Kingspan Kooltherm’s FM Pipe Insulation has been installed on the University of Cambridge’s centrepiece for industrial partnership with the physical sciences and engineering. The £26 million Maxwell Centre, opened in 2016, achieved credits towards a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating thanks in part to the Kingspan Kooltherm FM Pipe Insulation that was specified for the project.
The Maxwell Centre objectives are to carry out world-leading research in the physical sciences, developed from both near-term but also long-term industry objectives. The 5,000 m2 centre houses a pioneering research facility that focuses on a range of areas, including scientific computing, condensed matter, advanced materials, and the physics of biology and medicine.
Contractors, Kershaw Mechanical Services, discussed the specification of Kingspan Kooltherm FM Pipe Insulation on the project:
“The high specification mechanical works include new low temperature hot water and processed chilled water systems, which required insulation with exceptional thermal performance. Kingspan Kooltherm FM Pipe Insulation was used on a previous project at the university, with established reliability, resulting in its specification for the Maxwell Centre’s hot and cold water pipework networks throughout the development.”
10,000 m2 Kingspan Kooltherm FM Pipe Insulation has been installed on the building. The product offers superior thermal performance, and comprises a fibre-free phenolic insulation core, externally faced with an aluminium vapour barrier foil.
M&E consultants, KJ TAIT Engineers, added:
“The product’s fibre-free insulation core delivers outstanding energy performance, with thermal conductivities as low as 0.025 W/m∙K. This allowed the desired thermal performance to be achieved with the slimmest possible solution, saving vital service space whilst contributing towards the energy requirements of the BREEAM Assessment. In addition to guaranteeing a constant high energy performance, the system will also help to keep the long-term energy costs of the building to a minimum.”
Kingspan Kooltherm FM Pipe Insulation is Class 0 as defined by Building Regulations, has a BRE Green Guide A+ rating, and is manufactured under a BS EN ISO 14001: 2004 scheme. It has also been awarded a best-in-class Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold certificate, recognising it as outstanding material according to the VOC Indoor Air Quality emissions standards.
With Kingspan Industrial Insulation’s free Pipeline Technical Advisory Service, which can be contacted on 0808 168 7363, clear advice and guidance can be accessed at every stage in a project. They also have Premier and Premier Plus Services which support purchases of Kingspan Kooltherm FM Pipe Insulation and the Kooltherm FM Complete Pipe Insulation System (incorporating insulated pipe support inserts and fire sleeves).
