Product Specifications
- Meets BS EN 13163:2001 - SDN (EPS 70)
- Compressive Strength at 1% Compression (kPa) =20
- Compressive Strength at 10% Compression (kPa) = 70
- Cross Breaking Strength (Bending Strength) (kPa) = 115
- Shear Strength (kPa) in correlation to Bending Strength =55
- Thermal Conductivity Value =0.038
- BBA Certified - Certificate number 89/2196 issued March 27, 2013
Product Characteristics
Behaviour in relation to Fire
The boards do not prejudice the fire resistance properties of the floor.
When properly installed, the boards will not add significantly to any existing fire hazard. The polystyrene boards will be contained within the floor by the overlay until the overlay itself is destroyed. The boards therefore will not contribute to the development stages of a fire or present a smoke or toxic hazard. Electrical cables running within the boards should be separated from it by enclosing them within a suitable conduit, eg rigid PVC.
Floor loading
The design loadings for self-contained dwelling units as defined in BS 6399-1 : 1996 are:
intensity of distributed load (kPa) <1.5
concentrated load (kN) <1.4
The boards covered with overlay board or screed, can support these design loadings without undue deflection.
A BRE survey of imposed floor loading in domestic buildings (see BRE current paper No 2/77 Floor loadings in domestic buildings — the results of a survey) indicates that loadings in flats are commonly in the region of 0.6 kPa and loadings of 1.5 kPa are normally associated with fixed items.
Where the boards are used under a concrete slab, resistance to concentrated and distributed loads is a function of the slab specification.
It is recommended that with heavy, vibrating items, such as washing machines, the overlay is supported on timber battens of the same thickness.
Precast concrete floors
Where EPS-70 is used in precast concrete floor, care should be taken that there is not excessive variation in level between individual 2 conjunction with a suspended units. If EPS-70 spans between high points, then a levelling screed or compound should be used; the use of dry sand as a levelling medium is not satisfactory.
Moisture penetration
The boards are not a water vapour controlling layer; however, they will not allow moisture to
cross the completed floor construction.
For floors subject to national Building Regulations, construction should be as detailed or designed in accordance with ...
England and Wales - Approved Document C, Technical Solutions 3.4 to 3.8 or 3.13 to 3.14
Scotland - Technical Standards, Part G, Sections A, C or D of the Provisions deemed to satisfy the standards
Northern Ireland - Technical Booklet C, Section 1.
Damp-proof membrane
EPS-70 should not be regarded as a damp-proof membrane (DPM), and a suitable DPM must be used to protect floors in contact with the ground. The membrane may be positioned either above or below the concrete slab; see Figures 9 and 10. Liquid membranes are positioned above the concrete slab.
If a liquid DPM is used, care should be taken that it is compatible with EPS-70, and that it is completely dry before the insulation is laid. Where the DPM is positioned below the concrete slab, a vapour-control layer, of minimum 1000g polythene or equivalent, should be laid over the EPS-70.
All edges should be overlapped a minimum 150mm and taped, and the material should be turned up 100mm at the perimeter and fixed behind the skirting.
Typically to achieve a U-value of 0.22W/m K add 17mm to the corresponding Kay Metzeler 70 thickness for the required P/A value.
When considering insulation requirements, designers should refer to the detailed guidance contained in the documents supporting the national Building Regulations.
Product Installation Guidelines
Overview
The product is for use on ground-supported and suspended floors and may be installed on:
a concrete floor with a cement-based screed overlay; or
a concrete floor with wood based overlay board; or
hard core bases of ground floors with the concrete placed over.
It is used to reduce the thermal transmittance of new or existing floors.
In ground-supported concrete floors, the concrete floor slab over which the boards are laid should be left as long as possible to maximise drying out and dissipation of constructional moisture, in accordance with BS 8203 : 2001, Section 3.1.2.
The floor surface should be smooth and flat to within 5 mm when measured with a 3 m straight edge. Irregularities greater than this must be removed. Minor irregularities (up to 10 mm) may be levelled with mortar.
The boards can be used on beam and block suspended concrete floors that are subject of a current Agrément Certificate and installed in accordance with, and within the limitations imposed by, that Certificate.
Where the boards are used over ground supported concrete floor slabs a suitable damp-proof membrane in accordance with BS 8102 : 1990 and CP 102 : 1973 should be incorporated to resist moisture from the ground. If a liquid-type damp-proof membrane is applied to the slabs, it should be of a type compatible with expanded polystyrene and be allowed to dry out fully before laying the boards.
Where the boards are used on hard core bases under ground-supported concrete slabs, the hard core must be blinded before application of the boards.
Where a screed or concrete slab is laid over the product, vertical upstands of insulation should be provided and be of sufficient depth to separate fully the screed or slab from the wall and provide a minimal thermal resistance of 0.75 m2KW–1.
