Thermal Insulation

of
Buildings

(IIF)
MODERN SOCIETY EXPECTANCE OFFICE /
RESIDENCE
ENVIRONMENT HEAT IMPACT ON
BUILDING

 High ambient affects roof

continuously with heat
ingress
 High ambient heats up at
least 2 walls facing
afternoon sun
 Low ambient conditions
always affects walls with
cold ingress
 EFFECT OF HEAT FROM
ENVIRONMENT
 Keeps on increasing inside house temperature
 Inside temperature crosses outside (4-10 PM)
 Higher humidity & ambient conditions
 Unbearable oppressive climate inside
 Situation improves only after mid night
 Higher Air Conditioning Loads and increased running
time of the Compressors
 Higher Energy cost
EFFECT OF COLD
 Transmission of Cold during evening or during chilly
wind environment
 Inside of house colder than outside
WHAT THERMAL INSULATION CAN DO
 Creates an envelope outside the building
 Stop heat / cold ingress from outside
 Maintains at least 8-9 degrees temp. difference
 Maintains controlled temp. for longer periods
 Human comfort
 High Quality of Life

5
‘HEAT TRANSFER FROM HIGHER TO
LOWER TEMPERATURE’
 WHAT THERMAL INSULATION CAN DO
TYPICAL HOT SUMMER ROOF SITUATION
DAYTIME AMBIENT WORKING INSULATED
TEMP. FLOOR ROOF
(DEG.C) TEMP. WORKING
(DEG.C) FLOOR TEMP.
(DEG.C)
10 AM – 12PM 39 35 30
12PM -2PM 41 37 32
2PM-4PM 41 37 32
4PM-6PM 40 36 31

Normal building with 150mm RCC, Water Proofed, Brick Wall

Insulation : 50-75mm
THERMAL INSULATION OF BUILDINGS

Buildings world over consume more

than 40% of the Energy Generated
followed by Industry(32%) and
Transportation (28%)

So any attempt to save Building Energy

Consumption is beneficial
9
 THERMAL INSULATION OF BUILDINGS

Building Energy Consumption

Air conditioning - 57 %
Lighting - 22%
Ventilation Fans - 16%
Miscellaneous - 5%

Thermal Insulation improves Air conditioning effectivity.

 THERMAL INSULATION OF BUILDINGS

 This major energy demand in a building is due to

Building Envelope which contributes to 60-75% of heat
gain / loss.
 Insulation of Building envelope (Roof & Wall) is a key
factor to reduce heat gain / loss and reduce energy cost.
 Leed India & GRIHA advocate Building Envelope
Insulation.
 Insulation of Roof & Wall reduces air conditioning load,
electricity consumption.
 High Quality of Life
 Insulation materials as per ECBC context

Fibrous Rigid Flexible*

Rockwool Insulation Rigid polyurethane foam Nitrile Rubber
Glass wool Insulation Rigid Poly Isocyanurate foam Cross linked polyethylene
Sprayed rigid polyurethane foam Expanded polyethylene
Extruded polystyrene foam
Expanded polystyrene foam
Phenolic foam

*Flexible Insulation: They are non-fibrous rubber or thermoplastic material in nature which are
easily shaped to any design or geometry and predominantly used in HVAC.
 Scope of Insulation in Buildings

 Roof Insulation Underdeck

Overdeck

 Wall Insulation External

Internal
 Scope of Insulation in Buildings

Source : ECBC User guide

 Climate Zone Map of India

Source : ECBC User guide

 Mean Temperature ( C) Mean
Annual Sky
Climate Summer Summe Winter Winter Relative
Description Diurnal Precipitatio Condition Places
Zone Midday r Night Midday Night Humidit
Variation n s
( High) (Low) (High) (Low) y

High Temperature, Low

Humidity and rainfall,
Intense solar radiation Rajasthan,
and a generally clear Cloudless Gujarat,
sky, Hot winds during skies with Western
Very
Hot and the day and cool winds Low< high solar Madha
40 to 45 20 to 30 5 to 25 0 to 10 15 to 20 Low 25-
Dry at night, Sandy or 500mm/yr radiation, Pradesh,
40%
rocky ground with little causing Central
vegetation, Low glare. Maharashtr
underground water a etc.
table and few sources
of surface water
 Mean Temperature ( C) Mean
Annual Sky
Climate Summer Summe Winter Winter Relative
Description Diurnal Precipitatio Condition Places
Zone Midday r Night Midday Night Humidit
Variation n s
( High) (Low) (High) (Low) y

