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Technology and Materials
Technology and Materials
Rainwater harvesting systems allow for the collection, ltering and storage of roof rainwater for
use in nonpotablefunctions. The storage capacity depends on the roof area and the anticipated
demand. In certain systems, when the storage tank level is insufcient, the mains water supply
automatically switches in.
Three types of rainwater harvesting systems are described in BS 8515: 2009. Water from the
storageairout
Stale air outtanks may be delivered by gravity or self-activatingpump directly to the points of
use; alternatively, thestored water is pumped to an elevated cistern whichthen gravity feeds the
points of use. Filtration systemsrequire routine annual maintenance and shouldretain particles of
size >1.25 mm. Rainwater is suitablefor ushing toilets, laundry operations, car washing,garden
watering and other non-potable functions.
Rainwater outlets must be clearly marked as nonpotable.
Guidance on calculating the required storage capacityis given in BS 8515: 2009. For the
approximate
ENERGY-SAVING MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS 393 calculation of the required storage
capacity, a domestic consumption of 50 l/day/person is appropriate.
To anticipate uctuations in supply, storage capacity should equal 5% of the annual demand or
5% of the average annual rainwater yield, whichever is the lesser.
Suitable provision is required for overow from the storage tank.
Low-emissivity glass
Low-emissivity glasses are manufactured from oatglass by the application of a transparent lowemissivity coating on one surface. The coating may be applied either online, within the annealing
lehr at 650C, as a pyrolytic hard coat, or off-line after glass manufacture by magnetic sputtering
under vacuum which produces a softer coat. On-line manufactured low-emissivity glasses and
some off-line products may be toughened after coating; also off-line low-emissivity coatings
may be applied to previously toughened glass. The on-line surface coating is more durable and is
not normally damaged by careful handling.Low-emissivity glass functions by reecting back into
the building the longer-wavelength heat energy associated with the buildings occupants, heating
systems and internal wall surfaces, whilst allowing in the transmission of the shorter-wavelength
solar energy(Fig. 7.18). The incoming solar energy is absorbed by the internal walls and reradiated as longer-wavelength energy, which is then trapped by the low-emissivity coating on the
glass.Low-emissivity coatings can reduce by three quartersthe radiant component of the thermal
transfer between the adjacent surfaces within double glazing. The reduction in emissivity of
standard uncoated glass, from 0.84 to below 0.16, gives a decrease in Uvaluefrom 2.8 W/m2K
for standard double glazing to 1.7 W/m2K with low-emissivity glass. Frequently,low-emissivity
glass is protected in use within sealed double-glazed units. The outer leaf in the double-glazing
system may be clear or any other specialist glass for security or solar control. Pyrolytic lowemissivity coatings are suitable for incorporation into secondary glazing for existing windows.
The emissivities of low-E coatings range for hard coats from 0.15 to 0.20 and for soft coatings
from 0.04 to 0.10. Following the changes in the requirements for energy conservation, lowemissivity glass double glazing has effectively become the standard for all new building works,
as in the Swiss Re building in central
London (Fig. 7.19).
Double-glazing units
Hermetically sealed double-glazing units are usually manufactured with aluminium or thin stainless steel spacers which incorporate moistureadsorbing molecular sieve or silica gel and are sealed with polyisobutylene,
polyurethane,polysulphide or epoxysulphide. The primary seal is backed up by a secondary seal,
usually a two-part silicone to prevent leakage, and is covered with a protective cap (Fig. 7.20).
Greater thermal efciency, to reduce cold bridging and the risk of condensation, is afforded by
thermoplastic or GRPspacers coated with a thin foil of aluminium or stainless steel to prevent
gas loss. Timber frames offer good insulation. PVC frames use multi-chamber systems and
plastic or minimal steel reinforcement to reduce thermal conduction. Aluminium and steel frames
require the inclusion of thermal breaks to reduce the risk of surface condensation and signicant
heat loss. Table 7.3 shows the relationship between centre pane and overall window U-values for
a sample of timber, PVCU, aluminium and steel frame systems.
transmittance, and condensation resistance, although comparable NFRC standards may also
sometimes be used. Curtain wall systems are adaptable to a great variety of glass types, frame
sizes, and congurations. For this reason, determining precise Ufactors and other properties for a
particular system design usually requires more detailed analysis than, for example, when
standard window congurations are specied.Where impact or blast resistance is required,
curtain wall systems can be tested to the same standards described in Chapter 18 for doors and
windows.