Knauf Insulation has launched OmniFit Slab 32, the first 32 lambda glass mineral wool insulation slab on the market for use in light steel frame systems (SFS) as part of a rainscreen façade or other external wall build-ups.
“From thermal performance to fire safety, the regulations governing how buildings are built and perform are getting stricter,” explained Liliya Luke, Glass Mineral Wool Product Manager at Knauf Insulation.
“So, we have launched OmniFit Slab 32 to help our customers deliver the low U-values required, without compromising on fire safety, acoustic performance or sustainability.
“Specifiers can now optimise their rainscreen façade systems by adding the benefits of glass mineral wool to their build-up – delivering acoustic performance, and reduced embodied carbon compared to rock-only solutions, with an insulation specification that remains completely non-combustible.”
OmniFit Slab 32 is primarily designed for use with Rocksilk RainScreen Slab when used in rainscreen applications, and is suitable for use in the external wall systems of all residential buildings over 11m tall and relevant residential buildings over 18m tall.
As well as thermal performance and fire safety, when used in applications where acoustic performance is demanded OmniFit Slab 32 will exceed the required performance needed to meet the 40.0 RwdB Building Regulations Part E.
It is the latest addition to Knauf Insulation's OmniFit range of multi-application glass mineral wool rolls and slabs. Offering thermal conductivity between 0.032 W/mK and 0.040 W/mK and acoustic performance, the OmniFit products come with all the benefits of glass mineral wool, including lower embodied carbon when compared to equivalent rock mineral wool products.
Glass mineral wool products are made with up to 80% recycled content, they can also be compressed using Knauf Insulation’s industry-leading compression packaging technology. This means there’s more product per pack and pallet, less handling and storage on site and fewer trucks on the roads.
They are manufactured with ECOSE Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder, which is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders. Products made with ECOSE Technology are soft to touch, generate low levels of dust and VOCs and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.
As a result, OmniFit Slab 32 has lower levels of embodied carbon than any equivalent rock mineral wool solution on the market. Like other Knauf Insulation glass mineral wool products, it has been awarded the Declare 'Red List Free’ label, which means it does not contain harmful chemicals featured on the Declare ‘Red List’.
Glass mineral wool products are also lighter than alternative rock mineral wool products. OmniFit Slab 32 is manufactured to friction fit between common stud centres without cutting, which helps to reduce waste on site.