Rockwool LtdPencoedBridgendCF35 6NYTel: 01656 862621 Fax: 01656 862302

AgrémentCertificate

No 93/2884Second issue*

Designated by Governmentto issue

European TechnicalApprovals

ROCKWOOL HIGH PERFORMANCE PARTIAL FILL CAVITY SLABIsolation de murs à double paroiKerndämmung

Product

Regulations• THIS CERTIFICATE REPLACESCERTIFICATE No 87/1825 ANDRELATES TO ROCKWOOL HIGHPERFORMANCE PARTIAL FILL CAVITYSLAB, AN INSULATION FOR CAVITYWALL INSULATION.• The product is for use in buildingsup to and including 25 metres inheight, subject to the conditionscontained in the Design Data part ofthis Certificate.• The product is installed duringconstruction and is for use as apartial fill slab to reduce the thermaltransmittance of cavity walls withmasonry inner and outer leaves.• It is essential that the walls are builtin accordance with the conditionsset out in the Design Data andInstallation parts of this Certificate.• The product can be used in‘breathing wall’ constructions whereother elements have appropriaterelative resistance to water vapourtransmission.

1 The Building Regulations 1991 (as amended) (England and Wales)

The Secretary of State has agreed with the British Board of Agrémentthe aspects of performance to be used by the BBA in assessing thecompliance of cavity wall insulation with the Building Regulations. In the

opinion of the BBA, Rockwool High Performance Partial Fill Cavity Slab, ifused in accordance with the provisions of this Certificate, will meet orcontribute to meeting the relevant requirements.Requirement: B3(4) Internal fire spread (structure)

Comment: Walls incorporating the product can meet this Requirement.See sections 8.3 to 8.5 of this Certificate.

Requirement: C4 Resistance to weather and ground moisture

Comment: Walls incorporating the product can meet this Requirement.See sections 7.2 and 9.2 of this Certificate. In addition theproduct may be used in situations where it bridges the dpc.See section 9.1 of this Certificate.

Requirement: L1 Conservation of fuel and power

Comment: The product can meet this Requirement. See sections 11.2and 11.3 of this Certificate.

Requirement: Regulation 7 Materials and workmanship

Comment: The product is acceptable. See section 12 of this Certificate.

Readers are advised to check the validity of this Certificate by either referring to the Index of Current BBA Publications or contactingthe BBA direct (Telephone Hotline 01923 665400).

CI/SfB

(21.9) Rm

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2 The Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990 (as amended)

In the opinion of the BBA, Rockwool High Performance Partial Fill CavitySlab, if used in accordance with the provisions of this Certificate, willsatisfy or contribute to satisfying the various Regulations and Technical

Standards as listed below.Regulation: 10 Fitness of materialsStandard: B2.1 Selection and use of materials and components

Comment: The product is acceptable.Regulation: 12 Structural fire precautionsStandard: D2.2 Non-combustibility

Comment: The product may be used in buildings of any purpose group.See sections 8.3 to 8.5 of this Certificate.

Standard: D4.1 Concealed Spaces (cavities)

Comment: Walls incorporating the product must comply with thisStandard. See sections 8.3 to 8.5 of this Certificate.

Regulation: 17 Preparation of sites and resistance to moistureStandard: G2.6 Resistance to moisture from the ground

Comment: The product can satisfy this Standard. See section 9.1 of thisCertificate.

Standard: G3.1 Resistance to precipitation

Comment: Walls incorporating the product can satisfy this Standard. Seesections 7.2 and 9.2 of this Certificate.

Regulation: 22 Conservation of fuel and powerStandard: J2.1 Standards for buildings in purpose group 1Standard: J3.1 Standards for buildings in purpose groups 2 to 7

Comment: The product can satisfy these Standards. See sections 11.2and 11.3 of this Certificate.

3 The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 (as amended)

In the opinion of the BBA, Rockwool High Performance Partial Fill CavitySlab, if used in accordance with the provisions of this Certificate, willsatisfy or contribute to satisfying the various Building Regulations as

listed below.Regulation: B2 Fitness of materials and workmanship

Comment: The product is acceptable. See section 11 of this Certificate.Regulation: C5 Resistance to ground moisture and weather

Comment: Walls incorporating the product can satisfy this Regulation.See sections 7.2 and 9.2 of this Certificate. In addition theproduct may be used in situations where it bridges the dpc.See section 9.1 of this Certificate.

