SEAI Pilot: Evaluation of External Wall Insulation Systems

1. SEAI Pilot: Evaluation of External Wall Insulation Systems Presentation by Darragh O’Grady & Michael Greene

2. Scope • 25 private houses and a matching number of local authority houses in the greater Dublin area • EWI on private houses to start from the 27th of Oct. and be completed by the 30th Nov 2010. • External Walls to be insulated additional to the measures currently covered under the WHS • Where there were clear cavities these were to be filled and EWI to be applied thereafter (In keeping with best practice)

3. Rationale: • The independent assessment of various External Wall Insulation (EWI) systems focusing on their similarities/ differences and strengths/ weaknesses. • The final report will help to cut through the confusion caused as a result of the myriad of products available, each purporting to be better than the next.

4. Assessment criteria: • The various systems are being assessed in terms of; • Cost comparisons • Installation costs • Ancillary works • Thermal performance • U-values achieved and impact on BER • Impact on air permeability • Impact on thermal bridging • Finish • What finishes are available under the various systems • Adverse weather conditions (Some undercoats and finish coats require longer curing times) • Contractor performance • Compliance with the NSAI and system manufacturer specifications (detailing) • Commitment to delivery on schedule • Homeowner satisfaction

5. Selection of houses: • Target was to use the different systems on the following wall types including; • Solid Block • Hollow Block • Clear cavity • Filled cavity • Cavity Brick • Houses were selected from the list of applicants eligible for the measures under the Warmer Homes Scheme – The fuel poor

6. Location of private houses: List of contractors: Cosi Homes: Durkan Ecofix: FM External: Greenspan: Homeglo: Futureproof: Sean Hughes and Co.:

7. Invitation to tender: • An invitation to tender was sent out to all EWI installers who were on issue no. 22 of the NSAI External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) register.

8. NSAI AGREMENT REGISTERED ETICS INSTALLATION COMPANIES: • Issue no. 22 – June 2010 – 35 installers registered for seven different systems. • Weber Therm XM • ParexLahabra • Ceresit-Ceretherm • Pariso Mince • Powerwall • Baumit • Brillux • Issue no. 56 – Feb. 2011 – 113 installers registered for 11 different systems (4 additional systems since June). • StoTherm • Protherm ECAP • Atlas Aval • JUB External insulation Composite system

9. Contractor Criteria: • Qualifying criteria including; • NSAI Certification • Insurances • Tax Clearance Certificates • Health and safety • Relevant employment legislation • Selection criteria • Cost • Quality Assurance • Organisation and resources • Previous experience

10. Precondition of NSAI ETICS registration: • Quality control: • Under the terms of their NSAI certification the approved installer must: • a) Comply with all statutory regulations. • b) Install the ETICS in compliance with: • The valid certificate(s) including the use of approved materials; • The Certificate holder’s project specific design, site survey sheet, building details, method statement and maintenance plan; • The Certificate holder’s Code of Practice/Charter for approved installers.

11. Sequence of Works: • Selection of houses – • Focus on properties where ancillary works would be kept to a minimum • Agreement signed with homeowners • Contract signed with contractors • Allocation of houses to contractors • Completion of ‘before’ energy audits; • BER • Air pressure tests • Thermal imagery • Installation commences

12. Progress report: • ‘After’, energy audits. • Compilation of final report based on results of audits. • Completion of works for LA’s

13. Results • Sample House Type A – 3 bed Semi D- Solid Conc. wall Before Digital Image After Digital Image

14. Results • Sample House Type A – 3 bed Semi D- Solid Conc. wall Front Elevation Front Elevation Before IR Image After IR Image

15. Results • Sample House Type A – 3 bed Semi D- Solid Conc wall Rear Elevation Rear Elevation Before IR Image After IR Image

16. Results • Sample House Type A – 3 bed Semi D- Solid Conc. wall Comparison with Neighbours Property

17. Results • Sample House Type A – 3 bed Semi D- Solid Conc wall

18. Results • Sample House Type B – 3 bed Semi D- Hollow Block & Cavity Wall Front Elevation Front Elevation Before Digital Image After Digital Image

19. Results • Sample House Type B – 3 bed Semi D- Hollow Block & Cavity Wall Front Elevation Front Elevation Before IR Image After IR Image

20. Results • Sample House Type B – 3 bed Semi D- Hollow Block & Cavity Wall Rear Elevation Rear Elevation Before IR Image After IR Image

21. Results • Sample House Type B – 3 bed Semi D- Hollow Block & Cavity Wall

22. Results • Sample House Type C - 3 bed Semi D- Hollow Block Front Elevation Front Elevation Before IR Image After IR Image

23. Results • Sample House Type C - 3 bed Semi D- Hollow Block Front Elevation Front Elevation Before IR Image After IR Image

24. Results • Sample House Type C - 3 bed Semi D- Hollow Block

25. Results • Sample House Type D – 3 Bed Mid Terrace- Cavity Wall Front Elevation Front Elevation Before IR Image After IR Image

26. Results • Sample House Type D - 3 Bed Mid Terrace- Cavity Wall Front Elevation Front Elevation Front Elevation Before IR Image After Pumping After EWI IR IR Image Image

27. Results • Sample House Type D - 3 Bed Mid Terrace- Cavity Wall Rear Elevation Rear Elevation Before IR Image After Pumping

28. Results • Sample House Type D - 3 Bed Mid Terrace- Cavity Wall

29. Results • Examples of Air Infiltration / Thermal Bridging & Cavity Wall Pumping

30. Results • Examples of Air Infiltration / Thermal Bridging & Cavity Wall Pumping

31. Results • Examples of Air Infiltration points following EWI works

32. Points of Concern • Quality Control Issues / Attention to detail Two different contractors not using Fire Breaks for different reasons.

33. Points of Concern • Quality Control Issues / Attention to detail

34. Points of Concern • Quality Control Issues / Attention to detail Same contractor & materials Different Properties, Different Labour crews = Different Finish result

35. Points of Concern • Quality Control Issues / Attention to detail Potential Weak Points in the system

36. Points of Concern • Health & Safety Issues

37. Thank you to all involved in the project.Questions ??