Temperature is
moderately high during
day and night, Very Overcast
high humidity and (cloud
Kerala,
rainfall, diffused solar cover
Tamilnadu,
radiation if cloud cover ranging
Warm Coastal
is high and intense if High 70 High > 1200 between
and 30 to 35 25 to 30 25 to 30 20 to 25 5 to 8 Parts of
sky is clear, clam to to 90% mm/yr 40 and
Humid Orrisa and
very high winds from 80%)
Andhra
prevailing wind causing
pradesh.
directions, abundant unpleasan
vegetation, provision t glare.
for drainage of water is
required.
 Mean Temperature ( C)
Mean Annual Sky
Climate Summer Summe Winter Winter
Description Diurnal Relative Precipitatio Condition Places
Zone Midday r Night Midday Night
Variation Humidity n s
( High) (Low) (High) (Low)
Moderate Temperature,
Moderate humidity and Mainly
rainfall, Solar Radiation clear,occasi
same throughout the year onally Bangalore,
High 60 to High > 1000
Temperate and sky is generally clear, 30 to 34 17 to 24 27 to 33 16 to 18 8 o 13 overcast Goa and parts
85% mm/tr
High winds during summer with dense of the Deccan
depending on topography, low clouds
hilly or high plateau region insmmer
with abundant vegetation.
Summer Temperature
and very low in winter, Jammu and
Low humidity in cold/sunny Kashmir,
Clear with
high humidity in cold Ladakh,
Low: < cloud cover<
Cold /cloudy , High solar ( -14) to Low: 10- Himachal
17 to 24/20 4 to 11/17 ( -7) to 8 / 25 to 25/5 200mm/yr/ 50%/
(Sunny / radiation in cold/sunny and 0/ (-3) to 50%/ High Pradesh,
to 30 to 21 4 to 8 to 15 Moderate Overcast for
Cloudy) low in cold/cloudy, cold 4 70-80% Uttranchal,
1000mm/yr most of the
winds in winter, very little Sikkam ,
year.
vegetation in cold/sunny Arunachal
and abundant vegetation Pradesh
in cold/cloudy.
 Mean Temperature ( C) Mean
Annual Sky
Climate Summer Summe Winter Winter Relative
Description Diurnal Precipitatio Condition Places
Zone Midday r Night Midday Night Humidit
Variation n s
( High) (Low) (High) (Low) y
This applies when 6
months or more do
not fall within any of
the above categories,
High temperature in
summer and cold in Uttar
Variable
winter, Low humidity Variable Pradesh,
500- 1300
in summer and high Dry Haryana,
mm/yr Variable
in monsoon, High periods Punjab,
during Overcast
direct solar radiation = 20- Bihar,
Composite 32 to 43 27 to 32 10 to 25 4 to 10 35 to 22 monson and dull in
in all seasons except 50% Wet Jharkhand,
reaching the
monsoon high Periods Chattisgarh,
250mm in monsoon.
diffused radiation, = 50 - madhya
the wettest
Occasional hazy Hot 95% Pradesh
month.
Winds in summer, etc,
cold winds in winter
and strong wind in
monsoons, variable
landscape and
seasonal vegetation.
City Climate Zone City Climate Zone
Ahmedabad Hot & Dry Kota Hot & Dry
Allahabad Composite Kurnool warm& Humid
Amritsar Composite Lucknow Composite
Aurangabad Hot & Dry Madras warm& Humid
Bangalore Temperate Manglore warm& Humid
Barmer Hot & Dry Mumbai warm& Humid
Belgaum Warm & Humid Nagpur Composite
Bhagalpur Warm & Humid Nellore warm& Humid
Bhopal Composite New Delhi Composite
Bhubaneshwar Warm & Humid Panjim warm& Humid
Bikaner Hot & Dry Patna Composite
Calcutta Warm & Humid Pune warm& Humid
Chitradurga Warm & Humid Raipur Composite
Dehradun Composite Rajkot Composite
City Climate Zone City Climate Zone
Dibrugarh Warm & Humid Ramgundam warm& Humid
Gauhati Cold Ranchi Composite
Gorakhpur Composite Ratnagiri warm& Humid
Gwalior Composite Raxaul warm& Humid
Hissar Composite Saharanpur Composite
Hyderabad Composite Shillong warm& Humid
Imphal Warm & Humid Sholapur Hot & Dry
Indore Composite SunderNagar cold
Jabalpur Composite Surat Hot & Dry
Jagdelpur Warm & Humid Tezpur warm& Humid
Jaipur Composite Tirucchirapali warm& Humid
Jaisalmer Hot & Dry Trivandrum warm& Humid
Jamnagar Warm & Humid Tuticorin warm& Humid
Jodhpur Hot & Dry Veraval warm& Humid
Jorhat warm& Humid Vishakhapatnam warm& Humid
ROOF ASSEMBLY
WALL ASSEMBLY
 BUILDING INSULATION
1. OVERDECK ROOF INSULATION