Regulation: E6 Internal fire spread — Structure

Comment: Walls incorporating the product can satisfy this Regulation.See sections 8.3 to 8.5 of this Certificate.

Regulation: F2 Conservation of fuel and power

Comment: The product can satisfy this Regulation. See sections 11.2 and11.3 of this Certificate.

4 Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994

Information in this Certificate may assist the client, planning supervisor,designer and contractors to address their obligations under these Regulations.See section: 6 Delivery and site handling.

Technical Specification

5 Description5.1 Rockwool High Performance Partial Fill CavitySlab consists of layers of bonded, water repellentrock wool formed into resilient slabs using a resinbinder; the slabs are heat cured and cut tostandard sizes shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Standard sizes (mm)

Length 1200Width 455Thickness 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100

5.2 All slabs have a belt mark covering one face.The slabs are normally positioned with this faceoutermost.

5.3 Only insulation retaining fixings approved bythe BBA should be used with this product. Namesand addresses of suppliers of approved fixings areavailable from Rockwool Ltd and the BBA.

5.4 At the time of publication, insulation retainingfixings approved for use with this system are:Vista VE 2/VE-4 tie with V-23 retaining clipLexsuco clip with retaining washerAncon Staifix RT2 with AC Universal ClipCatnic BB-3 Tie and IRC 85 ClipAncon ST1 Type 1 Tie with Heavy Duty ClipHemax 90S Heavy Duty Tie and Heavy Duty

Retaining ClipHemax 82 Tie with Universal Retaining Clip (see

Figure 1).

Figure 1 Wall ties and clips

5.5 It should be noted that ties suitable forinsulation retaining purposes must also provideappropriate structural stability in accordance withBS 5628 : Part 3 : 1985 or DD 140 : Part 2 :1987.

6 Delivery and site handling6.1 The slabs are delivered to site compression-wrapped in polyethylene. Each pack carries alabel bearing the manufacturer’s name, productdescription, essential instructions for installation andthe BBA identification mark incorporating thenumber of this Certificate.

6.2 Packages must be stored under cover untilrequired for use.

Design Data

7 General7.1 When installed in accordance with thisCertificate, Rockwool High Performance Partial FillCavity Slab is effective in reducing the U value(thermal transmittance) of new external cavity wallswith masonry inner and outer leaves (masonryincludes clay and calcium silicate bricks, concreteblocks, natural and reconstituted stone blocks). It isessential that such walls are designed andconstructed to incorporate the normal precautionsto prevent moisture penetration.

7.2 Buildings subject to national BuildingRegulations should be constructed inaccordance with the relevant

recommendations of:

BS 5628 : Part 3 : 1985. In particular, Clause 21 ofthe Code of Practice Exclusion of moisture should befollowed in that the designer selects a constructionappropriate to the local wind-driven rain index payingdue regard to the design detailing, workmanship andmaterials to be used.

BS 5390 : 1976(1984), Section 3 — where thewall incorporates stone or cast stone.

BS 8000 : Part 3 : 1989.

7.3 Other buildings not subject to these Regulationsshould also be built in accordance with BS 5628 :Part 3 : 1985, BS 5390 : 1976(1984) andBS 8000 : Part 3 : 1989.

7.4 As with all cavity wall insulation the constructiondetailing should comply with good practice asdescribed in the BBA joint publication CavityInsulation of Masonry Walls — Dampness Risksand How to Minimise Them (see section 9.3 of thisCertificate). They are particularly important in areassubject to severe or very severe driving rain.

7.5 The use of cavity battens or boards is stronglyrecommended to prevent bridging by mortardroppings.

7.6 As with any other form of cavity wallinsulation, where buildings need to comply withNHBC Standards or Zurich Building GuaranteesTechnical Standards, specifiers should observe therequirements of these documents.

