject to being technically (glazing spec
allows it) functionally (the opening detail allows
this and depth of wall) and economically (financially
affordable as to not jeopardise the viability of the
project going ahead) feasible.
2Internal temperature to be designed to achieve 20°C.
The excess temperature frequency describes the
proportion of hours in the year on which the average
room temperature exceeds 25°C.
3The 10% target over 25°C should be calculated,
but in some cases like non-domestic additional
calculations using UK methodologies are required
for Building Regulations. We would recommend
adaptive cooling in TM 52 the limits of thermal
comfort avoiding overheating in European Buildings.
This takes BS EN 15251 on comfort as the main
design guidance.
4Design value to be between 3-6dB of current
acoustic regulation for the building type subject
to commercial viability and likely on-site
performance level.
5Typically, this criteria is relevant only when the
residential dwelling (new or renovation) is of
significant open-plan layout. When a significant
level of open-plan layout is designed then the
criteria should apply and be in line with current
reverberation control good practice design.
6Fabric U-values to be designed to values between
0.08-0.15W/m2K depending upon building type,
volumetrics and form. A rectangular building will
always require a U-value more towards 0.08, where
as a square building would be 0.15.
71.1 Uw DGW (incorporating Double Glazed Window)
and 0.8 Uw TGW (incorporating Triple Glazed
Window) is offered so that the fabric can be
optimised to other comfort criteria like solar gains,
daylight and acoustics as appropriate - see website
for latest recommendations (www.multicomfort.
co.uk) The window internal surface temperature
is never below 16.4°C. If the client wishes to follow
complete Passivhaus certification then a triple
glazing solution is required.
8MVHR system @ min. 75% efficiency in line with
Passivhaus Institute calculation requirement &
Passivhaus Institute certification.
9In renovation projects, where it is not possible to get
to the prescribed level, you must demonstrate to
the Passivhaus certifier that you have diminished all
thermal bridges economically and practically feasible.
40
10For best practice, a whole life cycle analysis/costing
should be performed to EN 15978. Applies to all
materials that creates the wall / roof composition
and does not include paints, finishings or furniture.
11In buildings with normally high Relative Humidity
(RH) like swimming pools, expert advice should
be sort on details, solutions to prevent moisture
migration into the fabric. In addition the % RH could
be raised maybe adapted to suit but only if the
fabric design and condensation/moisture risk on
the fabric is accessed to EN 15026.
12 RHis relative to a temperature of 20°C.
13Daylight Autonomy (DA) can be used to estimate
artificial lighting requirement if lux same as electric
lighting criteria. i.e 300 lux. – 100% minus DA
output equates to % of annual time in-use where
artificial lighting is required.
14Any PHI approved MVHR should be fitted with F7
grade filter on the inlet and G4 on the extract. Must
be a PHI approved MVHR or 12% penalisation in
PHPP. MVHR systems are <35dBA in the installation/
plant room, <25dBA in living areas and <30dBA in
functional areas (kitchens etc).
15Inlet and outlets of MVHR should be positioned on
the same orientated façade/roof.
16BREEAM UK New Construction - Non-Domestic
Buildings 2014 credit Hea 1, Table 11 details average
daylight illuminance.
17The TVOC should be tested in the building. TVOC
should represent the total concentration of VOCs in
an air sample as closely as possible. Formaldehyde
concentration level is measured post construction
(but pre-occupancy) and is found to be less than or
equal to 100µg/m3 averaged over 30 minutes (WHO
guidelines, source BRE Digest 464 part 2).
For residential the total volatile organic compound
(TVOC) concentration is measured post construction
(but pre-occupancy) around 28 days and found to
be less than 300µg/m3 over 8 hours, in line with
the Building Regulation requirements. For
non-residential the Total Volatile Organic
Compound (TVOC) concentration is measured post
construction (but pre-occupancy) around 28 days
and found to be less than 150µg/m3 over 8 hours.
18Using materials that are EN 16516 tested to
meeting the same level as Eurofins Gold standard
or are Eurofins Gold certified tested products,
and/or using products that remove VOC
concentration for internal finishes. Applies to all
materials that creates the wall / roof composition
and does not include paints, finishings or furniture.
19Internal materials finishes that remove VOC
concentration must have certified laboratory testing
to prove materials performance, and encapsulates
all other materials.
The Passive House Standard & the
Multi-Comfort building concept
The Passive House (or Passivhaus) standard
represents today’s highest energy standard
for buildings. It was developed from the belief
that the most inexpensive and environmentally
friendly energy is that which is not consumed
in the first place.
The Saint-Gobain Multi-Comfort concept builds
on the Passive House principles of delivering
the highest thermal comfort and reducing CO2
emissions by also combining excellent audio and
visual comfort with superb internal air quality,
fire protection and safety.
Criteria from the Multi-Comfort concept that
is in line with the Passive House standard is
denoted in the previous table by PH .
Multi-Comfort
building accreditation
Having independent verification
of the performance of your
building is a key part of
demonstrating your building’s
performance and a good way to
demonstrate the value it offers
current and future users. Whilst
having your building assessed
and accredited for Passive
House compliance, you can
have your building accredited as
a Multi-Comfort building with
the aid of Saint-Gobain.
Visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
for more details.
41
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems
Multi-Comfort building design:
products & systems
Construction and renovation
product solutions manufacturers
The right use of materials is dependent on the characteristics
required of each material, and the role each plays within the overall
design strategy for the building.
The final specification should not only optimise
energy consumption but primarily provide for
user comfort. So it is important to understand
the basic principles of the various phenomena
in question, and how the characteristics of the
specified materials will influence the building’s
performance in all its complexity and seasonal
variations. However, when it comes to choosing
a solution for a given design, experience is key.
This is where Saint-Gobain’s expertise in building
science can make a material difference.
42
In the UK and Ireland, some of the best known
and respected companies in the construction
sector are part of Saint-Gobain. Together they
offer a range of high performance comfortenhancing and energy-saving products and
solutions to help create a more sustainable
built environment:
43
Construction and renovation
materials distributors
Thermal Comfort
Saint Gobain offers a wide range of products and solutions for
building envelopes. The following have a direct effect on thermal
efficiency and comfort:
· G
lass in windows and façades can either let
sun radiation enter the building or block it,
depending on the season;
· I nsulation materials, such as mineral wools, will
help reduce heat losses or gains;
· A
ir-tightness membranes will allow limiting
unwanted air infiltration and vapour control
membranes will allow internal humidity to exit
the building, while preventing the humidity
from outside from entering, preserving the
insulation;
· R
enders will help reduce the humidity transfer
from the outside and improve insulation;
· P
lasters and plasterboards will bring
thermal inertia to the envelope and
improve thermal comfort.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions,
please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
44
45
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Thermal
Celotex
FR5000
Celotex
RS5000
Celotex
GD5000
Premium performance PIR insulation Premium performance PIR insulation
suitable for use in floors, walls
specifically for use in partial-fill
and roofs.
cavity wall applications.
Premium performance PIR
insulation specifically for use in
rainscreen cladding applications.
Premium performance PIR
insulation bonded to 9.5mm
plasterboard specifically for use
in dry-lining applications.
Celotex FR5000 is a premium performance PIR solution.
With a super low lambda of 0.021W/mK and Class O
fire performance throughout the entire product, FR5000
provides an ideal option for better U-values and thinner
solutions in pitched roof, wall and floor applications.
