Several major freight companies across Australia have embraced THERMOMASS sandwich precast concrete panels for use in current and upcoming distribution centre projects, and it’s easy to see why.

Providing passive temperature control, fire resistance, great durability to the daily wear and tear of internal traffic and with the added security of precast concrete walls – it’s clear to see why companies continue to choose the THERMOMASS building system over that of the typical steel cladding approach.

A THERMOMASS wall is cost neutral compared to other wall assemblies that need to be put together to facilitate large goods stores, warehouses and supermarkets. A THERMOMASS wall contributes to greater energy efficiency, a shorter build time and a greater value building in the long term. THERMOMASS makes concrete make sense.

Another year has come and gone and we’d like to take the time to thank you for your support and interest throughout the 2012. It’s been another great year for the THERMOMASS insulation system for concrete sandwich panels and our range of rigid insulation boards to suit Section J requirements. 

In 2012 CGS introduced Durasheath-3, a durable and aesthetically superior option for under soffit areas. Durasheath has a glass polymer face, resisting damage on site and providing a clean and tidy finish that looks like concrete. Thermasheath-3 was once again very popular in under soffits. Major projects including the Emporium development in Melbourne and Central Park in Sydney take advantage of the superior thermal performance and right price of Thermasheath-3. 

THERMOMASS continued to be a winner for concrete construction for projects as diverse as two major prisons, to the Port Lincoln Airport redevelopment. There are several high profile projects in the pipeline for early 2013. One thing’s for sure, the investment made in a thermally superior, high thermal mass building insulation method will continue to pay dividends for decades to come. 

From all of us at CGS, have a safe and relaxing break, we look forward to speaking with you in the new year. 

There’s a great deal of concrete used in construction around Australia. It’s fast, easy and durable. But there’s a way to make it better. For the same cost as a conventional wall assembly you can specify and build a THERMOMASS insulated concrete sandwich wall.

The THERMOMASS insulation system for concrete sandwich panels is a tried and tested method of introducing a thermal mass factor to the building envelope.  By insulating concrete from the outside, a large amount of mass is left on the interior of the building to absorb and release heat to even out internal temperature swings.

The result is a more comfortable environment that costs less to maintain. THERMOMASS turns concrete into an extraordinary building material that suits any application from apartments to warehouses.

THERMOMASS Makes Concrete Make Sense.

THERMOMASS insulated concrete panels can be used in a variety of applications, combine the cost efficiency and quick construction time of conventional panels, with the additional benefit of insulating the panel as it is poured.

 A THERMOMASS panel costs no more to construct and install than a traditional grey flat panel, and has almost identical properties for engineering and erection.

 The unique construction of concrete sandwich panels enables the building to utilise the building’s thermal mass to passively regulate the temperature inside the building, cutting heating and cooling costs more than the average insulated material can.

 THERMOMASS insulated concrete panels are a reliable way to build long-lasting, energy efficient, low maintenance buildings that not only satisfy Section J of the BCA, they will continue to return value to owners and occupiers well into the future.

Apart from the significant savings in energy that the occupier of a THERMOMASS building will have over its life, THERMOMASS panels costs no more to construct.

By shortening the build time and eliminating plastering and insulation of these walls after erection, THERMOMASS pure and simply saves money.

THERMOMASS panels have a high thermal mass, placed inside of the insulation envelope. This means that extremes in temperature are smoothed and the building can be conditioned more efficiently. For meeting BCA Section J there is no better alternative for concrete than THERMOMASS.

THERMOMASS Makes Concrete Make Sense.

DURASHEATH 3 means carparks look good again.

In recent times the mandatory insulation of carpark under soffit areas has meant silver glass wool or other rigid materials with foil faces. In addition to pins and taping, this means carparks can be shiny and unattractive, made worse by rips, dents and tears of the material facing.

Contrary to popular belief, the foil face of these products does nothing for the thermal performance of the product. Durasheath 3 is a PIR foam with a matte fibreglass polymer face. When installed it looks like concrete.  The face is durable, resisting dents and tears and can be painted to suit.

With colour matched pins and tape, carpark insulation can be inconspicuous, attractive and durable again with Durasheath 3.

The boom in building apartments is undeniable. All across major cities in Australia thousands of new apartments as we rush towards greater density living.

As many of these are constructed using concrete, builders and clients can be saving time and money on site by using a THERMOMASS insulated wall system.  A THERMOMASS panel is no more expensive than a conventional precast panel with bulk insulation, stud walls and plasterboard.

THERMOMASS panels are poured and insulated in the same day, eliminating the need for further insulation or other treatment on site.