Ancon ST1 Type 1 Tie with Heavy Duty Clip

Hemax 82 Tie with Universal Retaining Clip

Lexsuco clip with retaining washer

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Buildings up to and including 12 metres7.7 Where a residual cavity width of 50 mm orgreater is maintained the product can be used inany exposure zone. However, the use of theproduct does not preclude the need to apply anyexternal render coat or other suitable finish insevere exposure zones where such applicationwould be normal practice.

7.8 The minimum residual cavity width to bemaintained during construction must be 25 mm. Toachieve this requirement a greater nominal residualcavity width may need to be specified at thedesign stage to allow for inaccuracies inherent inthe building process. The specifier may either:(1) design a cavity width by consideration of thedimensional tolerances of the components whichmake up the wall by reference to the British Standardsrelating to the bricks, blocks and insulation boardsor use the data from their respective manufacturers.In addition, allowance may need to be made forthe quality of available building operatives and thedegree of site supervision or control; or(2) design a nominal residual cavity width of50 mm (a residual cavity nominally 50 mm wide willbe required by the NHBC where normal standardsof tolerance and workmanship are adopted).

Buildings over 12 metres and up to and including25 metres7.9 The width of the residual clear cavity to beachieved is to be in excess of 50 mm, and thefollowing requirements apply:(1) From ground level the maximum height ofcontinuous cavity walls must not exceed 12 metres;above 12 metres the maximum height of continuouscavity walls must not exceed 7 metres. In bothcases breaks should be in the form of continuoushorizontal cavity trays discharging to the outside.(2) The specifier must take extra care whendetailing to ensure that the introduction of theinsulation does not affect the weather resistance ofthe wall. More than average site supervision isrecommended during installation of the product.(3) The exposure index does not exceed 120.(4) Where, for structural reasons, the cavity widthis reduced, eg by the intrusion of ring beams, aminimum residual cavity width of 25 mm must bemaintained and extra care must be taken withfixings and weatherproofing, eg the inclusion of acavity tray.

8 Behaviour in relation to fire8.1 Use of the product does not prejudice the fireresistance properties of the wall.

8.2 A sample of the product tested to BS 476 :Part 4 : 1970(1984) achieved the classificationnon-combustible.

8.3 The requirements of national BuildingRegulations relating to fire spread in cavitywalls, can be met in all purpose groups

without the need for cavity barriers provided theconstruction complies with the provisions detailed in:England and WalesApproved Document B, Diagram 28.ScotlandTechnical Standard D4.1.Northern IrelandTechnical Booklet E, Diagram 3.5.

8.4 A summary of these provisions is given here:

England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland(1) The wall must consist of masonry inner andouter leaves, each at least 75 mm thick.(2) The cavity must not be more than 100 mmwide (not more than 110 mm for Scotland).(3) The cavity must be closed at the top of thewall and at the top of any opening.(4) In addition to the insulation, only the followingshould be placed in, or exposed to, the cavity:• timber lintels, window or door frames, or end of

timber joists• pipe, conduit or cables• dpc, flashing, cavity closer or wall tie• domestic meter cupboard, provided there are not

more than two cupboards (three in Scotland) to adwelling, the opening in the outer leaf is notmore than 800 mm by 500 mm for eachcupboard, and the inner leaf is not penetratedexcept by a sleeve not more than 80 mm by80 mm, which is fire-stopped.

8.5 For constructions not covered by sections 8.3and 8.4, cavity barriers must be provided tocomply with:England and WalesApproved Document B, Section 9.

ScotlandTechnical Standard D4.1.

Northern IrelandTechnical Booklet E, Paragraphs 3.27 to 3.30.

9 Liquid water penetration9.1 When the product is used in situationswhere it bridges the dpc in walls, dampnessfrom the ground will not pass through to the

inner leaf provided the cavity wall is detailed inaccordance with the requirements and provisions ofthe national Building Regulations:England and WalesApproved Document C, Section 4.ScotlandTechnical Standard G2.6. Provisions deemed tosatisfy the standards.

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Northern IrelandTechnical Booklet C, Section 1.6.

9.2 Constructions built in accordance withBS 5628 : Part 3 : 1985 will resist the transfer ofprecipitation to the inner leaf and satisfy thenational Building Regulations:England and WalesRequirement C4.ScotlandTechnical Standard G3.1.Northern IrelandRegulation C5.