A premium performance PIR solution for rain screen
cladding applications. Celotex RS5000 meets the criteria
set out in BR 135 and therefore is acceptable for use in
buildings above 18m in height.
A premium performance PIR board bonded to 9,5mm
plasterboard. Designed specifically for internal dry
lining applications. Celotex GD5000 can be used as a
wall insulation solution to provide a second layer of
insulation in timber frame constructions or under rafters
and joists.
· L ow lambda solution delivering lower U-values
and thinner solutions.
· M
ulti-purpose solution suitable for use in floors,
wall and roofs.
Celotex
CG5000
Celotex CG5000 is a premium performance PIR solution.
With a super low lambda of 0.021W/mK and Class O fire
performance throughout the entire product, CG5000
provides an ideal option for better U-values and thinner
solutions in cavity wall applications.
· Low lambda solution delivering lower U-values
and thinner solutions.
RS5000 features a super low lambda of 0.021W/mK
and achieves an A+ rating when compared to the
BRE Green Guide.
· L ow lambda solution delivering lower U-values
and thinner solutions.
· In applications featuring a cavity air space,
Celotex IQ facers can help deliver enhanced
thermal performance.
· L ow lambda solution delivering lower U-values
and thinner solutions.
·T
ested to BS 476 Parts 6 & 7 delivering Class O fire
performance throughout the entire product.
· BBA certified under Certificate number 94/3080.
· S uitable for use in warm steel frame
constructions or can be fixed directly to masonry
for overcladding.
FEATURES
FEATURES
FEATURES
FEATURES
· Lambda value of 0.021 · Class O fire performance
· Celotex IQ super low emissivity facers · An A+ rating
when compared to the BRE Green Guide 2008
· Product thickness range from 50mm to 150mm.
· Lambda value of 0.021 · Class O fire performance
· Celotex IQ super low emissivity facers · An A+ rating
when compared to the BRE Green Guide 2008
· Product thickness range from 50mm to 100mm.
· Lambda value of 0.021 · Meets the criteria of BR
135 · Class O fire performance throughout the entire
product · An A+ rating when compared to the BRE
Green Guide 2008 · Product thickness range from
50mm to 150mm.
· Lambda value of 0.021 · Achieves Euroclass B
and Class O fire performance · An A+ rating when
compared to the BRE Green Guide 2008 · Wide range
of insulation thicknesses from 25 to 60mm
· BBA certified under certificate no 12/4926.
· I n applications featuring a cavity air space,
Celotex IQ facers can help deliver enhanced
thermal performance.
· B
road range of product thicknesses to meet and
exceed Building Regulation U-value targets.
·T
ested to BS 476 Parts 6 & 7 delivering Class O fire
performance throughout the entire product.
46
· Broad range of product thicknesses to meet and
exceed Building Regulation U-value targets.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
· D
esigned for rainscreen cladding applications
and acceptable for use in buildings above
18 metres in height.
· B
road range of product thicknesses to meet and
exceed Building Regulation U-value targets.
· S uitable for use in multiple dry-lining applications.
· A
vailable and accredited for a wide range of
installation techniques providing speed and flexibility
to the installer, offering time and
cost savings.
· C
ertified for use under BBA certificate 12/4926.
· A
chieves a fire performance of Euroclass B-s1,
d0 in accordance with BS EN 13501-1.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
47
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Thermal
Isover
Isover CWS 32
Isover
Isover Timber Frame Batt 32
Isover
Isover Frame Façade Slab
Isover
Isover Optima System
Provides excellent thermal
performance in external masonry
cavity walls to meet and exceed
UK thermal building regulations.
Provides excellent thermal
performance in external timber
frame walls to meet and exceed UK
thermal building regulations.
A low lambda rigid glass mineral
wool slab providing a continuous
layer of insulation around timber
frame constructions.
A dry-lining system that significantly
improves thermal and acoustic
insulation and enhances air-tightness
of solid or hard to treat walls.
A glass mineral wool batt supplied in 50-150mm
thicknesses. The strong, resilient and flexible batts are
455mm wide to fit between standard wall tie spacing.
A high density glass mineral wool slab supplied in 50140mm thicknesses. The strong, resilient and flexible
batts are 455mm wide to fit between standard wall
tie spacing.
A low lambda rigid glass mineral wool slab providing
a continuous layer of insulation around timber frame
constructions.
Isover Optima is a dry-lining system that significantly
improves thermal and acoustic insulation and enhances
air-tightness of solid or hard to treat walls.
It has excellent thermal performance with a thermal
conductivity of 0.031 W/mK and provides a continuous
layer of insulation around the frame, reducing cold
bridging and allowing very low U-values to be achieved.
The BBA Certified system is a high performance solution
for insulating new and older buildings from the inside
– making retrofit more achievable due to the flexibility
and ease of installation. It is the only “through the wall”
IWI system that provides protection from moisture for
the complete substrate.
It provides excellent thermal performance in external
masonry cavity walls to meet and exceed UK thermal
building regulations.
·T
hermal conductivity of 0.032 W/mK. Provides
excellent thermal performance, reducing heat
loss within the building envelope.
· M
anufactured from up to 86% recycled
postconsumer glass that would otherwise
go to landfill.
· Isover glass mineral wool insulation has an
A1 Euroclass fire rating – the best attainable.
· Zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and
Global Warming Potential of less than 5.
· Suitable for use in Multi-Comfort buildings.
It provides excellent thermal performance in external
timber frame walls to meet and exceed UK thermal
building regulations.
·T
hermal conductivity of 0.032 W/mK. Provides
excellent thermal performance, reducing heat
loss within the building envelope.
· C
ontinuous layer of insulation reduces cold bridging
through the frame enabling U-values down to zero
carbon levels.
· Isover glass mineral wool insulation has an
A1 Euroclass fire rating – the best attainable.
·T
ongue and groove vertical joints to aid installation
and minimise air gaps.
· Manufactured from up to 86% recycled
postconsumer glass that would otherwise
go to landfill.
· Push fits between 600mm timber stud centres
with no need for additional fixings. Two batts
end-to-end typically fit standard storey height.
· Suitable for use in Multi-Comfort buildings.
·W
eatherproof breathable facing protects the
construction and negates the need for an additional
breather membrane.
· F ull range of accessories available including wall-ties,
spacers and sealing tape.
· S uitable for use in Multi-Comfort buildings.
· M
eets requirements of Part L Thermal Building
Regulations 2010 (England & Wales) and
Section 6 (Scotland).
·T
he only ‘through the wall’ IWI system - protection
from moisture for the complete substrate.
· S upports ‘snap’ into place for quick installation
to the finishing board, removing the need for
additional work and saving time.
· S upports are formed from a fibre reinforced
polyamide reducing thermal bridging via the support
structure to a minimum.
· S uitable for use in Multi-Comfort buildings.
48
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
49
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Thermal
Isover
Isover Vario System
Isover
Isover Climaver
Weber
Leca® Insufill
Weber
weber.therm XP
A high performance membrane
unique in providing excellent levels
of airtightness with unparalleled
protection against moisture.
Pre-insulated ductwork system that
offers excellent thermal and acoustic
performance in a fire safe system.
A lightweight expanded clay
aggregate insulation fill material.
A unique external wall insulation
system, using specially designed
one-coat mineral render.