THERMOMASS panels have a higher thermal performance and additionally allow the building to take advantage of the thermal mass stored in the inner layer of concrete. Quicker, cheaper builds and more comfortable occupants? THERMOMASS makes concrete make sense.

One of the big problems with building bulky goods stores like supermarkets and general household is the need to keep the store cool. The other is fixing shelves to the wall. If a store has a up to 5-6 layers of precast concrete, plasterboard, insulation, structural ply, just for the sake of being able to attached shelves, there is much cost and compromise inolvolved.

 Imagine if it we possible to have concrete on the interior and exterior, and have it insulated at the same time? A three layer wall instead of six. THERMOMASS has been the system providing the most sensible and cost effective way to build energy efficient bulky goods stores for over 30 years.

 A THERMOMASS wall is cost neutral compared to other wall assemblies that need to be put together to facilitate large goods stores, warehouses and supermarkets. A THERMOMASS wall contributes to greater energy efficiency, a shorter build time and a greater value building in the long term. THERMOMASS makes concrete make sense.

If you have recently attended a Continuing Professional Development seminar run by CGS regarding thermal mass and its use in Architecture, answers to the questionnaire can be found here.

For the buildings of the future, it is imperative that all stakeholders in the building process better and further understand the implications of proper insulation on comfort, energy efficiency and long term costs and value of a well insulated building. THERMOMASS concrete sandwich panels are a cost-effective way to not just satisfy the BCA but to create a high value building.

From the presentation and discussion, complete the following.

Ware the three options for dealing with radiant heat entering a building envelope?

 1. Do nothing

 2. Attempt to mechanically change the temperature by air conditioning, refridgerative or heating.

 3. Use the mass in the building to store the energy. This means in winter rooms stay warmer for longer. In summer, the air temperature is “protected” from radiant heat load by the mass. When the ambient temperature drops, ventilation can remove stored heat.  

 List some of the benefits of working with concrete sandwich panels.

Accelerated building time

Less time and trades on site

Versatility of design

Durability of structure, low maintenance structure.

Ability to use thermal mass if used correctly.

 Briefly explain the movement of heat energy when the interior and ambient temperatures are not the same:

Energy and heat are like most natural systems – they tend toward equilibrium. Energy as heat will cross a barrier between two spaces from an area of higher energy concentration to lower energy until the two temperatures are the same.

In some systems, eg cars – the heat radiation changes frequency and cannot radiate back out through the glass.

How can an interior with significant mass contribute to a more comfortable environment?

In a room with no mass, radiant heat enters a room and heats the air. As the heat has nowhere to go and as such the temperature in the room increases as long as there is a radiant load on the room and the entry point.

With an amount of mass, as there are more molecules packed in a dense substance, there is a large amount of “storage space” for the heat entering the room. The difference in density and mass between concrete and air is so significant that the temperature in the room is moderated and kept more constant over the diurnal swings.

What is the most efficient way to cool a room in the evening following a hot day?

If the ambient temperature is lower – ventilation is by far the quickest and most efficient way to cool a room. Well designed buildings with automatic or convenient ventilation, access to outside air to flow through and carry heat radiating out of any mass in the interior.

 What are the three main benefits of concrete sandwich panels and some of the crucial factors in deciding on a CSP system?

1.    Thermal mass effect – far superior thermal performance

2.    Accelerated building program – built and insulated at the same time.

3.    Cost neutrality

The single most important factor when choosing a concrete sandwich panel system is the connectors. Are they compatible with concrete chemically and thermally? Will they cause thermal bridging? Will they have the same expansion-contraction profile as concrete? Do they have a number of studies and years of observation, testing and third party evaluations for quality control? A well made concrete sandwich panel will serve for over 100 years.

At THERMOMASS head office in Melbourne, constant outside ambient temperatures are rare.

In the summer months, the unbearable heat is nullified by the effectiveness of the thermal mass provided by the design of the precast or tilt-up concrete in an insulated THERMOMASS concrete sandwich wall.

 The concrete mass on the inside of the insulation envelope absorbs the heat as it comes inside through the windows, meaning the temperature in the room is kept more constant during the day. Even after 4 days of 35 degree days outside, the office temperature is kept around 24 degrees with a minimum of air conditioning.

 THERMOMASS is the best way to minimise CO2 emissions from unnecessary air condition and heating. THERMOMASS is the only concrete sandwich wall system that has been in use for over 30 years and comes with the reassurance of reinforced connectors and third party evaluations.

 THERMOMASS makes concrete make sense. Talk to a precaster or tilt-up concrete contractor about how to design with concrete.