Alupro makes energy efficiency both beautiful and durable

In the future, weather conditions, environmental requirements, and legislation will pose increasing challenges to construction. More and more attention is paid to the energy efficiency of buildings, and when constructing new buildings, more effort than ever before is put on achieving zero-energy buildings. At the same time, buildings should look more impressive, and the structures should be able to endure extreme stress. Alupro is a Finnish expert in facade construction that sees these global changes and construction industry trends as opportunities for innovating new solutions.

Studies show that cooling buildings is not only more expensive than heating them, but also more harmful to the environment. Louvres that are attached to the outside of a building offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to lowering indoor temperatures. Alupro specialises in impressive facade louvres that also protect against the sun. The louvres prevent sunshine from entering buildings, thus reducing the need to cool them, and help keep the indoor air temperature constant. To achieve the best results, combine carefully designed high-quality louvres with a modern air conditioning system. With the help of the louvres, working conditions in an office building can be kept optimal as high temperatures and bright sunshine do not interfere with work. And, best of all, while the louvres even help muffle the noise from the outside, they do not block the view from the window.

Lower your costs with louvres

The effect of facade and window louvres on the energy consumption of buildings has been studied extensively. The results show that cost savings of over 20% can be achieved in indoor air cooling using various kinds of facade louvre solutions. The engineers at Alupro have also studied the effects of facade louvres on the need for and cost of indoor air cooling in buildings. It is particularly interesting to see how long the payback period of the investment in louvres is when calculated in energy cost-savings achieved, and the actual savings that can be achieved using various louvre solutions.

Sun shade louvres are particularly useful in buildings with large windows. Alupro has supplied sun shade louvres to the facades of public buildings, shopping centres, office and residential buildings and multistorey car parks, for example.

While energy consumption and environmental aspects are important, architects and builders also expect the facade materials they use to be durable and have a prominent appearance. Alupro uses 100% aluminium in the facade louvres it manufactures in its own factory in Tuusula, near Finland’s capital, Helsinki. Aluminium is a safe, durable, and recyclable construction material that retains its spectacular appearance virtually forever. Alupro has the know-how and skills required to realise both the technical and aesthetic aspects of the customer’s vision. The result is a functional and durable building that is also visually satisfying.

Suitable solutions for any weather

The experts at Alupro have designed louvres for different climates and even extreme conditions. Every solution can also be tailored to meet the customers’ needs. There are various options to choose from:

PS-P louvres are light, prefabricated sun shade systems that are installed above or in front of windows to protect the windows and entrances against sunshine, either as individual elements or as a chain of elements that cover the whole length of the wall. Aluminium, brass, copper, and acid-proof steel louvres can be used as sun shades on all floors of the building, and they can be manufactured in any shape and size. Curved solutions are also available. Various profiles and spacing options allow for virtually unlimited applications, and the colour of the surface finish can be selected from various options.

The louvres create light and functional surface decorations suitable for different kinds of public spaces. Alupro’s modern solutions enable spectacular decorative solutions. The louvres are also ideal for covering less pleasing surfaces in rooms that contain technical building service equipment, for instance.

AluClik sun shade louvres can be designed using a wide variety of profiles, shapes, and colours. The basic range includes more than ten different profiles, and Alupro can also design and produce completely new models according to customer needs. Curved profiles are available, and the spacing can be defined flexibly. Alupro surface treats the louvres according to customer specifications in its own paint shop. In addition, aluminium constructions can be treated with an anti-graffiti coating, so that any graffiti is removable without the need to repaint smeared surfaces. Thanks to their high-quality interlocking system, AluClik louvres are quick and easy to assemble on site, saving the customer time and cost in the installation phase.

A horizontal louvre is a spectacular and functional sun shade solution. The light sun shade louvres that are installed above windows on the outer wall of a building can be used to create stylish decorative effects. The profiles used in the horizontal louvres can be selected from a variety of options. Horizontal louvres are usually produced using PS-P or AluClik profiles that match the customer’s needs. Aluminium grilles can also be used in horizontal louvres.

Alupro continuously develops new products to meet changing customer needs and environmental requirements. In addition to improving energy efficiency, the easy-to-install Alupro louvres:

protect against the glaring sun;
let natural light in to the building, thus reducing the need for artificial lighting;
help keep the indoor temperature constant;
reduce the need for heating and cooling in buildings, thus cutting related costs;
block distracting noise pollution;
create eye-catching effects on facades.

There is no doubt that in the next few years, the development of sun shade louvres will happen at an increasing speed. If you are facing a challenge related to facade construction or louvres, let Alupro experts handle it. More energy-efficient and sustainable construction solutions do not have to be boring – quite the contrary!

Alupro continuously develops new products to meet changing customer needs and environmental requirements. In addition to improving energy efficiency, the easy-to-install Alupro louvres:

protect against the glaring sun;
let natural light in to the building, thus reducing the need for artificial lighting;
help keep the indoor temperature constant;
reduce the need for heating and cooling in buildings, thus cutting related costs;
block distracting noise pollution;
create eye-catching effects on facades.

Our competence

is at your disposal!