9.3 In all situations it is particularly important toensure during installation that:(1) wall ties and fixings are installed correctly andare thoroughly clean(2) excess mortar is cleaned from the cavity faceof the leading leaf and any debris removed fromthe cavity(3) mortar droppings are cleaned from theexposed edges of installed boards(4) installation is carried out to the highest level oneach wall or the top edge of the insulation isprotected by a cavity tray.

10 Water vapour penetrationThe product has minimal resistance to the diffusion ofmoisture vapour (typically resistivity 5 MNsg–1m–1).

11 Thermal insulation11.1 For the purpose of U value calculations todetermine if the requirements of the Building (orother statutory) Regulations are met, the thermalconductivity (� value) of the insulation may be takenas 0.033 Wm–1K–1.

11.2 The requirement for limiting the heat lossthrough the building fabric can be satisfied ifthe U values of the building elements do not

exceed the maximum values in the relevant ElementalMethods given in the national Building Regulations:England and WalesApproved Document L. The effect of thermalbridging should be taken into account.ScotlandTechnical Standards, Part J. The effect of thermalbridging should be taken into account.Northern IrelandTechnical Booklet F.

11.3 Guidance is also given in these documentson selecting the thickness of insulation required toenable a wall to achieve the desired U value.Alternative approaches are also described whichallow for some flexibility in design of U values forindividual constructional elements.

12 DurabilityThe product is stable, rot-proof anddurable, and will remain effective as aninsulation system for the life of the

building, provided it is installed in accordancewith this Certificate.

Installation

13 GeneralThe walls are constructed with the inner leafleading. Rockwool High Performance Partial FillCavity Slab is fastened to the cavity face of theinner leaf.

14 Procedure14.1 A section of the inner leaf is built with thefirst row of wall ties, at approximately 600 mmhorizontal spacing, where the insulation is tobegin. It is recommended that the wall ties are notplaced directly on the damp-proof course. The firstrun of slabs may commence below the damp-proofcourse level to provide some edge insulation for thefloor (see Figure 2).

14.2 The inner leaf is built up to the requiredheight, with wall ties placed at a vertical height of450 mm. Excess mortar is cleaned from the cavityface of the leading leaf, and the slabs arecompressed slightly between the upper and lowerwall ties, behind the retaining clips, to form aclosely butt-jointed run.

14.3 The second row of wall ties is fitted to retainthe tops of the slabs. It is essential that all wall tiesslope downwards towards the outer leaf (seeFigure 3) and at centres not exceeding 600 mm toensure that each slab is secured at a minimum offour points. Additional ties may be required tosatisfy the structural requirements of BS 5628 :Part 3 : 1985 and/or to ensure adequate retentionof slabs or cut pieces.

14.4 Alternatively, the slabs are retained againstthe leading leaf by the Lexsuco clips [seeFigure 2(c)] which are pressed lightly through theinsulation and located in the ‘green mortar’ bed

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joint, except at dpc level where the clips may belocated in the perpend joints. It is important that themortar should have the correct consistency; itshould be stiff enough to retain the clip yet softenough to avoid any hammering into place. Threeclips per slab are required at approximately400 mm centres

14.5 The outer leaf is then built up to the level ofthe top of the slabs.

14.6 Progressive staggering of slabs and wall tiesas construction proceeds should be in accordancewith the manufacturer’s recommendations.

14.7 Where additional ties are required, at lessthan 450 mm vertical spacing, Rockwool slabsmust be cut and neatly fitted around them. Underno circumstances should they be impaled over ties.

14.8 The slabs should be close butted at corners(see Figure 4). It is recommended that whole slabsshould be used at corners, but if this is not possiblethe butting face should be factory cut.

Mortar droppings14.9 After each section of the leading leaf is built,excess mortar should be removed from the cavityface and mortar droppings cleaned from exposededges of the installed slabs, before installation ofthe next run of slabs. Use of a cavity board or acavity batten will protect the installed slabs andhelp to keep the cavity clean as the following leafis built (see Figure 5).

Cut pieces14.10 Slabs can be cut, using a sharp knife orfine-toothed saw, to fit openings, eg aroundwindows, doors, air bricks. It is essential that cutpieces completely fill the spaces for which they areintended and are adequately secured.