An innovative membrane system designed to manage
moisture within frame and lining systems whilst
maintaining or enhancing air-tightness.
A high density glass mineral wool board, faced on
both sides. This system offers excellent thermal and
acoustic performance in a fire safe system and is a
more economical and efficient all in one alternative to
conventional ‘sheet metal and insulation’ ductwork.
A lightweight insulation that cuts foundation time by
hours. It is available in 50 litre bags, making insulated
foundations which comply with Part L of Building
Regulations, a simple, one man process.
Versatility, speed and simplicity are the characteristics
of weber.therm XP, the one-coat mineral render system
using glass fibre mesh reinforcement is suitable for
machine or hand application.
What is really clever about Leca® Insufill in bags is that
it is stored in the bag, collected and transported in the
bag, laid in the site in the bag and covered in concrete
still in the bag.
Unlike traditional multicoat systems, Weber’s expertise
in mineral renders has resulted in a breakthrough
concept – a one-coat, through-coloured mineral
render which can be applied directly to all major
insulation types.
It has a suite of components designed to protect
against moisture associated issues and provide
superior performance.
· Improves the energy efficiency of the building by
reducing heat loss through the building envelope
to a tenth of that of a conventional house.
· Improves thermal comfort by protecting against
leaky cracks and joints which invariably cause
uncomfortable drafts.
· Protects structural elements and ensures insulation
works to optimum levels.
· Ideal for use in internal wall insulation systems
(Isover Optima), timber frame constructions, low
energy constructions and buildings with mechanical
ventilation and heat recovery systems.
50
It is suitable for use in commercial projects including
schools, hospitals, office blocks etc.
· Meets UK thermal building regulations and offers
massive energy savings.
· Reduced noise transmission and possibly negate need
for attenuators. Suitable for all acoustic applications
and plenum boxes.
· Up to 4 1/2 times lighter compared to sheet
metal solutions.
· Fast assembly and installation, less wastage
installation process.
· Suitable for use in Multi-Comfort buildings.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
·T
hermal insulation that complies with recommended
U-value requirements of the Part L Building
Regulations.
· F or deeper foundations Leca® Insufill can be blown
directly from a vehicle into the void from a distance of
50 metres.
· M
inimal labour required, saving time and expense.
· D
epths of up to 3m achieved.
· C
hemically neutral and does not contain any
environmentally harmful constituents. It is safe to
handle and does not need any special protective
clothing or special requirements for disposal.
· P
rovides efficient thermal insulation for new build
projects and refurbishment of existing low or high rise
buildings including non-traditional housing.
· I nnovative, durable and low maintenance.
· M
achine application dramatically reduces application
and scaffold time over traditional multi-coat systems.
· C
an meet the most stringent U-value requirements.
· B
BA approved certificate no. 09/4670.
FEATURES
FEATURES
· S upplied in 50 litre (15 kg) bags making it easy to
use and transport.
· N
atural appearance in a range of attractive colours
and finishes including scraped, dry dash, render brick
(weber.rend RB) and light ashlar detailing.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
51
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Thermal
Weber
weber.therm XM
Weber
weber.therm XB
British Gypsum
Gyproc Soundcoat Plus
British Gypsum
Gyproc ThermaLine pir
Lightweight external wall insulation
system incorporating thin-coat
polymer render and meshcloth
reinforcement.
External wall insulation system
featuring a real brick slip finish.
A gypsum-based parge coat used on
masonry walls to improve thermal
and acoustic performance.
A high performing insulating
plasterboard.
A lightweight, thin-coat, polymer render system using
glass fibre mesh reinforcement, suitable for hand
application.
A system using authentic brick-slips which are attached
directly to insulation and fixed using a high performance
polymer mortar.
The first coat of render is 3mm and once cured a further
3mm of render can be applied and finished with a top
coat with scraped texture or with dry dash aggregate.
Alternatively primer and a simple synthetic finish can
be applied directly on to the cured base coat in a large
selection of colours.
The mortar joints are then recreated using
weber.rend BPM pointing mortar. Special ‘pistol’ returns
on corners provide the realistic brickwork effect.
A gypsum-based parge coat used to improve the
thermal and acoustic performance of masonry walls by
minimising air leakage through cracks, unfilled joints or
block porosity.
Highly efficient PIR foam and 12.5mm Gyproc
plasterboard are a winning combination. The closed
cell PIR foam is rigid and lasts the building life with no
shrinkage or degrading.
· Provides an attractive, weather-proof and
generally maintenance-free new exterior with
efficient thermal protection.
· Simplifies wall construction within the
new build sector and eases the decoration
and re-modelling of existing, tired facades.
· Suitable for low or high rise housing and
for all major insulation types.
· Class 0 fire performance (low risk).
· O
ffers thermal performance on aircrete blocks,
lightweight, medium, and dense aggregate blocks.
· Provides efficient thermal insulation for
refurbishment and new build projects.
Because it provides more thermal performance at
lower thicknesses than standard laminates it also saves
room space, or can be used to provide higher thermal
standards at the same thickness.
· I deal for use with 4 BBA approved systems –
DriLyner tl, DriLyner rf, both systems allowing
direct bonding to a masonry wall and
GypLyner iwl or GypLyner universal, using
Gypframe metal framing either attached or
independent of the external wall.
· British Standard brick dimensions, designated
frost resistant.
· Suitable for, and effective on most buildings –
including lightweight steel frame structures
and in-fill panels.
· Eliminates interstitial condensation by creating
a ‘warm wall’ construction.
· C
overed by the SpecSure® warranty with
guaranteed lifetime performance.
· Hard durable surface reduces problems arising
from impact damage and graffiti.
· B
acked with pale yellow Polyisocyanurate
foam with a 2 x vapour control barrier.
· M
oisture resistant version available.
· BBA approved certificate no. 91/2691.
FEATURES
FEATURES
FEATURES
FEATURES
· Comprehensive range of colours and finishes
including scraped, dry dash, brick-effect or synthetic.
· weber.therm XB is available in a range of traditional
brick colours.
· Lower heating costs · Reduces CO2 emissions
· Increases occupant comfort.
· Complies with EN 13950 · Thermal Conductivity:
Gyproc WallBoard 0.19W/mK · Thermal Conductivity:
Polyisocyanurate foam 0.022W/mK
· Ideal for improving the thermal performance of new
and existing homes, including rooms in the roof and
garage conversions.
52
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
53
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Thermal
Saint-Gobain Glass
SGG COOL-LITE® SKN
Saint-Gobain Glass
SGG PLANITHERM® ONE T
Saint-Gobain Glass
SGG PLANITHERM TOTAL+
SageGlass
SageGlass®
A high performance solar control
product range that features
excellent levels of neutrality,
light transmittance and g-factor.
Offers superior thermal insulation
properties for the most demanding
of glass specifications, where
neutrality and excellent performance
are paramount.
A high performance low-E glass
and is one of the most energy
efficient window glass products
available today.
An electronically tintable glass for
windows, skylights and curtain
walling allowing complete control
of solar heat gain and glare.
The range is designed for the commercial market
where a high light transmittance and low solar heat
gain is required. The high light transmission reduces
the need of artificial light and the low g-value
significantly reduces the dependency on heating
and air conditioning.