A suitable cavity or external wall insulation material can be extended below the damp-proof course level to a minimum of 150 mm below the top of the floor insulation to provide additional edge insulation.
For buildings such as terraces or blocks of flats and apartments, the measurement should be taken over the total gross ground floor area. Concrete slab The concrete slab should have a level, evenly-tamped surface; a floated or screeded finish is not necessary. The slab should be left as long as possible after laying to allow it to dry out.
Kay Metzeler 70 should be loose-laid over the prepared surface all joints should be tightly butted. The boards should be cut with a
sharp knife to fit accurately around services.
In most cases, the actual thickness of Kay Metzeler required according to this calculation will not correspond with the nominal thickness’s available. The next thickest nominal size should be used in order to provide a performance which betters the required U-value.
The sizing shows the required thickness of Kay Metzeler 70 to meet a U-value of 0.22W/m K. These values are based on a k-value (Lambda value) of 0.038W/mK for the insulation. A U-value of 0.20W/m K can typically be achieved by adding a thickness of 17mm of Kay Metzeler 70 to the figure shown in Table 3 for the corresponding P/A value.
Fire
Solid ground floors are not required to provide fire resistance. When properly installed, the EPS insulation is fully protected by the chipboard finish and will have no adverse effect on the fire performance of the floor. Euroclass E, flame-retardant material, is available to order.
Precast concrete floors
Where Kay Metzeler 70 is used in precast concrete floor, care
should be taken that there is not excessive variation in level between individual 2 conjunction with a suspended units. If Kay Metzeler 70 spans between high points, then a levelling screed or compound should be used; the use of dry sand as a levelling medium is not satisfactory.
Damp-proof membrane
Kay Metzeler 70 should not be regarded as a damp-proof membrane (DPM), and a suitable DPM must be used to protect floors in contact with the ground. The membrane may be positioned either above or below the concrete slab; see Figures 9 and 10. Liquid membranes are positioned above the concrete slab.
If a liquid DPM is used, care should be taken that it is compatible with Kay Metzeler 70, and that it is completely dry before the insulation is laid. Where the DPM is positioned below the concrete slab, a vapour-control layer, of minimum 1000g polythene or equivalent, should be laid over the Kay Metzeler 70. All edges should be overlapped a minimum 150mm and taped, and the material should be turned up 100mm at the perimeter and fixed behind the skirting.
Partitions et cetera
Where masonry partitions or other heavy structures are to be built directly onto the chipboard floor, the insulation should be interrupted and a solid batten provided along the line of the partition, beneath the chipboard, to provide support. The batten should be of preservative treated timber, securely attached to the concrete slab using masonry nails or screws and plugs.
Doorways
The chipboard should be positively supported at external doorways by the use of a solid batten spanning at least the width of the door. The batten should be of preservative treated timber, securely attached to the concrete slab using masonry nails or screws and plugs. At internal doorways, if the tongued-and-grooved joint of the chipboard is lost, a batten should be used to provide support as described above for external doorways.
Chipboard finish
The chipboard should be Type P5 minimum 18mm thick, with tongued-and-grooved edges, as described in BS EN 312 - Particle boards, Specification.
It is important that the recommendations given in BS EN 312 - Particle boards, Specification are followed regarding protection of the chipboard from water spillage in bathrooms, kitchens and utility areas.
Laying should proceed from one corner of the room ensuring that a 10-12mm gap is provided at the perimeter to allow for expansion. Temporary wedges should be placed in expansion gaps during laying to allow the chipboard joints to be tightened; the wedges must be removed after the adhesive has dried.
The boards should be laid with staggered cross joints, and all edges should be glued as laying proceeds using a PVA-based woodworking adhesive.
In corridors, or wherever there are long uninterrupted runs of flooring, the inclusion of a 20mm expansion gap at 10m centres is required in addition to the 10-12mm perimeter gap. A suitable solid timber batten should be installed beneath the expansion joint to provide support. The batten should be of preservative-treated timber, securely attached to the concrete slab using masonry nails or screws and plugs.
Services
Providing the work is carried out in accordance with the relevant Byelaws or Regulations, electrical conduits, gas and water pipes can be accommodated within the thickness of the concrete slab.
If this is not possible, it is permissible to accommodate the services within the thickness of the insulation providing pipes etc are securely fixed to the slab. Kay Metzeler 70 should not be allowed to come into direct contact with PVC-sheathed cable, nor closer than 12mm to hot-water pipes; pipes should be haunched with a sand/cement mix or lagged using a proprietary material intended for this purpose.
Where subsequent access is required to the services, a removable panel should be provided by cutting out an appropriate area of the chipboard finish and supporting it on battens. The battens should be of preservative-treated timber, securely attached to the concrete slab using masonry nails or screws and plugs, and the chipboard screwed to the batten.