Alupro Ltd.

Tel. +358 207 421 700

export@alupro.com

www.alupro.com

05/21/2024 09:30:57

The Right Plumbing System for Healthier Water

Ongoing conversations surrounding the use of certain materials in plumbing systems, and the effects they may have on consumers’ drinking water, have put metallic fittings under the spotlight. As this scrutiny has grown, so too has the need to find new, innovative piping solutions. With that in mind, Franz Huelle, head of technical at REHAU Building Solutions explores the viability of alternatives in today’s plumbing systems

From the first terracotta pipes in around 1700BC to modern day technology, the art and science of plumbing has changed over the years. Many materials have been used in the heating and plumbing space, with lead being perhaps the most infamous. Though very stable and malleable, the health risks incurred through the metal’s high toxicity levels resulted in it being banned from use in pipework over 30 years ago.

Since then, the industry has evolved – brass fittings and pipes enjoyed increasing popularity among building specifiers and service providing, becoming the material of choice for over 70 years. In recent years, however, certain materials have come under increasing scrutiny for the effect they can have on drinking water once installed.

Because these materials can leach undesirable substances such as lead into water drunk by consumers, they may pose a health risk.

An open letter

Indeed, an open letter sent earlier this year from the UK’s Water Regulators to water companies raised these concerns. The letter, which addressed the suitability of metallic materials in contact with drinking water, cited findings from UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) identifying that metallic fittings can be a major source of elevated metal ion concentrations in drinking water. Notable in UKWIR’s research was the link drawn between some brass fittings and the levels of lead and nickel in drinking water.

Currently, the effect of non-metallic materials in drinking water is assessed via the stringent criteria set down in British Standard (BS) 6920 and WRAS has been for many years administering an approval scheme including this test to determine the level of metals leaching from non-metallic fittings that are in contact with water. Though testing and approval processes do exist to assess the potential for metallic materials to adversely affect potable water, the British Standards Institute’s 2002 ‘Draft for Development Standard’ has been shown to be unsuitable as it is unrepresentative of real use.

Investigations have also shown that when compared to their non-metallic counterparts, no corresponding system exists to effectively determine long-term leaching characteristics from metallic fittings, or carry out reliable testing.

Recent scientific research has highlighted that metal leaching rates can increase in the first few months following the installation of new metallic fittings. In response to this, the 4MS Group – an initiative between the UK, France, the Netherlands and Germany to harmonise drinking water requirements – codified performance criteria to provide guidance around the use of metallic fittings in contact with water.

“Ensuring the UK can access international architectural skills and talent is a key focus for the RIBA, as is the need for a flexible, responsive immigration system.”

Even less risk

These criteria are collated in BS EN 15664, which sets standards around assessing the potential for metallic materials to adversely affect drinking water quality. Metals that have been successfully tested to BS EN 15664 are added to the ‘Common Composition List,’ available via the 4MS Website. Alloys found in this list can be used to manufacture metallic plumbing fittings to reduce the risk of metals leaching into the water.

However, it must be pointed out that, unless the fitting is completely free of lead, there always remains a small risk of lead leaching into the water. It should also be noted that under current regulations, 4MS Group’s criteria is optional. So, while the risk to consumers may be reduced and compliance improved in some products, not all metallic fittings have been tested to a level where they can provide a guaranteed level of protection.

Fitting solutions

Faced with such a scenario, it may be more prudent for specifiers, building designers and other building service providers to opt for plumbing pipe systems that use a high proportion of non-metallic components and fittings made from alloys found in the ‘Common Composition List’, such as REHAU’s RAUTITAN plumbing system, which uses lead-free gunmetal.

Although debate continues over the use of plastic fittings over metallic alloy options, issues arising from metal leaching and drinking water should set such polymer-based systems apart as a more logical option.

Advances in polymer-based plumbing solutions means that plastic alternatives to brass are able to offer a safer, stronger, more flexible and, crucially, more hygienic system for builders and developers.

RAUTITAN, for example, delivers on durability, corrosion resistance and ease of installation.

Its cavity-free impermeable joints eliminate the risk of microbial contamination, and its smooth surface prevents deposits from forming. Because of this, both the RAUTITAN flex and its multi-layer sibling RAUTITAN stabil enjoy WRAS approval.

Because polymer plumbing systems such as these do not use lead, the designer can also ensure that water quality within the building is improved. Under the right conditions, brass fittings are subject to the risk of stress corrosion cracking. Because this is not an issue with polymer alternatives, it removes the possibility of lead leaks and the contamination that could ensue.

Through reducing the amount of metals used in plumbing systems wherever possible and only relying on metals tested against BS EN 15664, designers can enjoy peace of mind, knowing issues surrounding the presence of undesirable substances in drinking water have been avoided.

By contrast, due to the lack of adequate, mandatory testing and assessments systems available for metallic fittings, stakeholders opting for this solution run the risk of long-term leaching into drinking water supplies. Not only could this affect a designer and builder’s reputation later down the line, it could also impact the health of the building’s occupants.

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Image courtesy of DRG Photography / Shutterstock.com

Plumbing

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05/21/2024 09:30:57