With an optimum centre-pane U-value of 1.0W/m2K
(16mm 90% argon-filled cavity) it can comfortably
meet current Building Regulations by improving whole
window U-values for all frame types. It is particularly
suited to residential new build and light commercial
new build and renovation applications using steel and
aluminium frames.
A high performance low-E glass developed in the UK,
specifically for the particular needs of the UK market.
It has been optimised for even better Window Energy
Ratings (WERs) and as such is one of the most energy
efficient window glass products available today.
The next step in glass technology and gives designers
the ability to use a dynamic response to the constantly
changing climate in the built environment.
SGG COOL-LITE SKN products not
only improve well-being
by creating a more pleasant working environment, they
also reduce energy consumption and help to create a
more sustainable building design.
· High light transmissions of up to 70%.
· Low g-values down to 0.23.
· Excellent U-values from 1.0W/m2K.
· High degrees of neutrality.
· C
an help reduce the costly requirement of air
conditioning.
It can also offer considerable reductions in heating
over standard glass and is an environmentally friendly
solution - given the lower CO2 emissions associated with
reduced energy consumption.
· H
elps to eliminate cold areas around windows
resulting in greater comfort.
· R
educes incidence of condensation on the
inner pane.
This new coating combines much improved processing
qualities and performance, whilst maintaining
excellent aesthetics.
· E nhanced Thermal Insulation
· N
eutral Appearance
· E xceptional Clarity
· C
ombine with sgg STADIP SILENCE, sgg COOL-LITE and
sgg BIOCLEAN for additional security, solar control
and low maintenance benefits.
· N
eutral appearance in both transmission
and reflection.
SageGlass is a beautiful and cost-effective way to
control sunlight without brise soliel or blinds,
occupants control glare and heat gain while
maintaining a connection to the outdoors. SageGlass
also allows passive heat gain and optimisation of
daylight producing savings of up to 23% on annual
building energy.
· L ight transmission range : 61% to >1%.
· S olar factor g range : 0.41 to 0.06.
· U
value low as 0.6 W/m2.K.
· Reduces CO2 emission by 19%.
· A
nnual energy use savings of up to 23%.
· Maximises entry of natural daylight.
FEATURES
FEATURES
· Meets the durability requirements of class C
of European standards EN 1096-1 and -2
· Light and solar performance according to EN 410.
· Meets the durability requirements of class C
of European standards EN 1096 and are CE marked
· Light and solar performance according to EN 410.
54
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
FEATURES
FEATURES
· Meets the durability requirements of class C of
European standards EN 1096 and is marked.
· Light and solar performance according to EN 410
· Centre-pane U-values have been rounded in
accordance with EN 673 · For Window Energy Ratings
simulators should calculate whole window U-values
from first principals using normal surface emissivity
(ε = 0.05)
·
·
·
·
Tints on demand manually or automatically
Control options include iOS and smart app
Fits into all types of framing system
Various colour options available.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
55
Jewson/Graham/Gibbs & Dandy
Nest Learning Thermostat™
A Thermostat and Programmer
in one that learns the thermal
efficiency of the home and then
optimises based on the occupancy
and conditions its senses.
Audio Comfort
Nest reinvents unloved but important home products,
like the thermostat and smoke and CO alarm.
The company focuses on delighting customers with
simple, beautiful and thoughtful hardware, software
and services.
The Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Energy Services
offerings address home energy consumption, without
sacrificing home comfort.
· A single control - its a thermostat and programmer in
one, so you can mange your comfort from
one place.
· Auto Schedule - just turn it up and down. It learns the
temperatures you like and programs itself.
· Auto Away - it senses when you leave and
automatically turns itself down. So you won’t waste
energy or money heating an empty home.
·T
rue Radiant - It turns the heat on just in time to
reach the temperature you want when you want.
Audio comfort in a building is dependent on the acoustic
characteristics of the building fabric, as regards acoustic transmission
and absorption. Saint-Gobain offers several product categories that
have a direct impact on acoustic comfort:
· M
aterials that provide sound insulation by
having low acoustic transmission, such as glass
in windows and facades, and mineral wools, will
help protect building occupants from outside
noise. It is to be noted that the transmission
characteristics of a material is dependent on
the frequency of the sound being transmitted.
· A
bsorbing materials, such as special
plasterboards, or mineral wools, will help
reduce airborne and impact noises inside the
building, which will also be influenced by the
choice of wall or floor covering.
· R
emote Control - change the temperature from
anywhere using your mobile, tablet or laptop.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions,
please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
56
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
57
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Audio
Isover
Acoustic Partition Roll
(APR1200)
Isover
RD Party Wall Roll
Ecophon
Akusto Wall
Ecophon
Focus
Designed for use in E-WM-17,
E-WM-20 and E-WM-24
Provides high levels of acoustic
insulation in walls and floors to meet Robust Detail separating
wall constructions.
acoustic requirements in domestic
and non-residential applications.
Designed to complement acoustic
ceilings, Ecophon Akusto Wall panels
provide additional absorption in a
range of colours and surfaces.
A range of design opportunities
through different edge solutions,
size, colours, and installation
options.
A glass mineral wool roll supplied in 600mm and
400mm widths to fit between standard stud and joist
spacings. It provides high levels of acoustic insulation
in walls and floors to meet acoustic requirements in
domestic and non-residential applications.
A glass mineral wool roll supplied in a 75mm, 100mm,
125mm and 150mm thickness. The strong, resilient and
flexible rolls are ready-cut to 2x455mm to fit between
standard wall tie spacing.
A complement to acoustic ceilings, Ecophon Akusto
panels solve acoustic challenges whilst also providing
opportunities to follow current trends in design and
installation. An array of colours and different
textured finishes ensure that Akusto is suitable for
a range of applications.
Ecophon’s most comprehensive system family, Focus will
always offer a range of design opportunities in a range
of different edge designs, colours, forms, levels changes
and installation options. This flexibility allows it to be
used in most application areas, including commercial
and office environments.
Akusto Wall with Texona, Akutex FT and Super G
surfaces are available in size 2700 x 600 x 40mm,
and are manufactured from a fully recyclable high
performance glasswool.
Ecophon Focus includes concealed, semi-concealed
and linear designs alongside traditional exposed grid
solutions. The tiles are high density glass wool
utilising 3RD Technology. The surface is a reinforced
sandwich construction, and the visible surface has
an Akutex™ FT coating.
· Covered by the SpecSure® Warranty with
guaranteed lifetime performance when used
as a part of British Gypsum drywall and
acoustic floor systems.
· Manufactured from up to 86% recycled
postconsumer glass that would otherwise
go to landfill.
· Isover glass mineral wool insulation has an
A1 Euroclass fire rating – the best attainable.
· Zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and Global
Warming Potential of less than 5.
· Suitable for use in Multi-Comfort House buildings.
It is designed for use in E-WM-17, E-WM-20 and E-WM24 Robust Detail separating wall constructions to exceed
acoustic performance requirements set out in Building
Regulations Approved Document E (England and Wales).
· Meets the full requirement to deliver zeronU-value
for party walls as defined in Building Regulations
(Approved Document L1A, Table 3).
· Proprietary component of three Robust Detail
constructions (E-WM-17, E-WM-20 and E-WM-24)
and conforms to the generic full-fill mineral wool
specification.
· Removes the requirement for pre-completion testing
and parge coats prior to drylining.
· Manufactured from up to 86% recycled postconsumer glass that would otherwise go to landfill.
