ARMATHERM THERMAL BRIDGING SOLUTIONS
HILLAM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
HILLAM ROAD
BRADFORD
WEST YORKSHIRE BD2 1QN
Tel: 01274 591115
Fax:
Suppliers of: Thermal Break Pads, Thermal Bridge solutions, balcony isolators, structural thermal breaks, cantilever steelwork thermal bridging, cold bridge isolation, thermal partitions, steelwork thermal break, thermal bridging solutions, cold bridging pads, cold br
Armatherm™ is one of the leading suppliers of structural thermal break materials for the construction industry. Our goal is to provide architects, structural engineers and building design professionals with effective solutions to prevent thermal bridging.
Office Locations in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and the United States.
Thermal bridging has been recognised as a significant factor in building envelope heat loss. Armatherm™ thermal break materials have low thermal conductivity and high strength and have been designed and tested to prevent thermal bridging. Armatherm™ thermal bridging solutions can be used anywhere a penetration or transition exists in a building envelope creating a thermal bridge. Armatherm™ structural thermal break materials minimise heat loss at balcony, canopy, parapet, masonry shelf angle and cladding connections.
Armatherm™ THERMAL BREAK PRODUCTS:
Armatherm™ structural thermal break materials provide a combination of low thermal conductivity and high compressive strength. They have been specifically designed and tested to transfer load and prevent thermal bridging. Armatherm™ has been proven through three dimensional modeling to reduce heat loss in wall assemblies, transitions and structural connections throughout the building envelope.
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Armatherm™ FRR is an extremely strong and durable thermal break material suitable for supporting heavy loads while cutting conductive heat loss.
(Thermal Insulation Material – TIM):
Armatherm™ FRR structural thermal break material provides a combination of low thermal conductivity and high compressive strength and has been used in hundreds of structural steel framing connections transferring load in moment and shear conditions. Armatherm™ FRR thermal break material can support high loads and has great mechanical properties. The material is made of a reinforced, thermoset resin which is fire resistant making it the ideal material for use in structural steel and façade thermal break connections.
Armatherm™ FRR Thermal Washer and Bushing:
With a bolt through insulation pad there is a slight thermal transfer along the connecting bolt. To further reduce heat loss, Armatherm™ FRR bushings and washers can be used on the warm face of the structure. A thermal break at the bolt connection will reduce heat loss an additional 4% per bolt depending on the wall assembly construction.
Structural Steel Thermal Break Connection:
Armatherm™ FRR Thermal Break Pads are often called Thermal Bridges, balcony isolators, structural thermal breaks, cantilever steelwork thermal bridging, cold bridge isolation, thermal partitions, steelwork thermal break, thermal bridging, cold bridging pads, cold bridging solutions. All of these solutions use Thermal Insulation Material TIM to prevent thermal bridging.
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Armatherm™ 500 Structural Thermal Break Material is a high strength, polyurethane material manufactured in several densities to support a wide range of building loads.
(Thermal Insulation Material – TIM):
Reducing heat flow within a building’s thermal envelope reduces energy consumption as well as potential condensation issues. Armatherm™ 500 thermal break material (TIM) significantly reduces energy lost from thermal bridging in building envelope connections. Armatherm™ 500 structural thermal break material is a high strength, thermoset polyurethane manufactured in several densities. Armatherm™ 500 thermal break material can support high loads and has a selection of four grades of material with different compressive strength capabilities. The Armatherm™ 500 thermal insulation blocks have very limited creep under load, plus they do not absorb water because of their closed cell structure. Therefore, energy lost via thermal bridging is reduced within building envelope connections. Heat flow, energy consumption and potentially dangerous condensation issues are all minimised as a result.
Armatherm™ 500 – Parapet Roof Penetration Thermal Bridging Solution:
Thermal bridging is necessary in locations such as roof to wall and parapets as they require structural framing for support. By including thermal break materials under the parapet connecting the facade and roof insulation, the R value can be improved by as much as 30%. Within the building envelope, a thermal break can also be installed at roof penetration points where structural elements are supported.
Armatherm™ 500 – Column Base Thermal Bridging Solution (load dependent):
In a traditional structure, columns extend throughout the building envelope and slab insulation are positioned at their base. Cold bridges can be prevented with the use of a thermal break. Armatherm™ 500 has a limited creep under load as well as high strength, making it the best solution for load supporting thermal break requirements.
Armatherm™ 500 – Foundation Wall Thermal Bridging Solution (load dependent):
Further areas with the potential to feature thermal bridges are the foundations of a building and the connection from slab on grade to a foundation wall. Energy loss can be reduced dramatically with the addition of an Armatherm™ 500 series thermal insulation block which support exceptionally high loads of up to 300N/mm2.
