Fastening of Facade Insulation
Primary Principles in the Use of Mechanical Connectors in the Technology of the Wall Barrier Insulation Load Transmission: From the influence of weather conditions (primarily the wind but also temperature differences). From the lap-shear strength resulting from the dead load of the insulation system. From the adhesive setting weakening in the course of time as a result of thermal impacts (thermal expansion of the cladding panel). Mechanical fixing of thermal-insulation panels: Owing to the panel s fixing, the system is more resistant to dynamic impacts. Elimination of errors when preparing bases for thermal-insulation panels to be adhered: Inappropriate amount of an adhesive. An adhesive of poor quality and little resistance to ageing as a result of the impact of low temperatures. Inappropriately prepared base; old and non-resistant plaster or remaining old layers of the façade s finishing, exceedingly great unevenness of the surface. Failure to follow strict technological requirements such as time of the adhesive s setting on a cement base). Failure to provide the recommended ambient temperature (producers of adhesives most often recommend temperatures between +5 o C and +25 o C). Works left unfinished in winter. Selection of Connectors: Connector with a Metal or Plastic Spindle Connectors with plastic insert pins are suitable for fastening of the insulation made of light materials such as polystyrene foam. Connectors with a metal insert pin are suitable for fastening of all types of the thermal insulation and are intended for such materials as mineral wool, lamella wool, cork panel, recycled insulation materials. Depth of securing anchor area The anchor area of connectors depends on the type of material, which a wall is made of. The most common division of substrate is in accordance with the guidelines of the European Technical Approval ETAG 014. Depth of anchoring is provided each time for particular groups of connectors. Connector s Length When selecting the length of a connector, the following constituents should be taken into consideration: Length of anchoring provided by the Koelner s connector producer. The adhesive s thickness under an insulating plate including possible old layers (old plaster, etc.). Thickness of the insulating material. g b d h L length of connector L = d + b + g h = g + 1 cm d thickness of insulation material b thickness of an adhesive with possible old plaster and unevenness g anchoring depth h depth of the hole s drilling ceramic hollow brick adhesive polystyrene foam 2
Number and Placement of Connectors The number and placement of connectors is one of the most important parameters determining the durability and safe usage of a facade. The following factors determine the connectors number and placement: Weight of the insulation system. Type of the thermal-insulation material. Height of an insulated building. Area of influence of wind forces. Pull out strength of single connectors in relevant types of a base (available in Technical Approvals). Boundary Area The building s corners are especially exposed to the influence of wind forces. The socalled boundary area is defined to have 1/8 of the building s shorter dimension and is contained in the range of 1 to 2m. 1m< 1 8 A<2m A Placement of Connectors Examples of Connectors Number and Placement 6 pieces/m 2 4 pieces/m 2 6 pieces/m 2 4 pieces/m 2 Type of Connector KI-10 TFIX-8 KI-10M TFIX-8M TFIX-8ST KI-10N KI-10NS KC, KIG Polystyrene Foam Building s Height/Number of Connectors up to 8m 8m-20m over 20m 4-5 6-8 pieces/m 2 pieces/m 2 4-5 6-8 8-10 pieces/m 2 pieces/m 2 pieces/m 2 8,5 pieces/m 2 6 pieces/m 2 11 pieces/m 2 8 pieces/m 2 Type of Connector KI-10M TFIX-8M TFIX-8ST KI-10N KI-10NS KC, KIG Mineral Wool Building s Height/Number of Connectors up to 8m 8m-20m over 20m 6-8 8-10 10-12 pieces/m 2 pieces/m 2 pieces/m 2 14,5 pieces/m 2 10 pieces/m 2 17 pieces/m 2 12 pieces/m 2 Lamella wool Building s Height/Number Type of Connector of Connectors up to 20m over 20m KI-10M TFIX-8M 4 pieces/m 2 4 pieces/m TFIX-8ST 2 + KWL KI-10N 7 pieces/m 2 10 pieces/m 2 KI-10NS KC, KIG 7 pieces/m 2 4 pieces/m 2 10 pieces/m 2 4 pieces/m 2 3
BASIC RANGE Connector s Name KI-10 KI-10NP KI-10M KI-10N KI-10NS KI8M-D INSULATION MATERIAL Traditional Polystyrene Foam/Extruded Panels Mineral Wool Lamella Wool + Clamping Flange Cork Panels Wood Fibre Panels, Light Panels Made of Recycled Material * * Concrete Full Brick, Calcium Silicate Brick, Concrete Blocks, Stone BASE Cellular Brick, Cavity Brick, Structural Clay Tiles Blocks Made of Light Concrete Such As Gravelite Concrete Autoclaved Cellular Concrete (Aerated Concrete) Wood, Wood-Based Boards Available Lengths [mm] 70, 90, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220 140, 160, 180, 200, 220 70, 90, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 260 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260, 300, 340 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260, 300, 340 Diameter of a Drilling Opening [mm] 10 10 10 10 10 8 90, 110, 130, 150, 170, 190, 210, 230 250, 270, 290 Anchoring Depth 25 50 25 60 60 40 PROPERTIES Fastening Variant Hammered-In Hammered-In Hammered-In Hammered-In Screwed-In Hammered-In Reference Documents Additional Information: AT-15-3248/98 + Appendix no. 1, ETA 07/0291 ETA under preparation The most popular connectors for fastening traditional and extruded polystyrene foam AT-15-3235/98 + Appendix no. 1, ETA under preparation *Due to diffusion resistance of polystyrene foam and the connector, the latter is not recommended for newly constructed walls; discolouring on plaster may appear AT-15-4399/2005, ETA 07/0221 AT-15-4399/2005, ETA 07/0221 Connector for bases being the most problematic. Screwed-in variant is recommended especially for wide sections of insulation fastened to porous materials such as porous ceramic hollow bricks and the lightest variety of aerated concrete. ETA-06/0191 Increasingly high thermal-insulation and durability properties. Connector preferred by producers of insulation systems. 4