a. Rigid board slab insulation

1. Roof slab should be totally dried and free from all protrusions and depressions and should
have proper sloped for free flow of water (1:100).
2. Providing suitable waterproofing over the Sloping screed
3. Providing and laying specified thickness of RIGID FOAM INSULATION SLAB/BOARD of
minimum 32-40±2Kg/m3 density.(The Rigid foam Insulation slab/board can be fixed with
suitable adhesive like Hot Bitumen or CPRX compound as OPTIONAL)
4. Providing and laying min. 150 gms Geo Textile membrane or 400g polythene sheet over the
fixed INSULATION Slab/BOARD, for the protection and as separation layer.
5. Providing and laying over the Polythene sheet/Geo-textile membrane in slope gradient
min.40mm thick PCC(1:2:4)in chequered 2.5mtr x 2.5mtr panels, reinforced with welded
mesh of 75mm x 75mm x1.5mm embedded in between.
6. Sealing all joints between panels with polymerized mastic.
7. Final finish as per specs or engineer in-charge.
BUILDING INSULATION
 BUILDING INSULATION
1. OVERDECK ROOF INSULATION

b. Sprayed Rigid Insulation

1. Roof slab should be totally dried and free from all protrusions and depressions and
should have proper sloped for free flow of water (1:100).
2. Cleaning the surface properly with wire brushes manually.
3. Providing and applying a coat of Polyurethane primer at entire roof surface @ 6-8
Sqm/Ltr.
4. Providing and applying desired thickness of closed cell sprayed rigid PUF insulation
foam of 42±2Kg/m3 density conforming to IS-12432 Pt.III with Graco/Gusmer machine.
– to form a monolithic jointless treatment overdeck insulation of desired density of
insulation. The sprayed foam adheres instantly to the roof surface and form a
composite system.
5. Providing and laying min.120 gsm Geo Textile membrane or 400g polythene sheet over
the layed Sprayed foam insulation, for protection and as separation layer.
6. Providing and laying in slope gradient min.40mm thick PCC(1:2:4)in chequered 2.5mtr
x2.5mtr panels, reinforced with welded mesh of 75mm x 75mm x1.5mm embedded in
between over the Polythene sheet/Geo-textile membrane.
7. Sealing all joints between panels with polymerized mastic.
8. Providing suitable waterproofing treatment.
9. Final top finish as per specs or Engineer in-charge.
BUILDING INSULATION
 BUILDING INSULATION

UNDERDECK ROOF INSULATION

a) Fibrous Insulation

1. Clean the surface thoroughly with wire brush to free it from dust and chippings.
2. Providing and fixing M.S. cleats of suitable to the ceiling at 1mtr x 1/2mtr. C/C with
help of dash fasteners.
3. Providing & fixing DESIRED THICKNESS of FIBROUS INSULATION of minimum
24 – 48 Kg / m3 density encased in 200g polythene sheet or one side laminated
with Al.foil.
4. All joints to be sealed with adhesive tape/Aluminium tape and held tightly in
position with the help of criss cross GI lacing wire and further installing the same in
24 G x 3/4” hexagonal wire netting.
5. The joints of the wire netting shall be butted and stitched with GI lacing wire.
6. Final finish as per specs or engineer in charge
 BUILDING INSULATION