· Suitable for use in Multi-Comfort House buildings.
58
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
· A
kusto Wall offers additional sound absorption to
support our acoustic ceilings.
· A
vailable in a range of trims, colours and
surface designs.
· F lexible, high performance acoustic ceiling
available in comprehensive range of edges.
· P
anels manufactured from lightweight glasswool,
provides the equivalent of Class A absorption.
· Wide range of sizes and colours available.
· E asy to install in either new build or retrofit projects.
· S uitable for most environments, including
offices and classrooms.
· C
lass A acoustic perfomance.
· F ully recyclable, low carbon solution with
high recycled content.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
59
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Audio
Ecophon
Master Rigid
Ecophon
Solo
British Gypsum
SILENT FLOOR
British Gypsum
GypWall quiet iwl
Optimised acoustic ceiling for
spaces when strict demands
are made on good acoustics and
speech intelligibility.
Allows freedom of design and
the opportunity to easily
retrofit acoustic treatments
into existing spaces.
A flooring system offering enhanced
levels of sound insulation, achieved
by providing an acoustically
decoupled ceiling system.
A lightweight, non-loadbearing
acoustic separating wall system.
The Ecophon Master Rigid family includes three
different edge designs. By using a surface 10x stronger
than standard, and tiles that can be locked into the
grid, Master Rigid offers Class A acoustic absorption in
a robust ceiling tough enough for demanding school
conditions.
Ecophon Solo is a free hanging acoustic ceiling solution
primarily used when it is not possible or desirable
to install a full wall-to-wall ceiling. Solo is simple to
install either into new build or for retrofit into existing
buildings. The panel is manufactured from high density
glass wool utilizing 3RD Technology, with Akutex™ FT
surface on both sides.
The secret of our Silent Floor system lies in the resiliently
mounted ceilings and impact resistant walking surfaces.
These floors outperform standard floors by up to 15dB –
a real improvement.
A twin frame acoustic separating wall that requires
no bracing. Can be used in residential or commercial
applications to meet a specific level of sound
insulation performance.
The system consists of Ecophon Master Rigid tiles,
Ecophon Extra Bass and Ecophon Connect grid system.
The tiles are high density glass wool utilising 3RD
Technology. The surface is a reinforced sandwich
construction, and the visible surface has an
Akutex™ FT coating.
· Optimised, high performance acoustic ceiling
available in A, E and Dp edges.
· Impact resistant, ‘locked in’ tiles that remain
fully demountable.
· Class A acoustic perfomance.
· Extra Bass pads provide additional absorption
at low frequencies, of particular importance in
SEN classrooms.
Solo is an unframed free hanging unit offering a high
degree of design possibilities. The different suspension
systems, used in combination with the engineered
Connect Absorber anchor give opportunities to create
several layers and angles.
The system includes 2 x 15mm Gyproc SoundBloc board,
two frames of Gypframe ‘I’ Studs with 100mm Isover
Acoustic Partition Roll (APR 1200) insulation.
· A
n approved Robust Detail construction that can
be used to meet Building Regulations Approved
Document E for separating walls.
· A
ccommodates services between the twin stud
frameworks.
· Freehanging acoustic ceiling rafts.
· C
overed by the SpecSure® warranty with
guaranteed lifetime performance.
· Wide range of shapes, sizes and colours available.
· Easy to install in new build or retrofit projects.
· Panels manufactured from lightweight glasswool,
provides the equivalent of Class A absorption.
· Fully recyclable, low carbon solution with high
recycled content.
· Fully recyclable, low carbon solution with high
recycled content.
60
· I mproves airborne and impact sound insulation of
existing timber joist floors.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
Refer to the White Book System Selector for
performance options at www.british-gypsum.com
FEATURES
FEATURES
Significant enhanced performance improvement
(+15dB) over a standard Building Regulation
internal floor.
· Satisfies BS5234 requirements up to and including
Severe Duty · An approved Robust Detail construction
(E-WS-2) achieves a minimum of DnTw + Ctr 45dB
· Sound insulation airborne: 66 - 70 (RW dB)
· Fire resistance: 60 - 120 (mins)
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
61
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Audio
British Gypsum
GypWall robust
British Gypsum
GypWall extreme
British Gypsum
Gypwall rapid dB Plus
British Gypsum
DriLyner si
A high impact-resistant partition
system for use where a more
durable structure is required.
British Gypsum’s ultimate impact
resistant partition for use where
extra durability is required above
and beyond Severe Duty.
A specialist non loadbearing
partition for use in housing.
Upgrade to existing walls
with DriLyner si, incorporating
Gyproc TriLine – a sound insulating
plasterboard laminate.
Providing a lightweight, cost-effective, non-loadbearing
partition suitable for all types of commercial, healthcare
and educational buildings.
GypWall extreme is able to cope with the rigours of
intensive high traffic use in commercial applications.
An internal partition system incorporating 15mm
Gyproc SoundBloc rapid linings, Gypframe AcouStuds and
Isover Acoustic Partition Roll (APR1200) glass mineral
wool insulation.
A 12.5mm Gyproc WallBoard bonded to a glass mineral
wool backing. This is bonded to the masonry walls.
· High impact resistance.
· Single layer 60 minutes fire resistance
to EN standards.
· Available in 70mm, 92mm and 146mm stud options.
· Accommodates services within the stud cavity.
· Achieves high levels of sound insulation
with a single layer.
· Covered by the SpecSure® warranty with
guaranteed lifetime performance.
· Capable of securing heavy fixtures on a single layer
without the need for additional patressing.
· Extremely durable and resilient linings.
· Excellent resistance to vandalism.
· Reduces maintenance cycle costs.
· Extremely cost effective system compared to other
fibre board offerings due to hybrid construction.
· Covered by the SpecSure® warranty with
guaranteed lifetime performance.
· G
ypWall rapid dB Plus combines high levels of
performance and a narrow footprint, compared
with timber and masonry alternatives.
· S peed and efficiency of installation are achieved
through the use of lightweight Gypframe
stud framing and single layer Gyproc SoundBloc rapid
linings, with a special width and
thickness configuration.
· C
an provide up to 13RW dB improvement to existing
internal walls.
· F lanking sound transmission can be greatly reduced.
· A
llows minor surface irregularities to be taken out
with the drylining cavity formed by the gypsum
adhesive dabs.
· S ervices are easily accommodated within the
partition; through the pre-finished service cut-outs
within Gypframe AcouStuds.
· C
overed by the SpecSure® warranty with
guaranteed lifetime performance.
Refer to the White Book System Selector for
performance options at www.british-gypsum.com
Refer to the White Book System Selector for
performance options at www.british-gypsum.com
Refer to the White Book System Selector for
performance options at www.british-gypsum.com
Refer to the White Book System Selector for
performance options at www.british-gypsum.com
FEATURES
FEATURES
FEATURES
FEATURES
· Satisfies BS 5234 requirements to Severe Duty in a
single layer · Sound insulation airborne: 42 - 58
(RW dB) · Fire resistance: 60 - 120 (mins).
· Tested beyond the performance requirements of
BS 5234 Severe Duty rating · Excellent acoustic
performance - achieves up to RW 62dB.
· Achieves the RW 40dB Building Regulations Approved
Document E requirement for internal partitions
RW 43dB with the inclusion of 25mm Isover Acoustic
Partition Roll (APR 1200) · 30 minutes fire resistance
· Achieves a Medium Duty rating in accordance with
BS5234.
