A raft of building regulations have been implemented in South Africa, aimed at ensuring the performance of materials and systems used to achieve the reduction of the energy/carbon footprint of buildings, thus helping to attain global greenhouse gas emission targets.
When it comes to achieving energy efficiency and reducing emissions, there is no question as to the importance of passive climate control measures as a once-off investment for a new build, or a retrofit done on demand to get immediate and effective energy saving and interior climate comfort for building occupants.
“Materials suppliers who engage in ‘greenwashing’ have long been a concern in the built environment industry, leading to the question: Who do we trust?” says Eric Quarmby, the CEO of Green Fibre Insulation, manufacturers of Thermguard Cellulose Fibre Insulation.
Here are some typical questions that Quarmby suggests the architect or engineer looking for information should ask before signing off on an insulation installation:
- Does the product and its installation contribute to a building’s qualification for a high-level Energy Performance Certificate? Does the installer know about EPC?
- Does the product add virtually nothing to the embedded carbon/energy footprint of the building and does its manufacturing process use as little water as possible in the factory?
- Does the product offer compliance with the requirements of SANS10400-XA:2021?
- In cases of a retrofit, does the installer know what R-value is required under the building regulations, and does that person have a solution to meet it?
- Does the contractor install what the design calls for, and is the installation neat and tidy without any spots left bare that will allow the escape or entry of heat?
- Circular economy: Is the material being considered based on sustainable sources and does it support recycling during manufacture and at its end of life?
“The above boxes are all ticked for Thermguard. Other brands should be able to persuade the professional that their product is genuinely able to meet both climate goals and human comfort goals at the same time. It is important to know who is greenwashing and who is not. Thermguard complies, is a SABS Mark Holder and ISO9001:2015 approved,” concludes Quarmby.
