What are the rules in TEK17 when insulating pipes and ventilation ducts to reduce heat loss and minimise smoke and the spread of fire? We'll give you a brief introduction to the rules in the Building Regulations.
What is TEK17?
TEK17 specifies the minimum requirements for buildings and is the nickname for the Building Code Regulations. TEK17 came into force on 1 July 2017 and replaced TEK10.
Chapter 14 deals with energy, and in §14-3 we can read the following about the minimum requirements for energy efficiency:
‘Pipes, equipment and ducts connected to the building's heating system shall be insulated. The insulation thickness must be economically optimal, calculated according to the Norwegian standard or an equivalent European standard.’
The relevant standards for calculating the thickness are NS-EN 12828:2012+A1:2014 or DS 452:2013.
Thermal insulation of hot pipes
Remember to insulate air separators, pipe hangers and valves. It reduces heat loss, saves energy and is profitable. An uninsulated valve can correspond to approximately 3 metres of uninsulated pipe, and stretches of pipe with uninsulated pipe hangers can result in up to 25 percent extra heat loss.
Thermal insulation of ventilation ducts
There are three things we want to achieve by insulating a ventilation duct: We want to limit heat loss, achieve a specific outlet temperature for the ventilation air and at the same time prevent condensation from forming in or on the outside of the duct.
According to Glava, the payback period for a typical system will be between 2 and 4.5 years. We then assume that the media temperature is +17°C and that the ambient temperature is +23°C. The depreciation period is 20 years, the real interest rate is +7%, the energy price increase is +3% and the energy price is 100 øre/kWh. The calculation is based on insulation class 3 in NS-EN 12828.
Fire insulation of pipes and ducts near escape routes
Pipe penetrations in fire-rated structures must be insulated in such a way that they do not significantly increase the risk of fire and smoke spread. In the event of a fire, it is the smoke that kills most people.
If the surface of the insulation is more than 20 per cent of the adjoining wall or ceiling, you must use insulation with class A2L-s1,d0 (non-combustible/limited combustibility), or insulation with at least the same class as the wall or ceiling.
In all other cases, the insulation on pipes and ducts must at least fulfil class BL-s1,d0 (PI). There is an exception here for individual pipes or ducts with an external diameter of up to 200 mm. They must at least fulfil class CL-s3,d0 (PII).
If the pipe section or duct is laid in a shaft, cavity or behind a lined ceiling with a fire cell limiting function, the insulation must at least fulfil class CL-s3,d0 (PII). The same class applies to other insulation on pipes and ducts in buildings with risk classes 3, 5 and 6, and in buildings with fire classes 2 and 3.
Other insulation on pipes and ducts in buildings in risk classes 1, 2 and 4 in fire class 1 must at least satisfy class DL-s3,d0 (PIII).
In a fire situation, the ventilation system should ensure that the hot smoke is transported away. This will reduce the risk of spread. Ventilation for supply and exhaust air must then run at full speed.
We help you choose insulation according to TEK17
Read the entire Building Code Regulation (TEK17) with guidance on the website of the Directorate for Building Quality. Isopartner can help you choose the right thickness and material for insulation in accordance with TEK17.