· For re-lining internal walls to achieve 60RW dB
· Additional use of Gyproc Soundcoat Plus will
minimise acoustic leakage through cracks and
unfilled joints and is approved for use in selected
Robust Details.
62
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
63
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Audio
British Gypsum
Two coat plaster
British Gypsum
Gyptone quattro
British Gypsum
Eurocoustic tonga
Thistle plasters offer a full range
A highly versatile metal stud
of specific and multi-purpose
partition system.
solutions for a wide range of internal
plastering needs and backgrounds.
A sound-absorbing perforated
gypsum system ideal for use
in acoustic walls, ceilings or
modular units.
A high performance ceiling
system that offers excellent sound
absorption, fire protection, light
reflectance and humidity resistance.
Thistle HardWall can be used on most masonry
backgrounds. High impact resistance.
A versatile acoustic system available in tiles, long span
planks or monolithic boards.
An acoustic ceiling system available as standard tiles
or long span acoustic planks up to 2.4m.
Gyptone quattro provides up to class B sound absorption
and includes VOC absorbing ACTIVair technology as
standard.
Eurocoustic tonga offers class A sound absorption
and excellent resistance to fire and humidity.
Thistle BondingCoat is used on smooth, low suction
or flexible backgrounds.
Thistle MultiFinish is a versatile final coat plaster.
· A relatively easy way to increase acoustic
performance for existing masonry walls.
· A thickness of only 13mm minimises
the reduction in room size.
British Gypsum
GypWall classic
A versatile internal partitioning system.
· Quick to install compared to masonry or timber frame
alternatives ans allows transformation of building
layouts with minimal disruption.
· Non-hygroscopic Gypframe metal framework
will not twist, warp or rot.
· Easy accommodation of services within the stud cavity
due to pre-cut service holes within the Gypframe
metal studs.
· A
vailable in lay-in tile, corridor plank or monolithic
boards for a seamless finish.
· U
p to class B sound absorption: αW = 0.85 for control
of acoustic reverberation.
· C
an be used to create flat, curved or contoured
surfaces, finished in any colour.
·V
OC-absorbing ACTIVair technology available as
standard in Gyptone boards.
·V
ersatile system available in standard tiles
or long planks up to 2.4m length.
· Class A sound absorption: αW = up to 1.0 for
management of acoustic reverberation.
· 3
0 minutes fire protection: 30 minutes to BS476
PT:23:1987 (in approved system).
· U
p to 100% humidity resistant at 40°C:
Tested to class D to EN 13964:2014.
FEATURES
FEATURES
FEATURES
FEATURES
· Lower heating costs · Reduces CO2 emissions
· Increases occupant comfort · Two coat plaster
system also features in selected Robust Details.
· Achieves and exceeds Building Regulations
requirements for internal and separating partitions.
· Full lifetime SpecSure warranty when used with
appropriate British Gypsum CasoLine quick lock,
Casoline mf or GypLyner universal systems.
· Full lifetime SpecSure warranty when used with
British Gypsum CasoLine quick lock T15 and T24 Lay
in Grid systems.
64
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
65
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Audio
Isover
Isover Climaver
Saint-Gobain Glass
SGG STADIP SILENCE®
Saint-Gobain PAM
Ensign EEZI-FIT
Pre-insulated ductwork system that Significantly reduces the effect
offers excellent thermal and acoustic of exterior noise in buildings
performance in a fire safe system.
situated near noisy locations
such as airports.
Cast iron above ground drainage
system, kitemark approved to
BS EN877.
A high density glass mineral wool board, faced on
both sides. This system offers excellent thermal and
acoustic performance in a fire safe system and is a
more economical and efficient all in one alternative to
conventional ‘sheet metal and insulation’ ductwork.
Combines two layers of glass bonded together with a
transparent plastic interlayer. The interlayer reduces the
level of acoustics transmitted through the glass helping
to reduce external noise pollution and create more
tranquil and comfortable interiors.
Cast iron above ground drainage systems kitemark
approved to BS EN877. For soil, waste, vent and
rainwater applications. Ensign mechanically jointed
system is available in 50 to 600mm diameters.
It is suitable for use in commercial projects including
schools, hospitals, office blocks etc.
The interlayer is also capable of filtering up to 99% of
UV radiation; therefore the use of SGG STADIP SILENCE
helps reduce the fading of furnishings. Its interlayer is
transparent and therefore features excellent optical
qualities.
· Meets UK thermal building regulations and offers
massive energy savings.
· Reduced noise transmission and possibly negate need
for attenuators. Suitable for all acoustic applications
and plenum boxes.
· Excellent levels of sound insulation without
the need for thick, heavy glass.
EEZI-FIT is a push-fit sanitary system available in 100
and 150mm diameters.
· A
coustically the quietest systems on the market.
·T
ested to BS EN14366 utilising brackets fitted with
acoustic dampner.
· 4
-5 dB(A) better than the best aoustic plastic system
airborne noise.
· Up to 4 1/2 times lighter compared to sheet
metal solutions.
· Even sound insulation across the entire
frequency range.
· 6
-8 dB(A) better on structure borne measurement.
· Suitable for use in Multi-Comfort buildings.
· Can achieve P2A safety and security
properties at 6.8mm.
· Fast assembly and installation, less wastage
installation process.
· Distortion free transparency.
· S ustainability credentials:
· Manufactured from 97% recycled content.
· E xcellent Fire resistance – Non combustible –
Minimal smoke in the event of fire.
Performance Plastics
Green Glue
Noiseproofing Compound
A sound insulation compound,
acting as a damping layer between
construction boards.
Green Glue Noiseproofing Compound is a sound
insulation product that is ideal for new construction and
renovation projects.
The compound’s unique properties act as a damping
material to dissipate sound waves as they travel through
ceilings, walls and floors.
· S ingle component with no mixing required, the
viscoelastic compound is provided in cartridges and
pail configurations to allow for easy application.
· S uitable for new construction and renovation,
commercial and residential and professional and
do-it yourselfers.
·W
ater base low VOC formulation is environmental
friendly and easy to clean up.
· Virtually 100% recyclable at the end of its long life.
FEATURES
FEATURES
FEATURES
· Impact Safety BS EN 12600 · Overhead Glazing BS
5516 (Part 1&2) · Safety Glazing BS 6262 (Part 4)
· Safety Glazing BS 6180 (Part 4) · Anti-Bandit
BS EN 356.
66
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
· Acoustic levels at a flowrate of 4L/s = 47db(A)
Airborne 9-11dB(A) structure-borne · Building Regs
Doc B – Cast iron requires no special fire protection.
· Significant improvement in STC rating possible:
Improves wall STC rating from 40 (2x4 wood stud
construction with insulation) to 55 (double gypsum
with Green Glue both sides) · Testing verifies Green
Glue releases a minimum amount of VOC’s and
contributes to LEED credits with exceptional indoor
environmental quality · Tested and safe: Mold
resistant per ATM D3273 and fire resistance per ASTM
E119 and UL263.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
67
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Visual
International Timber
Accoya
International Timber
Western Red Cedar
Imagine a wood that is sustainable,
has zero toxicity and provides
dimensional stability and durability
that exceeds all durable timbers.
Sourced from West coast of
Canada with either PEFC or CSA
certification it is ideal for internal
or external cladding.
