Mineral Wool as a Continuous Insulation Solution
Safety of Installation
Mineral wool is manufactured in sizes that are safe and easy to handle on the job site, and it can be safely installed with regular construction scaffolding or mechanical lifts. Additionally, mineral wool does not pose any safety threats to the insulation installers.
Trends/Improvements/Innovation
There is a trend to reduce thermal shorts regarding continuous insulation with the emergence of several thermally isolating hangers on the market. The use of these systems allows the insulation to be continuous and uninterrupted so as to realize the full benefit of the prescribed R-Value.
CASE STUDY: MINERAL WOOL SOLUTIONS BRING BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATION TO SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART EXPANSION
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) reopened in May 2016 following three years of construction to make SFMOMA the largest modern and contemporary art museum in America.
In concert with the multidisciplinary team working on the project, the insulation manufacturer’s building science experts focused on cutting-edge applications of mineral wool insulation solutions needed to address fire containment, acoustical and thermal control, and energy conservation in the exterior facade, interior walls, and mechanical HVAC systems. The collaboration led to the use of four different mineral wool insulation solutions.
Exterior Facade
The first step in creating the building enclosure was proving that the proposed fire-resistant panels (FRP) could pass the stringent NFPA 285 test requirements. Previously, FRP cladding had not passed the NFPA 285 standard fire test method for evaluation of fire propagation characteristics of exterior non-load-bearing wall assemblies and panels containing combustible components.
To address this challenge, the team devised an ultra-lightweight solution using a proprietary fire-resistant technology and expertise, creating an innovative FRP panel system to successfully pass the NFPA 285 fire test.
“This breakthrough represents the first major use of FRP cladding on a multistory building in North America and brings new flexibility to the future of commercial design for architects,” says William Kreysler, president, Kreysler & Associates.
A perimeter fire-containment assembly was chosen using mineral wool insulation to help achieve outstanding fire protection in compliance with building code fire requirements.
Mineral wool insulation was specified in the open-joint facade to provide energy-saving continuous insulation (ci) with critical fire-resistive characteristics. The exceptional performance of the specific insulation in rainscreen and cavity wall construction applications further helped the building breathe without sacrificing R-value. R-value is critical when managing interior thermal moisture levels needed to protect the art displayed in the galleries.
The specified mineral wool products were incorporated into the building enclosure to help meet the IBC requirements for fire containment and deliver exceptional thermal performance and moisture control benefits.
Seamless Interior Choreography
With the 225,000-square-foot addition, the Snøhetta design team strived to create seamless integration between the interior and exterior spaces of the new and original brick-wrapped Mario Botta building. A chief challenge for the interior design was addressing the highly sensitive temperature and humidity levels necessary to preserve works of art showcased in the museum. Given the additional energy usage typically required to maintain this balance, the team needed solutions that would keep the project on track to meet the sustainability and energy efficiency goals for the building and meet LEED Gold standard.
The specified mineral wool insulation product solutions helped maximize the building’s efficiency across thermal, acoustical, and mechanical systems. Mineral wool insulation was selected to help optimize acoustical and thermal control in the exposed and unexposed mechanical spaces as well as the penthouse. Engineered to repel moisture and provide a combination of fire-resistive characteristics, enhanced acoustical performance, thermal insulation, and energy conservation, the multipurpose insulation delivered on each of the strategic interior design priorities.
To further support interior fire safety, mineral wool insulation was also cut and installed into the top of the fire-rated wall assemblies and for mechanical and electrical fire rated penetrations.
Thanks, in part, to the building science innovation incorporated throughout the design, the SFMOMA renovation has been heralded as an architectural masterpiece that merges both form and function to achieve new standards in fire safety, durability, performance, and sustainability goals.
Technical Details
Floor Count: 10
Expansion: 225,000 square feet
Completion: 2016
Design
Architectural Firm: Snøhetta
Architect: Craig Dykers, Founding Partner, Snøhetta
Associate Architect: EHDD, San Francisco
Structural Engineer: Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Construction
General Contractor: Webcor Builders
Building Shell Insulation Contractor: Canyon Insulation
Interior Insulation Contractor: Res-Com Insulation Inc.
Custom Fabricator: Kreysler & Associates
Key Points to Remember
As we conclude, let’s quickly recap the most important points and benefits regarding using mineral wood as continuous insulation.
- ASHRAE 90.1 defines continuous insulation as “insulation that is continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings. It is installed on the interior, exterior, or is integral to any opaque surface of the building.”
- Use of continuous insulation minimizes thermal bridging and can have a dramatic impact on the energy efficiency of a building envelope.
- Mineral wool has a high recycled content due to the composition of the natural composition of the fibers.
- Mineral wool provides a cost-effective continuous insulation solution.
- Mineral wool continuous insulation is durable, moisture resistant, flexible, UV resistant, noncombustible with a melt point above 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and air/vapor permeable.
- Mineral wool is a semi-rigid product that is easy to cut and install, and it can be used in both permeable and nonpermeable assemblies.
- Assemblies that include mineral wool are capable of providing sound transmission coefficients (STCs) that improve the indoor acoustical environmental quality for the occupants of a structure.
- Mineral wool continuous insulation is capable of contributing to a number of LEED credit categories.
End Notes
1Moukhallati, Dana. “Electrical fault caused The Address Downtown Dubai hotel fire.” The National. 20 January 2016. Web. 9 April 2018.
2Myo-ja, Ser and Sang-jin, Kim. “Fire turns luxury apartments into towering inferno.” Korea JoongAng Daily. 2 October 2010. Web. 9 April 2018.
3Schwankert, Steven. “Five Years Ago Today: The CCTV Hotel Tower Burns.” The Beijinger. 9 February 2014. Web. 9 April 2018.
4“Fire Breaks Out at Monte Carlo Resort on Las Vegas Strip.” Fox News. 25 January 2008. Web. 9 April 2018.
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Owens Corning develops, manufactures, and markets insulation, roofing, and composites. The company’s businesses use their deep expertise in materials, manufacturing, and building science to develop products and systems that save energy and improve comfort in commercial and residential buildings. www.owenscorning.com |
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