Protection14.11 All building involving the boards,particularly interrupted work, must conform toBS 5628 : Part 3 : 1985, Sections 30 Storage onsite, 35 Protection against damage duringconstruction, and 36 Supervision.

Technical Investigations

The following is a summary of the technicalinvestigations carried out on Rockwool HighPerformance Partial Fill Cavity Slab.

15 Investigations15.1 An examination was made of data on whichthe previous Certificate was based.

15.2 Regular factory inspections have beencarried out to ensure that quality is beingmaintained.

15.3 No failure of the product in use has beenreported to the BBA.

Figure 2 Rockwool Partial Fill Cavity Slab — fixingsystems

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Figure 3 Wall tie detail

Figure 4 Slabs close-butted at corner

Figure 5 Use of cavity board or batten

(a) with cavity board

(b) with cavity batten

wall ties mustslope downtowards outerleaf

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Bibliography

BS 476 Fire tests on building materials and structuresPart 4 : 1970(1984) Non-combustibility test formaterials

BS 1243 : 1978 Specification for metal ties forcavity wall construction

BS 5390 : 1976(1984) Code of practice forstone masonry

BS 5628 Code of practice for use of masonryPart 3 : 1985 Materials and components, designand workmanship

BS 8000 Workmanship on building sitesPart 3 : 1989 Code of practice for masonry

DD 140 Wall tiesPart 2 : 1987 Recommendations for design ofwall ties

Conditions of Certification

16 Conditions16.1 This Certificate:(a) relates only to the product that is described,installed, used and maintained as set out in thisCertificate;(b) is granted only to the company, firm or personidentified on the front cover — no other company,firm or person may hold or claim any entitlement tothis Certificate;(c) has to be read, considered and used as awhole document — it may be misleading and willbe incomplete to be selective;(d) is copyright of the BBA.

16.2 References in this Certificate to any Act ofParliament, Regulation made thereunder, Directiveor Regulation of the European Union, StatutoryInstrument, Code of Practice, British Standard,manufacturers’ instructions or similar publication,shall be construed as references to such publicationin the form in which it was current at the date ofthis Certificate.

16.3 This Certificate will remain valid for anunlimited period provided that the product and themanufacture and/or fabricating process(es) thereof:(a) are maintained at or above the levels whichhave been assessed and found to be satisfactoryby the BBA;

(b) continue to be checked by the BBA or itsagents; and(c) are reviewed by the BBA as and when itconsiders appropriate.

16.4 In granting this Certificate, the BBA makesno representation as to:(a) the presence or absence of any patent or similarrights subsisting in the product or any other product;(b) the right of the Certificate holder to market,supply, install or maintain the product; and(c) the nature of individual installations of theproduct, including methods and workmanship.

16.5 Any recommendations relating to the use orinstallation of this product which are contained orreferred to in this Certificate are the minimumstandards required to be met when the product isused. They do not purport in any way to restate therequirements of the Health & Safety at Work etcAct 1974, or of any other statutory, common lawor other duty which may exist at the date of thisCertificate or in the future; nor is conformity withsuch recommendations to be taken as satisfying therequirements of the 1974 Act or of any present orfuture statutory, common law or other duty of care.In granting this Certificate, the BBA does notaccept responsibility to any person or body for anyloss or damage, including personal injury, arisingas a direct or indirect result of the installation anduse of this product.

In the opinion of the British Board of Agrément, Rockwool High Performance Partial Fill CavitySlab is fit for its intended use provided it is installed, used and maintained as set out in thisCertificate. Certificate No 93/2884 is accordingly awarded to Rockwool Ltd.

On behalf of the British Board of Agrément

Date of Second issue: 18th January 1999 Director

*Original Certificate issued 3rd March 1993. This amended version includes references to the revised BuildingRegulations and associated text, revised Conditions of Certification, and references to the enhanced productrobustness.

British Board of AgrémentP O Box No 195, Bucknalls LaneGarston, Watford, Herts WD2 7NGFax: 01923 665301

©1999 For technical or additionalinformation, tel: 01923 665300.For information about AgrémentCertificate validity and scope, tel:Hotline: 01923 665400

e-mail: mail@bba.star.co.ukhttp://www.bbacerts.co.uk