ETAG 031 is part of a family of European Technical Approval Guidelines (ETAGs). It was prepared in 2010 under the Construction Products Directive (CPD) –

The design of an inverted warm flat roof – where the thermal insulation is above the waterproofing layer – allows for the possibility of rainwater

After discussing the different types of insulation material commonly specified in ground floor constructions in this previous blog, we explained why it’s important not to

At the end of June 2019, the UK Government issued an advice note regarding balconies on residential buildings and fire safety. The advice note followed

A fire usually starts inside a building, so internal fire spread is as critical a part of fire safety regulations as external fire spread. It’s

As one of the two main areas of building design and construction where extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation is commonly specified, it’s useful to understand how

As one of the two main areas of building design and construction where extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation is commonly specified, it’s useful to understand how

When considering the fire performance of building elements, generally it is necessary to distinguish between the fire performance of individual components (such as an insulation

A water control layer (WCL), or water flow reducing layer (WFRL), is a loose laid membrane installed over inverted warm roof insulation. The performance of

For a flat roof construction – be it a cold roof, a warm roof, or a warm inverted roof – the calculation method for year-round

A blue roof is a flat roof construction – either a warm roof or an inverted warm roof – where additional elements are incorporated into

Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager at Polyfoam XPS highlights common misconceptions about ground floor insulation and offers guidance on specification and installation. How many

Ian Exall, National Sales Manager of Polyfoam XPS gives his view. Fundamentally, price remains the driving factor on construction projects, but priorities have shifted. The

December 2018 saw the publication of amendments to the Building Regulations in England, as part of the response to the Grenfell Tower disaster. The amendments

A revised version of BS 6229, the code of practice for ‘flat roofs with continuously supported flexible waterproofing coverings’, came into effect on 30th November

As a British Standard only (rather than an adopted European or International standard), BS 6229 concentrates on flat roof construction in the UK. It describes

Poorly specified and/or installed insulation can have a detrimental impact on ground floors. Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager at Polyfoam XPS explains the risks

Stuart Bell, Managing Director at Polyfoam XPS reflects on 2018 and talks of what’s in store for 2019. Throughout 2018 we continued to see sector

Rob Firman, technical and specification manager at Polyfoam XPS, addresses contractors’ queries about inverted roofs and extruded polystyrene insulation. Why is a different lambda value

Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager at Polyfoam XPS highlights the risks of inaccurate U-value calculations and need for a more rigorous approach during the