Knauf Gets its KICCs!!
01 June 2007
Knauf Insulation, the UK's leading manufacturer of insulation
products, is the only insulation manufacturer to offer a free
online calculation suite designed to help the building and
construction industry comply with the Building Regulations. What’s
more, KICC (the Knauf Insulation Calculation Centre) includes the
only free BRE approved SAP 2005 calculator available
anywhere.
KICC has been specifically designed to simplify the process of
demonstrating the compliance of a new dwelling with the Building
Regulations relevant to conservation of heat and power in England
and Wales (Part l1A) Scotland (Section 6) and Northern Ireland
(Part F). Each location requires subtly different versions of SAP
2005 which results in differing outputs. The SAP 2005 Tool
contained in the KICC has BRE approved versions for all three
locations. The suite already has over 2,000 registered users with
their own account which enables them to access their work from any
computer connected to the internet.
The tools are simple to use. For instance all the information to
complete a preliminary assessment using the Model Design Calculator
for Housing can be inputted in only 15 ‘mouse’ clicks taking an
average of just two minutes to arrive at a working draft
specification.
KICC currently consists of three functioning elements and one in
production; the first is the only free BRE approved SAP 2005
calculation tool for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and soon
Scotland. The tool performs the TER DER calculation that is a
fundamental requirement of the Part L1A (F1 in Northern Ireland and
Section 6 in Scotland) of compliance with Building
Regulations.
The second tool, the Model Design Calculator for Housing, provides
an early compliance check for new build houses at concept stage and
requires minimal information. This tool takes into account the
performance specification for each factor that will have an
influence over the carbon dioxide emissions from the proposed
dwelling, meaning the user only needs to enter information
regarding total floor area, building type, fuel type, efficiency of
heating system and type of construction for the walls, roof and
floors. The tool is able to make a prediction to complete a TER/DER
calculation for all factors that impact on the finished
construction, which enables plans to be modified if needed. A full
draft specification can then be printed out.
The third tool is the KICC HVAC Calculator, which allows designers
of HVAC systems complete heat loss calculations from pipes and
vessels. This will enable them to comply to both the Domestic
Heating Compliance Guide and the Non-Domestic Heating, Cooling and
Ventilation Compliance Guide.
Also in development is the KICC Elemental U-value Calculator which
enables users to complete U-value calculations for walls, roofs and
floors in line with Building Regulations. To make it as easy as
possible to use, the calculator will be fully loaded with the
details of standard construction materials and other components
such as airspaces, that contribute to the overall U-value of a
structure.
Stephen Wise, technical development manager at Knauf Insulation,
said: “The industry looks to market leading manufacturers such as
ourselves to provide advice and support on how to comply with the
regulations. At Knauf Insulation we offer a range of support
services including free to use guidance documents on how to comply.
All are available from our website at www.knaufinsulation.co.uk or
by calling our Technical Advisory Centre on 01744 76 66 66.”
Editor's Notes:
Customer Contact Tel: 08700 668 660
(ref: KNR15607) Fax: 0870 400 5797 Email: info@knaufinsulation.com
Notes to editors: Knauf Insulation is the UK’s leading manufacturer
of insulation products, and the only producer of four types of
insulation: glass and rock mineral wool, extruded polystyrene (XPS)
and extruded polyethylene (XPE) in the UK under the brand names;
Crown®, Rocksilk® and Polyfoam®. In the UK, the company employs
around 500 people at its four manufacturing plants at St Helens,
Queensferry, Cwmbran and Hartlepool. Knauf Insulation is part of
the Knauf Group – a global corporation delivering products and
services including: building materials and systems based on gypsum
and gypsum-related products, thermal insulation, sound insulation
and fire protection materials, limestone and lime products, chalk
and cement related products and plant engineering. Press enquiries
to: Malin Cunningham, Steven Proud or Emma Campbell at Tangerine PR
& Coaching e: Malin@tangerinepr.com steven@tangerinepr.com
emma@tangerinepr.com t: 0161 817 6600 m: 07799 874 817