Produced through a modification process, taking a
sustainable plantation grown softwood and through
an acetylation process which is entirely non-toxic. The
chemical structure of the wood is modified from the
surface to the core, providing outstanding performance
making it ideal for use in cladding applications. The
product has been tested over prolonged periods in all
types of weathering conditions – above and below
ground and even in water.
Western Red Cedar is naturally resistant to decay
and insect attack. If left uncoated it will season to an
attractive silver grey appearance over a period of time
in areas with low air pollution. Cedar offers superior
acoustic qualities too, helping to reduce noise or confine
it to specific areas. It is also an excellent material for
thermal insulation – in summer keeping the building
cool and in winter preventing heat from escaping.
Visual Comfort
Visual comfort in a building can be managed through the size
and positions of the openings, the orientation of the façades, the
consideration of shade-casting or view-blocking obstructions close to
the building, solar protection devices, the reflectance of the surfaces,
the layout of furniture and the overall aesthetics of indoor space.
Saint-Gobain offers several product categories that have a direct
impact on visual comfort and aesthetics:
· T
ransparent products, such as glass, films
or architectural membranes, which allow
access to daylight and views through windows,
doors, partitions;
· Lighting products, such as lighting textiles
or ceiling tiles, which can be excellent
complementary light sources, especially in
glare management;
· T
ranslucent products that allow daylight
while preserving privacy;
· Opaque exterior products, which can help to
throw natural light in to brighten dark spaces
in city buildings.
· O
paque interior products, such as wall
coverings, ceiling or flooring products, which
can contribute to the distribution of daylight
and to the aesthetic of the space;
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions,
please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
68
· C
onsistent quality throughout from surface to core.
No need to apply chemical preservatives when cut or
planed.
· N
on-toxic, protecting the environment from the
harmful effects of poisons leaching out of typical
wood treatment. It can be safely reused or recycled.
· I t has a very low shrinkage factor. It is the most
resistant of all coniferous species to warping, twisting
and checking.
· I t is one of the lightest commercially available
softwoods. It has a low density of 330 – 390 kg/m3,
making it an easy wood to transport, handle and
erect on site.
· O
ffers improved thermal insulation in comparison
with commonly used wood species. It is ideal for
applications where energy conservation is important.
· I ts low density and high proportion of air spaces
makes Cedar the best thermal insulator of all
commonly available softwood species. It is far superior
to brick, concrete and steel.
FEATURES
FEATURES
Accoya wood has class 1 durability and is more
durable than teak and the world’s other most durable
timbers. Accoya wood is easy to machine creating no
challenges for manufacturers. Swelling and shrinkage
is reduced by 75% or more. This improved stability
means prolonged life with coatings
Cedar machines and takes fixings well. It is durable
rated at class 2, it can therefore be used untreated
if the sapwood is excluded. It conforms to BS8417,
giving it a 30 year life in external applications.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
69
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Visual
British Gypsum
GypWall curve
British Gypsum
Rigitone 8-15-20 super
Saint-Gobain Glass
SGG PLANICLEAR®
Saint-Gobain Glass
SGG DIAMANT®
A highly cost-effective system
specially designed to provide
curved walls and linings.
A sound-absorbing perforated
gypsum system ideal for use
in acoustic walls, ceilings or
modular units.
The standard substrate of
Saint-Gobain Glass. A mid-iron
glass which features neutral
aesthetics and higher light
transmission.
A unique colourless glass with
very low iron oxide content;
as a result the glass features
excellent neutrality.
This system can be installed in all types of buildings to
deliver design flexibility and aesthetic impact.
A seamless acoustic system suitable for ceilings, walls
and modular units. Rigitone 8-15-20 super can be used to
form beautiful flat, contoured or curved surfaces, and
finished in any colour.
Available in an extensive range of thicknesses
suitable for a wide variety of applications. It can be
toughened or laminated for safety benefits or silvered
to produce mirrors.
A unique colourless ‘extra-white’ float glass with very
low iron oxide content. As a result the glass has a
very high light transmittance and excellent levels
of neutrality. It is therefore the only clear glass
which allows a natural and true reproduction of
white and pastel colours when enamelled, lacquered
or screen printed.
Suitable for a wide range of applications, for example
receptions, communal areas and atria.
· Uniquely designed channel can be quickly and easily
shaped to radius.
· No need for curved timber templates.
· Use a skim plaster finish to enhance the installation
– Thistle Magnetic Plaster which attracts magnets or
Thistle PureFinish plaster which contains ACTIVair
technology, improving air quality by absorbing
formaldehyde.
· E ye-catching perforated design with circular
perforations and seamless finish.
· C
an be used to create flat, curved or contoured
surfaces, finished in any colour.
· I deal for use in walls, ceilings and modular
raft/island units.
· G
ypsum core and supporting metal frame
(CasoLine mf) is 100% recyclable.
It is also suitable for screen printing, acid etching,
decoration, sand blasting, lacquering or edge working.
· L ow levels of heat absorption – more heat can be
transmitted through the glazing.
· H
igh light transmission – increases the amount
of natural daylight.
· N
eutral aesthetics.
· C
overed by the SpecSure® warranty with
guaranteed lifetime performance.
Refer to the White Book System Selector for
performance options at www.british-gypsum.com
It is also suitable for screen printing, acid etching,
decoration, sand blasting, lacquering or edge working.
· O
ptimum transparency
· U
nfiltered natural light
· H
igh energy transmittance
· N
eutral aesthetics
Refer to the White Book System Selector for
performance options at www.british-gypsum.com
FEATURES
FEATURES
FEATURES
FEATURES
Minimum radii 600mm.
Full lifetime SpecSure warranty when used with
appropriate British Gypsum CasoLine mf or CasoLine
curve systems.
Fully CE marked.
Fully CE marked.
70
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71
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Visual
Performance Plastics
Thermalbond
Weber
weber.pral M
Weber
weber.floor 4650 design colour
A double sided adhesive foam to
create space for structural glazing
silicone application, allow its
optimal curing and temporarily
bond the glass to the frame.
One-coat, through-coloured
monocouche render.
A through coloured, pump applied
self levelling floor screed.
The industry standard for more than 30 years,
Thermalbond® is the world’s most recognized brand
of structural glazing spacer. It’s designed for use in
structural silicone glazing systems where there is direct
contact with the silicone adhesive.
A one-coat, ready-mixed, cementitious, weather
resistant, through-coloured render, suitable for most
types of brick or blockwork.
A through-coloured, cement-based floor screed,
containing special cement, sand and additional binders.
The material is a pumpable, rapid set and self levelling
compound. It can be used in commercial and retail
environments, store rooms and industry with light
truckload. The floor can be used to contribute to the
aesthetic design of the room.
It temporarily fastens the glass to the frame, allowing
movement of units through the shop. The vapor
permeable cell structure provides for rapid curing of
the silicone adhesive.
Factory produced from carefully selected raw materials
for consistency of product, it only requires the addition
of water on site.
· Open cell structure allows for optimum curing of
adjacent structural silicone.
·T
he through colour and one coat features allow fast
application with shorter programme periods, thereby
reducing associated scaffolding and site costs and
permitting the completion of ground works at an
earlier stage.
· High performing acrylic adhesive stabilizes glass
position during handling.
· Ready mixed - only water required to be
added on site for ease of use.
