Question 1

1. What is Enertherm PIR Insulation?

Accepted Answer

PIR or to give it the full name of Polyisocyanurate, is a foamed plastic insulation. This means that it is a chemical mixture of components that are bonded together to form a rigid board of insulation. It has a closed cell closed core (Like a honeycomb effect), is HCFC/CFC free, thermoset (once it is formed, it will not melt or return to its liquid form), low global warming potential (GWP) and zero ozone depletion potential (ODP).

This makes it ideal for building insulation due to its high performance and long service life. It is also very light and yet has a high compressive strength and structural stability. It has an aluminium foil on both sides to further enhance its thermal performance.

Question 2

2. How does Enertherm PIR compare to other insulation products?

Accepted Answer

Being a thermo set insulation, its overall performance is higher than most other insulation types available in NZ.
These include:

i. Low Thermal Conductivity = High R value for its thickness.

ii. Up to 40% more efficient than other “traditional” insulation types.

iii. Closed cell construction refers to rigid board insulations. Outright enertherm PIR >95%. PU (Polyurethane) up to 70%. EPS (Extruded Polystyrene) is up to 60%. XPS (Expanded Polystyrene) between 40 and 60%. Other insulation types are open lofted and allow air to flow through them and trap air inside to help improve their overall performance.

iv. PIR can achieve the same R value as other “traditional” insulation products at a much lower thickness. So, if the R value needs to increase to meet the buildings requirements, using PIR insulation can mean that the building structure does not need to increase in size e.g. moving from a 90mm to 140mm timber frame, that can increase the building cost significantly.

v. As a rigid board it is light to handle, easy to cut and as a result simple to install.

vi. It does not absorb or allow the transmission of moisture. This is important is making the building airtight as part of the bigger goal of making healthier homes. Some open lofted insulation products can get wet which reduces its performance and can become permanently damaged.

vii. It has good fire properties, and is designed to be installed in a system, especially for a wall or roof assembly. While it will eventually burn, it has good performance as it doesn’t spread the flame and will extinguish if the fire source is removed. That said, it will eventually burn at the right heat level so is used up to a height of 10m wall height, as covered by the NZBC.

Question 3

3. What is the R value of Enertherm?

Question 4

4. Does Enertherm PIR comply to the NZ Building Code?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. The Outright PIR insulation is fully compliant to meet various sections of the New Zealand Building Code, especially the considerations for Thermal Performance, Internal and External Moisture and Fire Performance. It is designed to be used up to a height of 10 metres or 3 storeys, so is perfectly suited for use in stand-alone, multi residential and commercial projects.

Question 5

5. Fire. Is it safe to use Enertherm PIR product in NZ?

Accepted Answer

The Outright PIR has been tested to European standards that are directly compared to the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) and the relevant AS/NZS standards. It is tested as a standalone product and “in use” behind a cladding or roofing material. It has good fire properties, and is designed to be installed in a system, especially for a wall or roof assembly. Because of the high levels of closed cell construction in the core of the product, there is very little air to aid a fire and the thermoset qualities of the finished product mean that it remains in its form. This is shown in a fire situation that the PIR will char, like timber, and only keep burning if the fire source remains. If that fire source is removed the PIR will go out.

Also, important to note in the Fire tests is that the product has a low “spread of flame” and will not form “droplets” of product as it burns. If the fire is severe enough, the PIR WILL eventually burn but it has been designed to have good fire performance to meet the NZBC requirements. Therefore, we have confidence and take a positive approach to using it in buildings up to 10 metres or 3 storeys high.

Question 6

6. Closed Cell core, why is this important?

Accepted Answer

From a thermal position, a closed cell core product like Enertherm PIR performs to a much higher level that open or lofted insulation products. They are designed to be more robust in use and not lose their thermal performance over an extended life cycle. Other products claim a similar life cycle but are affected by climatic conditions like moisture and human conditions like the initial installation, which impair the products’ performance.

Enertherm PIR

Key Benefits

Applications

Roof

Soffit

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Building Code Compliance

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