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Armatherm™ Z Girt is a nonconductive cladding support system, strong enough to hold most cladding and insulation details.
Armatherm™ Z Girt thermally broken cladding support connection solutions prevent excessive heat flow and potential condensation problems otherwise associated with thermal bridging. Moreover, wall assemblies using Armatherm attachments will meet the continuous insulation requirement of ASHRAE 90.1 and the effective R value requirements of the Canadian NECB energy code.
Modelling results show that using Armatherm Z girts results in several improvements in the thermal efficiency of wall designs, reducing heat flow:
- The insulation efficiencies of the wall assemblies increase significantly. Some as high as 98%.
- Higher, effective wall assembly R values are achieved using lower values of external insulation. For example, to obtain an R value of R-13 minimum to meet ASHRAE zone 1, steel girts require and external R 20; whereas Armatherm girts require only R 10.
- Cladding wall assemblies can meet the R value requirements of ALL geographical zones for both ASHRAE 2013 and NECB 2011 energy codes using Armatherm Z girts.
- Reduction in thickness and cost of insulation.
- Reduces energy consumption.
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Armatherm™ thermal bridging solutions is part of the Armadillo Noise & Vibration Group which manufacture a wide range of Noise & Vibration products.
Armadillo Noise & Vibration Solutions offer suppressant materials for use in facilities and construction to include:
- Armaload - DLW66: Armaload DLW66 random oriented fiber (ROF) bearing pads are made from masticated elastomer which is fully cured and fiber reinforced.
- Armaload - Mil-C-882: Armaload is a preformed fabric bearing pad which meets MIL-C-882, AASHTO 14.7.6.1, AASHTO 14.7.6.2 and AASHTO 18.10.1 specifications.
- Armacork: Offered in various sheet sizes and thicknesses Armacork is the ideal entry level material to offer a cost effective and fast vibration control solution for many industrial applications.
- Neoprene Pads: Some applications do not warrant the expense of a custom made Vibration Control pad but do require some element of resilience in the installation.
- Vibstop: Vibstop isolation material is a specifically designed vibration absorbing medium. Produced as a cost-effective solution to isolating foundations whether it be existing machinery or installing new equipment.
- Armacush: Armadillo Armacush is an ideal product which not only gives excellent long term performance but is also specifically designed for ease of installation to avoid costly delays in the construction process.
- PTFE: When movements need to be accommodated in structural connections, a sliding element will need to be employed in the design. Armadillo can design manufacture and supply a cost effective solution for applications such as vessel thermal, petrochemical applications, pipelines or building movement joints.
- Regupol/Regufoam: Regufoam® was developed as a top-quality mixed-cell PUR foam for vibration damping and structure-borne noise decoupling. Regufoam® is made in various densities with precisely stipulated physical properties.
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Delving into data centres: why is temperature control so important?
Data centres are locations where computing machines and hardware equipment are stored, with the computing infrastructure that each system requires – such as servers, storage drives, network equipment etc.
This machinery generates a lot of power, which in turn, generates a lot of heat, and keeping these facilities cool is imperative for the optimal performance of the devices and reducing humidity which could have dire consequences.
There’s a whole host of potential dangers when hosting a large number of IT equipment. Excessive heat can cause the ageing process of the equipment to accelerate, reducing both the reliability and the lifespan, even leading to electrical fires in worst case scenarios.
Maintaining cool environments means data centre operators can ensure the longevity of their equipment and reduce the risk of hardware failures. It’s recommended the interior temperature doesn’t fluctuate by more than five degrees, so isolating and maintaining a steady environment inside is paramount.
Subsequently to the above, data centre cooling is a huge part of data centre facilities, with a number of methods and equipment combining to create the ideal inside environment. Proper cooling measures must be in place to mitigate the risks and create a safer working environment for any personnel working on site.
All the most common methods rely on consistent inside temperatures, something which is made more difficult if this hasn’t been factored into the build within the design stages of a construction.
When creating structures which rely so heavily on maintained inside temperatures, focus needs to be on isolating the building envelope to create an efficient structure.
Avoiding thermal bridges is an essential part of this, as they accommodate the transfer of energy at any connection where the envelope is penetrated. They bring warm temperatures into cool areas and vice versa, making it incredibly difficult to pre-empt, control and maintain temperatures inside.
