The Right Insulation for Indoor Air Quality

Transcription

1 AP Armaflex The Closed Cell Solution The Right Insulation for Indoor Air Quality ADDED PROTECTION FOR COLD SYSTEMS AND AIR HANDLING SYSTEMS Prevents moisture intrusion Inhibits mold and mildew Fiber free, dust free, non-particulating Formaldehyde free, low VOCs AP Armaflex: It s more than just insulating.

2 How Is Insulation Key to Effective IAQ Design? Insulation materials can either help defend against or contribute to indoor air quality problems. This is particularly true with materials applied to chilled water and refrigeration piping, where the insulation needs to do more than prevent heat gain. It should also resist condensation and moisture intrusion. This is equally true in air handling systems, where the insulation needs to resist moisture while ensuring that the air passing over it remains dustand fiber-free. Moisture from condensation is a problem in any cold or air handling system. It can lead to system failure, call-backs, energy waste, even mold and building closings. Not every insulation is engineered for these applications. Only a closed-cell material like AP Armaflex elastomeric foam is specifically designed to prevent these problems. Energy Efficient insulation WITHOUT the Risk of Fibers Maintaining a fiber-free, particle-free air stream is an especially important clean air strategy for healthcare facilities. In fact, the American Institute of Architects currently specifies that fibrous glass duct liner not be used in certain healthcare HVAC systems. AP Armaflex World s MOST SPECIFIED closed cell elastomeric foam for insulating chilled water and refrigeration piping and air handling systems The best choice for insulation is the one that lasts the longest, provides the best long term efficiency, and, most important, helps protect the indoor air environment.

3 Other IAQ Considerations with Insulation The Causes and Consequences of Moisture Intrusion Moisture can intrude into a chilled water system in several ways: If the system is under-insulated. This will cause the water vapor to condense on the pipe surface because the temperature falls below the dew point, or point of saturation. If an insulation is improperly sealed. If an open cell insulation s vapor retarder is punctured or torn, which will allow moisture to penetrate and wick throughout the entire system. The primary consequence of moisture intrusion, in addition to loss of thermal performance and energy waste, is that the insulation and the pipes or ducts can become breeding grounds for mold spores. Mold can grow unseen behind walls and in plenums due to wet pipes or wet insulation. The spores easily spread, more so if present in air handling systems. Infestation has caused school and building closings throughout the U.S. and costly litigation for many in the construction industry. The right closed-cell insulation is the best prevention. Insulation materials can help (or hinder) IAQ initiatives in other ways as well: The insulation should be non-particulating so it doesn t become irritating for building occupants over the long term. Like more and more interior building products and finishes, it should be low-emitting, with low VOCs and negligible off-gassing. It should be easy to clean, especially if used as duct liner, and relatively dust-free and dirt-free. AP Armaflex meets these criteria and more. Mold requires three key conditions: Moisture, a food source and the right temperatures. Condensation can provide sufficient moisture for mold spores to germinate. Wet pipes or wet insulation can contribute enough moisture for mold growth in existing buildings. Mold needs little more than dust and dirt as food sources or the cellulose kraft paper in many vapor jackets on open cell insulation materials. The final primary requirement, 40 F to 100 F temperature, is nearly always present inside buildings, so the other two factors must be controlled. AP Armaflex is the only closed cell foam insulation made with Microban antimicrobial product protection to prevent mold on the insulation. It is EPA Registered for ductwork including in hospitals, schools and dormitories!

4 The Value of Closed Cell Protection The optimum, preferred insulation to prevent moisture intrusion has a closed cell structure. The most-frequently selected other option has been open cell insulation, which requires a separate vapor retarder that can fail the moment it s punctured or torn. A single break in the retarder can eventually result in moisture wicking throughout the open cell material, rendering it ineffective and compromising the entire insulation system. Unlike open cell insulations with separate vapor retarders, closed-cell elastomeric foams like the original AP Armaflex in tubes, sheets, rolls or patented Duct Liner, have the vapor retarder built-in. The closed-cell structure prevents the transference of moisture and the multi-layered structure of closed-wall cells can t be compromised by surface punctures or tears. Wicking cannot occur in closed cell insulations when properly installed. There have been numerous studies that support the case for closed-cell, elastomeric foam over open cell and cellulous-based products when it comes to mold prevention. According to the April 2004 ASHRAE Journal, Porous materials such as internal fibrous glass liner have been identified as a major source of fungal contamination. The same article references a study in which fungal growth on fiberglass linings was found in 92% of 150 office buildings in Minnesota with IAQ problems. Based on these facts, many experts recommend replacing fibrous glass liners with materials that are less likely to encourage fungal growth (i.e. closed-cell foam insulation) in areas where humidity is likely to exceed 70%. An increasing number of hospitals, schools, universities and other facilities seeking better IAQ have made the same decision, replacing existing open cell insulation with elastomeric foam, not only for its mold-resistant properties, but its fiber-free, non-particulating construction.

