Using cavity wall insulation to achieve BREEAM excellent for education buildings

Products Used:	Celotex CW4000
Sector:	Education

Energy efficiency is high on the list for educational institutions when they create new buildings. Wanting to ensure that the University of Bedfordshire's new Campus Centre in Luton, part of a £140 million redevelopment of University facilities, had the best thermal performance at the greatest value, Celotex CW4000 from the market leading manufacturer of PIR (polyisocyanurate) insulation, Celotex, was chosen.

The significant investment is set to prepare the University for the future and ensure that it meets the standards of facilities, sustainability and ethics expected of today's universities. The new building, one of the first phases of the plan, features a new student social centre, a 400 seat lecture theatre as well as catering facilities and exhibition space.

The building was designed by architects at RMJM, who set out to achieve a BREEAM rating of Excellent. To help achieve this, the building features natural ventilation and energy saving technology. Particular attention was paid to the building's overall thermal efficiency. With its renowned performance, Celotex PIR insulation was well suited to meet the challenge.

Built by main contractor Kier Marriott, specialist contractor Elliott Brickwork was tasked with undertaking all masonry work as well as installing the Celotex CW4000 insulation boards throughout the cavity walling - a task which required 2,500 square metres of the company's boards.

The first PIR (Polyisocyanurate) insulation to achieve an A+ rating for its thermal efficiency, when compared to the BRE Green Guide 2008, foil faced Celotex CW4000 with a lambda value of 0.022W/mK has a greater thermal efficiency than many other insulation solutions, including many mineral fibre products. As it does not trap moisture, which can happen with mineral fibre insulation, its effects are lasting, reducing heating needs, and thereby carbon emissions significantly for the long term.

Alongside this, Celotex CW4000 has low Global Warming Potential and zero Ozone Depletion Potential. Though lightweight and easily cut on site, making for portability and ease of installation, Celotex CW4000 is also exceptionally hard wearing.

Manufactured at a board size of 1,200 mm x 450 mm to fit easily between cavity wall ties and with excellent dimensional stability, Celotex CW4000 proved simple to install for Elliott Brickwork's operatives. After being fixed and set into place around brick and blockwork, a thermal shell was created that was pivotal to the University's new building achieving a BREEAM rating of Excellent.

The new building provides a taste of the exciting developments to come at the University of Bedfordshire's Luton Campus. Crucially, the building meets the energy standards desired by the University - at the right cost - thanks to Celotex' CW4000 insulation, which proves a consistently popular choice with architects, specifiers and designers across the UK.

Key considerations

When using Celotex products, you need to satisfy yourself that use of the product meets all relevant national Building Regulations and guidance as well as local, national and other applicable standards relevant for your construction or application, including requirements in relation to fire and applicable height restrictions. In addition to the product datasheet, please refer to the following product documents:

• BBA certificates - where applicable to the application
• Declarations of Performance
• Health and safety datasheets

Celotex products should not be used in the external walls of buildings over 11 metres in height. Recent changes to Building Regulations mean that only non-combustible insulation or insulation of limited combustibility should be used in buildings of that height.

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