· Firm, non-compressible tape structure insures proper
joint dimensions during silicone curing cycle.
· Proven long term compatibility with all major
structural silicone.
·T
hrough coloured for low maintenance –
decoration not required.
· F or application depths between 4-15mm.
· R
apid setting – foot traffic after 3-5 hours and light
traffic after 24 hours.
· D
urable and hard wearing.
· E xcellent spreading and smoothing characteristics.
· A
vailable in a range of 10 colours.
· Formulated to be spray applied by render pump
for faster application.
· BBA approved certificate no. 05/4268.
FEATURES
· Life Cycle Assessment data available and provides
for points for LEED indoor Environmental Quality
Standard · Open cell structure with water vapor
transmission rate > 2.0 g/h•m2 insures sufficient
moisture for silicone curing. More than 10x than
of closed cell spacers · No load deformation at
25 kPa, insures stable joint dimension even with
heavy insulated glass window façade systems.
72
FEATURES
· Awarded the A+ Green Guide Rating as defined in
the BRE Global 2008 Green Guide to Specification and
is available in a range of 24 colours.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
FEATURES
· Cement-based · Supplied in 25kg bags · Casein-free
· Low alkalinity · Low emissions.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
73
INDOOR AIR
British Gypsum
ACTIVair technology
British Gypsum
Thistle PureFinish plaster skim
Improves the indoor air quality to
make indoor spaces healthier.
A gypsum plaster with ACTIVair
technology.
A new technology added to Gyproc DuraLine,
Gyproc SoundBloc and Rigidur h plasterboards,
Thistle PureFinish plaster and Gyptone ceiling products.
Thistle PureFinish contains ACTIVair technology,
designed specifically to decompose formaldehyde
emissions into non-harmful inert compounds, thus
eliminating the risk of re-emission.
Indoor Air Comfort
Saint-Gobain offers several product categories that have a direct
impact on indoor air quality:
· P
roducts with the lowest emissivity possible for
the building envelope in insulation, dry lining,
facade, wall or floor covering;
· P
roducts contributing to the performance of
ventilation systems such as high performance
windows, doors, and technical insulation;
· P
roducts that help purify indoor air by
scavenging certain VOCs, such as formaldehyde.
It is designed specifically to decompose formaldehyde
emissions into non-harmful inert compounds, thus
eliminating the risk of re-emission.
·W
e spend up to 90% of our time indoors. We take
it for granted that the air we breathe is clean and
pollutant-free. Yet impurities found in both our
working and living spaces can cause health problems
and a reduction in our general wellbeing. Pollutants
called VOCs – volatile organic compounds – are
naturally emitted by people, pets, cleaning products
as well as furniture, carpets, paints and varnishes.
This finish coat plaster, which improves indoor air
quality is a versatile choise where both two coat plaster
and drylining methods are specified on the same job.
It is also ideal for refurbishment projects.
·T
his product is certified to BES 6001 achieving
a rating of ‘Excellent’.
· I mproving the indoor environment is a major
consideration amongst clients and building
occupants, most notably those concerned with
sustainability and health and wellbeing. Good clean
air can reduce health problems as well as enhancing
healthy living in both our work and living spaces.
FEATURES
FEATURES
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions,
please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
74
The effectiveness of the ACTIVair technology has
been tested by the accredited Eurofins laboratory.
The test shows that ACTIVair decomposes 70%
of the formaldehyde in a controlled test environment
when 1m2 of ACTIVair technology is installed per
volume (m3).
· Tests show that ACTIVair decomposes 70% of the
formaldehyde in a controlled test environment.
· The World Health Organisation concerns about
formaldehyde (which is a common VOC) in
relation to human health are well published.
World Health Organisation guidelines for indoor air
quality: selected pollutants 2010.
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
75
INDOOR AIR
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Indoor Air
British Gypsum
Gyproc SoundBloc with
ACTIVair technology
A gypsum plasterboard
with a higher density core
and ACTIVair technology.
A gypsum plasterboard with a higher density core and
ACTIVair technology designed for use in British Gypsum
wall lining and partition systems where greater levels
of sound insulation are required.
·T
he higher density core design of this board enables
the wall, partition and ceiling systems to provide
greater sound insulation performance levels over
standard products by reducing the transmission of
sound between rooms.
· Includes ACTIVair technology.
Weber
weber.set rapid SPF
A rapid-setting, low-dust,
cement-based floor and
wall tile adhesive.
A rapid-setting, flexible, low-dust, cement-based floor
and wall tile adhesive, available in light grey or white for
interior and exterior use.
It is used to fix all ceramic floor and wall tiles, mosaic,
quarry, terrazzo, terracotta, porcelain and natural
stone in situations where some movement or vibration
is likely.
· Low Dust Technology makes it more comfortable to
use and reduces cleaning time.
Graham
Warmflow Ground Source
Heat Pump
Used with an MVHR system
to pre-warm the air brought in
to the building.
The Warmflow Ground Source Heat Pump is one of the
most efficient and intelligent heat pumps in its class.
Its Microprocessor controls all aspects of the appliance
and if configured to do so upon installation can control
all the heating system functions through its user
friendly interface such as 7 day independent timer for
heating and hot water, weather compensating, frost
protection, domestic hot water storage temperature and
operation of its immersion.
· Particularly suitable for situations where some
movement or vibration is likely or when tiles
are very large.
· B
ritish designed and manufactured specifically
for the UK market.
· Suitable for wooden floors overboarded with WBP
plywood or suitable tile backer board.
· I nbuilt monitoring system of flow temp, flow rates
and system temp for easy commissioning.
· Ready for light foot traffic and grouting after 2 hours.
· F ully modulating outputs. 3 - 10kw and
6 - 18kw units.
· Can be used as a pourable adhesive.
· I nstaller friendly wiring center.
FEATURES
FEATURES
FEATURES
Enhanced acoustics performance dependant on the
system that it is incorporated in. · Tests show that
ACTIVair decomposes 70% of the formaldehyde in a
controlled test environment.
Supplied in Light grey: 10 kg and 20 kg, White: 20 kg
bags · Manufactured under BSI Quality Assurance
Scheme ISO 9001.
Fully MCS approved. Tested COP of 5.08 - B0 W35
· Electronic controlled expansion valves to
optimise efficiency · User friendly interface Covering
all aspects of heat pump and system control; the brain
of the system.
76
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INDOOR AIR
INDOOR AIR
Multi-Comfort building design – products & systems – Indoor Air
For a full, up-to-date listing of Saint-Gobain products and solutions, please visit www.multicomfort.co.uk
77
Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain House
Binley Business Park
Coventry CV3 2TT
Tel: +44 (0)24 7656 0700
Fax: +44 (0)24 7656 0705
www.saint-gobain.com
@SaintGobainUK
Issue Number: 1
Issue Date: March 2015
Code: SGSH-MCBC-1501
Every care has been taken to ensure that the
contents of this publication are accurate but
Saint-Gobain Limited and its subsidiary companies
do not accept responsibility for errors or for
information which is found to be misleading.
Suggestions for or descriptions of the end use or
application of products or methods of working are
for information only and Saint-Gobain Limited and
its subsidiaries accept no liability in respect thereof.
Before using products supplied or manufactured
by Saint-Gobain Limited customers should satisfy
themselves of their suitability.
Copyright © 2015 Saint-Gobain.