ROOF UNDERDECK INSULATION WITH FIBROUS INSULATION

 BUILDING INSULATION

UNDERDECK ROOF INSULATION

b) Rigid Insulation

1. Drilling & making holes on R.C.C slab at 1mtr X 0.5mtr C/C size panels.
2. Entire R.C.C surface shall be thoroughly cleaned of all dust, dirt and loose
particles by wire brushing.
3. Providing and applying a coat of bituminous primer to the bare R.C.C. ceiling
and allow it to dry
4. Providing and Applying cold adhesive to the underside of R.C.C. ceiling as
well as to one side of surface & sides of each RIGID INSULATION
SLAB/BOARD of density minimum 32-36±2Kg/m3 and press it in position &
holding it with the help of screws and washers back to the RIGID
INSULATION SLAB/BOARD and press it in position with the help of screws
and washers inserted inside the rawl plugs.
5. Butt the joints will together symmetrically and joints sealed with 75mm wide
aluminum tape.
6. Providing and fixing chicken wire mesh 24G x 3/4” to the GI screw and
tightening the same with lacing wire.
7. Final finish as per specification or engineer-in-charge.
BUILDING INSULATION
 BUILDING INSULATION

CAVITY WALL INSULATION

a) Spray in-situ Insulation

1. Providing hole with drilling machine on the inner wall at 100mm

distance from the edges and thereafter at every approx. 600mm c/c in
stagger form starting from bottom to top.
2. Providing and filling through these hole with in-situ pouring of closed
cell POLYURETHANE FOAM (CFC FREE) IN THE CAVITY WITH
GUSMER/GRACO MACHINE CONFORMING TO IS: 13205,
DENSITY OF FOAM SHALL BE 40±2KG/M3.The foam adheres
instantly to the wall surface on both sides and has a free rise filling the
gap/cavity.
3. The pouring/ in-situ Lloydfoam polyurethane foam insulation would
start from the bottom and proceeding up.
4. Finally the hole will be plugged with cement mortar or as per specs
BUILDING INSULATION
 BUILDING INSULATION

CAVITY WALL INSULATION

b) Fibrous Insulation

1. Providing and fixing, DESIRED THICKNESS of FIBROUS

INSULATION of minimum 32-96Kg/m3 density encased/wrapped in
polythene sheet/bag of 200 gauge, to the wall in staggered form using
fasteners one each at corners 100mm away from edges and one at
Centre.
2. Providing and holding the fibrous insulation in position with criss cross
lacing wire secured with the earlier fixed fasteners.
3. Finally finishing it with another Brick wall duly plastered and finish
smooth.
BUILDING INSULATION
 BUILDING INSULATION

CAVITY WALL INSULATION

c) Rigid Insulation

1. Providing a coat of bitumen or old CPRX compound on inner side of

the wall.
2. Providing and fixing, DESIRED THICKNESS of RIGID INSULATION
of minimum 32-40Kg/m3 density to the wall in staggered form using
fasteners one each at corners 100mm away from edges and one at
Centre.
3. Finally finishing it with another Brick wall duly plastered and finish
smooth.
BUILDING INSULATION
 BUILDING INSULATION

EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION

a) Fibrous Insulation
Dry stone cladding/spandrel
1. Providing and fixing DESIRED THICKNESS of FIBRIOUS
INSULATION of minimum 32-96Kg/m3 density encased/wrapped in
polythene sheet/bag of 200G or one side laminated with Al.foil in the
existing wall with the help of fasteners provided at one each at the
corner 100mm away from the edge and one at center.
2. Providing and holding the fibrous insulation in position with criss cross
Gl lacing wire secured with the earlier fixed fastener.
3. Insulation is can be sandwiched between wall & dry stone cladding or
Aluminium cladding etc as per specs or engineer-in-charge.
BUILDING INSULATION
 BUILDING INSULATION

EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION

b) Rigid Insulation

1. Providing a coat of bitumen or old CPRX compound on to the existing

smooth wall.

2. Providing and fixing, DESIRED THICKNESS of RIGID INSULATION

of minimum 32-36±2Kg/m3 density to the wall in staggered form
using fasteners one each at corners 100mm away from edges and
one at Centre.

