ROCKWOOL issues Technical Bulletin on durability of stone wool insulation

Summarising the results of several studies and real-world testing, the Technical Bulletin concludes that ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation can retain its insulating properties for more than 65 years in external wall systems.

The Technical Bulletin outlines the definition of durability when it comes to the as-built performance of insulation and how ROCKWOOL products were assessed. Evidence includes the findings of an independent study conducted by the European Mineral Wool Manufacturers’ Association on mineral wool insulation, including real-world testing for ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation.

In terms of the latter, the Technical Bulletin summarises a study conducted by the Danish Technological Institute on ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation materials recovered from a hangar building at Copenhagen Airport, which was originally constructed back in 1958.

Credible evidence

Commenting on what the Technical Bulletin means for specifiers and designers, James Francis (product manager for general building insulation at ROCKWOOL UK) said: “This Technical Bulletin provides designers with credible evidence when considering the long-term performance of buildings post-occupancy. Insulation has an important role to play in reducing the active heating and cooling requirements of our buildings, but it’s not just about performance in design or at handover. It’s also about how insulation delivers in the decades afterwards.”

Francis concluded: “To ensure the Technical Bulletin is actionable for specifiers and designers, it translates the findings into modern building design and considers how durability aligns with current standards.”

*Copies of the ROCKWOOL Durability Technical Bulletin can be downloaded at www.rockwool.link/durability-bulletin