Icynene® Air Sealing Insulation from Envirohealth

APPLICATION CASE STUDY: INSULATING A METAL BUILDING FOR AIR SEALING/ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Synopsis:

• Twice as effective at air sealing versus conventional insulation
• Effective in maintaining lower temperatures in non air conditioned spaces
• Annual HVAC costs of $1.98 per square foot

The Problem

Corrugated steel panel buildings are very popular and are used for everything from laboratories to churches.

"However, the panel-style construction technique produces many standing seams in the building envelope.While these are almost always weather tight, they are rarely air tight. This construction method can result in very high infiltration rates. This increases HVAC costs significantly." (1) "Random air leakage can account for 30% to 40% of heating/cooling energy costs used within a structure." (2)

The University of Florida wanted to remodel a corrugated steel building (Building #243) previously used for storage into an Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory. The original structure contained no insulation.

Building Dimensions: Floor Area 920 sq.ft. Avg. Building Height 16.125 ft.

The building envelope for this laboratory was a typical commercial steel panel style construction. Controlling air infiltration in this type of structure is difficult at best.

Building 243 at the University of Florida. The building utilised standard corrugated steel panel construction.

This project was a collaborative effort between the University of Florida/Energy Extension Service (UF/EES), the Florida Solar Energy Centre (FSEC), and the University of Florida/Soil and Water Science Department.

The FSEC was contracted to devise the systems that would seal the building envelope, execute blower door testing, perform detailed building energy simulations for the remodelled structure, size an HVAC system, and check / adjust airflow.

The Solution - Air Sealing with Icynene®

The original scope of work had FSEC sealing gaps and penetrations in the building envelope (using weather-stripping, caulking, etc.) after renovation to reduce/eliminate uncontrolled flow of hot and humid outdoor air into the lab building. Early in the project, FSEC identified a foam insulation product (Icynene®) that could be used within the lab that would insulate and act as an air barrier.

Beams and purlins were covered in Icynene® to ensure there was no conductive heat transfer from the metal roof. The Icynene® foam was left exposed in the mechanical room, which is located in the upper area of the building. "The foam insulation had many desirable features, including the ability to insulate the exterior walls/ roof of the building and significantly air tighten the structure by filling nearly all of the cracks and crevices inherent with steel building construction." (3.) "UF/EES personnel agreed that this foam insulation product should be used on this lab building. Therefore, FSEC scope of work was reduced since additional air tightening of the building envelope would not be required" (4.)

Icynene® insulation:

• 3.5 inches sprayed on walls
• 5.5 inches sprayed on underside of roof
• metal beams and purlins located in the mezzanine were sprayed to prevent heat exchange.

The Icynene® foam was left exposed in the mechanical room, which is located in the upper area of the building.Beams and purlins were covered in Icynene® to ensure there was no conductive heat transfer from the metal roof.

The original renovation plan specified 7 low e double-pane windows. These windows were calculated as not cost effective for this particular project - payback period was 15 years. The building was completed using 7 single pane clear windows with aluminium frames.

The Results

FSEC personnel performed an air-tightness test on the building in August 1995 prior to the start of renovation. Another test was performed in July 1998 after the Icynene® foam insulation had been installed but prior to the completion of final building penetrations and proper sealing of these penetrations. Final air-tightness testing was completed on March 5, 1999, and a summary report was provided to UF/ESS on March 8, 1999.

"The air-tightness tests indicated that the (Icynene®) foam insulation did an excellent job at sealing the steel structure, improving the air-tightness of the building even beyond the target level established during the design phase of the project." (5.)

Mechanical room spaces that had Icynene® insulation but were not part of the air conditioned space were in the low 90’s (F) even during the hottest days. The Icynene Insulation System® air sealed the building envelope tighter than the project requirements and twice as tight as the air sealing properties of standard metal buildings with conventional insulation.

The Icynene Insulation System®

Icynene® is a low-density soft foam insulation, which is sprayed into/onto walls, crawlspaces, underside of roofs, attics and ceilings by Icynene Licensed Dealers. Sprayed as a liquid, it expands to 100 times its volume in seconds to create a superior insulation and air barrier. Every crevice, crack, electrical box, duct and exterior penetration is effortlessly sealed to reduce energy-robbing random air leakage. The Icynene Insulation System® adheres to the construction material and remains flexible so that the integrity of the building envelope seal remains intact over time.

Icynene® is ideal for residential, commercial, industrial and institutional indoor applications.

The product is:

Healthier: Water is the only blowing agent. Icynene® contains no HCFCs, HFAs, HFCs, formaldehyde or volatile organic chemicals. It seals out dust, pollen and other allergens from entering the structure. As an air barrier, Icynene® minimizes the potential for condensation and the subsequent mould and mildew.

Quieter: By sealing the building envelope, Icynene® effectively minimizes airborne sounds. Icynene® is perfect for reducing unwanted noises from home theaters, plumbing runs, street traffic and playrooms.

More Energy Efficient: Icynene® delivers up to 50% more energy savings versus traditional insulation.

Footnotes:

1. Florida Energy Extension Service - University of Florida, Final Report 96-SE-2Y-03-11-05-218 executive summary, page 2
2. Florida Energy Extension Service - University of Florida, Final Report 96-SE-2Y-03-11-05-218 executive summary
3. Florida Solar Energy Centre, Final Report FSEC-CR-1153-00, February 2000, page 4
4. Florida Solar Energy Centre, Final Report FSEC-CR-1153-00, February 2000, page 4
5. Florida Solar Energy Centre, Final Report FSEC-CR-1153-00, February 2000, page 4
6. Florida Solar Energy Centre Progress Report for July - September 1998