5 Hospitals and Schools Replace Insulation with AP Armaflex An increasing number of hospitals, schools and universities seeking better IAQ have decided to replace existing open cell insulation with AP Armaflex elastomeric foam, not only for its mold-resistant properties, but also its fiber-free, non-particulating construction. Waterbury Schools Replace Damaged Open Cell Duct Insulation with Closed Cell Elastomeric Foam When duct cleaners discovered wet, moldy, and/or heavily damaged fibrous insulation in several schools in Waterbury, CT, closed cell AP Armaflex Duct Liner was selected for replacement. Waterbury schools used AP Armaflex closed cell elastomeric duct liner to replace the open cell liner in the air handling units. The decision was based on the strong recommendation of Jim Choquette, Senior Project Manger of Duct and Vent Cleaning of America, Inc. It s just easier to work with. It doesn t break up inside of the unit so we re not getting call backs after three or four years. said Choquette. Fiber-Free Insulation and IAQ are high priorities for Pennsylvania High School Longevity of products and equipment is always a concern for schools undergoing renovation. In the case of Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, PA, that concern was heightened, largely because of what the school district had endured over the past decade as a result of asbestos removal. It was this experience that led the school board to aspire to make the high school a fiber-free zone. Part of that decision to go fiber-free included the selection of AP Armaflex closed-cell elastomeric foam insulation for piping and ductwork throughout the school. Self-Adhering AP Armaflex is the ONLY Choice for Demanding Hospital HVAC Renovation Hospitals pose special challenges when it comes to repairing and renovating air systems. Maintaining decontaminated air streams requires extra precaution, particularly when fibrous materials are being removed from air handling equipment. Remarkably, Cochrane Ventilation, Inc. met these challenges without once interrupting normal hospital operation during a large HVAC renovation at Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Armaflex was selected because it meets NFPA Standard 90-A, and because it comes in sheets with a self-adhesive backing that does not emit odors typically associated with other glues. While similar products are available, many do not meet code for smoke generation and flame spread, says Charles Cochrane. While there are products that supposedly meet code, our experience with Armaflex and Armacell s outstanding product support makes us reluctant to try something else, said Mr. Cochrane. Practice of Condensation Control Maintain the surface temperature above the dew point. Select closed cell insulation: Armaflex is the closed cell elastomeric insulation invented to prevent condensation, moisture intrusion and loss of thermal k. Use the Armacell ArmWin program to calculate the insulation thickness needed to maintain the surface temperature above the dew point temperature.

6 AP Armaflex: Best Solution to Mold, the Right Answer for IAQ Inhibits growth of Mold and Mildew Minimizes moisture intrusion, the first requirement for mold growth Superior 0.05 Water-Vapor Transmission Factor Made with Microban antimicrobial product protection, recognized worldwide. Provides long-term Protection: No fragile vapor jacket The vapor retarder is built-in Multi-layered closed wall cells can t be compromised by surface punctures or rips Withstands abuse during installation: Can t be inadvertently damaged by the installer or other trades. Keeps working: Stands up to ongoing maintenance work after building occupancy Helps prevent callbacks, product replacement and disruptive facility closings Provides many other IAQ Benefits: Fiber-free: Won t add fibers to the air stream Clean: Dust-free, dirt-free, non-particulating spaces can remain occupied during reno work Formaldehyde-free: Always has been! Low VOCs: Plus, no off-gassing, which means faster building occupancy Environmentally friendly manufacturing: No CFCs or HCFCs Plus...Superior Energy Savings 0.25 thermak K

7 AP Armaflex Assurance System Your peace-of-mind assurance that AP Armaflex is made to the strictest quality, technical performance and environmentally friendly standards. ISO Registration: Ensures that all Armacell manufacturing facilities consistently meet customer requirements... by managing all processes with ongoing quality assessments. Factory Mutual Approval Guide: Ensures consistent performance to published values by monitoring: Fire Performance FM pipe chase test, Flammability test, United Building Code (UBC) 26-3 Room Test WVT ASTM E 96 Thermal Conductivity ASTM C 518 Formaldehyde-Free: Ensures that AP Armaflex is a low-emitting product. It is also low VOC. Closed Cell AP Armaflex for Cold Systems: Adding value, creating better outcomes for Engineers, Owners and Building Occupants! Training Installers to Ensure Quality As market leader, Armacell has produced and widely distributed the first comprehensive English and Spanish installation guide on DVD at no cost for insulation contractors and installers. The DVD is one way Armacell works to ensure that AP Armaflex applications perform as designed and specified. We also conduct field application demonstrations and training for contracting firms nationwide.

8 ARMACELL LLC 7600 Oakwood Street Extension Mebane, NC TEL: FAX: info.us@armacell.com INTERNET: IAQ NA NA 2008 Armacell LLC Printed in United States of America