TFIX-BSO RANGE ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS TFIX-8 TFIX-8M KI-8M KIK KIG / UC KC / UC 90, 110, 130, 150, 170, 190 75, 95, 115, 135, 155, 175, 195, 215, 235, 275, 295 90, 110, 130, 150, 170, 190, 210, 230, 250, 270, 290 8 8 8 8 70, 90 KIG: 15-35 UC: 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 40 25 40 30 15, 35 Hammered-In Hammered-In Hammered-In Hammered-In Screwed-In Screwed-In AT-15-3250/98 + Appendix no. 1, ETA under preparation ETA-07/0336 AT-15-3249/98 + Appendix no. 1 AT-15-5378/2005 ETA under preparation AT-15-4627/2006 Connectors of increased thermal-insulation properties Connectors of increased thermal-insulation properties For fastening of polystyrene foam and wool on small surfaces such as window and door openings. For walls made of wood and wood-derived panels such as OSB 5
Installation Recommendations The mechanical installation of insulation panels should take place after adhering them in accordance with recommendations of the manufacturer of an adhesive intended for the insulation panel s fastening. The adhering process requires typically 24-48 hours of a service interruption for the adhesive to set. Then, the connectors can be fastened. When fastening, it is important to match the diameter of the connector s sleeve with the drill bit s diameter and the type of the base determining whethera rotary hammer should be used. In the case of works performed in low temperatures or in rain, no restrictions are known. However, producers of insulation systems condition that works should be performed at the minimum of +5 C. The fastening of insulation panels is one of the stages of the system s construction and cannot exceed the range of temperatures; that is why the similar temperature is assumed. Base Preparation The base should be dusted. All remaining layers and coats should be removed. In the case of a new building, the base should be robust enough to support big loads and intervals between the phases of installation process should be provided. Installation of Fixing Profiles Set a fixing profile horizontally by means of a level, then mark a reference line and spots for drilling. Drill openings in previously marked spots. Match the drill s diameter with the applied connectors for the installation of the profile; the connectors recommended placement for the installation of the profile is ca. 50 cm. If the base is uneven, rectification performed by means of spacers is recommended. Connectors for board laths are recommended for connecting the profiles. Cut the fixing profiles at the angle of 45 degrees in internal and external corners. 6
Fastening of Connectors Once the insulation panels are adhered according to the recommendations of the panels and the insulation systems producers, especially the producers of adhesives for insulation panels, mechanical connectors can be fastened, maintaining service interruption (lasting typically 24-48 hours). The drill bit s diameter should match the connector sleeve s diameter, which is 8 or 10 mm. Rotary hammers are not recommended for drilling in porous materials (aerated concrete, porous ceramic materials) and cavity walls (ceramic hollow bricks of thin sides). An opening should be drilled approximately 10 mm deeper than the indicated anchoring depth, in order to leave room for possible drill dust. Once an opening is drilled, set a connector inside and hammer or screw it in (depending on its type), so the disc s surface touches the insulation material. Worn-out drill bits should not be used, especially for hard materials (concrete, full brick), for it hampers and even prevents from fastening of connectors. In the case of the so-called lamella wool, pressure plates should be used. The number and placement of bolts should be performed according to building heights diagrams. Complementary Elements Finishing of window and door openings single-element connector KIK is the fastest connector for such a purpose; it is fastened by hammering in an opening which was prepared previously. PVC and aluminium corners with a mesh should be placed in the building s corners and dipped in the adhesive by means of a notched trowel as shown on the photo. 7
An expansion bead for building expansion joints. The profile should be inserted in a dilatation opening and the mesh dipped in an adhesive intended for dipping the reinforcing mesh. The dilatation opening should not be filled with the resin compound intended for dipping a mesh special compounds resistant to UV rays are recommended for this purpose. A drip bead for rainwater disposal from the facade should be used above window and door openings. Stick a window trim to the window framework. Then, remove a paper strip (as shown on the photo) and adhere the protective film. The film with the strip should be removed once the insulation works are completed, i.e. after the thin-coat plaster is spread. Final Remarks The long-term laboratory research and practice of the use of connectors allowed Koelner Company to develop an appropriate shape for the anchoring area so as to achieve maximal values of forces transferred on a base. Due to the use of plastics of the highest quality the connectors have appropriate hardness. Spraying of metal spindles was designed so as to reduce thermal bridges. The openings in the connector s disc allow for comfortable dipping in an adhesive with little loss of the disc s rigidity. However, fastened connectors will serve their intended function if the principles of their selection, installation, and the use of the finished insulated facade are strictly followed. Headquarters of Koelner S.A. ul. Kwidzyńska 6 51-416 Wrocław, POLAND tel. + 48 71 32 60 100 fax + 48 71 37 26 111 www.koelner.pl Distributor 8