To combat thermal bridges effectively, thermal breaks can be installed at each ‘application’ where the building envelope is compromised. They feature low conductivity properties that can be added to a structure to assist with reducing energy loss and reducing costly heating and cooling methods. With the innovative materials working to continuously isolate the building envelope, less will need to be spent on running costly air conditioning or venting units, as the interior temperatures will hold more effectively with these insulation methods.
Thermal breaks can be included within a whole range of areas that would potentially allow temperature transfer to occur, which would mean higher operational and running costs for any ventilation equipment.
Thermal breaks are an essential part of contributing to overall energy efficiency and economic sustainability in data centres, along with maintaining optimal operating conditions, enhancing equipment reliability, and mitigating overheating risks. Armatherm’s range of products, paired with the dedicated team of experts, are the perfect combination to help with data centre projects as we work towards a more efficient future for all aspects of the construction industry
Contact Armatherm™
Armatherm Thermal Bridging Solutions Ltd, Hillam Road, Bradford, BD2 1QN
01274 015 742
info@armatherm.com
The importance of using thermal break materials with the right compressive strength
The stronger the better – a phrase that makes sense when it comes to construction and building projects. Every element should be the strongest it can be to withstand the weight and pressures of the rest of the build, but should this always be the case? The team at Armatherm is often approached by architects and specifiers looking for thermal breaks in the highest compressive strength available, no matter what the application is.
To put it in simple terms, this is the wrong approach. Thermal breaks prevent thermal bridging and reduce heat loss, depending on the products, the qualities differ. A general rule of thumb is the lower the compressive strength, the higher the thermal isolation effectiveness. With energy standards ever increasing in a bid to achieve net zero energy standards, it’s more important than ever that the industry does not overcompensate with compressive strength for the application.
Structural thermal breaks are a key player in the construction of energy efficient buildings that need to meet strict energy codes. The different locations where thermal breaks are incorporated can range from column bases and balcony connections right through to cladding and masonry shelf angles, with each requiring very different properties in terms of load bearing capacity.
For example, internal steel columns will traditionally extend through the building envelope floor slab and insulation at their base. In low temperature buildings, such as cold storage units, this creates a bridge for energy to transfer through. This is also present within support floors or roof overhangs.
Looking at balcony connections specifically, these are locations that experience both high levels of tension and compression. The structural column has to bear the weight of the structural beam at a right angle, which puts pressure on the whole of the structure. To thermally isolate this connection, a thermal break should be included between the two pieces of steel, with the bolts running directly through. This creates tension throughout the top half of the application, and compression throughout the bottom where the cantilever joins. Compressive strength is important for these locations, as the ability for the material to withstand loads that reduce the size of that material, or structural element, when applied is imperative.
It’s a common misconception that the stronger the thermal break material, the better it will perform in all applications. This is not the case. The more dense the thermal break material, the stronger it is, which sounds like a positive scenario, but this makes it less effective as an insulator.
Thermal breaks with a lower compressive strength capacity tend not to absorb water and have a very limited creep under load. Because of this, energy lost from thermal bridging is vastly reduced. This is ideal for connections such as column bases. As mentioned previously, the lower the compressive strength of the material, the higher the R value. So, finding the best balance here is key. The compressive strength must be sufficient, but not overcompensated for, so that the R value is preserved as much as possible, to improve the energy efficiency of a building and meet strict regulations.
A structural thermal break’s primary objective is to reduce the cold bridge within the building envelope, but they must also maintain the structural integrity of the connection. In a balcony situation for example, the steel to steel location would require a thermal break such as the Armatherm FRR range.
The compressive strength can be calculated by advising the load the thermal break will be exposed to, along the length x width of the thermal break which would then be mirrored to the size of the end plate, faceplate or column base details (connection design).
It’s common for structural thermal breaks suppliers to cater for high compressive strength only, due to a limited range of material. This again results in materials with a high compressive strength being used in applications that do not require it. Unfortunately this means the applications could potentially be made more thermally efficient by using a thermal break with lower compressive strength.
Armatherm has developed a product range that caters for all requirements and applications. With solutions that have a compressive strength at the lower end, as well as the higher end of the spectrum. This means we can supply the right material for the specific application and project goals.
Another factor that suffers with overcompensating on compressive strength, is budget. Materials with higher compressive strength are usually more expensive. So when these materials are used for applications which do not require it, the budget is wasted. At Armatherm, we are dedicated to ensuring you have the correct materials for the exact project you’re working on. This is why we have developed a diverse range of products over the years, meaning we are the only thermal breaks manufacturer globally to offer such a wide variety of products to the market.
Armatherm has a dedicated support team, detailed documentation and online learning resources, to help advise on the most appropriate material for your project. If you would like to learn more, get in touch with one of our consultants today.