3. Insulation is can be sandwiched between wall & dry stone cladding or

Aluminium cladding etc. as per specs or engineer in charge.
BUILDING INSULATION
 BUILDING INSULATION

EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION

c) Rigid Insulation

1. Providing and patch applying polymerized cementations based adhesive

plaster to the back of the RIGID INSULATION of minimum 32-36±2Kg/m3
density & sticking the same to the existing plastered /smooth brick walls
and holding it with insulation fasteners one each at corner.

2. Providing and applying cementations base coat of 1-2 mm over the RIGID
INSULATION

3. Providing & fixing glass fiber mesh as reinforcement over the base coat
followed by polymerized cementations based top coat plaster of 1-2 mm.

4. The top coat can be finally finished with any paint of choice (As per
specs).
BUILDING INSULATION

External Wall Thermal Insulation System

 BUILDING INSULATION

EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION

d) Spray Cast in Situ

1. Providing and applying directly SPRAY INSULATION on the clean wall

having minimum 40±2Kg/m3 density in multiple passes to achieve the
specified thickness.

2. Providing and applying cementations base coat over the sprayed RIGID
INSULATION

3. Providing & fixing glass fiber mesh as reinforcement over the base coat
followed by polymerized cementations based top coat plaster of 1-2 mm.

4. The top coat can be finally finished with any paint of choice (As per specs)
BUILDING INSULATION

EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION WITH PU SPRAY

 BUILDING INSULATION

INTERNAL WALL INSULATION

Fibrous Insulation
1. Providing and fixing suitable wall GI channel of suitable size and thickness
to the brick / RCC walls with dash fasteners.

2. Providing and fixing FIBROUS INSULATION of minimum 32-96Kg/m3

between the channels with the help of fasteners and holding it in place
with GI lacing wire.

3. Providing and fixing desired thickness Gypsum/Cement fibre/ply board

with drywall screws at 300 mm c/c. ensuring proper jointing and finished to
have a flush look which includes filling and finishing the tapered or square
edges of boards with jointing compound and joint paper tape.

4. Finally providing two coats of top coat as a primer over the entire surface
which can be finished with paint or wall papers or any other texture finish.
BUILDING INSULATION

INTERNAL WALL INSULATION WITH FIBROUS INSULATION

 BUILDING INSULATION

PARTITION WALL INSULATION

Fibrous Insulation
1. Providing internal wall partition framework of GI channel of suitable size
and thickness.

2. Providing and fixing FIBROUS INSULATION of minimum 32-96Kg/m3

between the partition framework and holding it in place with GI lacing wire.

3. Providing and fixing on both side Gypsum/Cement fiber/ply board in

staggered form with drywall screws at 300 mm c/c. ensuring proper
jointing and finished to have a flush look which includes filling and
finishing the tapered or square edges of boards with jointing compound
and joint paper tape.

4. Finally providing two coats of top coat as a primer over the entire surface
which can be finished with paint or wall papers or any other texture finish.
BUILDING INSULATION

PARTITION WALL INSULATION WITH FIBROUS INSULATION

 INSULATION OF BUILDINGS

Typical Industry Practice

 Part of civil contract
 Last item in building construction
 Usually no approved list of manufacturers & applicator or
turnkey
 Insulation usually not considered a specialized activity
 Sometimes material purchased and applied by civil masons
 Not properly stored at site leading to damages
 Petty contractors does the insulation job, specs. not followed.
Job given to water proofing contractors.
 INSULATION OF BUILDINGS

Typical Industry Practice

 Last minute order finalization
 Payment issues
 Financial pressure of civil contractor – budget constraint
 Time pressure to availability and completion
 Time pressure leads to specs. compromise
 Work quantity reduced or even short closed contract.
 Financial loss to insulation vendor
 Growth of insulation sector hardly any
 INSULATION OF BUILDINGS

Remedial Measures / Corrections Required

 Insulation to be made mandatory preferably, highlighting benefits
 Contracts to include approved vendor list
 Contractors to mention name of vendor while bidding
 Sufficient time to be provided for job execution
 Client / authority to ensure no reduction in scope quantity.
 If contractor do not perform client /authority to get job done
directly.
 Sample testing mandatory from authorized labs.
 Municipality clearance only after completion of insulation work.
 We would like to understand International practice.